Photo : JICA

DHAKA, Oct 26, 2025 (BSS) – The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), in collaboration with Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC) and the Bangladesh Association of Software & Information Services (BASIS), organized the B-Top SE Seminar today to build stronger collaboration in developing advanced ICT professionals.

The seminar was organized under the “Project for ICT Engineers Development for the Promotion of the ICT Industry and New Innovations (JICA-BCC-BASIS TCP)” at the BCC Auditorium, ICT Tower, Agargaon in the capital.

The seminar was also arranged to mark the visit of Dr. HONIDEN Shinichi, Professor, National Institute of Informatics (NII) and Founder of Japanese TopSE; Dr. TEI Kenji, Associate Professor, Institute of Science, Tokyo, Japan; and Dr. DOI Takuo, Specially-appointed Associate Professor, NII, Japan - three distinguished academicians from the NII, Japan. 

Their visit marks a new milestone in strengthening the partnership between the two countries in advancing top-quality software engineering education and ICT human resource development, while also fostering collaboration between academia and industry, said a press release.

The Bangladesh Top Software Engineer programmme, or simply known as B-TopSE, is modeled after Japan’s renowned TopSE (Top Software Engineer) programmme developed by NII. 

It aims to foster highly skilled software engineers who can serve as “Super Architects” capable of leading large-scale, complex software projects. The initiative focuses on developing practical, industry-oriented software engineering skills that can contribute to innovation and competitiveness in Bangladesh’s ICT industry.

During the seminar, SHOJI Akihiro, JICA Expert, Chief Advisor, JICA-BCC-BASIS TCP, introduced the B-TopSE program. The keynote speeches were delivered by Dr. HONIDEN, Dr. TEI, and Dr. DOI, who shared their perspectives on the future of software engineering education and expectations for the program’s long-term outcomes. 

The event also featured speeches by distinguished special guests, including ICHIGUCHI Tomohide, Chief Representative of JICA Bangladesh Office; TAKAHASHI Naoki, Minister, DCM (Deputy Chief of Mission), Embassy of Japan; and Shish Haider Chowdhury, Secretary of the ICT Division, as the chief guest. 

They emphasized the importance of sustained collaboration between Bangladesh and Japan in advancing the skills of mid to high-level ICT professionals.

The seminar concluded with closing remarks by Md. Golam Sarwar, Director of BD-ITEC, BCC & Project Director of JICA-BCC-BASIS TCP.
The JICA-BCC-BASIS TCP project continues its mission to develop advanced ICT engineers who can lead innovation and contribute to the sustainable growth of Bangladesh’s ICT industry. 

Building on the success of the B-TopSE initiative, JICA, BCC, BASIS, and NII will further expand their partnership to strengthen Bangladesh’s technical capacity and promote high-quality ICT education nationwide.