IEEE Smart City: Bangladesh perspective
IEEE Bangladesh Section along with IEEE BUET Student Branch and Department of EEE, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) arranged an event on “Fostering R&D Investment in Budgetary Policies Through IEEE Engagement” on 11 June, 2018 at Room No. 625, ECE Building, Department of EEE, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET). The event started at 02:00 PM at afternoon.
The event was arranged with the vision of upholding a unique platform of communique between IEEE and industry, facilitating collaboration among organizations and individuals as they refine their thinking on rapidly changing technologies, in Bangladesh.
The program was attended by officials from Energypac Power Generation Ltd, Bangla Trac Ltd, Bangladesh Power Generation Company, Digi Jadoo Broadband Ltd, BASIS, BRAC IT, Grameenphone, Siemens, Robi, Banglalink, Summit Communications, Fibre@home, Link3, Bangabandhu Satellite. Also attended by IEEE Bangladesh Section(BDS) Ex-Com members were present along with the Head of the Department of EEE, BUET, Dr. Md. Shafiqul Islam.
The program was hosted by Mr. Azfar Adib, Industrial Activities Co-ordinator, IEEE BDS; Architect, Internet-of-Things(IoT), Grameenphone Ltd.
At 2:00 PM. Mr. Azfar Adib initiated the session by welcoming all the invited guests and briefly focusing on the purpose of the event. He invited Professor Dr. Md. Shafiqul Islam, Head of Dept. of EEE, BUET to deliver his commencement speech.
Dr. Md. Shafiqul Islam offered his generous support on behalf of the Department of EEE, BUET. He pressed on the idea of getting corporate, industry officials together under one roof and discuss on such a promising issue of research facilities under the newly circulated budgetary policy. He inaugurated the event thereby.
After the commencement speech, Professor Dr. Celia Shahnaz, Chair, IEEE Bangladesh Section and Professor, Dept. of EEE, BUET, gave the principle speech of the event titled “Fostering R& D investment in National Budgetary Policies through IEEE Engagement” where she talked about the role of IEEE BDS in promoting technology throughout Bangladesh and the possible role of industry in flourishing the technological know-how of students, academicians and industry people alike. She also commented on the events of IEEE BDS for the present year, on the various competitions that industry people can participate in and bring glory for the personal record and for the country as a whole. In her speech, she also revealed to the attended her envisioned future for IEEE Bangladesh Section where IEEE Bangladesh Section will be the premium platform for both industry and academia to work together.
At 2:30 PM, Nafisa Zarrin Tasnim, Assistant Engineer, Energypac Engineering Ltd and Professional Activities Coordinator, IEEE Women in Engineering (WIE) Affinity Group Bangladesh Branch, presented how women are
engaged in technology and industrial activities all over the world. She also highlighted some statistics on the role of women in industry section putting Bangladesh on perspective.
At 2:45 PM, Md. Romael Haque, Treasurer of IEEE Bangladesh Section, enlightened the attendees on IEEE Young Professionals(YP). He addressed how joining the Young Professionals community right after graduation could lead individuals to unique career opportunities through worldwide seminars, workshops and networking events. He also pointed out some key events of IEEE BDS YP which were done earlier this year and also which are yet to come.
At 3:00 PM, the panel discussion session was started with 6 panel members. They were:
- Professor Dr. Md. Shafiqul Islam, Head of Dept. of EEE, BUET
- Professor Shaikh Anowarul Fattah, Nominations and Appointments Chair, IEEE BDS and Professor, Dept. of EEE, BUET
- Mr. Md. Rabiul Alam, Chairman, Energypac Power Generation Ltd.
- Mr. M Jahangir Alam, Chief Executive Officer, Bangla Trac Ltd.
- Mr. Sayeef Rahman, Head of Systems and Strategy, Digi Jadoo Broadband Ltd.
- Mr. AK Sabbir Mahbub, Working Committee Member (also Ex-Director), BASIS and Independent Director, BRAC IT Services
Also, by phone, Mr. Mohammad Maksudur Rahman Bhuiyan, Additional Director and Chief Engineer, University Grant Commission (UGC) joined the panel discussion.
In the panel discussion, Professor Shaikh Anowarul Fattah showed concern about the lack of innovation in Industrial Sector of Bangladesh and also lack of any research linkage or academic collaboration between industry and academia.
Mr. Md Rabiul Alam Chairman, Energypac Power Generation Ltd., emphasized on the need for government R&D fund aiming at new product development and hoped the government will take some incentives regarding this in future budgets.
Professor Dr. Md. Shafiqul Islam, Head of Dept. of EEE, BUET, asked the industry leaders to approach academia with their solution needs. He also expressed that both industry and academia should work in parallel to make the government hear their strong opinion.
Mr. M Jahangir Alam, Chief Executive Officer, Bangla Trac Ltd., signified the role IEEE can play becoming the link between industry and academia and the need for effective tri-party collaboration (government-industry-academia).
Mr. AK Sabbir Mahbub, Working Committee Member (also Ex-Director), BASIS and Independent Director, BRAC IT Services, pointed out the achievement of Bangladesh in the global avenue which shows the potential of our country if it can be utilized properly. He also asserted that policy makers, industry people and academia should prepare our next generation for the job sector future.
Mr. Sayeef Rahman, Head of Systems and Strategy, Digi Jadoo Broadband Ltd., articulated the insufficiency of fund in the budget for education and ICT sector. He also shared his experience as an entrepreneur and how a collaboration between industry and academia can help our economy.
As the final panelist Mr. Mohammad Maksudur Rahman Bhuiyan, Additional Director and Chief Engineer, University Grant Commission (UGC) who joined the panel by phone, mentioned some of the endeavours by the government to fund the research and development in different universities and the need of an umbrella platform that can facilitate faster advancement towards the vision of Digital Bangladesh.
The guests were given tokens of appreciation by the Chair of IEEE Bangladesh Section, Professor Dr. Celia Shahnaz. After the event, a group photo was taken.
The program ended at 4:15 PM. All the attendees were provided with snack boxes as refreshments.
After the event, the Honorable Vice Chancalor of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) Prof. Dr. Saiful Islam invited the guests at his office for a informal conversation.
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