ICT Division Secretary Shish Haider Chowdhury today spoke at a stakeholder meeting at the URP Lecture Theatre of Khulna University. Photo : BSS

KHULNA, Aug 18, 2025 (BSS) - ICT Division Secretary Shish Haider Chowdhury today stressed the need for building a technology-driven society to keep pace with the era of the fifth industrial revolution. 

"The world has already gone through the fourth industrial revolution and is now advancing toward the fifth. Therefore, we must also develop a technology-driven society to move forward," he said. 

The ICT Division Secretary made the remarks as chief guest at a stakeholder meeting with trainees of the 'Enhancing Digital Government and Economy (EDGE) Project' held on Sunday afternoon at the URP Lecture Theatre of Khulna University. 

He said there was once a perception that the introduction of computers would reduce employment opportunities. But even in today's era of Artificial Intelligence (AI), people are still managing and controlling everything. Rather than reducing employment, the use of ICT and AI has enhanced soft skills and created new opportunities, he added. 

Shish Haider Chowdhury further said that through the EDGE project, students have improved their skills and capacities. Advanced-level training will also be arranged in the future. Even after the project concludes, innovation hub activities will continue under various ICT Division initiatives, which will play a vital role in developing students' competencies. 

He also emphasized the importance of building a cashless society, ensuring paperless offices, and strengthening collaboration between administration and academia. 

Vice-Chancellor of Khulna University Prof Dr Md Rezaul Karim presided over the meeting while Managing Director of Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority AKM Amirul Islam spoke as special guest. 

Head of the Computer Science and Engineering Discipline of Khulna University Prof Dr S M Rafizul Islam delivered the welcome speech while Coordinator of the EDGE KU-CSE Digital Skills Training Programme Prof Dr Sheikh Alamgir Hossain gave the felicitation speech. 

Additional Deputy Commissioner (Education and ICT) of Khulna Nurul Hai Mohammad Anas also addressed the function. 

Among the trainees, Md Zahidur Rahman, Arpita and Arifuzzaman Ujjal shared their experiences. 

The event began with a one-minute silence paying homage to the martyrs of the Liberation War, the martyrs of the July Uprising, and the victims of the Milestone School and College plane crash.