Let’s break this paradox

It was a chilly winter morning in early 1993. Overawed by its imperious location in the capital's educational precinct, I arrived in the compound of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology to take part in the entrance exam. We were the lucky 1500 or so who had attained registration forms based on our HSC and SSC aggregates, but only about 400 students would be admitted.

Despite months of preparation for the exam that included the sacrifice of leaving my friends and family in Chittagong and not celebrating the end of HSC, half way through the exam I started to fear that I might not make the cut; by the end of the exam I was almost certain. Despondent, I spent the rest of the day among a curious crowd in Chandrima Uddan, pensively considering my options for higher education, as BUET was a dream destination for science students.

I never had the opportunity to study at BUET but I remain proud of the institution for its academic excellence and administrative rigor, and for its extremely talented student and teacher cohort. In a country where many educational institutions are mired by the ill effects of politics, BUET remained relatively trouble free — until recently. The press runs commentaries that allege political intervention in the appointment of the VC and pro-VC. Without being on the ground, and unaware of all the history of the issue, it is silly to pass opinion, yet my heart aches to hear that an internationally reputed university, still a paramount study destination for aspiring technology students, is at a standstill, adversely affecting the education of our next generation.

As in our time, many students choose to study abroad to avoid this kind of interruption to their education. Over the years this has created a paradox. We are a nation full of genius in almost any field: economics, medicine, technology, history, literature or the arts. Almost anywhere in the world you can find a bright Bangladeshi in an international development institution, a university, a prospering company or an agency of government policy. Their work offers sharp solutions to the allocation of resources, fighting corruption, creating wealth or promoting innovation — but when it comes to the aid of the country itself, they are helpless.

Myriads of explanations can be offered, but perhaps the most pertinent reason is that they know that their advice will fall on deaf ears. They are better off going solo or simply concentrating on their own affairs. The experience of endless woes, flagrant abuse and administrative malaise can turn the most positive souls into nihilists.

Individuals, eminent or otherwise, continue to try, at least personally. How to improve our situation, how to get out of our misery are the central themes of discussions among Bangladeshis anywhere. Many dedicate their time and money to development projects that help the poor or give opportunity to others. Some use their intellectual capacity to develop their own blogs to express ideas, analysis or possible solutions.

But these efforts can be coordinated, combined and led by brighter, better educated and fortunate Bangladeshis who have the responsibility to lead us, to fight for us, to help us overcome our shortcomings.

A group of renowned Indian economists recently set up a new economics blog, called Ideas for India. It gives economists and academics a chance to write on issues for non-expert readers – in about 1000 words, experts can discuss, suggest solutions or make points for further readings – on anything from the prevalence of corruption to the caste system. Funded by the International Growth Centre, the portal states its purpose to be the establishment of a common platform for exchanging and debating ideas between various commentators and individuals. Similar ideas portals exist in different parts of the world such as VoxEU.org for the European Union.

Economists and academics, however, are known to be bogged down in setting and solving problems only at theoretical and intellectual levels, often failing to communicate their message either to the general public or to the government for implementation. Bangladeshi think tanks such as Centre for Policy Dialogue offer analysis, and other blog sites are hosted by talented and thinking Bangladeshis.

Even then, fresh approaches would be useful. And who other than the educated can offer this?

Sharing ideas could not be easier in today's information age. As we climb the growing mountain of social media, organisations and governments, although using these media in a clumsy and hidebound fashion, seem to warm up to ideas. University courses are even being delivered online, removing the need for physical attendance. Social revolutions, most notably the Arab Spring, are spurred by the social media.

Epic leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi (University College London), Jawahar Lal Nehru (Trinity College, Cambridge University) or B R Ambedkar (Columbia University) were foreign educated. They used their education to bring about the change needed in their time.

Can educated Bangladeshis start a new movement? Can we break the paradox?

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Irfan Chowdhury writes from Canberra, Australia.