BEAR Begins: Bangladesh Hosts Bold Tech Symposium Honoring a Martyr’s Legacy
On July 16, 2024, the memory of Abu Sayed, a fallen student from Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur—shot dead by police while standing against discrimination and injustice—was honored through the country’s largest symposium on science and technology, held at the National Science and Technology Complex in Agargaon, Dhaka.
The two-day BEAR (Biotechnology, Electronics, Artificial Intelligence, and Robotics) Conference and National Semiconductor Symposium convened students, educators, inventors, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and politicians—forming a symbolic six-pillared archway representing the nation's future innovation ecosystem.
At the event entrance, festoons bore evocative messages celebrating youth power, with one banner referencing the fictitious “36th of July”—a metaphorical calendar date dedicated to the fallen student—and featuring a powerful visual of Abu Sayeed’s outstretched arms beneath the iconic line: “Bolo Bir, Chiro Unnoto Momo Shir” (Speak, hero, my head is ever held high).
Inside the venue, eye-catching X-banners introduced visitors to the Innovation Zone. Among the displays were concepts combining cultural heritage and advanced tech—such as wearable circuitry embedded in checkered lungis and flexible electronics inspired by the country's iconic shital pati and golden jute turned into carbon nanotube wires.
Following the inauguration, a panel discussion titled “AI Policy, Ethics and Regulation” was held, moderated by Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser, and Tariq Adnan Moon, CEO of Alpinex. Panelists included Mohammad Mahadi Amin, Advisor to the Acting Chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP); Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, Assistant Secretary General of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami; and Farhad Alam Bhuiyan Naeem, Joint Secretary of the National Citizen Party (NCP) and President of its ICT cell.
This was followed by a session titled “AI Talent Force Development,” moderated by Suparna Ray, Digital Development Specialist at the World Bank. Panelists included Prof. Mamun Or Rashid of Dhaka University’s CSE Department; Golam Rabbiul Alam of BRAC University; Badrul Hasan Liton, Joint Secretary of Secondary and Higher Education Division; Prof. Mohammad Saifur Rahman of BUET; Associate Prof. Mohammad Nazrul Islam of MIST; and Prof. Nabil Mohammad of North South University.
The day concluded with a session on “AI Investment in Startups,” featuring Wasim Alim, CEO of Chaldal; Fida Haque, CEO of Adorsho Pranisheba; Rahat Ahmed, Founder of Anchorless Bangladesh; Shuvo Rahman of MyAlice; AI researcher Ishfaq Haque; and Tanvir Ali, Chairperson of Consultation Asset Management Company.
