United Commercial Bank PLC has been implementing an agro-CSR project called ‘Bhoroshar Notun Janala’ as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR). In its continuation, a training program for agricultural entrepreneurs hailing from Jhenaidah district was organized on Monday at Green Valley Park Auditorium, Jhenaidah. Around 185 agricultural entrepreneurs from 6 upazilas of Jhenaidah district took part in this training. Addressing the function, UCB's Additional Managing Director and Company Secretary, ATM Tahmiduzzaman, said, “The contribution of the agriculture sector to the GDP is about 14.23 percent. 40 percent of the total labor force is still dependent on agriculture”. Finance Minister affirms Bangladesh's economic resilience amid challenges Agriculture is also the main source of food, nutrition and industrial raw materials. Agriculture is inextricably linked with poverty alleviation, employment and export, he added. He said that different businesses, social and economic activities of the country are centered around agriculture. “We want to play a role in the development of commercial agriculture. For this, we want to stand by the agricultural entrepreneurs. We are trying to help the farmers so that they can produce and sell their crops (as desired by them) by taking loans on easy terms. That’s why we named our project ‘Bhoroshar Notun Janala”, he said. Through this, he said, the bank actually wants to instill confidence in the minds of marginalized farmers. We are working towards that goal.” ICMAB delegation takes part in pre-budget discussion with NBR Rezaul Karim Siddique, popular presenter of BTV’s (Bangladesh Television) agriculture-based show ‘Mati O Manush’ & an agricultural-sector analyst; UCB’s Deputy Managing Director Mohammad Shah Alam Bhuiyan; Deputy Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer Md. Faruk Ahammad, Branch Manager (Jhenaidah district) and Md. Moniruzzaman also delivered speeches at the training program. On the previous day (11 February), skill development training was held for about 135 agricultural entrepreneurs from 4 upazilas of the district at Magura Royal Community Center. UCB Khulna region head Molla Masud Parvez; Arpara branch manager AKM Wahidul Islam and Magura branch manager Md. Arifuzzaman also spoke in the training session. The process of disbursing agricultural loans and providing incentive-based agricultural assistance on easy terms was discussed in the training session. It is mentionable that training is being organized for about 16,000 agricultural entrepreneurs selected from 64 districts of the country under the initiative ‘Bhoroshar Notun Janala’. Already around 10,000 agricultural entrepreneurs have been trained in 41 districts. Tk 14,305 crore deposited by agent bank outlets: Islami Bank CEO In the training, speakers shed light on the process of disbursing agricultural loans with easy terms and providing incentive-based agricultural assistance. Apart from this, the way forward for expanding the scope of financing (humane) under easy terms and conditions for the development of an advanced and prosperous agriculture sector were being discussed.

Thirty students have made it to the third round of the Seeds For The Future 2022 Bangladesh, a CSR programme by Chinese telecom giant Huawei for aspiring science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and non-STEM students. Based on their academic results and knowledge, creativity, and English proficiency, the jury board consisting of Huawei staff, project manager, and university teachers shortlisted them from 200 participants in the second round. Also Read: Huawei: 'Fastest-growing' cloud provider in Asia-Pacific Professors from the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology, Khulna University of Engineering and Technology, Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology, Islamic University of Technology, Brac University, East-West University, and Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology joined the jury board of the round. At the end of the third round, nine students will be promoted to the regional round which will be held in Thailand. Read Seeds for the Future winners visit Huawei Bangladesh headquarters The winners of the regional round will go to Singapore to join the "Tech4Good Accelerator Camp." Initially, more than 1,100 students enrolled in the Seeds For The Future 2022 Bangladesh. Launched in Bangladesh in 2014, Seeds for the Future has been nurturing ICT talents since its inception and become popular among academics as well as students. Read Seeds For The Future 2021: Bangladesh team heads to global round

Coca-Cola International Beverages Private Limited (IBPL) gave more than 30 sewing machines to the deputy commissioner of Mymensingh for the economic empowerment of marginalised women.  The women from Bhaluka and Trishal lost their jobs during the pandemic.  The district administration along with Mymensingh Youth Training Centre arranged a training programme for these women to make them financially independent and enable them to earn a good livelihood. Also Read: Coca-Cola Bangladesh releases maiden Sustainability Highlights 2020 As a part of its corporate social responsibilities, Coca-Cola offered help to these women with sewing machines at a programme Monday in Mymensingh. Coca-Cola IBPL Managing Director Tapas Kumar Mondal said, "We have offered support to the marginal and financially challenged people with various programmes as part of corporate social responsibilities, especially, during the Covid-19 outbreak." "We have stepped further to accelerate developments of rural women in Bangladesh." Read Coca-Cola Bangladesh releases maiden Sustainability Highlights 2020

"Seeds for the Future 2022, Bangladesh," a CSR programme by Chinese telecom giant Huawei for aspiring science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and non-STEM students was inaugurated in the capital Sunday. It aims to inspire ICT talents and help them gather industry-oriented knowledge. To initiate the programme, roadshows are being arranged at the participating universities this month. Also read: Huawei holds campus recruitment event at IUT This year Dhaka University, the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology, Islamic University of Technology, Khulna University of Engineering and Technology, Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology, Brac University, East-West University and Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology will take part in Seeds for the Future. In the next stage, the winners will participate in the global platform along with other successful participants from different countries. Also read: Akij sets up rooftop solar plant with Huawei's technology At the inauguration ceremony, Deputy Minister for Education Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury said: "Many technology companies from different countries are doing business in Bangladesh. But very few have come out from that business domain and assisted our youngsters, our next generation to be skilled. So, I want to thank Huawei." Pan Junfeng, CEO of Huawei Technologies Bangladesh, said: "We keep organising different programmes to open up new avenues and platforms for the youth to gather knowledge and develop insights. Seeds for the Future is one such programme where the participants get to know about the industry practices directly from the experts and can put their calibre to the test." Read 'Seeds for the Future 2022 Bangladesh' starts with roadshows Launched in Bangladesh in 2014, Seeds for the Future has been nurturing ICT talents since its inception and become popular among academics as well as students.

"Seeds for the Future," a CSR programme by Chinese telecom giant Huawei is back for aspiring science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and non-STEM students. Registration is open now, and interested students can now register for "Seeds for the Future 2022 Bangladesh" by contacting their universities. This year, Huawei will organise the event for the eighth time.   To initiate Seeds for the Future 2022 Bangladesh, roadshows are being arranged at the participating universities this month. Recently two roadshows were organised at the University of Dhaka (DU), and the Islamic University of Technology (IUT). This year DU, the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology, Khulna University of Engineering and Technology, Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology, IUT, Brac University, East-West University and Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology will take part in Seeds for the Future. The roadshows will gradually be held at other universities. Jason Lizongsheng, board member of Huawei Bangladesh, said: "We believe in empowering and facilitating the youth. That's why we have different programmes meant to help the youth gather knowledge and develop ICT-related skills. Seeds for the Future is one such programme." Launched in Bangladesh in 2014, Seeds for the Future has been nurturing ICT talents since its inception and become popular among academics as well as students.

The graduation ceremony of Huawei's program Seeds For The Future 2021 Bangladesh was held online Monday. In the event, Posts and Telecommunications Minister Mustafa Jabbar awarded the top 16 talents, selected under this programme from eight renowned universities of Bangladesh. This year, the winners from Bangladesh and other countries received a wide range of training and technological orientation in the online training sessions from Huawei Headquarters. Read: Huawei to invest $50 million to develop 500,000 digital talents in Asia-Pacific They got an overview of different issues and areas, including telecommunication networks, key technologies in ICT, 5G, artificial intelligence and cloud computing. The project presentations submitted by Bangladeshi students were shortlisted for a global competition round – with students from 130 countries. The top three projects will be announced in January 2022. At the graduation ceremony, Professor Md Akhtaruzzaman, vice-chancellor of the University of Dhaka, said, "Our students have innovative ideas. With proper knowledge and experience, they can transform those ideas into reality. From the university side, we are trying. But the ecosystem is also important. I would like to thank Huawei for working to develop future ICT talents." Read Toppers of Huawei's Seeds For The Future 2021 Bangladesh named Zhang Zhengjun, CEO of Huawei Bangladesh, said: "In Bangladesh, we have a huge number of amazing resources; and that is the large portion is youth talents. Huawei believes youth is the main engine of development as well as digital advancement. Huawei also values them and praises their competency." Huang Baoxiong, chief of the human resource department at Huawei Bangladesh, said: "Huawei acknowledges that every youth is like a seed. They are innovators, creators, and leaders who will carry the world towards sustained prosperity. That is why they must be empowered as learners, developers, contributors, entrepreneurs, and decision-makers. Seeds For The Future aims to do that." This year's Seeds For The Future programme started in Bangladesh on September 13. Read: Huawei hosts international summit 'Green ICT for Green Development' The University of Dhaka, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology, Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology, Khulna University of Engineering and Technology, Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology, East West University, and Islamic University of Technology joined the event. Later on, 16 ICT talents, one male and one female student from each university, were chosen from these universities through selection rounds. Seeds For The Future is Huawei's flagship corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme dedicated to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) students worldwide and is meant for inspiring ICT talents. It was launched in Bangladesh in 2014. Read First virtual human to join Huawei Cloud

Chinese telecom giant Huawei Monday announced the toppers of its Seeds For The Future 2021 Bangladesh programme from eight universities. Seeds For The Future is Huawei's flagship corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme dedicated to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) students worldwide and was launched in Bangladesh in 2014. This year, the University of Dhaka (DU), Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (RUET), Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET), Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET), Islamic University of Technology (IUT), Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology (AUST) and East West University (EWU) joined the event. Read Huawei BUET ICT Academy to develop talent ecosystem More than 600 students from these eight universities rolled in the selection phase. And from there, 16 toppers, one male and one female student from each university, were selected based on their academic record, spot-exam, presentation skill and innovative thinking. The 16 students are Imtiaz Ahmed, and Syeda Fatima Fayruj from BUET; Sumayya Rahman, and Mehedi Hasan from KUET; Nahian Rifaat, and Nazifa Rahman Adhora from RUET; Aninda Nandy, and Fatema Islam Tania from CUET; Syed Doha Uddin, and Nishat Tasnim from the DU; Seeamoon Hasiba Reza, and Mohtasim Tasnim Zaman from EWU; Kazi Arham Kabir, and Sadia Karishma Kabir from AUST; AKM Rakib, and Ramisha Raida Karim from IUT.  Traditionally, the selected students go to China for a study trip. However, due to Covid-19, the training has been shifted to an online programme. Read 5G Quiz campaign: Huawei announces winners "As Bangladesh is progressing fast and digital transformation will determine our future growth, we are in dire need of skilled young people. So, Huawei' Seeds For The Future will yield positive outcomes not only for the future leaders but also for the country," Deputy Minister for Education Mohibul Hassan Chowdhoury said at the event. "We started this programme in Bangladesh seven years ago, and the response has been phenomenal. Huawei considers the youth as of today's seeds, which must be facilitated with proper care so that they can prove to be assets in the future," said Zhang Zhengjun, CEO of Huawei Technologies Bangladesh.   "Today's youths are the future of tomorrow. Huawei, through the Seeds for the Future Programme, is supporting Bangladesh's emerging ICT talent and future ICT leaders by broadening their knowledge and equipping them with skills that will be useful and relevant to them both in their professional careers as well as lives as responsible global citizens," Beatrice Kaldun, Unesco representative to Bangladesh, said. Read Huawei Bangladesh for collaborative efforts to widen digital education, online learning scopes "This programme has been an excellent opportunity for our students to develop skills and learn so many things firsthand from experts and Huawei engineers," BUET Vice-Chancellor Professor Satya Prasad Majumder said. 

Banglalink has won the corporate social responsibility (CSR) award in the financial inclusion category for its "Empowering through Employment" initiative with Kormo Jobs by Google. Jointly presented by The Daily Star and CSR Window Bangladesh, the award recognises corporates for their innovative and world-class CSR initiatives, social projects and programmes implemented for sustainable impacts in the society. Erik Aas, chief executive officer of Banglalink, received the award at a ceremony. Read Banglalink's digital services marketplace AppLink launched Banglalink partnered with Kormo Jobs, a job-matching app by Google that specialises in entry-level jobs, to set up dedicated Kormo Jobs Kiosks in selected Banglalink outlets, where Kormo representatives assist job-seekers in finding employment opportunities and accessing learning resources through the Kormo Jobs app. As a strategic partner of Kormo Jobs, Banglalink also works with Kormo Jobs to jointly hold virtual career development sessions, job fairs and other events aimed at boosting youth employment. From five finalists for the award, Banglalink was selected as the winner for playing an exemplary role in empowering the youth through this CSR project. Read Ookla Speedtest Award: Banglalink ranked fastest mobile network for 4th time Erik said: "We are delighted and proud of receiving this prestigious award, which is a testimony to the role Banglalink has been playing as a socially responsible corporate organisation. There are so many talented people in our country, and our key objective behind the partnership with Kormo Jobs is to facilitate youth employment through the use of our service points and multiple digital initiatives." Bickey Russell, co-lead of Kormo Jobs and director of operations at Google's Next Billion Users initiative, said: "Our partnership with Banglalink has enabled the Kormo Jobs app to reach thousands of job-seekers quickly and help them find career opportunities." Read Banglalink skill development programme: 'Digirevolution' Season 1 ends

A Bangladesh-South Korea conference on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and economic growth will be held virtually on Sunday (June 27, 2021) to discuss ways to further deepen Korean companies’ engagement with local communities. The South Korean Embassy in Dhaka and the CSR Centre in partnership with Korea Trade Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) Dhaka office are jointly organizing the "Korea-Bangladesh CSR Conference 2021: CSR for Human Resource Development and Economic Growth”. The conference will be held from 5pm to 6:35pm.  Also read: Bangladesh, Korea to explore untapped potential Planning Minister MA Mannan will join the event as the chief guest. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is increasingly becoming important, especially for developing nations, said the Korean Embassy in Dhaka.  As Bangladesh strives towards attaining economic development with the target set out in the Sustainable Development Goals, CSR strategies and policy implementation are becoming a part of the core business strategy for private companies, it said. Also read: Bangladesh, Korea join hands to enhance cyber security Representatives from Youngone Corporation, Samsung R&D Institute (SRBD), Samsung Electronics, Hyundai E&C, and Dohwa Engineering will present their respective CSR activities in Bangladesh. With sharing of best practices by Korean companies operating in Bangladesh, the conference aims to revisit the importance of the private sector’s role in maintaining a balanced and sustainable society as well as to promote the strong bilateral commercial ties between Korea and Bangladesh. Read Bangladesh and India urged to cooperate on Meghna River basin

Disaster Management Watch (DM WATCH), a Bangladeshi research and training firm based in Dhaka, is going to celebrate its 8th anniversary on Thursday (April 15, 2021). As every year, the firm plans to organise various events on the occasion of its founding anniversary. But in response to the current unforeseeable COVID-19 pandemic crisis, the events will be organised virtually. However, as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR), the firm has initiated financial assistance on the occasion for the poor and destitute struggling to have bread and butter due to the ongoing lockdown. Read PM for diversifying export items through research Online activities include creating a photo frame with the company's eighth-year celebration logo on Facebook; making documentaries for promotion through various social media; sending gifts, e-brochures and e-greeting cards to greet different institutions of Government of Bangladesh, UN agencies, various national and international nongovernmental organisations, donor agencies and the mass media.  Bayazid Hasan, Managing Partner of DM WATCH, greeted and wished relevant stakeholders on this auspicious occasion of the organization. "My heartiest greetings and wishes to everyone on the 8th founding anniversary of DM WATCH. Greetings of Bangla Noboborsho-1428 as well. DM WATCH steps to a new year at the time when the whole world, including Bangladesh, is combatting the pandemic," he said. He hoped, from the aspects of social responsibility, the organisation will continue its research affiliation and contribute to the society immensely. "But my foremost prayers and wishes would be, may we again live in a healthy and livable society and nature earth." Read Focus more on CSR: PM to insurance companies The firm has been working on different development issues with various partners from both the public and private sectors since 2013 and since then it has been striving for excellence in research and consultancy services and has been moving upward successfully. Within this short period of time, DM WATCH has gained a special reputation for its excellence in research and promote encouragement to young researchers, and created a unique position for itself due to its diversity and quality of research. Other Partner of the organization Salma Akhter with her greetings and wishes has said DM WATCH is out and out committed to contribute to the development sectors of Bangladesh through its diversified research excellence. Read Researches have to be beneficial to country: PM