With an objective of addressing various social challenges, and creating and developing businesses through innovation in Bangladesh, University of Dhaka (DU) has organized a press conference on the launching of the “DU Innovation and Incubation Lab (DU i-lab)” on Friday, May 06, 2016 at 4.00pm at the VC office, University of Dhaka. Honorable Vice-Chancellor of the University of Dhaka and Chairman of the DU i-Lab Professor Dr. A A M S Arefin Siddique moderated the press conference. Md. Rashedur Rahman, Director of DU i-Lab and Assistant Professor of the Department of International Business, University of Dhaka made a presentation on the role, scope and activities of the lab.
The overarching mission of the lab is to become a center of excellence for collaboration of innovation and entrepreneurship to incubate ideas, initiatives and businesses, across University of Dhaka, promising elevation of the nation’s social and economic life, with all essential supports.
Professor Dr. A A M S Arefin Siddique, Honorable Vice-Chancellor of the University of Dhakaand Chairman of the DU i-Lab emphasize the importance of Innovation in Bangladesh, and mentioned that the DU i-lab, the flagship project of the VC office, University of Dhaka will focus on raising awareness on the role of innovation in the socio-economic development of Bangladesh, and will work towards establishing an effective innovation ecosystem in Bangladesh. Professor Siddique further added that “The DU i-Lab will address issues and opportunities relating to economic growth and employment generation, environmental challenges and various social challenges e.g. improving the health care services, providing access to education for all and ensuring good governance etc. that Bangladesh will face towards its journey of becoming a developed nation” Professor Siddique further
Md.Rashedur Rahman, Director of DU i-Lab while highlighting some of the planned activities of the lab said that “The lab with its focus on addressing both business and social innovation will work together with different stakeholders to establish an effective “Government-Industry-University-Development Organization’s Strategic Partnership that will contribute towards realizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Bangladesh Government’s Vision 2041 i.e. becoming a peaceful, prosperous and developed nation after crossing the status of a middle-income country in 2021. He also mentioned that the DU i-Lab will encourage the students, faculty members, and employees of the public and private universities in Bangladesh towards innovative and creative thinking through it’s research, training and counselling, networking, and advocacy works on innovation.
Inspired by the Harvard i-Lab, some of the planned activities under the DU i-Lab are “Ideas every month”-a monthly initiative to execute 2 formidable innovations, one social innovation and one business innovation; Venture Incubation Program (VIP)” An intensive and integrated 6 month training and support program that would help innovators kick-start their new ventures; Annual Innovation and Creativity Festival a campus-wide ANNUAL event that showcases the innovative and creative spirit of DU students, faculty and employees; Advocacy and awareness programs with stakeholders to sensitize the importance of innovation for development; Innovation Summit; Research and policy papers on Innovation; Industry visit for the students, faculty members and employees; Database on Innovators, Investors, and Facilitators in Bangladesh; National Innovation Contest An Inter University Innovation Competition; and Mentoring and Supporting Program on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR); and “Innovation Magazine” a quarterly magazine to showcase innovation in different field.
Photo Caption: Picture: Md. Rashedur Rahman, Director of DU i-Lab and Assistant Professor of the Department of International Business, University of Dhaka making a presentation on the role, scope and activities of the DU i-Lab. The press conference was moderated by Honorable Vice-Chancellor of the University of Dhaka and Chairman of the DU i-Lab Professor Dr. A A M S Arefin Siddique.
