Facebook and Preneur Lab launch Bangladesh Analytics Lab as Bangladesh turned 50



News Desk, Barta24.com
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Facebook Data for Good has partnered with Preneur Lab to bring together data experts and developers for training sessions to tell the story of Bangladesh through data-driven models. This initiative is supported by leading academic institutions, including BUET Data Lab, BRAC University Computer Club, United International University Robotics Club, Dhaka International University, and Independent University Bangladesh Fab Lab. 

Launched on the 50th anniversary of the country’s independence, the bootcamp, titled Bangladesh Analytics Lab, will give participants the opportunity to unpack, analyze, and visualize Bangladesh’s story over the years. It will offer skills training by data researchers and academic partners with the aim to inspire data-centric solutions for a variety of issues related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as gender equality, poverty reduction, and disaster response.

At the virtual kickoff event on March 26, Omari Sefu, Public Policy Associate Research Manager of Facebook’s Data for Good program led a training session on Facebook’s publicly available datasets. He said, “Our Data for Good program builds privacy-preserving data products to help solve some of the world’s biggest problems. By working together with Preneur Lab and Bangladesh's academic institutions, we are excited to bring our public datasets to the community through this bootcamp so that we can ultimately help build tools that address real world problems in a responsible way. We look forward to seeing creative ideas of young researchers as they use data to tell the story of Bangladesh.”

Bangladesh Analytics Lab will help participants learn the stages of problem-solving, visualization, and data-driven modelling through regular sessions on pitching, coding, and designing using publicly available datasets over the next 10 weeks. The training will be led by experts from University of Dhaka, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) and BRAC University.

Dr. Mohammad Eunus Ali, Professor of Computer Science and Engineering at BUET, joined the kick-off event and provided an overview of data projects of Bangladesh. There were other speakers, including Arif Nezami, Trustee of Preneur Lab, who delivered the closing remarks.

Nezami said, “Bangladesh has made tremendous economic growth in the last 50 years. Through this bootcamp, we want to come up with innovative ways to visualize the progress over the years, especially as they relate to the SDGs. It is exciting for us to bring the insights from Facebook’s Data for Good program together with our leading academic institutions and give our participants an opportunity to use different kinds of data modelling that will encourage actionable insights about Bangladesh’s future.”

This platform also gives participants the opportunity to present their findings to policymakers, senior academics and development professionals. The bootcamp will end with a Demo Day in May, and their models will be showcased on a separate microsite.

   

Guidelines ready, 5G service on cell phones within a year



Ishtiaq Hussein, Special Correspondent, Barta24.com
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Post and Telecommunication Minister of the previous government, Mustafa Jabbar, had pushed for the introduction of 5G services in the country in December 2023.

For this reason, 5G was launched experimentally through Teletalk in December 2021. 6 places including National Parliament, Secretariat came under this facility.

Earlier, in the auction held in March last year, mobile operators bought 190 MHz waves by spending Tk. 10 thousand crore.

There were objections from the operators about launching 5G service at such a fast time. But finally it was not possible to do it before the election because this service cannot be launched without 5G related guidelines.

Currently 3G and 4G services are available in the country. 3G was launched in 2013 and 4G services were launched in 2018. South Korea launched the first 5G service in 2019.

Finally, the 5G guidelines have been finalized almost two years after the wave auction. Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) recently finalized it. According to the guidelines, mobile operators have to roll out 5G within the next one year.

From the second year, operators will have to build all kinds of 5G service capabilities. Such as smart city, smart home, intelligent transportation system, smart grid and other new applications have to be launched.

Regulatory body BTRC has launched Unified License. As a result, different licenses for 2G, 3G and 4G, which operators had to obtain, will no longer be required.

The 5G wave auction was held in March 2022. In this, four mobile operators bought a total of 190 MHz waves for Tk. 10 thousand crores. In the wave auction, it was said that they will have to launch 5G services within the next 6 months. But it took two years to prepare the guidelines after the wave auction.

At that time, the mobile operators said that it was not the right time financially for them to launch 5G at that moment. They expressed their concern on various issues including high cost of infrastructure construction, difficult to get customers, non-return of investment money because they were still worried about investment in 4G services.

Those associated with the sector said that we have to change the ecosystem at the beginning of 5G. Towers will require a lot of electricity. To deliver 5G to remote areas, the transmission network should be accessible and active sharing issues should be emphasized. Where the networks are needed, how much the customers will benefit from the 5G service or how the demand will be, these issues need to be seriously considered and prepared.

Those concerned said that while 4G has a minimum speed of 7 Mbps, 5G has a speed of 20 Mbps. It will be used in the industry, not at the individual level.

Meanwhile, experts in the telecommunication sector said that an investment of Tk. 20 to 25 thousand crores will be required to launch 5G. It is difficult for operators to take investment risks as the business sector is not finalized.

But in the meantime, operators do 5G test runs. Even 5G is not yet commercially viable in many countries. According to a report by GSMA, the global association of mobile operators, 5G subscribers will reach 200 crores by 2025.

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WUST honored and recognized at Virginia General Assembly



Special Correspondent, Barta24.com
WUST team in front of Virginia State General Assembly Hall

WUST team in front of Virginia State General Assembly Hall

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Washington University of Science and Technology in Virginia, United States is passing a new stage of progress with new recognition and honors. This university received special recognition and honor Virginia State Assembly last week.

Earlier, WUST was honored and recognized by the Virginia State Senate in January 2023. That time 40 senators of the state citated Washington University of Science and Technology-WUST for its outstanding contributing to skill-based education. Now one year later the university has received a special honor from the 100-member House of Delegates of Virginia in the General Assembly.

On Monday, February 26, Democrat delegate of District Seven of Fairfax County, Karen Keys Gamarra brought up this university in her speech at the assembly session. She mentioned about the contributions of the university to the expansion of higher education in the United States and to the future of hope under the successful leadership of its Chairman and Chancellor Engineer Abubokor Hanip and President Dr. Hasan Karaburk. Led by Speaker Don Scott, 100 delegates and all the guests present in the gallery greeted WUST with applause.

University Chancellor Engineer Abubokor Hanip and President Dr. Hasan Karaburk led this delegation of 13 members in the assembly hall. Among others were University CFO Farhana Hanip, Abubakar Hanip and Farhana Hanip's eldest daughter cyber security student Nafisa Nowshin, Director of School of Business Professor Dr. Mark Robinson, School of Business and General Education Faculty Professor Salman Elbador, Assistant Director of General Education and Center for Student Success Dr. Hyun Lee, University's Marketing Director Jose Urtega, Student Success and Career Services Manager Rachel Rose, Career Services and IT Manager Amit Gupta, Student Government Association President Selin Yigit and Master of Information Technology students Nayeem Hasan.

The WUST delegation later met with the Attorney General of Virginia, republican Jason S. Miyares at Commonwealth of Virginia's Barbara Johns Building. The State Attorney General was briefed on all activities of the University during this meeting that ended with a photo session.

Later the WUST delegation joined a meet and greet event in the evening organized by four organizations that have been working successfully with the Asian community in Richmond, Virginia for many years. Where the 74th governor of Virginia, Glenn Youngkin of the Republican party was present as the chief guest. A number of state senators and the house delegates attended.

Governor Glenn Youngkin's speech highlighted the importance of improving Virginia's education system. He mentioned how universities are playing a role in the industry through introducing new programs.

District Seven delegate Karen Keys Gamarra once again highlighted WUST's success in this event.

Engineer Abubokor Hanip and President Dr. Hasan Karaburk were lauded for playing a unique role in education services in the state. Governor Glenn Youngkin congratulated them and wished the university a success. The event ends with dinner.

The WEST team returned to Virginia with renewed enthusiasm following this recognitions.

Founded in 2008, the university has been managed and led by Bangladeshi-American IT and education entrepreneur Abubokor Hanip since October 2020. Ever since he took charge, the university has undergone major changes in the teaching and management system. Through which rapid expansion took place, becoming popular among students. In the span of three years, the number of students of the university increased from 300 to 1700.

Currently, students from 121 countries are studying in this university in bachelor and master courses on information technology, cyber security and business administration. Recently, the university's new campus was developed in a large campus in Alexandria, Virginia.

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Molestation in Bangladesh Agricultural University, Proctorial Body resigns



BAU Correspondent, Barta24.com, Mymenshing
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First year students of Animal Husbandry Faculty protested demanding justice in the case of molestation of a female student in Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU). They started the procession from the main gate of the Faculty of Animal Husbandry around 10:30 am on Sunday (February 11).

The procession circumambulated the student hall of the university, the central library and the Veterinary Faculty-adjacent road and ended at the office of the Dean of the faculty of Animal Husbandry.

At the end of the procession, the agitating students locked the administrative building of the University demanding justice. Later students opened the lock around 1 o'clock and held a meeting with the Vice-Chancellor.

Meanwhile, during the procession, the agitating students abused the members of the proctorial body, alleging that all of the proctorial body resigned, the proctor said.

But the VC said that there has been a little misunderstanding between the proctor and the students. It will be resolved. They will join again.

Last Saturday (February 10) at noon, a female Animal Husbandry student was molested by an unidentified CNG-driven auto-rickshaw driver on the road adjacent to the residential area of Bangladesh Atomic Agriculture Research Institute (BINA) of the university.

The students protested for a total of four points including the trial of the incident. Other demands are banning of auto-rickshaws from all over the campus except on designated traffic roads, prescribed code of rickshaws and dress code for drivers, speedy strengthening of security on farm roads inside the university.

Proctor Prof. Azharul Islam alleged that the agitating students shouted slogans abusing the members of the Proctoral body during the protest march.

He said, "During the agitation, the students attacked the teachers personally and abused them. Where teachers are not respected, we cannot work. We, the members of the proctorial body (proctor and assistant proctors) have submitted their resignations to the proctorial office.

The agitating students said that their slogans were, 'Why is my sister assaulted, the administration wants answers', 'When will the stupid administration move?', 'There is CCTV, no footage, 'Why are there outsiders in the campus?' They raised their voice through slogans. They did not abuse or disrespect the teachers.

When asked about this, Vice-Chancellor Professor Emdadul Haque Chowdhury said, 'The demands of the students are logical. Common numbering will be provided at university entrances to strengthen connectivity with security personnel. Security will be strengthened on farm roads from today. He talked to the Superintendent of Police for proper prosecution of the incident of molestation.

Regarding the resignation of the proctorial body, the Vice-Chancellor said, "There has been a misunderstanding between the proctor and the students." The issue is being resolved. Everything will be fine in a day or two. The proctors will rejoin.' 

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Torch procession for 5-point demand in JU



JU Correspondent, Barta24.com, Savar(Dhaka)
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The teachers-students of Jahangirnagar University (JU) held a 5-point torch procession demanding that the accused be given speedy trial in the case of gang-rape of the housewife while the husband was detained recently, the trial of oppressor teacher Mahmudur Rahman Jony be settled and non-students be evicted from the common room and accommodation of regular students should be ensured.

On Sunday (February 11) evening, under the banner of 'Anti-oppression stage', the torch procession started from the foot of Shaheed Minar of the University, went around Bangabandhu Hall, Battala, New Administrative Building, Transport Square and various important roads of the University and ended with a short rally in front of the Vice-Chancellor's residence. .

At this time, the students took a position in front of the Vice Chancellor's residence demanding to accept their 5 point demands. At one point, on the fifth day of the ongoing movement, the university vice-chancellor and other important officials of the administration confronted the agitators.

The other demands of the protesting students were that the trial of the oppressor teacher Mahmudur Rahman Jony should be settled, the crimes of the proctor and Mir Mosharraf Hossain Hall provost who assisted the oppressors should be investigated and for the sake of fair investigation, they should be exempted from administrative posts during the investigation and those involved in the drug syndicate should be identified and declared uninvited from the campus. Take legal action against them.

Sohagi Samia, a student of Drama and Theater department, organizer of Samajtantrik Chhatrafront, said, "University teacher Mahmudur Rahman Jony is accused of sexual harassment. But, he has not been tried till date by the University administration and State administration are walking hand in hand. Like the state, the democratic environment in universities is also being destroyed JUCSU election has not yet been held in the University, many incidents like oppression and misdeeds have not been tried.

ARK Russell said, "We gave a five-day ultimatum for the abolition of public rooms. The administration has harassed common students in the name of abolition of common room. Hall administration did not go to the rooms of these illegal students who are under political umbrella.

Professor Jamal Uddin of Environmental Science department of the University, said in the gathering that the University has reached this stage due to the injustice of the events organized in the past, "The VC said that he will take a specific step against the accused in the rape case and to evict the students staying in the residential hall. The students were supposed to be expelled from the hall within five working days, but that deadline has passed today. We have come to know that no effective action has been taken in this regard. According to Intelligence Agencies and RAB, this university has become a drug arena.

This trade has been going on for a long time. Even after such a heinous incident of University rape, the university and hall administration is inactive and the proctor and provost of the university remain on alert. If this is the case, we are worried whether the parents will send their children to this university in the upcoming admission test. I believe every teacher in the university wants to change this situation. But where is the problem of the administration?

Meanwhile, on the fifth day of the ongoing movement, the agitators were confronted by the university's vice-chancellor Professor Nurul Alam and important officials of the administration. When the protesting teachers-students were assured of meeting their demands, the protesting students got involved in an argument with the Vice-Chancellor as they were unable to evacuate the non-students from the residential hall within the five-day period set by the syndicate, as well as abolishing the public room and keeping the mini-public room open.

Apart from this, when the agitators asked about the list of non-students staying in the residential hall, the administrative teachers present along with the VC expressed their inability to provide it and asked for two to three more days.

At one point, Parveen Jolly announced a symbolic blockade program for the next two days on behalf of the organizers of the anti-oppression stage, highlighting the incompetence of the administration. Apart from this, if the administration does not accept the demand, she called for a one-point movement to protest the failure of the administration from February 15.

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