Theme: CLIMBING MOUNT IMPROBABLE

University Event

Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology
Jahir Raihan Road,1000
Dhaka, Dhaka, 1000
Bangladesh

A. K. M. Fahim Mashroor

Tech Entrepreneur | CEO and Founder, Bdjobs.com

One of the most successful young entrepreneurs in the country, Fahim Mashroor founded bdjobsdotcom in the year 2000, right after completing his education from University of Dhaka. Bdjobsdotcom is currently a leading internet ventures in the country. It is also one of the top five job sites in South Asia. In 2008, Fahim Mashroor was awarded “Best Innovative Entrepreneur” by DCCI. When everyone of his age was busy seeking jobs at different companies, Mr. Mashroor set out to create a platform for these job seekers himself, making him one of the pioneers in online industry of the country. He considers himself a passionate challenge taker, loves walking uncharted path and prefer doing things that most people fear to do. Fahim Mashroor has over one decade of experience in the IT industry of Bangladesh. During this time, apart from successfully running his own business (as founder and CEO of Bdjobsdotcom), he has been extensively involved in different industry development activities.

Asifur Rahman

Visual Storyteller | Comic Book Artist at DHAKA Comics

Asifur Rahman, a visual story-teller, leverages the power of persuasive art to speak for the people and the country. His projects include ‘Comic Books for Raising Awareness about Nutrition’ with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Asif represented Bangladesh in the Alchemy Festival on graphic storytelling held in London and conducted the first ever comic book drawing workshop in Bangladesh. Currently working as a professional comic book artist at Dhaka Comics where he also works as an assistant editor. He started drawing cartoons during his undergrad years at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology and moved on to comic book illustrations later. Asifur Rahman believes that visuals can speak stronger than words and dreams of using comics and visual story-telling to take Bangladesh and her stories to the world.

Dr. Ainun Nishat

Pioneering Expert of Water Resource Management and Climate Change Specialist | Professor Emeritus, BRAC University

A pioneering expert of water resource management and climate change in Bangladesh. He finished his Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, U.K. in 1981. He has an M.Sc in Civil Engineering from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), 1975. Currently, he is in BRAC University, one of the leading private universities in Bangladesh as a Professor Emeritus. He was the former vice chancellor of this university. He is engaged in carrying out diversified research projects in the field of climate change and environment with the Centre for Climate Change and Environmental Research, BRAC University. Previously he was the Country Representative, Bangladesh and followed by Senior Advisor Climate Change, Asia Region in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). He is a key member of the Climate Change Negotiation Team for Bangladesh and represented Bangladesh at the United Nations Climate Change Conferences.

Dr. Md. Shamsul Hoque

Transportation and Safety Expert | Professor, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology

Dr. Md. Shamsul Hoque is transportation consultant and safety expert responsible for numerous projects in the booming cities of Bangladesh, Dr. Md. Shamsul Hoque has been extensively involved in wide varieties of civil engineering consultancy and construction projects in Bangladesh including mass transit, road, bridges, flyovers, interchanges, inland container depot (ICD) etc. A legend in his field, Dr. Hoque has been phenomenal in his efforts to solve the transportation problems of the country. As a Consultant, he has been involved with more than 70 projects so far. He is the former Director of Accident Research Institute (ARI), former Test-in-Charge, Bureau of Research, Testing and Consultation (BRTC) of Department of Civil Engineering, BUET and Director of Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL). Currently a professor of the Department of Civil Engineering at BUET, Dr. Hoque obtained his PhD in 1994 from the University of Southampton, UK.

Hasin Jahan

Water Supply and Sanitation Expert | Bangladesh Country Director, Practical Action

Currently working as the Bangladesh Country Director of Practical Action, Ms Hasin Jahan likes to promote new ideas, likes to take challenges and think out of the box. In the recent past Ms. Hasin Jahan has worked as the Director of Programmes and Policy Advocacy of WaterAid Bangladesh. She moderated 26 episodes of the development talk show titled 'Jolkotha' for a TV channel - Desh TV. She has also organized events such as national conventions on rainwater harvesting, a photo exhibition titled – 'Cascading Dreams' featuring stories of grass roots peoples' life, an Expo on water and sanitation technologies and approaches, a short-film festival on ‘Water for Life’ etc. By training, she is a Civil Engineer from BUET and has completed MS in Water and Environmental Management from WEDC.

Sonia Bashir Kabir

Tech Entrepreneur and Corporate Luminary | Managing Director, Microsoft Bangladesh

Educated and trained in Silicon Valley, Sonia lived in Northern California for 20 years. After completing her MBA, she worked in the Valley for Fortune 100 companies (Sun Microsystems & Oracle), startups & in the financial district. Her expertise include strategic planning & growth, sales execution, financial management, team building and change management. Sonia is currently the Managing Director for Microsoft Bangladesh, Founder President of TiE Dhaka, Vice President and Co-Founder of Bangladesh Women in Technology (BWIT), Board member of the American International School, Dhaka and Bangladesh on Seven Summits. She has served in the Boards of Bangladesh Employers Federation, Bangladesh Cricket Board (Women's Wing), Abahani Women's Games Development Committee and Women Entrepreneur's Association. Sonia is a national athlete; she has played for Bangladesh National Volleyball team and Bangladesh National Cricket team.

Tareq Onu

Mountain Trekker, Diver, Photographer and Travel-writer | Vice President, Bangladesh Bird Club

Tareq Onu is an explorer, hiker and mountaineer, Tareq Onu is the first person to visit the North Pole from Bangladesh along with Enam Ul Haque in 2007. This daring adventure-lover is also the only climber from Bangladesh to ascend upon Mt. Blanc, the highest peak of the Alps. He, along with fellow mountaineer M A Mohit, were the first from Bangladesh to climb 8,188 meters up on top of Mt. Cho Oyu, the sixth tallest peak in the world. Tareq Onu is also a travel-writer having published three books including the first Bird-field guide in Bangla. Currently he is the vice-president of Bangladesh Bird Club and working voluntarily for conserving the natural ecosystem of Bangladesh.