Yesterday, June 5, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the EATL Innovation Hub Ltd., Bangladesh, and the University of Salford, Manchester, for research, development, and training in Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and Cybersecurity. The signing ceremony took place at Hotel Intercontinental in the capital. Under this MoU, the University of Salford will establish three labs at the EATL Innovation Hub Complex in Kaliakoir, near Dhaka, to conduct activities in Data Science, Cybersecurity, and IoT. Additionally, the two institutions will engage in joint research and innovative projects, academic and professional staff exchange, joint consultancy and publications, as well as organize conferences and seminars in both Dhaka and Salford, and conduct short professional development courses.

Before the MoU signing, a seminar on the application of AI, IoT, and Remote Sensing (RS) in building smart agriculture in Bangladesh was jointly organized by the EATL Innovation Hub, Bangladesh, and the University of Salford, UK, at Hotel InterContinental. Papers were presented at the seminar by Professor Mo Saraee and Dr. Hammad of the University of Salford, Dr. Shivagami Gugan, Chief Engineer at Amazon UAE, and Dr. Farida Parveen, Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension, Bangladesh. The seminar was attended by Mr. Badal Chandra Biswas, Director General of the Department of Agricultural Extension, development partners, academic experts, representatives of governmental and non-governmental organizations, and international representatives. The seminar was presided over by Dr. Md. Abdul Karim, former Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister and Chairman of EATL Innovation Hub Limited.

Following the seminar, the MoU was signed by Professor Margaret Rowe, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Professor Mo Saraee, Chairman in Data Science and Head of Computer Science and Software Engineering, representing the University of Salford, and M A Mubin Khan, Managing Director of EATL Innovation Hub. Also present were Ms. Nancy Donna Cook and Naomi Sharples, Director and International Affairs Officer of the University of Salford, respectively.

A delightful cultural program was organized in honor of the foreign guests after the seminar.