United News of Bangladesh

Engineer Mohammad Riazul Islam (Rizu), President of the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB), has said Bangladesh has many laws and regulations on paper, but their practical implementation remains inadequate. He made the observation while addressing a programme titled “Strengthening Occupational Safety and Workforce Excellence in Bangladesh” organised by the Occupational Safety Board of Bangladesh (OSBB) under the IEB at its headquarters as the chief guest on Thursday. Referring to road safety, Riazul, also Chairman of Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK), said many motorcyclists still ride without helmets, while passengers often avoid wearing them even if drivers comply with safety rules. Likewise, many drivers do not use seat belts, increasing the risk of severe injury during accidents. He also pointed to poor fire safety practices in buildings, saying emergency exits are frequently blocked by stored materials, making evacuation difficult during emergencies and increasing the risk of major disasters. “Enacting laws alone is not enough; strict enforcement is equally important,” the IEB President said, adding that the government, professional bodies, social institutions, and media must work together to raise awareness and strengthen safety practices across society. In his welcome remarks, Prof Dr Engineer Md Sabbir Mostafa Khan,honorary General Secretary of IEB, highlighted weak occupational safety standards in Bangladesh’s shipbuilding industry. He said many workers continue to operate in hazardous environments without adequate protective equipment, leaving them vulnerable to accidents and fatalities. Sabbir Mostafa emphasised the importance of building a long-term safety culture, beginning with education at an early age. “Children should be taught safety awareness from an early stage so that responsible behaviour becomes part of their everyday practice,”he said. The IEB honorary General Secretary also stressed the need for regular training for workers and related personnel, particularly in the use of modern safety equipment, risk management, and emergency response procedures. Presenting the keynote paper, Prof Dr Engineer Syeda Sultana Razia, Chairman of OSBB who also presided over the programme, said skilled manpower and safe working environments are critical to Bangladesh’s economic progress, particularly in sectors such as ready-made garment,construction, power and energy, agriculture, and manufacturing. However, workplace accidents, fire hazards, occupational health risks, and skills shortages remain major challenges, she said. Sultana Razia urged industries to arrange regular safety training, drills, and awareness programmes and ensure mandatory use of personal protective equipment such as helmets, gloves, masks, and protective clothing. She said lack of skills and inadequate training remain among the leading causes of workplace accidents in Bangladesh. The OSBB Chairman stressed the importance of technology-driven training, technical education, and sector-specific skills development to prepare workers for the demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. “Workers must develop expertise in automation, artificial intelligence, and digital technologies to remain globally competitive,” she said.

Engineers from Bangladesh and Pakistan have underscored the importance of strengthening ties among professional engineering bodies to address emerging technological, infrastructural, and sustainability challenges across the region. The call was made at a meeting between the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB), and Institution of Engineers, Pakistan (IEP) and the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) held at the IEB headquarters in Dhaka on Sunday. IEB President Mohammad Reazul Islam (Rezu) presided over the meeting, which highlighted renewed efforts to strengthen professional collaboration and deepen regional engagement among engineering institutions of the two countries, according to a press release issued on Monday. Among the participants were IEP President Engr Sohail Bashir and PEC Dr Sarosh Hashmat Lodi. Participants discussed avenues for expanding technical cooperation, institutional collaboration and knowledge-sharing, with a focus on enhancing professional standards and supporting engineering-led development initiatives. Officials noted that stronger cooperation between engineering institutions could contribute significantly to regional capacity-building and foster innovation in key sectors such as infrastructure, energy, and digital transformation. Speaking at the meeting, IEB President Rezu said the initiative reflects a shared commitment to advancing engineering excellence through cooperation and professional engagement. IEP President Sohail Bashir highlighted the importance of sustained institutional ties, noting that closer cooperation between IEP and IEB will help enhance professional competency and promote innovation-driven development. Meanwhile, PEC’s Dr Sarosh Hashmat Lodi emphasised the need for strong professional and regulatory cooperation to maintain internationally recognised standards and ensure continuous professional development. During the discussions, participants explored the possibility of organising joint seminars, workshops, and professional training programmes, along with collaborative research initiatives aimed at strengthening engineering knowledge and technical capacity. Special emphasis was placed on supporting young engineers and early-career professionals, enabling them to benefit from regional knowledge-sharing platforms and exposure to international best practices.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday (May 13, 2023) said that Bangladesh will not purchase anything from any country which imposes sanctions against it. "There is now a tendency to give sanctions, and sanctions on those by whom we contain terrorism. We have taken a decision. I have said that I will not buy anything from those who will give sanctions,” she said. The prime minister said this while inaugurating the five-day long 60th Convention of Institute of Engineers Bangladesh (IEB) at the IEB Headquarters with the theme “Innovative Engineering in the 4th Industrial Revolution”. Read: PM Hasina urges the US to lift sanctions against Russia “What will you do with me? My parents, brothers and sisters have all been killed. I have nothing to lose. But I want to take my country forward,” she said. On December 10 in 2021, the US Treasury Department slapped sanctions against Bangladesh's elite force, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and seven of its former and current officials alleging serious human rights violation. Bangladesh has strongly denied the allegation and instead highlighted RAB's remarkable success in combating terrorism and drug menace. Read more: ​​​​​​​IEB protests DCs' proposal on design, implementation of projects

Eight hours of voting to elect the committee for 2023-2024 term of Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) – the oldest professional organization of the country – has ended, and counting has begun. According to Engineer Mohammad Azizul Islam, chairman of IEB selection committee, a total of 3 candidates are vying for the post of president, says a press release. The candidates are: Bangladesh Awami League’s Science and Technology Affairs Secretary Engineer Md Abdus Sabur, former vice chancellor of BUET Engineer Dr Prof SM Nazrul Islam, and Engineer Mohammad Ali. Read: ​​​​​​​IEB protests DCs' proposal on design, implementation of projects Voting started at 9:00 am today and went on till 5:00 pm. A total of 17,601 voters of 18 centres, 33 sub-centres, 13 international branches of IEB are casting their votes at the IEB central office.  

The Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) has announced to extend technical assistance if any government or private initiative is taken to build temporary hospital for COVID-19 patients.

Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) on Wednesday launched free telemedicine service for all amid the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.

Information Minister Hasan Mahmud on Friday dubbed the BNP a ‘party of criminals’ and Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir its leader.