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An International Conference on Sustainable Development in Technology for 4th Industrial Revolution (ICSDTIR-2021) in the field of Engineering and Technology has been organized by Port City International University, on March 12-13, 2021. The conference has been launched on Friday at the University campus at Chattogram.
With the aims to provide a platform for research communities, engineers, scientists, and students to share their research experience and innovative ideas in the fields of engineering and technology, the virtual conference focuses on the types of compatible technology, their integration, and potential impact on society. The primary goal of this conference is to develop an informed, collective understanding of the benefits, challenges, and related issues through sustainable development for the 4 IR (4th Industrial Revolution).
Researchers from a total of seven countries, including Bangladesh, USA, UK, are presenting a total of 39 papers at this conference, out of which the top four papers will be given $600 worth of honors.
Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni inaugurated the conference while Zunaid Ahmed Palk presented the keynote in the inaugural session.
Palak expressed his keen interest to set up a specialized lab in Port City University, as a centre for 4th Indrustrial revolution while addressing the session as keynote speaker.
He emphasised on technology-based preparation and initiatives as ‘we cannot cope up with the massive changes’ we are likely to go through for 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR).
He briefed about the infrastructural preparation of the country for facing the challenges of 4 IR.
Palak informed about some notable 4IR initiatives saying: “….We are also building 39 hi-tech parks and incubation centres across the country, Sheikh Rasel digital labs in colleges and schools, Sheikh Kamal IT training and incubation cetntre in every district, Sheikh Hasina Institute of frontier Technology (SHIFT, Centres of Excellence on Frontier Technology in university level, Centre for 4IR” and so on.
While stating the importance of relating the national objectives and formulating necessary strategies, Palak informed about the 5 National Strategies for Frontier Technology to thrive in the 4th Industrial Revolution: Which are: National Strategy for Robotics, National BlockChain Strategy, NationalInternet of Things Strategy, National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence- AI and National Strategy for Microprocessor Design Capacity.
IT is the biggest catalyst in building a developed and modern digital Bangladesh by tackling the challenges of the 4th Industrial Revolution. So it’s important to formulate and implement an integreted plan that reflects our national objectives and values related to IT which includes: Agriculture, Education, Health, Finance, Commerce, Innovation, Natural Resources, Skills and Employment to shape the opportunuties of 4th industrial revolution through applying the emerging technologies, he added.
In favour of the stance of his ministry, Palak quoted Klaus Schwab, founder, World Economic Forum “As all these happen, winners will be those who are able to participate fully in inovation-driven ecosystems by providing new ideas, business models, products and services, rather than those who can offer only low skilled labour or ordinary capital.”
Palak also notifies that, “In last 12 years, the government has played a major role in promoting the ICT sector as the next growth availability of cheaper smart phone and rapid rise of social networking. We have seen an increasing emerging of digital information and communication.”
ICT based ‘New economy’ not only helped Bangladesh to rise economically but also to survive in Corona pandemic situations. Bangladesh is one of the 2 Asian countries having positive growth in spite of the pandemic’, he added.
The State Minister concluded his speech with a pledge that, “in the Mujib year, our commitment is to use technology as a tool to move the country forward”.
On the first day, Dr. Silya Shahnaz, Professor of Stamford University of Bangladesh Dr M Firoz Ahmed, Assistant Professor of Indian Institute of Technology (Rukki), Dr Ahik Bhattacharya, Professor, United International University, Dr Khandkar A Mamun, IEE Life Fellow Dr Saifur Rahman, Professor, University of Virginia Tech, USA, Dr Abu Sadat Mohammad Sayem, Research Associate, Manchester Fashion Institute took part.
The conference overview was presented by Deepak Kumar Chowdhury, Conference Secretary and Associate Professor and Chairman, Electrical and Electronic Engineering Department of the University.
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