The Institute of Appropriate Technology (IAT), BUET, organised a seminar titled “Education, Research, and Development in the AI Era” to discuss the role of artificial intelligence in education, research, innovation and national development.

The event brought together policymakers, academics, engineers, researchers and students.

Md Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee, MP, Minister of Water Resources, attended the seminar as chief guest, while Professor Dr Eqramul Hoque, Vice-Chancellor, BUET, chaired the event.

Professor Dr Abdul Hasib Chowdhury, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, BUET, and Professor Dr Md Sabbir Mostafa Khan, Honorary General Secretary of the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB), attended the seminar as special guests.

The keynote lecture was delivered by Professor Dr Rafiqul Gani, Distinguished Adjunct Professor of IAT-BUET and CEO of PSE for SPEED Company Ltd.

In his lecture, he highlighted the growing role of AI in problem-solving, knowledge generation, innovation and sustainable development, stressing the need to use AI as a tool to augment human capabilities rather than replace them.

Speaking at the event, the water resources minister underscored the potential of AI in addressing national challenges, particularly in water resources management, climate resilience, infrastructure development and evidence-based policymaking.

The BUET vice-chancellor highlighted the university’s commitment to advancing AI-driven education, interdisciplinary research and innovation.

A special reception was also held in honour of four distinguished former Directors of IAT — Professor Dr Iqbal Mahmud, Professor Dr Nooruddin Ahmed, Professor Dr Mohammad Nurul Islam and Professor Dr M Kamal Uddin — for their contributions to the growth and development of the institute.

The seminar concluded with a call for stronger collaboration among academia, industry and government to harness the opportunities of AI for sustainable national development.