[Video] Debate: Is Developing Tech Savvy Agropreneurs a Pipedream? How can Agriculture Education be Revamped?

As the world faces unprecedented population growth and the urgent need for sustainable, knowledge-intensive food systems, transforming agricultural education and research has never been more critical. This session will explore how global and regional best practices can be leveraged to develop tech-savvy “agropreneurs” and close the gap in high-tech, climate-smart agriculture through the proposed Global High-Tech Agricultural University Network (GHAN).

[Video] Debate: Bingo! Make the Numbers Match: Skills Analytics, Matching and the Macroeconomics of Human Capital

This session explored one of the most urgent challenges facing skills systems today: how to meaningfully match people’s real capabilities with rapidly changing labor-market needs. Despite major investments in training and education, many countries still face persistent mismatches, unfilled vacancies, and underutilized talent. On the other hand, investments in skills analytics continue to grow; tools and diagnostics are being developed to inform policy and guide action. Does this translate into better matching?

Ibrahim Gundogdu

Dr. İbrahim Gündoğdu is a tourism academic specializing in health tourism, sustainable tourism, and eco-labeling practices. He currently serves as a Research Assistant at the Faculty of Tourism, Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Tourism and Hotel Management from the same university, and completed his PhD in Tourism Management at Kastamonu University in Türkiye.

Rafiqul Islam Maruf

Rafiqul ISLAM Maruf is an Associate Professor at the Division of Healthcare Digital Transformation, Data-Driven Innovation Initiative, Kyushu University, Japan.

His interest covers in the areas including ICT for agriculture, education, environment, information and healthcare.

Currently, Dr. Islam is focusing on healthcare, mainly in the areas of digital health, telehealth, portable healthcare systems, portable medical sensors and medical informatics.

The vision of Dr. Islam is to see the world of “ICT for Humanity”.

Sangay Dorji

Mr. Sangay Dorji is serving as the Offtg. Director in the Department of Workforce Planning and Skills Development, Ministry of Education and Skills Development. 

He is the Project Manager of Pathways for Emerging Skills and Jobs Project (PESJP), ADB executed by the Ministry of Education and Skills development since the launch of the project in November 2024 and has been with the Civil Service for 33 years at various capacity. 

He has a Masters in Mechanical Engineering with specialization in Bio-Mechanical Systems from Ehime University, Japan.

Faiza Ahad

Ms. Faiza Ahad is a social sector specialist at the Bangladesh Resident Mission of ADB. Since 2019, she has been leading and supporting the processing and implementation of education and health projects for ADB in Bangladesh, and participating in sector policy dialogue. In 2024, she has worked in the Pacific region of ADB and co-led preparation of a skills development project.