Semiconductor Symposium Showcases Innovation and Inclusion
On July 17, the curtains will fall on the first-ever Bangladesh National Semiconductor Symposium, held at the Science and Technology Complex in Dhaka. The event brought together researchers, industry leaders, and young innovators to highlight the strategic significance of semiconductors—a foundational technology integral to smartphones, computers, telecommunications, modern medical devices, electric and self-driving cars, robotics, artificial intelligence, and even space exploration.
This year’s symposium holds particular symbolic weight. Exactly one year ago, on the same date, an anti-discrimination protest erupted into a mass movement, prompting the authorities to enforce an internet blackout. Now, as the nation moves forward with renewed collective energy, the very generation that led that uprising is building bridges through science and technology.
The closing day will commence with a keynote address by Symposium Convener and Purdue University Professor Dr. Mostafa Hossain, outlining national strategies and initiatives for Bangladesh’s semiconductor industry. Following him, Dr. Saif Salauddin, a researcher at Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) and professor at the University of California, Berkeley, will present insights into the global semiconductor ecosystem.
A special seminar on building a “Semiconductor Talent Force” in Bangladesh will follow the tea break. Moderated by BUET Professor Mohammad Anisuzzaman Talukder, the panel will feature Rajshahi University Vice-Chancellor Saleh Naquib, UIU Vice-Chancellor Mohammad Rezwan Khan, BUET EEE Faculty Chair A. B. M. Harun-ur-Rashid, Shahriar Masud Rizvi from AIUB’s Innovation Lab, BRAC University Professor Touhidur Rahman, and MIST Commandant Major General Nasim Parvez.
During the poster presentation session, Associate Professors Faria Mehjabin (North South University), Mainul Hossain (University of Dhaka), Mohammad Masum Billah (IUT), and Mohammad Rayan Khan (East West University) will showcase their academic contributions.
In the afternoon, the Bangladesh Semiconductor Industry Association (BSIA) will highlight the present landscape and future roadmap of the local industry. BSIA President M. A. Jabbar will deliver the keynote. A high-level panel discussion—moderated by Dr. Syed Badruddoza, Director at NXP—will focus on AI-integrated semiconductors, front-to-backend design, embedded systems, digital twins, packaging and testing, and non-silicon devices.
A special roundtable featuring international delegates will be chaired by Dr. Anisul Khan, former VP of Applied Materials. Participants include SK Hynix CVP Jin Lim, MediaTek CVP Patrick Wilson, SanDisk and Western Digital’s VP of Technology Development Fumitoshi Ito, Global Foundries VP Dr. Mahbub Rashed, Tokyo Electronics VP Vaidya Bharadwaj, and Innovix VP Dr. Shatil Haque.
The symposium’s Innovation Zone has become a vibrant exhibition space for cutting-edge projects. MIST leads with 16 student innovations, including a herbal pain-relief liquid, eco-bags made from water-resistant jute, assistive eye-gaze tech for paralyzed patients, agricultural surveillance drones, IoT-based smart farming systems, and AI quadcopters—all derived from student theses.
BUET’s three projects also garnered attention, particularly one using 3D printing with clay for modernizing traditional pottery. The team behind this innovation includes BUET mechanical engineering students Mohammad Abu Sayem, Fahim Al Monayem, Shahriar Ahmed, Rifat Shahriar, Zahid Hasan, and Kamrul Hasan. North South University students have also showcased two notable projects.
In parallel, leading local semiconductor firms such as Dynamic Solution Innovation, Balu Technologies, iTest Bangladesh Ltd., Prime Silicon Technology Ltd., Siliconova Ltd., Tahoi Pvt. Ltd., Think Global Ltd., Neural Semiconductor Ltd., and Ulkasemi Pvt. Ltd. are exhibiting their products and services.
Moreover, 16 government-funded initiatives from the Enhancing Digital Government and Economy (EDGE) project are featured in the Innovation Zone. These span across six domains—education, environment (three each), health, livestock (two each), and one each in agriculture and culture—signaling a national commitment to inclusive and technology-driven growth.
