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• SMRAAU – country’s first public university for aviation and aerospace research has signed MoUs with a2i of ICT division, Pico-Satellite company and B2B on 06 March 2022, to collaborate research and development in the field of satellite and rocket technology.  University’s acti

ng registrar Air Commodore Md Adullah Al Mahbub inked the MoUs on behalf of the University. Zunaid Ahmed Palak, MP, honourable state minister for ICT, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, virtually joined the event as Chief Guest while chairman BSCL Dr Shajahan Mahmun and Asaduzzaman Noor, MP also graced the occasion virtually as special guests.VC, BSMRAAU Air Vice Marshal Muhammad Nazrul Islam presided over the event. Policy Advisor, a2i Mr Anir Chowdhury, Chairman, B2B Mr Azadul Haq, , President Bangladesh Chamber of Industries Mr Anwar-ul Alam Chowdhury, and valiant Freedom Fighter Professor Nazmul Ula, of Loyola Marymount University, USA representing the Pico-Satellite company spoke in the occasion attended by distinguished scholars and officials of BSMRAAU.   In his opening remarks, Chairman BSCL lauded BSMRAAU conceptualisation of the project as “developing an echo system for in space science and technology research and innovation” in Bangladesh. He stressed that, such conceptualisation is beneficial and effective to see the space system research and innovation in its entirety. Professor Nazmul Ula in his remarks highlighted the potential utility of pico-satellite project and reiterated his deep commitment to contribute to the development of this sector in Bangladesh.  Mentionable that the objective of the collaboration with the Pico-Satellite company is to develop the proof of concept by establishing an incubation centre at BSMRAAU for making Nano and picosatellites. The project is expected to encourage country’s aviation and aerospace enthusiast from home and abroad and contribute to the development of the aerospace industry in Bangladesh. The short-term goal of the project is to develop a CubeSats at the BSMRAAU incubation centre and subsequently launch the CubeSat into Low Earth Orbit using commercial means. The Bridge 2 Bangladesh (B2B) platform will allow the university to connect with the Bangladeshi scholars and scientists working around the world to collaborate with BSMRAAU. The collaboration is aligned with BSMRAAU’s mandate to conduct research, development and innovation activities on aviation and aerospace sector. BSMRAAU is scheduled to offer graduate programmes on Space System Engineering and Satellite Communication Engineering from July 2022. These MoUs are part of BSMRAAU’s efforts to enhance and add value to its in-house capacity for conducting programmes on satellite engineering and technology for the first time in Bangladesh. The chief guest in his remarks also lauded BSMRAAU’s pioneering initiative to advance research in the fields of satellite and rocket technology. He also assured of possible assistance to set up laboratory facilities at BSMRAAU to advance its research and innovation activities.  Vice Chancellor in his closing remarks thanked all for attending the event. He reiterated that the sustenance and expansion of Bangladesh’s progress in aviation and aerospace science and technology hinges on creating the next generation of scientists, innovators, professionals and enthusiasts achieved through such collaboration – a task that BSMRAAU is committed to pursuing without an iota of failure.