5 recommendations to create an innovative Bangladesh by 2041

Experts have suggested that the implementation of ' Vision-2041' should be based on innovation plan, utilization of existing opportunities, efficient use of advanced technology, data-based planning and working on the basis of public-private partnership. This recommendation was made by various experts in the field of technology in a high-level panel discussion titled Innovative Bangladesh in 2041 (Imagining Bangladesh in 2041) organized by a2i. State Minister for Information and Communication Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak was present as the panelist; Sir Geoff Molgan, Professor of Collective Intelligence, Public Policy and Social Innovation at University College London (UCL) and former CEO of Nesta, UK; Mei Lin Fang, co-founder and co-founder of People Centered Internet in the United States; President and founder of Health and Education for All (HEEFA) and an associate professor at Brown University in the United States, nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize 2020 Dr. Ruhul Abid and Rudmila Nowshin, founder and CEO of ConfigVR and ConfigRobot. The panel discussion was moderated by Anir Chowdhury, Policy Advisor, a2i. At the beginning of the discussion, highlighting Bangladesh's achievements in the last 12 years and LDC graduation, SDG targets and 2041 targets, State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak, MP, said, “Our government's goal is to make Bangladesh a knowledge-based economy by 2041. Hon'ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has announced that after the implementation of Digital Bangladesh, we are now moving towards 'Innovative Bangladesh'. Now we have to build Bangladesh as a smart and innovative country with a knowledge-based economy.” Professor Sir Geoff Mulgan discusses the future of the workplace. He said, “Many existing job opportunities will be closed in the near future. Especially the labor-dependent jobs. Emphasis should be placed on data use and technology-based skills development to adapt and prepare for future-oriented workplaces.” "I think the most important thing is that Bangladesh as a nation has been able to build capacity," he said. “They have been able to harness the intellectual potential of the people of the country.” Talking about the various ways to eliminate the digital divide by 2041, Mei Lin Fang said, "The key element of eliminating the digital divide is to try to address their feedback. "We need to have a partnership for the future that we are dreaming of," he said. And this will be the best way to eliminate digital division. If these feedbacks can be resolved, it will become a game changer for the digital future of Bangladesh. So that all the people of the country can be involved in digital development.” Taking part in the panel discussion, Prof. Dr. Ruhul Abid highlighted the use of technology in the field of healthcare and the importance of public-private partnership (PPP) in tackling the challenges that will come up by 2041.  "Competition will increase with new innovations," he said. The government needs to create an environment where private companies can innovate and increase their competitiveness. The government can take the lead in managing data.” He added, “Healthcare must be affordable to all. If healthcare is not easily available to all, no one will be able to take this service. And the public-private partnership will play a key role in making it a success.” Talking about the future of robotics, AR and VR technology, Rudmila Nowshin said, “Robots have been helping people in almost all types of factories for a long time. The robot is highly efficient and has a low-risk rate. Collectively, AR-VR and robotics can become much more powerful and create better opportunities. We need to harness our brains to control technological advances and create employment opportunities in these areas. The future may not have manual labor jobs, but these jobs will be replaced by something better. So, I think if we move forward collectively, a lot is waiting for 2041 not only for Bangladesh, but for the whole world.” Bangladesh has entered the digital age this year and is planning to become a nation ready for LDC graduation by 2026 and set an example of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. However, the ultimate goal of Bangladesh will be achieved after 20 years. Because by 2041, Bangladesh will become a poverty-free, just, high-income country. Over the past epoch, Bangladesh has been acclaimed as a “role model of development” by printing old linear development models for socio-economic development and innovating and innovating. Senior officials of a2i, among others, were present on the occasion.