Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid has advised the teachers and others concerned not to give bribe to anybody for MPO. Just these few words are very important at the present situation in education sector. Many schools and colleges are running for more than an age without financial supports (MPO) from the government. There are technical/vocational as well as religious (madrasahs) institutes located in the remote rural areas where people are mostly financially poor and disadvantaged. Teachers in those institutes have been serving years after years without remuneration. Many of them were found seriously frustrated as they could not arrange money for bribe. They had taken it guaranteed without bribe MPO inclusion is impossible. The education minister’s recent statements and advice not to give bribe to anybody have developed their confidence and they are expecting real judgments in this respect. It would be more effective if he urges the teachers to get back their money who have already paid bribe to the criminal officers. The teachers are confident because the respected minister has succeeded to create an environment for corruption free board examinations when thousands of students and guardians are benefited. In the case of the corruption in MPO, only few greedy people are involved who work in his ministry and I believe it is not very difficult for an honest minister like Mr Nurul Islam Nahid to control them and give exemplary punishment at this age of super technology. Doing so education minister will not only benefit personally but he will focus government and party as well.
রবিবার, ২ জানুয়ারী, ২০১১
Evaluating Scientists in time
Some deaths are heart rending that touches our minds and reminds us the importance of the person. Death of the Nuclear Scientist Dr. M.A. Wajed Mia is one of such examples. People from all corners are found to discuss on his fame, honesty and sincerity. His child-like simplicity and power of attracting people indicate scientific characteristics based on honesty. The scientists and the scientific communities at home and abroad are proud of him. At the present crisis in generation and transmission of electricity, the wise and knowledgeable persons are feeling necessity of the nuclear scientist Dr. Wajed Mia. He had vast knowledge and experience in his area of expertise and world wide networks with the best scientists and technologists.
As a student, he was extremely brilliant and he obtained his Matriculate from Rangpur Zilla School in First division in 1956 and higher secondary from Rajshahi Science College securing second position in the merit list. Wajed Mia got admission to Physics department of Dhaka University and obtained First Class First position in B.Sc (Hons) in 1961 and also First Class First in M.Sc in Nuclear Physics from same university in 1962. He obtained Ph.D in Nuclear Physics from Durham University of UK and joined as scientific officer at the Atomic Energy Commission in Dhaka.
In 1969, Dr Wajed Mia got the Associate ship of the Italy based International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) and he was engaged in a research project under the world renowned scientist Nobel Laureate Prof. Abdus Salam at ICTP in Trieste, Italy. The Third World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) is also located in the same campus. Nobel Laureate Dr. Abdus Salam was a man of vision among the world famous scientists. Dr. Wajed Mia wanted to set up a nuclear power plant at Ruppur, Pabna under the guidelines of TWAS. Unfortunately, he was not given the opportunity to establish the Nuclear Power Project at that time. But the necessity reminds us the lack of a scientist like Dr. Wajed Mia when we are going to set up the Nuclear Power Plant of 2000 Mega Watt in joint collaboration with Russia at the same place, Ruppur of Pabna district according a recent report published in a national daily.
After 37 years of participation of Dr. Wajed Mia at ICTP, I was searching lists of the participants from my country at ICTP/TWAS library located at the top of the hill of Strada Costiera, Trieste, Italy and found the name of Dr. M.A.Wajed Mia as a researcher in Nuclear Science. I was thinking if Dr. Wajed Mia were given the opportunity to establish a position at ICTP, our entrance into ICTP could be easier. I was awarded the TWAS Fellowship based on my paper entitled “Capacity Building for Sustainable Development through empowerment of women scientists, researchers and technologists with ICT in Bangladesh” that I had to earn through participation in a global competition at the International Workshop on Capacity Building for Sustainable Development held at TWAS from 10-13 October 2006.
Let us take Dr. Wajed Mia as an ideal scientist. We can benefit through discussion on his life on youth as a student and later as a scientist. Hundreds of young graduates in science and technology are coming out from the universities every year. But they seem very frustrated. They don’t know what future is waiting for them and where to approach to sell their expertise. I have seen many brilliant students with unique results in very attractive subjects like Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Biotechnology and Pharmacy are not getting job. They are about to loose confidence on science subjects observing their guardians’ frustrations as well. At least they need some guide lines at the moment and some one to give them hopes that they have not done mistakes in choosing science as their career path
In such situations, a scientific foundation or institution can be established in the name of Dr. M.A. Wajed Mia. In fact there are lots to learn for the science students and the scientists as well in Bangladesh from life of Dr. Wajed Mia. Just as an example, it can be referred that Dr. C V Raman University has been established at Raipur, India to educate the young generations on nuclear science as well as to follow the life of a great scientist.
As a Nuclear Physicist (nuclear instrumentation) and former engineer of U.S. Geological Survey, I had a chance to work with Dr. M.A. Wajed Mia as our Chief Scientist (team leader) on a national project on exploration of Beach Sand Minerals (Zircon, Ilmenite, Rutile, Garnet, Titenium etc) in 1993-95. I had also scope to work with Prof. S. Chowbey Vice-Chancellor of C V Raman University on ICT development in Bhopal, India
Dr. M.A. Wajed Mia is the founder President of the Bongobondhu Sikkha-O-Gobeshona Parishad (Bongobondhu Education and Research Council, BERC) which was established with the objective of reaching the benefits of science education to all, particularly to the remote people. The Nuclear Scientist Dr. Wajed Mia’s vision was to establish a sound and sustainable research organization based mainly on effective science and technology. To give his dream the reality, an initiative must be taken by the members of the BERC through modification of BERC to BERSC where ‘S’ stands for Science that means the Bongobondhu Education and Research Council will take the shape of Bongobondhu Education, Research and Science Council (BERSC). To make the issue more transparent, we can raise example of UNESCO that stand for United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Initially there was no UNESCO rather it was UNECO that means Science was not under consideration even in the developed countries of Europe and America. The delegates meeting at the Institute of Civil Engineers in London on 1st November 1945 were invited to the founding conference of UNECO. Several scientists, including Julian Huxley, who was to become first Director-General were campaigning for months for inclusion of science both in the name of new organization and its programme of action. The President of the Conference, Ellen Wilkinson, Minister of Education of the UK, proposed in her augural address to put S for Science between the E of education and C for culture. (Ref: World Science). Thus UNECO was transformed to UNESCO.
Technology affects practically all activities in our life. The digital technologies have covered the operation of all levels of education from kindergarten to doctoral studies. The new technology has even started challenging higher educational institutions worldwide to redefine their student constituencies and teaching practices. Bangladesh has just started journey by new vehicle equipped with digital technology and run by local national experts, scientists and technologists. The higher educational institutes in Bangladesh, particularly private universities are opening new departments related to digital technologies. Topics like Satellite Communications, Radio Communications, Data Communications, Optical Fiber Communications, LASER and nanotechnology are taught in undergraduate courses of the department of electronics and telecommunications. Teaching modern technology subjects with confidence is very interesting and exciting. The reason is, the students found very curious about the innovative subjects that still considered in Bangladesh, the subjects for white people. In a class of two hours duration, most of time utilized in answering questions about the topics, devices with applications, status of Bangladesh in relation to topics, future of Bangladesh, problems and solutions, possibilities of students' inclusions in nation building activities with digital technology.
Interestingly the students have discovered- their knowledge in Physics and Mathematics of higher secondary level is enough to understand the technologies of satellite communications, fiber optics etc. They need just an experienced and qualified guide who can answer their questions according to their requirements. The concerned teacher must have academic, industrial and research experience at home and abroad. Otherwise, technology-based higher education will never emerge in the country. Only the costly certificate holders cannot solve these problems.
At the initial stage, a survey conducted among the students who attended classes and the researchers found that students are interested in just certificates that they need for their career developments. After three classes on Satellites, I found the students very thirsty for modern technology knowledge. They are more interested to learn about availability of satellite communications in Bangladesh. Our neighbor countries have launched their Satellites in the space orbits, but Bangladesh has yet to do that. It indicates our national crisis in technology field.
The students of Bangladesh have no scope of observing Satellites physically while revolving around the earth in fixed orbits but the Internet has made things easier to them. From the websites they can learn details about the Satellites and this learning has encouraged them significantly. Opportunity of open discussions increases their confidence as well.
The digital technologies have also generated many conflicting claims and predictions as to the present, and mainly future effects that the Internet and World Wide Web might have on higher education environments. On one hand, the emergence of the new technologies has broadened access to many new student clienteles and in such a way contributed greatly to social equity in higher education; and on the other hand, the continuous development of advanced and complex technological infrastructures widens the digital divide between developed and developing countries, and between rich and poor. Most academics in advanced countries have adopted eagerly the technological capabilities provided by the Internet in their research activities, and at the same time, many professors still feel reluctant to incorporate technologies in their teaching. The digital technologies gave rise to many new providers of higher education and increased the competition in the academic global market, and at the same time, we witness a growing trend of collaborations and convergence of academic practices enhanced by the new media.
Scientists and politicians in power crisis
The crisis in electricity generation and transmission is widening gaps among the political parties. Almost every body in the country is affected by the shortage of power generation. The opposition party naturally takes it as a serious issue for their political gains. On the otherhand, the ruling party tries to capture their glorious political images. Whatever be the roles of the politicians or political parties, common people and students particularly, the HSC examinees are suffering a lot. The present energy crisis in the country is a big lesson on “Sustainability of Power” for all. A basic question now arises for all “Are we really capable of using electricity effectively and efficiently”? How much do we know about generation, transmission and applications of electricity? How much is important electricity in our daily life compared to food, shelters, clothes, education or health? Is it possible to see electricity physically as a we can see rice, coconut or petrol? Can we buy just ten-taka electricity from nearby shop or super market? Or is it possible to measure its weight using traditional weigh machines? No, we cannot. It has no physical existence. It is a form of energy like sound, heat and light. Its intensity is still measured in kilowatts or Megawatts observing its effects or influence on other bodies through virtual methods. . .
Perhaps electricity or electrons are the most dangerous innovations of human kind in the history of science. It escapes none from its dangerous effects. So the users always need to remain careful. If the total population of the country is now fifteen crore (150 million), then at least one crore (10 million) people have studied or now studying Physics and electricity but very few of them know the reasons of studying electricity. The present crisis in power generation has made many of them open the chapters of electricity.
In four decades of teaching physics related courses like electricity, electronics and ICT, I have met one lac students (approx) who now realize the importance of electricity. Interestingly, I have recently met one of my brilliant students of 38 years back at the parliament house. She is now a Member of Parliament (MP) with an M.Sc degree in Physical Science and of course, a politician with scientific knowledge. Thousands of such brilliant human resources are not aware of their potentials and they do not know how much they can contribute for the nation even in the crisis that we are facing now.
The recent crisis have made the citizens more curious about electricity, its production and transmission. If it is defined in scientific and technical language, electricity is a general term that encompasses a variety of phenomena resulting from the presence and flow of electric charge. Lightning is also a recognizable phenomena and one of the most dramatic effects of electricity that we observe in the cloudy sky. The word "electricity" is adequate to refer to a number of physical effects. In scientific usage, the term is vague, and related concepts are better identified by more precise terms like Electric charge, Electric current, Electric field, Electric potential and electromagnetism.
Now the question is what should be the roles of the politicians or scientists in solving the power crisis that we are now facing. The answer is neither the scientist nor the politician has much to do individually in such crisis but their joint efforts can give tremendous results for the nation. An honest and dedicated politician with scientific knowledge and vision, or an honest scientist with clear political ideas and vision can be the unique resource for the country in the present crisis and for future scientific development which is a continuous process and not one time proposition. Just setting up a power plant is not enough and not a sustainable process. It needs continous modification to adjust with global technological changes and to adapt ourselves with rest of the world. For such activities we need our human resources, not imported technologists (human resources) who might become a risky burden for a country like Bangladesh.
Where to get the essential resources and resource persons in the country? The answer is - the country is full of resources like natural, mineral and human resources. We don’t need to invite from outside. The only thing to do – is to open our eyes and to refocus on our national resources. Not only the power crisis but scientific, technical and social problems can be solved on our own ways effectively and efficiently. How much electricity needed per person in the country? Is electricity equally important for everybody? Energy can be generated in local, traditional or indigenous processes. Have we ever requested them particularly, the rural and remote people to meet their partial needs in traditional ways?
To develop confidence on the above statement, we need to consider a small island of area 20-30 square kms with the population of 10000 to 12000. The island is full of crimes and fighting among the local people using dangerous weapons is normal. Literacy rate in the island is almost zero. Using the home grown ideas along with new scientific knowledge, the island is converted to a land of technology and tranquility. This is not a story but the reality. Questions, criticisms or comments on scientific, technical and social issues are welcome. The island is close to birth place of father of the nation and it is a river island (circular shaped char) of Modhumoti River that flows between Gopalgonj and Narail.
Perhaps electricity or electrons are the most dangerous innovations of human kind in the history of science. It escapes none from its dangerous effects. So the users always need to remain careful. If the total population of the country is now fifteen crore (150 million), then at least one crore (10 million) people have studied or now studying Physics and electricity but very few of them know the reasons of studying electricity. The present crisis in power generation has made many of them open the chapters of electricity.
In four decades of teaching physics related courses like electricity, electronics and ICT, I have met one lac students (approx) who now realize the importance of electricity. Interestingly, I have recently met one of my brilliant students of 38 years back at the parliament house. She is now a Member of Parliament (MP) with an M.Sc degree in Physical Science and of course, a politician with scientific knowledge. Thousands of such brilliant human resources are not aware of their potentials and they do not know how much they can contribute for the nation even in the crisis that we are facing now.
The recent crisis have made the citizens more curious about electricity, its production and transmission. If it is defined in scientific and technical language, electricity is a general term that encompasses a variety of phenomena resulting from the presence and flow of electric charge. Lightning is also a recognizable phenomena and one of the most dramatic effects of electricity that we observe in the cloudy sky. The word "electricity" is adequate to refer to a number of physical effects. In scientific usage, the term is vague, and related concepts are better identified by more precise terms like Electric charge, Electric current, Electric field, Electric potential and electromagnetism.
Now the question is what should be the roles of the politicians or scientists in solving the power crisis that we are now facing. The answer is neither the scientist nor the politician has much to do individually in such crisis but their joint efforts can give tremendous results for the nation. An honest and dedicated politician with scientific knowledge and vision, or an honest scientist with clear political ideas and vision can be the unique resource for the country in the present crisis and for future scientific development which is a continuous process and not one time proposition. Just setting up a power plant is not enough and not a sustainable process. It needs continous modification to adjust with global technological changes and to adapt ourselves with rest of the world. For such activities we need our human resources, not imported technologists (human resources) who might become a risky burden for a country like Bangladesh.
Where to get the essential resources and resource persons in the country? The answer is - the country is full of resources like natural, mineral and human resources. We don’t need to invite from outside. The only thing to do – is to open our eyes and to refocus on our national resources. Not only the power crisis but scientific, technical and social problems can be solved on our own ways effectively and efficiently. How much electricity needed per person in the country? Is electricity equally important for everybody? Energy can be generated in local, traditional or indigenous processes. Have we ever requested them particularly, the rural and remote people to meet their partial needs in traditional ways?
To develop confidence on the above statement, we need to consider a small island of area 20-30 square kms with the population of 10000 to 12000. The island is full of crimes and fighting among the local people using dangerous weapons is normal. Literacy rate in the island is almost zero. Using the home grown ideas along with new scientific knowledge, the island is converted to a land of technology and tranquility. This is not a story but the reality. Questions, criticisms or comments on scientific, technical and social issues are welcome. The island is close to birth place of father of the nation and it is a river island (circular shaped char) of Modhumoti River that flows between Gopalgonj and Narail.
Science for Reducing Political Division
Everyday we observe the war like situation in talk shows organized by electronic media. In the parliament, the situation is more prominent when the opposition party or alliance remains present. Open dialogue in the parliament indicates positive impact for the party in power. The reason is ultimately the government benefits out of it. Stronger opposition in the parliament can be the blessings for citizens and the party in power as well. Strength here does not mean muscle power, rather means all pervasive knowledge power essential for a country to develop. Creative criticisms might give immense opportunity to rectify errors or small mistakes to the government. The opposition party or alliance cannot make things happen without cooperation from the government. But they can do one thing very nicely – identify the problems in the society or community and raise them in parliament.
Through justified dialogue in the parliament, reality comes out which is very important for the head of the government (Prime Minister) in any democratic country. In such a situation, the head of government needs to utilize her/his wisdom, talents, skills and strategies to prove her/his efficiency. Modern democratic government means the type of political government that has the strongest opposition party but a very well balanced parliament equipped with the most relevant and effective technology and technologists.
Difference in opinions between the party in power and the party in opposition is a normal matter in all democratic countries. They are two friendly enemies like the scientists and lawyers. Scientists serve humanity by enabling the citizens to know and the lawyers serve humanity by enabling them to live together. They are inherently complementary though vastly different. The political parties are supposed to fight for the national interests, not for their individual interests. Sometimes situation goes beyond control. If the situation is analyzed scientifically it tends to cross the elastic limit which means after that stage, the expansion does not obey scientific rules. In such an environment, consensus among the political parties becomes very essential. Bangladesh needs immediate consensus among political parties. That is very difficult to happen in traditional ways when both the parties are in forefront. Science can help forge consensus where there is political division. There are instances of impact in global science when quantum mechanics replaced Newtonian physics. It is known to the famous Physicists like late Dr. M.A.Wajed Mia (the former Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission) that Newtonian science is based on the discrete independent systems, but quantum mechanics is based on everything those are interconnected. Some of the world famous political leaders believe at a time of dramatic change, the world of international relations needs the world of science to help address the most critical issues that we face at present.
Scientific progress can achieve breakthroughs that diplomacy cannot match. Taking the case of historic role of science in helping to create the verification regimes that made the nuclear arms agreements possible during Cold War and the building of CERN in 1950s that helped to build bridges among European nations following World War II, the world famous politicians believe that Science could help break down barriers of 21st century.
Science and technology are simultaneously solving and creating problems at a pace that seems too fast for Bangladesh to manage. Our problems are not only technological but they are moral, ethical, human involving intuition, pride, cowardice, compassion, greed, aggressiveness, arrogance, mercy and justice. Science has the power to shift debates and catalyze political action. In particular, scientific collaboration will be essential to better understand the risks and solutions related to the coming age of resource scarcity. Science supports politics, so politicians also need to support science. This is true for the rich and the poor alike. At the present political, social and technological situation of the country "politics and science need to come closer together – not for politics to smother science, but to be informed by its potential”.
Comments on UGC report on higher education
The University Grants Commission of Bangladesh have reported recently the public and private universities have largely failed to implement the aims and objectives of higher education. The reasons for the failure include influence of partisan politics on student bodies, session jam, lack of transparency and accountability in the activities of teachers and students, uncontrolled consultancy and part time jobs of teachers.
The problems identified are 90% correct but the main reasons of failure are : in efficient manpower in the UGC who are mainly appointed in same processes. They don't have much ideas about their responsibilities and the most dangerous problems are lack of modern scientific and technology knowledge among the decision makers. As such they fail to identify the relevant subjects and teachers. The causes of sufferings of teachers and students are due to their silence, negligence and non cooperation. Before taking any step towards the rectification of higher education, the first initiative must be taken from the UGC. There are two ways for solving any of the national problems - that must start either from the bottom or from the top. In this case, to start from the top will be wise and effective.
A month long online discussion on "Higher Education in Bangladesh" can be held so that not only the Bangalee but the global experts from all over the world will comment and give suggestions to make our higher education worth and acceptable globally.
Criticisms must be encouraged in the country instead of discouraging and putting in problems. Criticisms are the most difficult and risky tasks but the prestigious works as well. He who has enough knowledge on the issue and maintains honestly in his daily life shows the courage to criticize. In the developed countries, people are honored and remunerated for creative criticisms. Lots of good solutions and ideas come out from criticisms.
There are lots to discuss on higher education. A research based study is the must to identify where Bangladesh is now in respect of higher education, science, technology etc. The international organizations are there to cooperate us. It is my expectation the respected PM and the Education Minister will give much importance on the issue, otherwise we will be lost from the community of the global higher educaation systems.
Honoring the Freedom Fighters of 1971
The population density in the country is increasing day by day, alternatively the freedom fighters are decreasing in number. Many young talented boys and girls have commented freedom fighters as the luckiest citizen of the country as they got opportunity to contribute in the liberation war of Bangladesh. After 10-15 years from today 23rd of January 2010, there is less possibility to find out an active and energetic freedom fighter who liberated our mother land from hands of the enemies. At the present stage, freedom fighters have very limited expectations from the country, but they want to live with honor and dignity in the rest of their lives. If they get the prestigious responsibilities for national development such as creation of digital Bangladesh that becomes the unique achievement for them, and the country will surely benefit out of it. The nation will also get partial scope of repayment to the freedom fighters as they are the best sons of the soil.
The freedom fighters portrayed as the professional beggars or the poorest people of the country with unlimited sufferings in their lives after the death of the father of the nation. The new generation will surely raise questions how those neglected communities (freedom fighters) will perform such an innovative and creative job and succeed in reaching the goal.
In 1971, Independent Bangladesh was possible to earn due to sacrifice and dedication of freedom fighters. Now they deserve recognition and respects from the new generations for their unique contributions in the liberation war. After 15th of August 1975, it was very difficult for the real freedom fighters to open their mouth to tell the truth about liberation movement. As a result, a big gap created. Even the highly educated boys and girls engaged in responsible and prestigious positions request us to tell the real history of liberation war. They are in confusion what at type war it was. Through recognition and evaluation of sacrifices of the freedom fighters for the Bangalee and Bangladesh, the message should convey to the new generation. This is one of the main duties of the present government and top priority should be given to the issue.
The freedom movement was not a previously set platform like Army, Navy or police before the speech delivered by Sheikh Mujibor Rahman, the father of the nation at the Shahid Sarwardi Uddan on 7th of March 1971. The freedom fighters composing of students, teachers, farmers, day labors, officers, doctors, engineers, scientists, journalists, diplomats and people from all walks of life won the Independent Bangladesh through liberation war. Before going to war, they did not put any precondition rather they fought for liberation of the country spontaneously. They wanted an independent Bangladesh free from all sorts of corruptions and criminal activities.
After the liberation war was over, a large number of greedy freedom fighters derailed and lost their paths, but good news is - a significant number of highly qualified, experienced, talented Bangladeshi experts have developed during the last four decades, in almost all areas of scientific and technical disciplines who are working at home or abroad. Interestingly some of them are efficient enough to design technology to make corruption free digital Bangladesh and more interestingly, they participated in liberation war at ages of 15 to 25 years as students or teachers.
The country has now immersed in corruption, particularly in higher education, as science and technology is largely handled by the non-scientists or false technologists, which is the most dangerous symptom for a developing country like Bangladesh. To overcome these hurdles, the scientifically literate experts from the community of freedom fighters of 1971 should come out to take responsibilities of the technological activities in the country. The respected Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina might give a call to the relevant experts (freedom fighters) to take responsibilities in the complex situations that are prevailing now in the country.
Speaking in scientific language, the project of digital Bangladesh is composed of many sectors such as rural, urban as well as global activities. We are now living in the global village. As such, we cannot deny the roles of the international scientific organizations like the Commonwealth, UNESCO, TWAS, ICSU, ITU etc. In order to design the digital Bangladesh, not only the modern technology experts needed, but the traditional, local and indigenous experts have a great role to play. The local (rural) people with indigenous knowledge have the main roles in building the real digital Bangladesh and the local freedom fighters are the best resources for serving the purposes. The freedom fighters of all levels; formally literate. illiterate, scientists, technologists, engineers, researchers can jointly offer a unique traditional Shonar Bangla leading to digital Bangladesh to the nation if they (freedom fighters) are given the opportunity to do so in time.
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