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Bangladesh should move quickly to attract and integrate its highly skilled professionals working abroad while strengthening international partnerships to build a globally competitive semiconductor industry, experts said at the International Partnership Forum on Sunday.
The forum was held at 10:30 am on the closing day of the conference and brought together seven leading engineers from the global semiconductor industry, five of whom are of Bangladeshi origin.
The panel was moderated by Dr. Ahmed Shatil Haque, Assistant Vice President of NPI Engineering at California-based Credo. Discussions focused on the steps Bangladesh must take to establish a reliable and sustainable semiconductor ecosystem.
Speakers emphasized the importance of joint research, technology transfer, dual-degree academic programs, and improving workplace culture. They urged policymakers to look beyond “low-hanging fruit” and instead invest in long-term collaborations, advanced research laboratories, and exchange programs.
The panelists also called for government incentives during the early stages of such initiatives, saying well-planned investments could help Bangladesh and the broader Asian region emerge as global leaders in the semiconductor sector.
The experts stressed the need for more hands-on engineering education, recommending practical degree programs and dedicated funding to train both students and university faculty. They suggested that at least three smaller universities could collaborate with a larger institution to launch chip design and semiconductor research projects.
A key theme of the discussion was the need to create effective opportunities for accomplished Bangladeshi professionals abroad to contribute to the country’s technology ecosystem, enabling faster knowledge transfer and innovation.
During the introductory session, moderator Dr. Haque highlighted the diverse talents of the panelists beyond engineering. Brain Gain founder Dr. Anisul Khan was introduced as an avid mountaineer preparing for a 10,000-foot expedition after conquering an 8,500-foot peak. Christopher Grunm of Cactus Materials was noted as Sweden’s official radio DJ and a rap musician, while BRAC University EEE professor Dr. Hasan Uz Zaman was recognized for his passion for football and training in Rabindra Sangeet.
Other panelists included Ahsan Chowdhury of L&T Semiconductors, who has been actively involved in community development in the United States; Professor Dimitrios Peroulis, Vice President of Purdue University and Indiana’s top-ranked chess player; and M E Chowdhury Shamim, Managing Director of Mars Solution Limited. Together, they underscored the importance of international collaboration and diaspora engagement in shaping Bangladesh’s semiconductor future.