Young Scientists' Congress by BAS- a heartening sign

Even in February, 2009 one had scope to be critical of Bangladesh Academy of Sciences as its website was not updated since 2002-3(http://scitechinbd.blogspot.com/2009/02/bangladesh-academy-of-sciences.html).

Now it is really very heartening to see a dynamic Bangladesh Academy of Sciences is which is evident from the vibrant and interactive website of the organization.

Organizing young scientists’ congress (so far I know) for the fist time is another evidence of its liveliness. But it seems something is missing in the congress. The congress has well defined and articulated objectives. It has rightly focused to infuse dream in the mind of young scientists (The Academy will organize a two day Young Scientists Congress on 29-30 December 2009 in order to encourage the young scientists and to infuse dream among them to develop their future pathway at a pace with other parts of the globe.)
The objectives should come as a theme of the congress. Then it will very easily communicate the message of the congress to the young scientists. The theme can be “Chase your researcher’s dream and develop yourself and Bangladesh in scientific research” or simply “Chase your researcher’s dream”. Organizer can even find best theme as they have full understanding of the objectives of the congress.Bottom line is that the congress should have a theme.

However, as Bangladesh Academy of Sciences is a dynamic and vibrant organization now like its leaders, we are very hopeful that Bangladesh will soon make noticeable progress in research and technology development and transfer

Four interesting questions

What is the most advanced country scientifically (research and technology development )? USA.


Do they have Science minister and science ministry? NOOOOO



Then how they have done so much development ?

Shouldn't we research on these questions?

What is the best subject for one to be admitted in University ?

Dear Badal bhai,

Hope you all are well and fine. You will be happy to hear that Amme has got chance for admission in Dhaka Univ(Ka) with Merit Position- 43. Please let me know your suggestion about subject choice.

Dear Parvez,

First congratulate Amme on behalf of me. Regarding subject choice, first help A to identify his interest or choice. He can be admitted to a very good subject such as Biotechnology, Genetics, Pharmacy, Microbiology but if he doesn't like it, then he will not be able to do good result as happened to me and many . Microbiology is good subject but I didn't enjoy it and couldn't do good result in University and also in career though I admitted in it with 14th position in Ka unit of DU.

That is the best subject that Amme likes best, even it is Botany, Zoology or Chemistry, Physics or Mathematics; whatever he enjoys to study. Just make sure that Amme knows his best choice. Some times young candidates become confused from the opinion of friends, parents, neighbours and teachers.

This or that is very good subject, have high prospect in Job market or for higher study. Or studying this or that subject you can do something new (research). Hearing all these,ones get admitted in a subject with good results that they don't enjoy. At the later stage, they suffer in academic life and career.

One of my in-law wanted to study Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering in instead of EEE in BUET. Because, his friends told him that he could do something new studying biotechnology. But when I asked what he enjoyed more to study, biology or physics, he answered that he didn’t enjoy biology that much. If one doesn’t enjoy a subject, can he enjoy the four year long uni life and much more long professional life if he is working in his academic line. How will be his life as a major part of life is occupied by job/work (8-10 hours /24 Hours every day? Will not it be boring ? How productive will be someone when he is working in an area that he doesn’t enjoy?



It seems to me that even University teachers some times fail to give good advice in this regard. As happened to me, after over expected result in DU ka unit admission test, I went to the then lecture of biochemistry department who is from my own district and asked his advice regarding admission . What would be good for me, Electrical in BUET or Microbiology in DU as I had already submitted my documents in BUET? He didn’t ask me what was my passion or interest? What I liked to study?

Even if parents go to senior professor for such advice, they hardly ask about the interest of student, what student enjoy to study. Normally advice is that the subject he is teaching is very good,has best prospect for Job or higher study. He can study this one. If not, then this or that is the next best option.


So I can not mention the name of subject but ask you help Amme to find out his passion, liking, and choice and allow him to study that subject.

This is the best suggestion I think I can make in this regard.

Shouldn't Science and Technology be an issue in Bangladesh?

Science and Technology is not an issue anywhere in Bangladesh, not in national budget discussions, not in newspapers and talk shows of TV channels, not also in the scientific communities, e-mail groups of scientists like bdresearchers, microbiologydu etc..

Neither Bangladesh Academy of Sciences nor other scientific professional organizations try to draw the attention of government for giving due importance to scientific research.

Shouldn't Science and Technology be an issue in Bangladesh? Can we change days without giving science and technolgy due importance? Will we be able to make progress at expected pace if we don't give due importance to scientific research and technology development?

If at least one Bangladeshi Newspaper Had Science Page

One of my friend, who is an high official of law ministry, was angry seeing my question “Do our newspapers have science page?”. He said that as a Bangladeshi I should know that almost every Bangladeshi newspaper has science page. Yes, I know well that almost every newspaper in Bangladesh has page in the name of science or technology. But tome the page is “extension of literature page” as they mostly publish popular article on science, translated article, popular science news (recent invention and discovery of science in other countries), and news of science fair etc. Now and Then publish interview of successful NRB scientists but not regularly. The page named as science page is extension of literature page because person in charge of the page is mostly graduate of literature and in charge of literature page .Overseeing the science page is his/her additional charge . Or the person is a part time contributor who is still a university student, have some skill in popular article writing and translation.

If any of our dailies had science page, they would focus on the status of Bangladesh in science and technology. (Do the In- charge of science pages of our dailies know that Bangladesh is a scientifically lagging country, not even developing country? what about officials of science ministry and minister himself? ) We could read the exclusive interview of science minister, know about mission, vision and work plan of new science ministers every time. We could remember at least once a week that we have a science ministry, could read news on what is going on in science ministry and what should go on in science ministry but not going on.

If we had science page, then we could read critical review why most of our research organizations are not performing satisfactorily, what should be done to improve their performance. We could read articles how fund for research can be increased and how the available fund can be best utilized.

Shouldn't we, who are crying for scientific development of Bangladesh and have good link with editors of the dailies, try to convert “extension of literature page” into science page in at least one daily? If we can make one, then will not other be converted of their own? Will not it make our fight for science much easier?

Scientifically Advanced Bangladesh by 2050

We feel the necessity of a online magazine named simply " Bangladesh 2050" or Scientifically advanced Bangladesh, 2050 with the following vision :



Vision Ultimate : Making Bangladesh a scientifically advanced country by 2050.



Vision intermediate : Making Bangladesh a scientifically developing country by 2025



Vision immediate: Making science and technology an issue in election 2013.

Vision right now: To put pressure on and help govt. to make deliberate decision on scientific research for meeting immediate needs of the nation.




The magazine Should have the following sections:



1. School section: focus on science at school level



2. College and university : focus on science at college and university level



3. Research organisation : focus on issues for making our research organisations world class.


4. Professional organisations: focus on activities and performances of professional organisations of scientists.

5. National and International: Focus on What should we do at national and international level for scientific advancement of Bangladesh .


World wide Bangladeshi scientists can share their views , thought and initiatives via this Magazine .

Is it impossible to have such a magazine?

Cabinet minister or “visionary and efficient minister”: What we need in the Science ministry?

The present fourteen party alliance govt. has come to power raising hope with slogan of change and digital Bangladesh. Though digital Bangladesh indicates that the govt. will emphasize on information technology and it was also clear from the interview of the state minister for MOSICT Yeafes Usman with the daily Jaijaidin, scientists expected that science and technology as a whole will get priority for full fulfillment of the pledges of the govt. But Scientists’ community was shocked and disappointed a state minister for the science ministry. They think that appointing a state minister for science ministry is sign of negligence to science and technology. So they have raised voice for a cabinet minister for the science ministry. Not doubt this is a just demand. But question is , will a cabinet minister satisfy our need or bring change that scientific organizations of Bangladesh need? Did’t we have cabinet minister for science ministry? A very brilliant scientist who never became second in his academic life, who had working experience in research organization like Bell institute was cabinet minister for science ministry of Bangladesh. Question is, were Bangladesh scientist’s community happy with his performance? Did he bring any significant change in the research culture and performance of the country? Answer is a big NO. He could not satisfy the scientists’ community by bringing necessary changes in the science ministry. Why? Because he, firstly he had no vision regarding science and technology. Hence he did’t take the charge of science ministry when he was transferred from information ministry to science ministry. He regarded this transfer as a demotion of him .Later he borrowed some vision regarding Information and communication technology and joined science ministry on the condition that science ministry be named as “ministry of science and Information and communication technology”.

But did he succeed in bring his vision in reality? Big NO. Why? Lack of efficiency. He could not get voice heard, vision shared with his cabinet colleagues. So didn’t get enough funding for ICT. ICT was not given enough importance PRSP (poverty removal). So he thrown the PRSP paper in a conference in presence of World Bank representative as a trash paper as it did not include ICT for poverty elevation tool. Who does show such anger? Any efficient person? No, only inefficient person who can not get his voice heard, vision shared express anger in such a way in such a place.

Before that we had state minister for science ministry. Though he had no vision, as evident from his activity, he had more efficiency being an ex-bureaucrat, than the scientist cabinet minister. So the ministry run well during his tenure. But due to lack of vision , there was no significant change, no significant progress of Bangladesh in science and technology research.

What will happen if the present state minister is promoted to cabinet minister of the same ministry? Will there have significant change? Will it increase his ability or performance or give him any vision? Many people don’t think so. Moreover, due to his position in the party, there is no chance for him to be a cabinet minister. Then to fulfill the demand of cabinet minister in the science ministry some one needs to be transferred in this ministry or some one new to be appointed.

What will happen if the generally regarded as honest and efficient minister s credited for making Bangladesh self sufficient in food is transferred in science ministry? The ministry may run more efficiently and honestly. Corruption may be reduced; day to day activity may be little bit faster. But will it bring significant change that is needed for lifting Bangladesh from a “scientifically lagging” country to “scientifically developing “ country by 2021with the vision of making Bangladesh a scientifically advanced country 2030 or 2050? No, analyzing her attitude, work style and speeches we find nothing such that can make us hopeful for big change even if she is in the science ministry.

What about one adviser who is chemist and was VC of a university? If he is appointed science minister, will he be able make the scientists’ community happy by bringing necessary changes? His track record as VC and other positions don’t make us hopeful.

We can think of another ex- VC who is active in present govt. party politics and pharmaceutical scientist. Can we be hopeful with him as science minister? No, personally I am not. During his tenure as VC of my university, there had significant construction work due to his easy access to the high command of the party. But he could not bring any change in the quality of environment, teaching and research of the university.

The common lacking of the persons discussed above is lack of vision. Some might have efficiency but due to lack of vision, they could not and will not meet our expectation as science minister.

Then whom do we want as science Minister? Can we name any one from the present government party on whom we have confidence that as science minister, he can bring expected changes?

I can not. Can they name who are raising voice for a cabinet minister for science ministry? If can, then they should specify the person on whom they have confidence and clearly demand that we want him as science minister.

If we can not specify any person, then we should not waste time on such demand. Rather we should focus on the changes that are necessary for scientific advancement and engage our time, effort and money to get those changes brought by the present state minister. We should remember that when there is a state minister for a ministry, then prime minister herself is directly in charge of that ministry. So if we can make due pressure, the chance is better to get our demand fulfilled with the state minister than a cabinet minister.

Let's be specific as much as possible on what need to be done for scientific progress of Bangladesh.

Bangladesh Academy of Sciences: A mysterious organisation

For scientific and technological advancement of any country, the role of her Academy of Sciences is very crucial.

It seems that Bangladesh Academy of Sciences(BAS) is a mysterious organisation. It seems so as two of the most dynamic and capable Bangladeshi scientists are leading it but its website (www.basbd.org ) does not reflect their dynamism and capability.

Secondly, its officials ,particularly president , hardly identify themselves as executive of this most prestigious organisation for scientists.Honourable president is well known as prominent scientist but few scientists,particularly young scientists,know what is BAS and who are leading it as revealed in a small survey in the largest e-group of Bangladeshi scientists(bdresearchers@yahoogroups.com)

Can we expect that Bangladesh will make progress in scientific research and technology development until and unless BAS becomes a dynamic organisation?

If you want to do PhD in Australia, today is the time to start

If you want to start PhD in the second half of 2009 or at the beginning of 2010 in Australia, today is the time to start.

What you need to do first is to find a suitable supervisor. If you get a suitable supervisor, then he /se will show the path.

Along with your search for supervisor, you have to prepare for IELTS as IELTS is required for getting scholarship and Australian visa. Minimum 6.5. Some universities need 7 or 7.5. The more is score, the better than chance of scholarship. The more is sugar, the sweeter it is.

Don’t be in hurry to sit for IELTS. Take time to ensure good score.

To get a supervisor in your field of interest you have to search the profiles of lecturers’ to professors’ in the filed /subject/faculty/school in which you want to do PhD in the university websites.

Here is the link for all the universities of Australia:

http://www.braintrack.com/linknav.htm?pprevid=28&level=2


Read the recent published papers of the teacher’s .Write a letter to the teacher if you find his work interesting. Don’t forget to mention that you have read his this or that paper and want to do PhD in that filed. Read the conclusion or future direction very carefully. You may find a clue for writing project proposal from this part.

Don’t send the same letter to all. You must give some hints that you have researched on his profile and studied his publications.

Don’t neglect lecturers as lecturers do supervise PhD students in Australia.

You can apply any time for PhD candidature. And applications are considered twice for scholarship. For July –August session, one need to apply by May and for February session, one need to apply by 30 September or 31 October depending on university. Deadline varies with universities. You will be considered for International Postgraduate Research Scholarship (IPRS). You may be considered for other scholarships available in the university you have applied.

If you get offer letter for PhD, with it you can also apply for ALA and Endeavour scholarship. Advertisement for application for these scholarships will come in the Bangladeshi newspapers at the end of February or in the beginning of March or even earlier
.
Details information for these scholarships are available in the link below :

http://www.australianscholarships.gov.au/

For theses scholarship too, you need IETS score.

Don’t think that you need to complete master degree to do PhD in Australia. If you have completed or going to complete a 4 year bachelor degree with very good result (CGPA>3.5 or around 75% marks), you can apply for PhD and expect scholarship.


Even you don’t get full scholarship, just tuition fee waiver, you can consider to do it for two reasons. Firstly, if you are a good manager of time, you can earn your living expense here from part time jobs. Secondly, you can again apply and may get scholarship in the next semester.

At then end when you are coming to Australia, be sure that you have good skill in driving car whatever you are male or female. It will help you to live little bit far from city centre and save in house rent. Even you will have opportunity to earn some living expenses in your free time.

TO get e-mail alert on scholarship in australian universities , you can subscribe to http://www.jason.edu.au

Gold medal award by Bangladesh Academy of Sciences

Recently (August,2006), the Bangladesh Academy of Sciences(BAS), the most prestigious and influential organisation of scientific professionals, has awarded gold medal to eight scientists for their contribution in scientific research in the country. All the newspapers published report on it. But we could not be satisfied as the report was not very informative. There was no information on the identity of scientists, contribution of the scientists for which they were rewarded. I think there is still scope to give due importance to the matter. And your science page is the place to give it due treatment.
I think the science page can and should publish eight reports on the eight persons highlighting the academic background, scientific contribution, organisation involved etc. An interview of each scientist focusing on their suggestion on what the science ministry should do for better performance of scientific organisations can also be included in the report.


Profiles of these distinguished scientists should also be available in the website of BAS www.bas.org.bd