Bangladesh to Host First-Ever National Semiconductor Symposium in Dhaka
For the first time, Bangladesh is set to host the two-day Bangladesh National Semiconductor Symposium (BEAR) in Dhaka, under the leadership of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Division. According to organizers, over 2,100 individuals have already registered for the event, which will bring together participants from more than 30 universities, 18 domestic semiconductor design and manufacturing companies, and 18 government ministries.
The symposium has drawn interest from not only Dhaka and major divisional cities, but also district-level science and technology organizations from areas such as Pabna and Jamalpur.
To ensure broad participation within a limited budget, the organizers are adopting a hybrid model. This format will enable participation from stakeholders across academia, industry, government, and international organizations, including those residing abroad or in remote regions of the country. The organizers also expressed optimism about the participation of W. Patrick Wilson, Corporate Vice President of MediaTek.
On July 9, a preparatory meeting was held at the ICT Tower in Agargaon, Dhaka, to finalize the event’s roadmap. The meeting was chaired by ICT Division Secretary Shish Haider Chowdhury, with Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, Special Assistant for IT and Telecom to the Chief Adviser, present as the chief guest. Vice-chancellors, professors, technologists, and industry leaders from various universities joined the session, while the symposium's convener, Professor Muhammad Mostafa Hussain of Purdue University’s ECE Department, addressed the meeting virtually.
According to available information, the two-day symposium will feature seven discussion sessions, two special tripartite sessions involving academia, industry, and government, and one exclusive meeting with international stakeholders. Organizers aim to compile the outcomes into a unified national roadmap for the semiconductor industry. Around 400 expatriate Bangladeshis are expected to attend physically, while over 600 Bangladeshi experts are anticipated to join virtually.
Sources suggest that on July 10, the ICT Division may announce the venue, guest list, and event details.
