Seminar on 4IR, SDG for boosting bilateral relation held at RU

A daylong seminar was held at Rajshahi University (RU) to meet the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) through boosting bilateral relations between university and industry.

RU’s Faculty of Engineering hosted the seminar titled “University-Industry Collaboration to meet the 4IR and SDG” at its lecture gallery discussing and devising ways and means on how to attain the cherished goal through formulating a roadmap besides making the bilateral relation between university and industry more effective.

RU Pro-vice-chancellor (Administration) Prof Sultan-Ul-Islam addressed the opening ceremony as chief guest while Pro-vice-chancellor (Academic) Prof Humayun Kabir, Executive Chairman of Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) Sheikh Yousuf Harun and Director Drug Administration Department Dr Akib Hossain spoke as special guests.

Retired Professor from the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at Shahjalal Science and Technology University Prof Muhammad Jafar Iqbal addressed the opening session as guest of honour with Dean of the Engineering Faculty Prof Abu Zafar Muhammad Towhidul Islam in the chair.

In his remarks, Prof Jafar Iqbal called for generating more research scopes in industries for the university students. Universities should be more attentive towards research.

He also viewed that a full preparation is needed for facing artificial intelligence.

Prof Jafar Iqbal said there is a need to develop a map for establishing linkages between 4IR technologies’ potential and the attainment of SDGs, targets and indicators.

He also said the success of developing the fine-tuned innovation system to leverage 4IR innovations for meeting SDGs, through profit-making competition of firms in taking ideas to market, will take Bangladesh to the orbit of the innovation economy.

Progress along this line is crucial for Bangladesh to increase total factor productivity and drive economic growth for meeting its goals targeting 2030 and 2041.

Prof Iqbal told the audience that Bangladesh’s economic success over the last decade has been quite impressive. The commercialization of low skilled labor has been at the core of this success.

The engagement of low skilled labor into productive activities has not only accelerated economic growth but also increased financial resources at the bottom of the pyramid, he added.

Prof Sultan-Ul-Islam said concerted efforts of teachers, students and researchers can be the best way of meeting the 4IR and SDG through engaging in the 4IR for cherished development of the nation.

With this engagement, implementation of ‘Sonar Bangla’ dreamt by Bangabandhu and attaining the target of elevating Bangladesh to a developed country by 2041 under the competent leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina could be possible.

Around 160 teachers from 15 universities, 100 students, 25 alumni and senior executive directors and representatives from 22 industries joined the seminar that was held in four phases, including keynote session, technical session and open discussion. (BSS)