Brac University | Kha 224 Bir Uttam Rafiqul Islam Avenue, Merul Badda, Dhaka
Dhaka, February 5, 2024 – BRAC University proudly hosted a town hall meeting on February 5, 2024, to introduce its University Innovation Hub Program. This gathering of esteemed educators, industry leaders, and aspiring innovators marked a significant leap forward in promoting a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship within the university's academic framework. The town hall commenced with a registration session, welcoming participants, and setting the stage for a series of enlightening discussions and speeches. The event unfolded with a warm guest welcome by a representative of BRAC University, setting a tone of inclusivity and anticipation for the insightful sessions to follow. Dr. Matin Saad Abdullah, a luminary in the field of Computer Science and Engineering at BRAC University, delivered compelling wisdom, emphasizing the commercial viability of innovation. "If you cannot sell it, then it's a hobby," he remarked, highlighting the distinction between mere inventions and marketable innovations. He further added, "If your goal is not finding the product but finding the business model. The model is the product," underscoring the criticality of sustainable and scalable business strategies in the realm of innovation. Dr. Saad also advised budding entrepreneurs to maintain unwavering focus, stating, "One should never pay heed to distractions when it comes to entrepreneurship." Dr. Ananya Raihan, the Strategic Advisor for the University Innovation Hub Program, articulated the program's overarching mission, "We would like to create a young group of entrepreneurs," a statement that resonates with the university's commitment to nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit among its students. The town hall also featured an in-depth overview of the program by Mr. M. Latiful Khabir, the Innovation Hub Coordinator. This segment, enriched with a Q&A session, offered attendees an opportunity to engage directly with the program's intricacies, its strategic framework, and the prospective impact on the university's educational ecosystem. Mr. Shubho Al Farooque, the esteemed Founder & CEO of Zantrik, shared a simple yet profound blueprint for entrepreneurship, "How to become an entrepreneur? Find the problem and have the motivation to solve it." His words encapsulated the essence of entrepreneurial success – the relentless pursuit of solutions to real-world problems. Special Guest Mr. Md. Siddiqur Rahman, Project Management Specialist from the office of Digital Entrepreneurship and Innovation Ecosystem Development Project, BHTPA, made a significant contribution to the event. His insights provided a deeper understanding of the essential collaboration between educational institutions and the innovation sector. Mr. Rahman's expertise highlighted the importance of fostering a synergistic relationship between academia and industry, integral to nurturing a thriving innovation ecosystem. Chief Guest Dr. David Dowland, Registrar of BRAC University, further enriched the event with his valuable perspectives. His address underscored the pivotal role of educational institutions in spearheading innovation. Dr. Dowland emphasized the importance of a concerted effort between academia and industry to cultivate an environment conducive to innovative thinking and entrepreneurial spirit, reinforcing the commitment of BRAC University to this collaborative venture.