A day-long symposium and poster presentation on “Technological Challenges and Possible Solutions for Power and Energy in Bangladesh” was held at Jashore University of Science and Technology (JUST) on Wednesday, 19 November. The programme, funded by the Bangladesh Energy and Power Research Council (BEPRC), was organised by the Faculty of Engineering and Technology.

The poster and idea presentation session began at 10am on the second floor of the Sir Jagadish Chandra Bose Academic Building, where students showcased 65 posters and proposals on modern power technologies, load management, smart grids, solar solutions, and other practical innovations. The symposium session started at 2pm in the gallery of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology.

JUST Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Md Abdul Mazid presided over the event, while BEPRC Chairman Mohammad Wahid Hossain attended as chief guest. Special guests included Professor Dr Md Amzad Hossain (Engr.), dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, and Dr Md Rafiqul Islam, additional secretary of BEPRC, among others.

Speakers discussed the technological hurdles facing Bangladesh’s power and energy sector and highlighted potential solutions driven by research, innovation, and industry–academia collaboration.

In his address, chief guest Mohammad Wahid Hossain called on teachers to rethink the purpose of academic research. “Many teachers publish papers for promotion, but that should not be the goal. Research should improve people’s lives and contribute to the development of the country,” he said. He also encouraged faculty members to take personal initiative in research, adding: “UGC provides funding, but you should invest yourselves as well. We have begun a small effort in research, and it will succeed in time.”

The event underscored JUST’s increasing emphasis on innovation, encouraging students and researchers to contribute practical, technology-driven solutions to support Bangladesh’s future energy needs.