In Bangladesh, most of the rural girls’ students are disadvantaged in technological sector compared to the urban students. Bearing that in mind, Society for the Popularization of Science, Bangladesh (SPSB) and Bangladesh Open Source Network (BdOSN) has organized a two-days program (22February- 23February,2019) titled “Obak Kutuhole” in collaboration with KAZI IT Center. The idea behind this program is to make the girls desirous to science and technology through an enjoyable and joyful journey.
This journey started with the arrival of the two school Vangura Jarina Rahim Girls’ High School, Pabna and Shahid Buddhijibi Dr. Humayun Kabir High School, Shariyatpur in 22 February. 73 girls of 6-10th class from those schools participated to proceed with this program with full enthusiasm. They were taken to a dormitory for the day rest.
At the evening, girls were clustered in a room as many renowned parsons were came to meet them which was the most amazing part of this program. Muhammed Zafar Iqbal, faculty member of Computer Science and Engineering department at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) and science fiction author, came to meet the girls and spent some time with them. Nova Ahmed, Professor of North South University, Kaniz Fatema, General Manager of Robi and Achia Nila, founder of Women in Digital also spoke to them.
Muhammed Zafar Iqbal introduced team “SUST-Olik” who have won Nasa’s 2018 International Space Apps Challenge to the girls for encouraging them in Science and ICT sector. Olik won the award for a virtual reality application titled Lunar VR that allows users to explore the landing site of Apollo 11, orbiting over the moon with LRO satellite, and observing eclipse from the lunar surface. In this meeting session with girls there were the team's moderator Bishwapriyo Chakrabarty, assistant professor of Computer Science and Engineering department of SUST also presented there. Muhammed Zafar Iqbal gifted his book with his autograph to each girl. Every girls, teachers and guardians were amazed by hearing his speech.
In 23 February, girls were taken to the tourist locations and most of the science relevant places in Dhaka City like National Museum of Science and Technology, Bangladesh, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Novo Theater, DBC News, Genex Infosys limited and KAZI IT Center.
After visiting National Museum of Science and Technology Sumi Sultana, 10th class student of Shahid Buddhijibi Dr. Humayun Kabir High School, Shariyatpur said, “This trip makes theoritical knowledge easier to understand.” Diba Khatun from Vangura Jarina Rahim Govt. Girls’ High School got excited at practical Science experiment in science laboratory in the museum.
Then they were taken to the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. They also went to the Shaheed Miner, Dhaka University area etc. However, before they were up for this trip, the history and heritage of those locations were shared with them. All the students were inspired by seeing the crowd of female students in Dhaka University who are came for their higher study.
They were also taken to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Novo Theater. It’s dome-shaped theater attract the students as it simulates Earth and its cool blue sky. They experienced a 4D movie based on black whole. 7th grade student Faoziya Abida Mridula from Vangura Jarina Rahim Govt. Girls’ High School, pabna said, it enabled them to gain a wider knowledge of outer space and our galactic as well as helped to learn more about stars, their names, movements etc. with the help of scientifically powerful projector inside the planetarium, the astronomical shows were displayed on a large curved domed screen on the celling.
To introduce the students with the ICT sector, they were taken to DBC News, Genex Infosys and KAZI IT Center. The lion’s contributor of Genex Infosys is female employee which inspired the girls to work for this sector in future. DBC News tried to clear their confusions about the procedure of news presenting, news editing and many more.
Students passed few times in KAZI IT Center with full enjoyment. Participants sat for a short counselling session with some female employee of KAZI IT Center. They encouraged the rural girls to enhance their knowledge on ICT sector.
“KAZI IT believes that children are the future of the nation. Proper instructions can make them as an asset of the country. After 10 years, these students can lead the corporate world effectively”- said Mike Kazi, CEO of KAZI IT Center.
He noted this event as a great initiative to bring them in Dhaka City and introduce them with those places which are stand for the symbol of the science and the nation. “As Corporate Social Responsibility, working for the female students may become an effective investment. KAZI IT wants to envolve themselves with such initiatives - said Mike Kazi.
KAZI IT assigned 50 female executives for mentoring these disadvantaged rural girls to expand their talent.
Head Teacher of Vangura Jarina Rahim Govt. Girls’ High School Md. Faruk Hossain expressed his gratitude to the “Obak Kutuhole” authority for arranging such a program. It will help to encourage his girls in continuing their study with full joy.
Razia Sultana, Assistant Teacher of Shahid Buddhijibi Dr. Humayun Kabir High School, Shariyatpur, said, she wanted the girls to continue their studies since it is a major challenge to keep them away from early marriage - a major reason before drop out. She hopes that this initiative can make this girls stronger to fight against this social curse and helped them to look ahead.
At the departure in 23rd February, students expressed their satisfaction about this program and the teachers appreciate this initiative that may help to the students to look forward. The immense response from the students make this program successful.