MoU signed between iDEA and UGC

Not only providing grants but also for the benefit of startups to increase their campaigns, skills and knowledge, the Department of Information and Communication Technology has been working since 2016 under the “Bangladesh Innovation and Entrepreneur Development Academy Establishment (iDEA) Project” under the Bangladesh Computer Council. In the meantime, iDEA Project is conducting various activities under contract with various local and foreign organizations which is playing an important role in building a startup ecosystem in Bangladesh. In order to develop entrepreneurial culture, iDEA Project is regularly initiating various programs for startups, including various technical and up-to-date trainings, mentoring, campaigns, awards programs, seminars, workshops and research. In light of this, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed with the Bangladesh University Grants Commission (UGC) on Wednesday, November 24, 2021 in the conference room of the iDEA Project of the ICT Department at ICT Tower, iDEA Project Agargaon. In the presence of ICT Department Senior Secretary NM Zeaul Alam PAA and UGC Chairman Prof. Kazi Shahidullah, the MoU was signed by Md. Abdur Rakib, Project Director and Joint Secretary of iDEA Project and Dr. Ferdous Zaman, UGC Secretary (Additional Responsibilities). Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC) Executive Director and Additional Secretary, Dr. Md. Abdul Mannan, PAA; UGC member Prof. Dr. Md. Sajjad Hossain; UGC Director of Public Relations and Information, AKM Shamsul Arefin; RHM Alaol Kabir, Senior Consultant of iDEA Project; Adnan Jerin, Legal Consultant, Sohag Chandra Das, Communications Consultant and other officials of UGC and Idea Project were present at the time among others. According to the MoU, the Bangladesh University Grants Commission (UGC) and the iDEA Project will gradually create innovation hubs for the development of entrepreneurs and startups in universities across the country. Industry, Academia and iDEA projects will work together for the benefit of entrepreneurs where emerging and promising startups or entrepreneurs will be collaborated in a variety of ways, including training, grooming, and funding. In addition, concerned academics, researchers, experienced and skilled individuals in the field of industry and commerce will be involved as resource persons in this activity. As a result, entrepreneurs will be able to acquire new technological and business knowledge that will enable them to successfully advance their innovations or startups. In addition, UGC's "Mujib 100 Ideas" contest will be held every year from where mentoring and grooming will be provided to the top 100 initiatives through the Innovation Hub. As a result, these startups will be able to reach their seed and growth stage by increasing their knowledge and skills. At the same time, the top 10 startups of the "Mujib 100 Idea" contest from the Idea project will be given a grant of Rs. 1 million based on the evaluation by the selection committee of the Idea project. As a result of these activities, an effective startup ecosystem will be formed in the country which will play a significant role in creating a better business environment in the country in the future, said NM Ziaul Alam, Senior Secretary, Department of ICT.