A day-long seminar and workshop on "The Advancement of Physics Research for Engineering Students" was held on 27 June 2024 at the American International University – Bangladesh (AIUB), jointly organized by the Bangladesh Physical Society (BPS) and the Department of Physics of AIUB.
The seminar started with the National Anthem. Prof. Dr. A. K. M. Akther Hossain, Vice President, Bangladesh Physical Society and Professor, Department of Physics, BUET, was the Chair of the inaugural Ceremony. The Chairman of Bangladesh Accreditation Council and Former Vice-Chancellor of Jagannath University, Prof. Dr. Mesbahuddin Ahmed was present as the Chief Guest of the inaugural Ceremony. Guest of Honour of the event, distinguished educationist Prof. Dr. Muhammed Zafar Iqbal delivered a video message to the participants during the inauguration ceremony. AIUB's Pro Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Md. Abdur Rahman was present as a Special Guest at the event. The Chief Scientific Officer of Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission & Project Director of the Institute of Nanotechnology Dr. Mohammed Nazrul Islam Khan, and the Dean in Charge of the Faculty of Science and Technology (FST), AIUB, Mr. Mashiour Rahman, were also present as the special guest.
In his speech as the Chief Guest, Prof. Dr. Mesbahuddin Ahmed said that the importance of physics as a basic subject is immense. To do well in engineering, you have to do well in physics. Emphasis should be placed on research. In the speech of the Guest of Honour, Prof. Dr. Muhammed Zafar said, I am very happy to know that the seminar on Physics Research is being held for undergraduate engineering students. Being the head of Computer Science & Engineering department for a long time, students used to come to me for understanding Physics. Many famous physicists were engineers at the early stage of their careers. Special Guest Prof. Dr. Md. Abdur Rahman said that AIUB is considering opening an undergraduate course in Physics. Dr. Mohammed Nazrul Islam Khan highlighted that there will be good job opportunities for engineers in the nanotechnology institute. In that case, they should be good at Physics and more importance should be given to Physics research. In the speech of the Special Guest Mr. Mashiour Rahman said that to be good at computer science, students must be good at physics as well.
In the technical session, Dr. Md. Khairul Islam, Head & Chief Scientific Officer, Plasma Physics Division, Atomic Energy Centre, Dhaka, Prof. Dr. A. K. M. Akther Hossain, Department of Physics, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Dr. Abu Zafur Ziauddin Ahmed, Associate Professor, Primeasia University and Dr. Humayra Ferdous, Associate Professor & Head, Department of Physics, AIUB gave a presentation on Physics Research. The Pro Vice-Chancellor of AIUB Prof. Dr. Md. Abdur Rahman conducted the technical session as 'Session Chair'. Dr. Farzana Sabeth, Associate Professor, Department of Physics, AIUB, was present as the 'Session Co-Chair'.
After lunch a Panel Discussion on “How to make Physics research more popular to Engineering Students” was held. Prof. Dr. Md. Abu Hashan Bhuiyan, Vice Chancellor, University of Information Technology & Sciences (UITS) was present as the Moderator of the Panel Discussion. Prof. Dr. A. K. M. Akther Hossain, Department of Physics, BUET, Dr. Syed Mohammod Hossain, Former Director, Planning and Development Division, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, Prof. Dr. Ratan Chandra Gosh, Professor, Department of Physics, University of Dhaka & General Secretary, Bangladesh Physical Society and Prof. Dr. Mohammad Jellur Rahman, Professor, Department of Physics, BUET were present as the panelists. At the end of the panel discussion, the moderator Prof. Dr. Md. Abu Hashan Bhuiyan said that everyone's attitude should be ninety nine percent positive and there should be efforts, only then success will come at your reach.
In the closing ceremony, Prof. Dr. Saiful Islam, Vice Chancellor, AIUB was present as the Chief Patron and Prof. Dr. Md. Abu Hashan Bhuiyan, Vice Chancellor, UITS was present as the Chief guest. Besides the other guests of the event were Dr. Md. Khairul Islam, Head & Chief Scientific Officer, Plasma Physics Division, Atomic Energy Centre, Dhaka, Prof. Dr. Ratan Chandra Gosh, Professor, Department of Physics, University of Dhaka & General Secretary, Bangladesh Physical Society and Prof. Dr. Dip Nandi, Associate Dean, Faculty of Science and Technology, AIUB.
In the speech of Chief Patron, Prof. Dr. Saiful Islam said, study of physics contributes significantly to electrical engineers and equally to computer engineers. Prof. Dr. Dip Nandi said that the importance of Physics in engineering is immense. Research in physics will help engineers become proficient.
In the opening ceremony, the local organizing secretary of the program and Assistant Professor of the Department of Physics Dr. Shovan Kumar Kundu delivered the welcome speech, and Dr. Humayra Ferdous, Associate Professor & Head of Department of Physics, AIUB, delivered the vote of thanks at the closing ceremony.
About 250 students of Computer Science & Engineering (CSE), Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE), Industrial and Production Engineering (IPE) and 20 teachers from various universities participated in the seminar and workshop.