Chief Adviser's Special Assistant to the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb spoke at the InterContinental Hotel in the capital today. Photo: PID

DHAKA, Sept 10, 2025 (BSS) - A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority (BHTPA) and BUET to establish Institute of Frontier Technology (IFT) on the BUET campus to fill the skill gap between the industry and academia. 

The agreement was signed under the Bangladesh Institute of Frontier Technology's Initial Infrastructure Construction (1st Amendment) Project through a programme held at the InterContinental Hotel in the capital today. 

BUET Vice-Chancellor and Managing Director of the Hi-Tech Park signed the MoU on behalf of their respective institutions, said a press release.

The IFT will offer courses in Machine Learning, AI, Internet of Robotics Things, Micro-fabrication, Blockchain, Technological Ethics, Biotechnology, Nanotechnology, 

Neurotechnology, Data Science, Cyber ??Security, Hyper-Automation, Behavior, Intelligence and Experience Engineering, Entrepreneurship, Innovation Startup Ecosystem Sustainability, etc.

Speaking as the chief guest, Chief Adviser's Special Assistant to the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb said, "The summary of our combined experience is that there is a huge gap between our industry and academia, and both of these have a research gap which significantly falls short of international standards. The way to solve this problem is the Institute of Frontier Technology."
 
He continued: "If we combine the history of the establishment of universities in Bangladesh and its success with the economic and political aspects of both, we will see that universities do not succeed where there is no 'sizable economy' or the presence of a large economy. Considering that, it has been decided to transfer the Institute of Frontier Technology from the ‘Char’ area to BUET.” 

Because in the Char area, it is almost impossible to mobilize the necessary resources, including students, teachers and researchers, for all the cutting-edge technologies, he added.

The special assistant said that the BUET has eight institutions, and they have several successes in civil engineering and water management and BUET has successfully done several important works across the country. 

From that experience, he said, “We feel that if it can be given under the supervision of BUET, then IFT will be successful in terms of resource mobilization and filling the skill gap.” 

The special assistant said, “We will not have to spend any money on new land acquisition and design or architecture to establish this Institute of Frontier Technology. So, we take the BUET into consideration.” 

Faiz Ahmed Tayyab said they will find a modality to bridge the gap between industry and academia where fellow teachers who have returned from abroad can take courses. 

“We will design short-term, medium-term and long-term course curricula according to the needs and skills of the industry which is not possible under the conventional rules of other universities,” he said

Hopefully, the journey of filling the skill gap in Bangladesh will begin through this, he said.

The special assistant further said that they will complete the physical infrastructure of this project within two years. 

In the next two years, he said they have fixed a total target of four years to bring excellence in courses and academic operations.
 
“During these four years, ICT and Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority will be directly involved with Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology. Later, the 'course of action' will be determined based on the experience of these four years."

BUET Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Abu Borhan Mohammad Badruzzaman thanked the Special Assistant for giving BUET the opportunity to work jointly with ICT. 

He also mentioned that the initiative is timely and logical, and it is a big opportunity for BUET. 

Speaking on the occasion, BUET Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Abdul Hasib Chowdhury said, "The frontier technologies themselves are changing, what is defined as frontier technology today will not be the same after 5 years. Therefore, market-friendly, dynamic and flexible institutions are needed for such skill sets."

The MoU signing ceremony was attended by ICT Division Secretary Shish Haider Chowdhury, Bangdesh Hi-Tech Park Authority Managing Director AKM Amirul Islam, Project Director Dr. Md. Mmnsur Alam, along with officials of Hi-Tech Park Authority and BUET.