ICT Division
Govt to provide training to 10,000 top executives to boost IT sector
The government is going to provide training to 10,000 top executives, including Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) known as CXOs, and mid-level managers of IT companies under Advanced Certification for Management Professionals (ACMP) 4.0 training programme within next five years, officials said.
“Backed by the success of the similar ACMP 4.0 training programme held previously the government is going to organize training for the CXOs and mid-level managers of IT companies to build their capacity to flourish their respective companies,” said senior secretary of ICT Division N M Zeaul Alam.
Read: Women’s participation in ICT sector to be raised substantially: Hasina
He said the government will continue to provide support to such training to boost the country’s IT sector and help achieve its $5 billion target of ICT export by 2025.
The experts of Institute of Business Administration (IBA) will provide 120 hours of training to the CEOs and managers who played a vital role in making healthy growth of IT companies, he added.
The ACMP 4.0 programme was introduced at Institute of Business Administration (IBA) of Dhaka University in 2017 in collaboration with LICT Project to boost the country’s IT sector. A total of 950 CXOs and managers have so far been given training under the ACMP 4.0 training programme.
LICT Project Director Tarique M Barkatullah said keeping the challenges of the fourth industrial revolution in mind, the government has been providing support to IBA to continue ACMP 4.O course for enhancing efficiency of the CXOs and managers for increasing business and earning of their companies.
He said the training programme will provide a pragmatic approach towards transformational leadership in a dynamic, rapidly changing, interconnected and complex business environment influenced by digital disruptions and opportunities.
Read: AL wants increased allocation to ICT sector
IT-ITES Policy Adviser of LICT Project Sami Ahmed said upon completion of the programme, the participants are expected to be better equipped to lead crafting and implementing strategies for growth acceleration of their businesses in the age of digital transformation. “Without enhancing managerial skills, a company could not flourish,” he added.
This extensive training programme consists of exclusive modules including communication 4.0, technology 4.0, supply chain 4.0, business analytics, marketing 4.0, Human Resource Management 4.0. The trainees will also get training on crafting and executing strategies, innovation, business model and entrepreneurial journey, scale up and growth acceleration strategy for IT/ITeS SMEs, strategy masterclass.
ICT division to digitize 73 libraries, says Palak
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Division will digitize 71 government and two private libraries across the country, said ICT State minister Junayed Ahmed Palak.
A virtual review meeting was held between the ICT Division and Ministry of Cultural affairs to discuss the details of implementing this initiative on Sunday night.
Also read: Bangladesh to launch ‘Jogajog’ as alternative to Facebook, says Palak
He said the ICT division plans to turn the traditional libraries into E-libraries to meet the demands of the new generation by expanding quality online services.
For each library a separate digital library management system will be used for managing the eBooks and each of them will have a children and a Mujib corner, said Palak.
All the libraries are being designed in a way so that using any type of mobile set anyone can enter the e-libraries and read their desired books, he added.
For digitalization ICT division will connect the libraries with wireless LAN network, IP phone and RFID technology will be incorporated in divisional libraries.
Also read: 170,000 schools to be connected with high speed internet by 2030: Palak
State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid, Executive director of Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC) Parthapratim Deb, Director General of the Department of Public Libraries Abu Bakkar Siddique, Director (Training) of BCC Md Enamul Kabir and others were present at the meeting Chaired by the ICT State Minister.
Facebook launches Vaccine Finder in Bangladesh
Facebook, in collaboration with the Health Ministry and ICT Division, has launched 'Vaccine Finder', a new tool to help Bangladeshis confirm their eligibility and identify nearby places to get a shot in their arm.
This initiative is actually a part of the US-headquartered social networking website's holistic approach to raise awareness about hygiene measures, help people access Covid-related information and support the vaccine roll-out in the country.
Read:All will get Covid vaccine shots, reassures PM Hasina
Vaccine Finder connects people to local resources through their news feed and includes eligibility criteria as well as the location of the nearby vaccination centre and links to register for an appointment, a release said.
The tool can be found on Facebook's online Covid-19 Information Center, which is also available in Bangla.
In Bangladesh, Facebook sends news feed notifications directing people to register for the vaccine on the government’s website www.surokkha.gov.bd. It also helps people easily access www.corona.gov.bd for latest government directives.
Earlier this year, a public education campaign (www.fightcovidmisinfo.com) was launched to help Bangladeshis identify and combat false information related to the deadly coronavirus.
Read:Vaccine inequity biggest barrier to ending pandemic: WHO chief
Facebook has been working with partners in Bangladesh and around the world to increase health awareness and connect people to the latest information from health experts during the pandemic.
So far, 11 million Bangladeshis have signed up using the platform’s 'Blood Donations' feature to play a role in reducing critical blood shortage in the country.
Harnessing assistive technology for Persons with Disabilities in South Asia
Facebook and GSMA have hosted a virtual industry discussion marking the tenth anniversary of the Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) and to drive more collaborations on disabilities inclusion in South Asia.
The panelists included Vashkar Bhattacharjee, National Consultant for Accessibility, a2i, Aspire to Innovate programme of the ICT Division in Bangladesh.
There were also representatives from Facebook, G3ict, Dialog Axiata in Sri Lanka, and DeafTawk in Pakistan.
Read: Realise rights of all persons with disabilities: UN
Assistive technologies (ATs) are systems and services designed to improve access for persons with disabilities, many of whom are often excluded and marginalised in society, said a media release on Friday.
There are an estimated 690 million persons with disabilities in the Asia Pacific region and ATs are still largely inaccessible to them.
Action is required to reach this underserved segment of the population, drive innovation, and address the physical and social barriers.
Speaking at the event, Michael Nique, Senior Director, GSMA Assistive Tech, said, “Removing the barriers faced by persons with disabilities requires informed action from all stakeholders.
Tech and mobile industry, for example, need to consider accessibility needs and methods early on, and increase the number of persons with disabilities in the development and testing process. By doing so, we can make meaningful change and help ensure no one is left behind in an increasingly digital world.”
Panelists at the webinar agreed that digital innovations could bridge the access gap to ATs and promote the inclusion of persons with disabilities.
For example, based on the GSMA Intelligence Survey 2019, 41 percent of persons with disabilities in Bangladesh are mobile owners, of which 55 percent consider that mobile helps them with their daily tasks, 67 percent say it provides them a feeling of safety and 53 percent think it gives convenient access to useful information.
Read: Palak unveils software to bridge jobseekers with disabilities and employers
Monica Desai, Global Head of Connectivity and Access Policy, Facebook, shared some of the company’s recent initiatives and innovations in this area, including the GAAD pledge that Facebook took last year and the commitment to making the React Native open source framework fully accessible.
“We, at Facebook, believe that access is an opportunity and when everyone is connected, we all benefit. Our goal is to make it possible for anyone, regardless of ability, to access the information and connections that happen on Facebook. We are excited to continue advancing accessibility and building collaborations to make more progress on inclusion for persons with disabilities in South Asia, and around the world,” said Desai.
Panelists also discussed how the current global health crisis presented immense challenges acutely felt by persons with disabilities, but it also brought advancements in accessibility.
Startup Bangladesh Ltd to invest Tk 100 crore for 50 startups marking birth centennial of Bangabandhu and Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh
Startup Bangladesh Ltd. signified the birth centennial of Father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh by investing Tk. 100 crore for 50 startups for the current (2021) year.
Marking the occasions, Startup Bangladesh Ltd. at a programme at ICT Division at Agargaon in the capital on Wednesday (March 31, 2021) launched "ShotoBorshe Shoto Asha" to invest Tk. 15 crore for seven startups as part of its first series of investments.
Startup Bangladesh Limited is the flagship venture capital fund of the ICT Ministry.
Read Bangladeshi startup Dataful joins Startup Istanbul’s portfolio.
Under the visionary guidance of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Startup Bangladesh - the first and only venture capital fund sponsored by the Bangladesh government, started its journey in March, 2020 with an allocated capital of Tk. 500 crores.
The seven startups that today received Tk. 15 crore ( 1.75 million) as part of first series of the investments are Pathao (ride-sharing/logistics), Dhaka Cast (health-tech), Moner Bondhu (mental health and Wellbeing), Chaldal ( e-commerce), Eduhive (education-tech), Sheba.xyz (domestic services and SME) and Intelligent Machines (software services).
The event was told that the startups received this fund to scale up their production, improve the quality of goods and services and develop the supply chain & marketing strategies.
Also read: There's a woman behind many successful startups in Bangladesh
Zunaid Ahmed Palak MP, State Minister of the ICT Division, was present as chief guest at the event.
Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury MP, Deputy Minister of Education, and Principal Coordinator, SDG Affairs, Prime Minister’s Office Zuena Aziz were special guests.
N M Zeaul Alam PAA, Senior Secretary, ICT Division and Chairman, board of directors of Startup Bangladesh Ltd., was the guest of honour.
Zunaid Ahmed Palak officially launched the "ShotoBorshe Shoto Asha” and declared the investment of this venture capital fund.
Also read: The stress of starting a startup: 'Funding remains the biggest challenge'
Through this initiative, he said, the government created a national entrepreneurship platform to support the startup ecosystem.
“Startups could play a crucial role in addressing the market needs, which will serve as the foundation for far-reaching consequences in the GDP’s overall growth. The tech-solutions provided by startups could support the nation’s achieving Sustainable Development Goals by 2030,” said Palak.
Senior Secretary, ICT Division and Chairman, board of directors of Startup Bangladesh Ltd., N M Zeaul Alam PAA, commented that the organization would develop the entrepreneurial ecosystem and connect entrepreneurs and startups to foster collaboration with all the stakeholders.
Also read: Survey underway to identify challenges for startups
Speaking as a guest speaker, Ki-Hak Sung, Chairman, and CEO at Youngone Corp, said, “I have been associated with Bangladesh for the past 36 years and am excited to be in this growth journey ahead”. The company is eyeing to invest USD 1 Billion over the next few years in Bangladesh.
In his address, Chris Burry, the Co CEO of US Market Access Inc., wished for Startup Bangladesh Limited all the success in the coming days.
Mustafa Usman Turan, Turkish Ambassador to Bangladesh, said his country is keen to develop partnerships in the information technology (IT) and e-commerce sectors of Bangladesh.
Tina F. Jabeen, Managing Director & CEO, Startup Bangladesh Ltd, said, “Among all frontier markets, Bangladesh holds the most promising opportunity for venture capital and private equity investments.
Read Japan to make more investment in Bangladesh after end of pandemic: Naoki
All govt data to be stored at Kaliakair Data Centre
The Cabinet on Monday decided to store all government data at the 300TB capacity Kaliakair Data Centre under the ICT Division.
Huawei, ICT division wings join hands to kindle ICT growth
Huawei, in partnership with Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC) and Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority (BHTPA), is going to launch four ICT programs with the vision to accelerate the growth of the ICT industry and to facilitate ICT talents in Bangladesh.
BCC wins UN ‘World Summit on Information Society Award-2020’
The Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC) of the ICT Division has won one of the world's most prestigious awards in the field of information technology, the "World Summit on Information Society (WSIS) Award-2020".
ICT controller of certifying authority gets global recognition
The controller of certifying authority under Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Division received international recognition from Canadian organization Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA).
Govt preparing to tackle challenges with technology-based local innovation: Palak
State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak on Tuesday said that the government is preparing to tackle future challenges with technology-based local innovations.