Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina formulated ‘Vision 2041’ on April 7. State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak presented a concept paper titled ‘Smart Bangladesh’ under the guidance of Prime Minister’s ICT advisor Sajeeb Wazed in that meeting of Digital Bangladesh Task Force. Based on that concept paper, a three and a half hour long workshop was held with the participants in the auditorium of the ICT Division on Monday (October 1) evening.
While speaking as the president, Zunaid Ahmed Palak also presented a concept of Smart Bangladesh by prioritizing own innovation and not imitation in workshops. On the occasion of Smart Bangladesh, he said, ‘Smart Bangladesh’ is a cost-effective, sustainable, intelligent, knowledge-based and innovative technological solution.’
Citing some examples that Bangladesh is not lagging behind in the field of innovation, Palak said, we are creating open AI platform of Computer Council in Bangladesh. We have already launched ‘Nano Loan in Joint Partnership of bKash and Citibank’. This loan is disbursed in a minute with artificial intelligence. Now we need to figure out how this AI can be used in education, agriculture and other areas.
With sensors developed at Brain Computer Interface Laboratory created at UIU with the help of ICT department by Dr. Khandaker Abdullah Al Mamun, an AIUB teacher, I was able to turn lights on and off and play games using just my brain just like Elon Musk. The robot built by the team ‘Mohakash’ from the Bangladesh Army University of Engineering Technology, located inside the Dayarampur Cantonment of Natore, won the NASA Robotics. Last year’s best research paper at MIT was the research of BUET teacher Nadeem Chowdhury. 16 of his inventions have already been patented. 5 of these are in joint partnership with the MIT Nano Lab. Now if we get the consent of BUET Vice-Chancellor, we will set up BUET-ICT MIT Nano Lab for 10 million dollars. Where we can lead the future clothing industry by placing nanochips in the fabric thread.
In order to meet the increasing demand of electric vehicles as a cost-effective energy, a2i iLab has already designed a unique electric vehicle of indigenous technology and has started its production. Then even the low income people can buy cars.
In his speech, the Minister of State threw seven questions in front of everyone, advising the participants to think ahead on artificial intelligence, robotics, microchip designing and manufacturing and cyber security, according to the guidelines given by the ICT advisor at the meeting of the Board of Governors Authority of the Hi-Tech Park Authority on July 6. Apart from this, Zunaid Ahmed Palak expressed the expectation that ‘even if Airbus and Boeing lead in the production of airplanes, in the future young people like the ninth grade students of Narsingdi or the Nahiyans of Mymensingh will revolutionize the world’s transport system’.
Minister of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Md Tajul Islam was the chief guest at the meeting chaired by Cabinet Secretary Khandaker Anwarul Islam. He said that we have to work on many issues to ensure a normal life for the people living in the city. The ICT Division has already started working on many issues to provide people friendly services. Local government and ICT Division can jointly do public welfare works in future to meet the expectations of common people. For the implementation of Smart City, the master plan for the area should be prepared taking into account the population living in the area.
Science and Technology Minister Architect Yafesh Osman, Education Minister Dr. Dipu Moni, Dhaka North Mayor Md. Atiqul Islam and BUET Vice-Chancellor Satya Prasad Majumder and University of Agriculture Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Lutful Hasan expressed their opinions in this regard.
In his speech, the education minister said, we have to create a specific canvas of who has the opportunity to work in which place and coordinate the work of everyone. We want to create people who are science minded, technology friendly, used to using technology and skilled in technology innovation. Those who need to be humane and creative.
Post and Telecommunication Minister Mostafa Jabbar also spoke online. BTRC Chairman Shyam Sundar Sikder, Additional Commissioner of Police Rezaul Alam also spoke in the meeting.
In his welcome address at the event, a2i Project Director Dewan Muhammad Humayun expressed his determination to ‘lead the world in technology by 2041’ through research and innovation. a2i Policy Adviser Anir Chowdhury also presented an action plan on SMT Bangladesh.
Mohammad Ariful Islam, head of Nokia Bangladesh highlighted several areas of support of Nokia Bell Lab in the implementation of Smart Bangladesh. Also in the presentation, Nokia’s South East Asia Regional Head Daniel Jager and North America Vice President Mike Ellison highlighted future technologies. In their presentations, they highlighted how a region can be smart by using artificial intelligence, IoT, robotics, block chain, big data analysis, nano technology and so on.