Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday said fighters of the July movement would one day emerge as leaders on the global stage, highlighting the transformative power of youth-led movements and digital technology.

He made the remarks while inaugurating the Digital Device and Innovation Expo-2026 at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in the capital.

Dr Yunus said the July movement had opened a new horizon of possibilities in the country’s political landscape, just as the Digital Device and Innovation Expo was expected to unlock fresh opportunities in the information and technology sector.

Referring to the July uprising, he noted that the protests which erupted after the internet shutdown played a decisive role in bringing about the fall of a powerful government. “The July movement activists will one day lead the world,” he said.

Describing the digital sector as the most crucial sector at present, the Chief Adviser said meaningful change would originate from this field and subsequently influence all other sectors.

He observed that although the digitalisation of citizen services existed on paper, it had not been effectively implemented in reality. “The government should only create a system and place it in the hands of the people. The people will use it in their own way. That is the true power of information technology,” he said.

Highlighting disparities in digital access, Dr Yunus said that among around 2,500 schools in the three hill districts of the Chattogram Hill Tracts, only 12 had internet connectivity. “In schools where teachers are absent, the internet can serve as the best teacher,” he added.

Rejecting the notion of guaranteeing jobs for everyone, he termed the idea misguided and likened it to a form of servitude. Instead, he stressed the need for government support to promote entrepreneurship.

Dr Yunus also expressed the view that government officials should not remain in public service for more than five years, arguing that prolonged tenure leads to rigid mindsets and hampers creativity. He further suggested that institutions should be restructured every 10 years to remain aligned with changing goals, noting that outdated thinking often persists despite shifts in objectives.

Calling for an end to fraudulent practices, the Chief Adviser said Bangladesh had earned a poor reputation internationally due to widespread fraud. “If we want to excel in technology, we must stop this malpractice. We want to walk with our heads held high. Bangladesh has that capability,” he said.