DHAKA, June 8, 2023 (BSS) - The Smart Leadership Academy (SLA), established to develop technologically skilled smart leadership, commenced its activities today with a workshop for members of parliament (MPs) in the capital. 

Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury inaugurated the Smart Leadership Academy at a workshop organized by the World Bank funded Enhancing Digital Government and Economy (EDGE) Project of the Bangladesh Computer Council, under the ICT Division at Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC) with the theme `Smart Leadership for Smart Bangladesh’.

The SLA is being established permanently as a state-of-the-art training center for developing technologically skilled human resources through training for Smart Bangladesh as announced by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on December 12, 2022.

Dr. Shirin Sharmin said that the key requirement for building Smart Bangladesh is to develop smart leadership with simultaneously ensuring digital literacy for the people. 

“If we can cultivate smart leadership at all levels of society, starting from the grassroots, it would be achievable to build Smart Bangladesh before 2041,” she added.

Urging the members of parliament (MPs) to come up with initiatives, Dr. Shirin Sharmin observed that as representatives of the people, they can play a vital role in motivating individuals to become digitally literate and fostering smart leadership across all sections of society.   
 
“MPs are directly connected with the people, they have the potential to change the traditional mindset of the local population and encourage them to embrace technology as well as help build smart leadership from various sections of society,” said the speaker.
 
Dr. Shirin Sharmin stated that with the emergence of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, various sectors including agriculture, education, and health will operate more efficiently through the utilization of frontier technologies like AI, IoT, robotics, 3D printing, and drones. “If we fail to cope up with these advancements, we will lag behind,” she observed.  

Deputy Speaker Advocate Md. Shamsul Haque Tuku called upon the MPs to raise awareness among the local population about embracing technology for building a Smart Bangladesh, as most tasks will be performed using technology. The MPs can play a pioneering role in helping local ppopulation acquire digital literacy, he added. 

Chief Whip of parliament Noor-e-Alam Chowdhury said that the ambitious vision or programme can not be a challenge if there is sincerity and efficiency in its implementation. The government, under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has already set a unique example by successfully implementing the ambitious Digital Bangladesh programme, he added.    

The event was addressed, among others, by Senior Secretary of Parliament Secretariat K. M. Abdus Salam and ICT Secretary Md. Samsul Arefin. Members of Parliament, senior officials of ICT Division and EDGE projects were present.

In the working session, three power-point presentations were delivered by experts in their respective fields. The topics covered were `Digital Bangladesh to Smart Bangladesh Journey’, `Fourth Industrial Revolution: The Challenges and Opportunities’ and ‘Social Media for Development and Democracy.’ 

While presenting power-point on the `Digital Bangladesh to Smart Bangladesh Journey’ Zunaid Ahmed Palak highlighted that the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, placed great emphasis on developing leadership in all segments of society during his political movement and running the affairs of state. On April 20, 1958, Bangabandhu himself went to the USA to participate in a leadership programme, he mentioned.

The ICT state minister stated that the annoucement made by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina instilled new hope and confidence among the people to build a Smart Bangladesh. The reason behind this is to fulfill commitment to build a Digital Bangladesh within stipulated timeframe, he said. 

He further added that based on these hope and confidence the government will be able to build a sustainable, innovative, intelligent and knowledge-based Smart Bangladesh by 2041.