RoboSUST, the only research-based robotics club of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, SUST, completed its 'Orientation Program' for its month-long flagship event 'The Mythical RoboSUST Month.' RoboSUST aspires to teach the youth of Sylhet and Bangladesh robotics education, make robotics skills accessible to underprivileged children of our country, and represent Bangladesh nationally and internationally on robotics platforms. That is the core ideal of this program.
The program successfully gave first-year university students of SUST a tour of the importance of robotics. It introduced them to the skills they will learn in the coming 5-day workshop. It instilled in them the determination required to utilise their talents in robotics. They were also introduced to Ribo, the first humanoid Bengali-speaking robot of Bangladesh. Ribo was a mega project undertaken by RoboSUST in 2015 under the guidance of Prof. Dr. Zafar Iqbal.
Orientation was bustling with 80 robotics enthusiasts. Four honourable guests of RoboSUST were also present - Enamul Hassan, Asst Professor, Department of Computer Science and Engineering. Nafiz Imtiaz Rahman, Lecturer, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. Md. Shariful Islam, Lecturer, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. Md Anamul Haque, Mechanical Maintenance Engineer at LafargeHolcim Bangladesh Limited, and Ex-General Secretary of RoboSUST.
Chief Advisor of RoboSUST, Professor M. Jahirul Islam, Director, IICT, was absent but sent his good wishes for the program. Each guest took their time to inspire and motivate the youth. They urged the participants to use their drive and determination to bring a positive change to our current state of technology.
To the participants, Prof. Enamul Hassan says, "The main goal of this event is for you to hone your abilities, which will most definitely come in use for your future careers. Now it has become important to be involved in tech, and innovations in technology and science drive improvement in our lives."
Also present were two YoTech Ltd representatives, Prosunjit Biswas, Head of IT and Operations, and Branch Manager Ali Akbor Shahon. They spoke to the newcomers about YoTech, and RoboSUST's ideal to share the knowledge of robotics. YoTech CEO Sheikh Asad Zaman was present at the event but shared his words with them via a pre-recorded video. YoTech welcomes the participants to visit and join their tech companies in the future.
Their program segments included the basics of robotics, project showcasing, snacks, an idea competition, and a quiz competition. The basics of robotics section gave the new members of RoboSUST some simple guidelines on what a robot is.
The project showcase section undertaken by five senior executive members of RoboSUST introduced the crowd to some projects such as Maze Solver, LED Cube, Buzz Wires, and Line Follower Robots. The projects were shown live and explained in digestible detail to create interest and curiosity. The competition winners received lucrative prizes of custom RoboSUST T-shirts and other exciting items.
The freshers were given instructions on the 5-day workshop 'Introduction to Robotics' that will start today. The workshop will be taken hands-on by industry experts and RoboSUST alums from different fields and backgrounds. RoboSUST shared information on the upcoming signature intra-university robotics contest, 'Auto Grand Prix.'
"Anyone from any department is welcome to be a part of RoboSUST! In just its 7-year lifetime, RoboSUST has achieved 65+ awards nationally and internationally. Our strength is our diversity of minds and the passion for creating," stated Sadia Nowrin Mithila Ahmed, General Secretary of RoboSUST.
"I strongly urge you, participants, to learn and attain as much as you can from this event, and RoboSUST as a club, as it will always benefit you in the long run. Make full use of this opportunity," concluded Nafis Imtiaz Rahman, Lecturer, Dept of Electrical and Electronic Engineering.
mowaz53@student.sust.edu