CSE
3 Bangladeshi universities to get $100 million from ADB to improve CSE, IT programs
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Bangladesh on Tuesday (November 28, 2023) signed a $100 million loan agreement to improve computer science, software engineering, and information technology (IT) programs in three universities in Bangladesh.
Md. Shahriar Kader Siddiky, Secretary, Economic Relations Division (ERD), and Edimon Ginting, Country Director, ADB, signed the loan agreement on behalf of Bangladesh and ADB, respectively, at a ceremony at ERD in Dhaka.
“This project will help accelerate fourth industrial revolution technology adoption, realize the vision of Digital Bangladesh, and enable the country to reap the demographic dividend by creating digitally qualified young human resources and entrepreneurs,” said ADB Country Director Edimon Ginting.
“This new initiative builds on ADB’s ongoing skills development support through industry partnerships to increase competitiveness and foster innovation,” he said.
Read: ADB to provide $200 million to promote energy efficiency, transition in Bangladesh
The Improving Computer and Software Engineering Tertiary Education Project will upgrade the computer science and engineering, software engineering, and information technology degree programs of the leading public universities in Bangladesh. The universities receiving the funding are: Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), University of Dhaka (DU), and Jashore University of Science and Technology.
These programs will adopt blended learning techniques and integrate the latest technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and internet of things.
These programs will seek international accreditation to ensure that students get updated curricula that adhere to international standards.
Read: ADB to lend $336.5 million to Bangladesh to help develop vaccine production
ADB will support the establishment of modern classrooms and laboratories, collaboration and start-up spaces, and auxiliary facilities in the three universities.
These facilities will incorporate climate- and disaster-resilient designs, energy- and water-saving features, and will include women-friendly amenities and services.
The universities will develop capacities of teachers to be proficient in new instructional approaches and emerging digital technologies.
The students and teachers from the three and other universities will also work with industry partners to come up with innovative solutions through joint research and development.
Mandatory internship opportunities, career counseling, and industry placement will be provided to undergraduate students, particularly for women.
Read: ADB provides $90 million for clean water, sanitation services in the Hill Tracts
Stock market gained over Tk 10,185 crore capital last week
The stock market has passed the 4th week of the current month with a capital gain of Tk 10,185 crore in four days, data analysis of the capital market has revealed.
The capital of Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) was Tk 7.56 lakh crore at the beginning of trading on the first working day of last week. On the last day, after transaction on Thursday (January 26, 2023), the capital stood at Tk 7.67 lakh crores.
In other words, the capital has increased by Tk 10185 crore. It increased by Tk 2149 crore in the previous week. The investors' capital increased in the market for two consecutive weeks.
In the past week (January 22 to 26), trading was done on five working days. The first trading day marked a fall in the index, followed by four consecutive trading days during which the index rose from Monday to Thursday.
Also Read: BSEC forms Shariah Advisory Council for stock market
During this period, a total of 387 shares and units were traded in DSE. Among them, 63 companies' share prices increased, those of 119 decreased and 205 unchanged.
Among the companies traded in the previous week, 114 rose, 68 fell and 205 remained unchanged. The number of companies reducing prices has increased compared to the previous week.
However, the main index of DSE increased by 30 points from the previous week to 6,296 points in the outgoing week as the share prices of several companies increased.
Among the other two indexes of DSE, the DSES index increased by 6 points to 1,374 points and the DS-30 index increased by 22 points to 2,230 points from the previous week.
Read More: ‘Greed for short-term gains ruining investors’ confidence in stock markets’
Although the index has increased, the volume of transactions has decreased. In the last week, the total transaction in DSE was Tk 3050 crores, which was traded in the previous week for Tk 3850 crore. That is, Tk 800 crore worth of transactions have decreased; as a percentage it has decreased by 20.78 percent.
The Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE), another capital market of the country, was also traded in the same condition.
In the last week, the overall index of CSE increased by 89 points to 18565 points. Tk 63.19 crores were traded during this time, which was traded in the previous week for Tk 104.55 crore.
Among the traded companies, the share prices of 61 companies increased, 83 decreased and 134 remained unchanged.
Read More: Finance minister directs regulators to boost investment in stock market
CES 2023 draws to close
World's largest and most influential tech event Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2023 in the US drew to a close recently.
The four-day exhibition took place from January 5 to 8 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
CES is a global platform where the tech giants exhibit the latest innovation in consumer technology, the automotive industry and digital healthcare.
AI, smart health, driverless cars, smart homes and the metaverse had been the centre of attractions for visitors, entrepreneurs and suppliers of technology products at this year's CES.
The metaverse was a big theme at CES 2023. Many companies had unveiled their latest offerings in virtual reality and augmented reality. There were many unusual inventions on display, from a speech privacy mask to smart golfing tools, a smart punching bag cover and even electric inline skates.
One start-up, OVR Technology, presented a headset that allows users to smell in the metaverse. The device could have applications beyond gaming, for example in health and wellness.
A part of the show floor had been dedicated to Web3 technology.
Also, Microsoft and the carmaker Stellantis teamed up to create a showroom in the metaverse.
At this year's CES, Sony exhibited a prototype of a new electric car built with Honda. The vehicle, Afeela, has self-driving capabilities and a LED screen on the front of the bonnet.
In addition, South Korean car manufacturer Hyundai's stall had seen a large crowd of visitors for its driverless car.
This year Walton became the first Bangladeshi company to join the world's mega tech event.
Focusing on people's smart living, food and health safety, and environmental protection, the company showcased a wide range of green and sustainable smart home and tech products with AI technologies at the CES. The products include a smart fridge, TV and educational display, air conditioner; washing machine, table, and LED light.
At the CES, Walton finalised negotiations with many business houses of the US, Canada, Mexico, France, Peru, Brazil, Chile, Australia, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Azerbaijan, the UAE, Liberia, Oman, Jordan, and Senegal, according to a media statement.
Also, it finalised a deal with a distributor in Canada's Ontario to supply hotel mode solutions.
Read more: CES 2023: Walton's smart AI products get huge response
Capital market to follow banking sector's ‘lead’ in operating during lockdown
The capital market will continue its operation in the interest of investors in any situation during the Covid-19 pandemic if the banking activities continue.
The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) said this against the backdrop of the government’s preparation for imposing full lockdown from April 14 next.
A notice posted on the official website of the BSEC said: "[The] capital market will continue operation at [in] the interest of investors in any situation during the pandemic of Covid-19 if the banking activities continue."
Also read: Stock market reforms to fail if rumours rule the roost: Minister
It said all the transactions in the capital market will continue in the interest of investors and urged the investors not to pay heed to any rumor.
According to sources at the BSEC, if the banks remain open during the lockdown, the capital market will also remain open. This instruction has been given to two stock exchanges -- Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) and Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE).
Also read: BSEC to help boost startup, venture capital ecosystem: Chairman
They said the commission has instructed the DSE to keep the capital market open if banks are open. The capital market will operate utilising smaller shifts and work-from-home facilities.
Earlier, from March 26 to May 31 last year, transactions in the capital market were closed due to the outbreak of Coronavirus pandemic.
Also read: Insider trading: BSEC probes Dominage Steel for 'unusual' stock movement
DSE, CSE to follow banking sector's lead in operating during lockdown
The capital markets will follow the banking sector's lead in operation during the pandemic of Covid-19.
This was informed by the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) against the backdrop of different rumors since news broke of the lockdown to be imposed by the government from Monday next.
A notice posted on the official website of the BSEC said: "Capital market will continue operation at the interest of investors in any situation during the pandemic of Covid-19 if the banking activities continue." It said all transactions in the capital market will continue in the interest of investors.
Also read: Govt to enforce 7-day lockdown from Monday: Quader
It urged the investors to pay no heed to any sort of rumors.
According to BSEC sources, if the bank is open in lockdown, the capital market will also be open. This instruction has been given to two stock exchanges (Dhaka and Chittagong).
Also read: Covid-19: Bangladesh sees 5,638 cases, 58 more deaths
They said, the commission has instructed DSE to keep the capital market open if banks are open. The capital market will operate utilising smaller shifts and work-from-home facilities.
Earlier, from March 26 to May 31 last year, transactions in the capital market were closed due to the outbreak of coronavirus.
London to host Bangladesh Capital Market Fair in Oct
The Bangladesh Capital Market Fair (BCMF) has been scheduled to be held in London, home of the largest Bengali community outside of Bangladesh and West Bengal on Sunday, 10th October 2021.
7th Int’l conference on networking systems, security held
The 7th International Conference on Networking, Systems and Security was held on a virtual platform recently.
Robi set to make capital market debut Dec 24
Robi Axiata Limited, the country’s leading digital service provider, is going to hit the trading floors in Dhaka and Chittagong stock exchanges on December 24.
COVID-19: CSE for Tk 1,050cr stimulus package
Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) Chairman Asif Ibrahim has requested Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to consider the CSE's request of Tk 1,050 crore stimulus package for the retail investors and brokerage houses.
DSE witnesses highest rise in seven years
The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) witnessed the highest single-day rise on Sunday in seven years since the new index was introduced.