Call for using information technology as a shield against extremism

As the young people can be quite self-reliant by using information technology; so can they create employment opportunities as well; NM Zeaul Alam, senior secretary in the information technology department, also suggested using it as a shield to curb extremism. He made the call in a speech as the chief guest of the Sub-National Youth Summit held on Saturday, May 21 at noon on the open stage of Khulna University. He said, information technology can be a great tool in protecting young people from extremism. The government is implementing many projects with special priority to the information technology sector. Under the direction of the Prime Minister, work is being done in almost every region to enrich the youth with information technology knowledge. We need to motivate the youth to work for the welfare of the country through positive use of information technology. And for this, besides the government, educational institutions, private and social organizations have to play a role. Khulna University (KU) Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Mahmud Hossain presided over the conference organized by the private development organization Rupantar. Khulna Deputy Commissioner Md. Moniruzzaman Talukder, UNDP Project Director Robert Stoelman, Northern University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Zahiruddin, Principal of Government BL College Professor Sharif Atiquzzaman were present as a special guests in the conference. Executive Director of Rupantar Rafiqul Islam Khokon and Registrar of Khulna University Professor Khan Golam Quddus delivered their welcome speeches on this occasion. Experiences were narrated by Sravanti Chakraborty, a student of North Western University, Iftekhar Mahbub Labib of Peace Club of Ward No. 30 of KCC, Taiyeba Islam of Peace Club of Ward No. 5 and Sifat-ul-Islam of Khulna University. Another executive director of Rupantar, Swapan Kumar Guha was also present. While speaking as the Chairman of the conference, KU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Mahmud Hossain thanked the organizers and said that the youth of Bangladesh will continue to stand against all injustices, untruths and superstitions as they have done in the past. For this it is necessary to educate them in good education. The present government is making all out efforts to develop the youth as the most deserving citizens. Khulna University has taken steps to create a hub using modern information technology. This will enable the citizens of the future to have the signature of creativity. The premiere of the short film Amanisha was held on the occasion. Later, a panel discussion on Digital Youth Citizens was conducted by UNRCO PVE Coordinator Nadeem Farhad. Sheikh Iftesham Islam, Ruslan Abid, Sheikh Naima Sultana and Arisha Arju took part in the discussion. A press briefing was held at the end of the opening ceremony. Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Information Technology NM Zeaul Alam, KU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Mahmud Hossain and Rafiqul Islam Khokon, executive director of Rupantar answered various questions of the journalists.  More than 500 young students from Khulna University, North-Western University, Northern University, Khulna Mahanagar and Satkhira Press Club participated in this sub-national youth conference. There were stalls at the conference to showcase the various initiatives taken by the youths who are keen on establishing peace and harmony. The three best stalls has been awarded. There were panel discussions, experience sharing, short film screenings and media briefings. The cultural program in the afternoon included Patagan performed by Rupantar Theater, pleasant cultural program performed by local artists and songs by star artists Abanti Sinthi and Minar Rahman.