Feature

Seminar on 'Academia-Industry Linkage' held at BUET

Mahdin Mahboob

Aseminar titled 'Academia-Industry Linkage for Education and Research in Bangladesh: Views from the Private Sector' was held at the Seminar Hall, Civil Engineering Building of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET).

The Keynote Presentation was done by Engr. A.K.M Shamsuddin, Chairman of E-Zone HRM Ltd and Ex- Managing Director of Aventis group (Aventis Limited, Fisons Bangladesh Limited, Hoechst Marion Roussel Limited). In his speech, Mr. Shamsuddin elaborated on statistical data about Bangladesh' performance on the R&D (Research and Development) sector, how the lackings in this sector can be overcome and why the linkage between the Industry and Educational Institutions is of utmost importance to the socio-economic development and technological advancement of a country.

After that, established professionals from the industry spoke about their personal experiences in their respective fields the hardships they had to face initially and how they eventually overcame them.

The speakers included Engr. A.S.M Quasem (Chairman of Newage Group of Industries and Ex-President, Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry), Engr. A.M. Yahya (Chief of Optical Fiber Department, GrameenPhone), Engr. Rabiul Alam (Managing Director, Energypac Power Generation) and Ar. Mubasshar Hussain (CEO, Assoconsult and President, Inst of Architects, Bangladesh).

A.M. Yahya spoke about the success story of Grameen Phone and the role that the two-line optic fibre of Bangladesh Railways played in it. He informed that Bangladesh Railway is one of the first Railways in the world to utilize Fiber-optic communication much before the other Railway system in this region. He urged the future engineers of the country to think out of the box in order to leave a mark in the field.

Later in the seminar the Vice-chancellor of BUET AMM Shafiullah, the chief guest of the event, spoke about the role universities play in shaping the minds of the young professionals. He compared university level education to a football field, with the exception that there are many goalposts instead of just two. He talked about the research opportunities present in BUET and how it can be further increased keeping in pace with the current demands.

This seminar also marked the inception of the BUET Alumni Association who organized this seminar to mark 60 years of Engineering Education in Bangladesh. Proffesor Jamilur Reza Choudhury, Vice Chancellor of BRAC University and President of the Alumni Association spoke at the end of the Seminar. He emphasized on identifying the obstacles we have towards establishing a strong relation between academia and industry. He also talked about how BUET, and other universities could play a big role in this regard. The concept of an 'Engineering Research Council' was also brought in his speech. Prof. Jamiluar Reza Chowdhury, while concluding his speech and the seminar, mentioned about the upcoming website for the alumni association and an open house symposium to be held in BUET in December this year.