Future-readiness and employable ICT skills of university graduates in Bangladesh: an analysis during the post-covid era

The COVID-19 pandemic had a profound effect on our society, changing both the workplace and educational landscapes. This study aims to evaluate the ICT readiness of university graduates. It examines the usefulness and accessibility of the existing technology infrastructure found in the institutions of Bangladesh. In this study, a mixed-method inductive approach has been employed. This study utilized surveys and in-depth interviews to collect data from participants. The study's total sample size is 500. Snowball sampling and random purposive sampling have been used to select study participants. This study utilized human capital theory and consensus theory to provide a comprehensive underpinning of the situation in Bangladesh. The findings of this study indicated that the graduates have adequate ICT skills for future readiness for employability (A = 39.6%, SA = 29.4%). The result also indicates that the universities in Bangladesh have adequate opportunities to improve their ICT infrastructures for students (A = 49.4%, SA = 24.4%). To improve ICT skills among graduates, the study prescribes several policy recommendations, including collaborative efforts, career counselling, and industry-academia collaboration. By recognizing the need for ICT skill advancement initiatives and infrastructures during the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) period, this study also advises and contributes to future graduates, researchers, academicians, university faculties, policymakers, and government officials.