A briefing session under University Innovation Hub Program (UIHP) was held at Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) to support university students in transforming their innovative ideas into viable entrepreneurial ventures.
The session took place on Thursday at 3:00 PM at Syed Nazrul Islam Conference Hall on BAU campus.
The event was organized by Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority (BHTPA) under ICT Division, with financial support from World Bank.
The program aims to foster innovation and entrepreneurship among university students across the country.
Md. Latiful Khabir, National Program Coordinator of UIHP, presided over the session. BAU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. AK Fazlul Haque Bhuiyan attended as the chief guest.
Among the special guests were Prof. Dr. Zoarder Faruque Ahmed of Department of Fisheries Management, UIHP’s University Innovation Hub Manager Jakera Rahman and BAU Proctor Prof. Dr. Md. Abdul Alim. Teachers from various departments and over a hundred students from different academic years also participated.
The main objective of UIHP is to help university students turn their creative concepts into sustainable businesses. Bangladesh Agriculture Olympiad is serving as the official outreach partner for the program.
During the session, students had the opportunity to hear inspiring stories from two of the country’s leading agri-startup entrepreneurs; Sayed Zubaer Hasan, Founder and CEO of Krishi Shwapno and Md. Mamunur Rashid, Co-founder and COO of Fashol Dotcom, who shared their experiences and insights into the startup journey.
In his speech, BAU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. AK Fazlul Haque Bhuiyan said,
“Young people today are investing their time, energy and passion to become successful innovators and entrepreneurs. At BAU, we have created a supportive environment where students can unleash their creativity and transform ideas into impactful ventures. This innovation hub, established through a government initiative with World Bank funding, is designed to accelerate those efforts. We hope the infrastructure currently under construction on our campus will be completed soon, allowing this initiative to reach its full potential.”
He also urged students, “I humbly request my students and the young generation not to waste a single moment. Never hold back—keep moving forward with relentless focus on your goals.”
Prof. Dr. Zoarder Faruque Ahmed noted, “Though this innovation hub was established earlier, progress was slow. However, the Honorable Vice-Chancellor has taken a personal interest in reviving and accelerating its activities, keeping it under his close supervision.”
Speakers at the event emphasized that student life is the prime period for innovation, which often diminishes with age. That is why the government has taken steps to channel the talents of young people through initiatives like UIHP.
“Many startups will emerge—some may gain widespread recognition, some may not. But the real success lies in the overall impact,” one speaker noted. “While this program may not entirely redefine the identity of Bangladesh, it certainly holds the potential to bring significant transformation to the nation’s innovation landscape. We hope to see continued success for Bangladesh on the global stage.”
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