BM Desk:

The University Grants Commission of Bangladesh (UGC) is preparing a guideline to include artificial intelligence, digital security, the fourth industrial revolution, big data, blockchain, robotics, and the internet of things in the university curriculum at the undergraduate level in order to build skilled manpower for building a smart Bangladesh.

The UGC authority feels that these guidelines will be very helpful in introducing frontier technologies, specialized programs, and training in the undergraduate and postgraduate curriculum of universities.

The first meeting of the committee was held at UGC on Tuesday regarding this expected plan. The meeting discussed in detail the speedy finalization of the draft guidelines and various steps for their implementation at the university. UGC member and convener of the concerned committee, Prof. Sajjad Hossain, presided over the meeting.

Professor Bishwajit Chand, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University Vice Chancellor Professor Ghiyasuddin Mia, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Digital University Vice Chancellor Professor Muhammad Mahfuzul Islam, North South University Vice Chancellor Professor Atiqul Islam, Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology Vice Chancellor Professor Muhammad Mad Fazli Elahi, Dhaka Professor Hafiz Hasan Babu, Dean of the Computer Science and Engineering Department of the University; Sultan Mahmud Bhuiyan, Director of the IMCT Department of UGC; Fakhrul Islam, Director of the Research Support and Publication Department; Tahmina Rahman, Additional Director of the IMCT Department; Deputy Director Nusrat Sharita; and Assistant Director Khandkar Sahabat Rizvi were present as members of the committee.

Convener Sajjad Hossain said that an initiative has been taken to include modern technologies such as artificial intelligence, digital security, the Fourth Industrial Revolution, big data, blockchain, robotics, and the Internet of Things in the curriculum of the university to create experienced manpower for building a smart Bangladesh. This will be very helpful in implementing the Smart Bangladesh goal of the present government.

He further said that it is necessary to enhance the knowledge and skills of the students to keep pace with the world and create an efficient and self-reliant workforce. Emphasis should be placed on the practical use of emerging technologies by adding them to the curriculum of universities.

Sajjad Hossain also said that the government is working to improve the quality of life of the people of the country and establish a knowledge-based economy through digitization, innovation, and research-based education. If these modern technologies are added to the university curriculum, skilled manpower will be created in the country, and a huge amount of foreign currency will be earned by exporting the manpower abroad.

It is to be noted that the draft of the guideline to add the relevant technologies to the university curriculum to build the required manpower for the implementation of Smart Bangladesh will be finalized this month, and a workshop will be organized soon with the participants. Initiatives will be taken to implement the guidelines in universities starting next year.