State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak on Tuesday visited the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in New Delhi and highlighted Bangladesh's success stories in realizing 'Digital Bangladesh' under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

He visited various laboratory facilities such as ASSISTECH Lab at the School of Information Technology, Nanoscale Research Facility (NRF), 3D Weaving and Structural Composites on the IIT campus.

ASSISTECH is an inter-disciplinary group of faculty, research staff and students who are engaged in using modern technology to find affordable solutions for the visually impaired.

Also read: Symphony to lead the way in building 'innovative, smart Bangladesh': Palak

The ICT State Minister is visiting New Delhi to attend a few sessions of the seventh edition of the Raisina Dialogue as a panelist, said the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on Tuesday.

State Minister Palak also held meetings with IIT’s Director Prof Dr Ranjan Banerjee, Dean of International Office Prof Naveen Garg and Coordinator of Nanoscale Research Facility (NRF) Prof Neeraj Khare.

During the meetings, the State Minister mentioned the remarkable and sustained efforts made by Sajeeb Wazed Joy, ICT Adviser to Prime Minister towards transforming Bangladesh into a developed, knowledge-based and tech-savvy country by 2041.

During his meeting with Prof. Banerjee, ICT State Minister requested him to design and arrange some knowledge sharing exchange programmes for the Bangladeshi students, youths, faculties, entrepreneurs and innovators, particularly in the areas of artificial intelligence, special robotics, microprocessor chip design and cyber security.

State Minister Palak also proposed to formalize and sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ICT Division of Bangladesh and IIT Delhi in enhancing collaboration in innovation, research and entrepreneurship.

He also proposed to create a platform for a week-long training and certification programme for both students and professionals which can be converted into a Diploma programme in future.

Also read: Runner to launch three-wheeler by September: Palak

In response, Prof. Banarjee shared his ideas how IIT Delhi can be a knowledge partner for the Government of Bangladesh, including for the IT industries and universities, and expressed keen interest in contributing to IT eco-system in Bangladesh through sharing the Institute’s research facilities and incubation models.

Later, the State Minister visited the National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM), the premier trade body and chamber of commerce of the tech industry in India, and met its senior officials, including Gagan Sabharwal, Senior Director, Global Trade Department.

State Minister Palak also proposed to ink a possible MoU between the ICT Division of Bangladesh and NASSCOM focusing on modern and emerging technologies, including cyber security, nano-technology, digital payment, skills development and digital connectivity.