The ICPC Foundation

The ICPC Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization founded to advance the art and sport of competitive programming for the benefit of society. The foundation is responsible for ICPC sponsorship, fundraising,outreach, and operational matters. The ICPC Foundation strives to provide ample opportunity for the underserved, to create a tier of regional championships to recognize far more star performers and showcase emerging talent, and to bring ICPC alumni together, assuring future generations paths of excellence to being great problem solvers. The ICPC Foundation is actively engaged in creating equal opportunities for women or other underrepresented groups to pursue excellence within a culture of global inclusion and authenticity.

Digital Bangladesh

“Digital Bangladesh” vision has special significance for the development of Bangladesh by using digital technology. Bangladesh has experienced tremendous growth in the last decade under the leadership of Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Honorable ICT Adviser Sajeeb Wazed. As the pandemic continues to threaten the economies of the World, Bangladesh is relying on digital technologies, strong infrastructure and facilities, and its digital human resources to steer its way through the new normal – from working from home to maintaining the agriculture supply chain. Digital services like telemedicine, live update, self-testing tool, help-lines, AI-powered chat-bot, contract tracers, mobile apps, digital content, and videos have been making the lives of the citizens easier during the pandemic.

The country was able to achieve positive growth in 2020 amidst the pandemic as one of only two ASEAN and South Asian economies. Before the pandemic hit, Bangladesh experienced nearly 8 percent GDP growth, as one of the fastest-growing economies in the World. The key ingredient behind this growth has been smartly utilizing ICT to spur growth in all sectors. This journey started 11 years ago, with the declaration of the Digital Bangladesh Vision by the Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. She has envisioned 3 major milestones for Bangladesh –

  • Vision 2021 to achieve Digital Bangladesh by reaching middle-income status,
  • Vision 2030 to take our GDP from 348 billion US Dollars today, to 700 billion US dollars,
  • making Bangladesh the 26th largest economy, and
  • Vision 2041, to achieve knowledge economy and high-income country with per capita income of over 12,000 US dollars.

Digitalization is the driving force behind the economic development of Bangladesh. Circular economy, on the other hand, aims at optimizing resource use within industries. Digitalization and Circular Economy, are aligned to reinforce and ensure their positive impacts. Only if we manage both developments together, we can unleash their positive potential. In Bangladesh, Digital Bangladesh vision can really strengthen the circular economy and sustainability principles. Digital transformation is a major opportunity for Bangladesh to plan for future. A noteworthy trend in ICT is that numerous devices with new and updated technologies are rapidly replacing older devices and providing eco-friendly solutions. Bangladesh Government is supporting the industry to develop solutions in new technologies for the near future include 3D printing, cloud computing, quantum computing, smart cities, Internet of Things (IoT), etc. These new trends, techniques and devices will massively involve online activities which is planned to follow the circular economy path for sustainable consumption and production. More and more smart machines and processes will be focused in coming day which will create more decent jobs.

All types of jobs, including business and administration, will be more and more digitized. It is encouraging that the ICT Division of the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology has undertaken all-out efforts for the digitalization of the country. Also, the ICT policy is being updated to face new trends. Bangladesh also introduced a mix of policy instruments to promote digitalization and eco-friendly solution. Digital Bangladesh has a successful track record of growth and development. Government is focusing to eliminate the digital divide between rural and urban areas in a sustainable way. The initiatives of ICT Division based on four key point indicators (KPIs). The four pillars are:



  • Establishing Connectivity and Enhancement of Infrastructure;
  • Human Resource Development on ICT Sector;
  • Industry promotion;
  • Strengthening e Government framework.
These four pillars also aligned with the priority areas of the particularly in productive capacity, Human & social development and good governance at all level.
https://digitalbangladesh.gov.bd/
https://digitalbangladesh.gov.bd/gallery

ICT Division

In 2002, the name of the ministry was changed from ‘Science and Technology’ to ‘Ministry of Science and Information & Communication Technology’. To give more thrust for ICT sector the Division has upgraded as Ministry of Information & Communication Technology on 04/12/2011. The change is the evidence of understanding of the importance of ICT from the highest policy level and also an indication that the government is keen to keep pace with modern changing world. After that on 10/02/2014 Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications and Ministry of ICT are integrated to Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology. From 10/02/2014 Ministry of ICT starts as a ICT Division. The change has brought new life to the activities of Information & Communication Technology Division.

Vision

People-friendly information technology in building Sonar Bangla.

Mission

Establishment of a prosperous Sonar Bangla through reliable cyber access at the grassroots level, development of IT based human resources, export-oriented development of IT industry and the use of citizen-friendly IT technology.

Main Function:

  1. Policy Matters relating to Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in pursuance of national objectives and plans.
  2. Matters relating to Digital Bangladesh Task Force and other national entities on ICT.
  3. Co-ordination with other Ministries/Divisions in areas of ICT.
  4. Undertaking promotional activities and providing support to ICT surveys, research, design and development wherever necessary in coordination with concerned persons and organizations as well as national and international agencies.
  5. Commercialization of ICT services and formulation of guidelines for making those easily accessible to the people, and monitoring of its implementation.
  6. Undertaking appropriate measures for integrating Bangladesh with the current ICT-related development initiatives in the international arena.
  7. Liaison with International Organizations and matters relating to treaties and agreements with other countries and world bodies relating to subjects allotted to this Division.
  8. All laws and rules on the subjects allotted to this Division.
  9. Undertaking any other measures needed for the promotion of ICT and making its services available at the door steps of the citizen.
  10. Providing assistance to other Ministries/Divisions for the promotion of E-Governance, E-Infrastructure, E-Health, E-Commerce and similar other areas,
  11. Taking initiatives on bridging the Digital Divide. Web link: https://ictd.gov.bd/

Bangladesh Computer Council

Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC) is a statutory body under the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, Government of Bangladesh (GOB). It was established by Act No IX of 1990 passed by the Parliament. The main activities are (not limited to) encouraging and providing support for ICT related activities, formulating national ICT strategy and policy, creating standards and specifications of ICT tools for government organizations according to their necessity, working for human resource development in ICT sector. It has also established National Data Center for hosting all the government websites, e-mail services and web applications. It is the only TIER – 3 certified Government Data Center in Bangladesh. In the near future, it will act as the only Gateway to access internet services for all of the government organizations. BCC is continuing ICT infrastructure development of government through several development projects/programs to facilitate access to government services from root level. In this vision, BCC has organized workshops, seminars, training on subjects related to ICT and has established throughout the country UISC (Union Information and Service Center).

Objectives of BCC
  1. Promote the effective application & Expansion of ICT
  2. Develop Human Resource for effective use of ICT
  3. Formulate & Implement National Strategies and Policies regarding Computer & ICT
  4. Cooperate with the Government and other agencies to implement the Objectives of the National ICT plans
  5. Advise and Encourage the Government and other agencies for the use of Computer & ICT
  6. Determine the Standards and Specification for Computer and ICT at the National level
  7. BCC website link: https://bcc.gov.bd/

University of Aisa Pacific

University of Asia Pacific (UAP) was established in 1996 with a vision to enhance the opportunity for higher education in Bangladesh. The University, under the Private University Act 1992, started its operation in 1996 by offering a four-year Bachelor Degree Program in Computer Science & Technology and Business Administration only. Now the UAP offers undergraduate programs in four disciplines. Its curricula have been approved by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the Government of People’s Republic of Bangladesh. The department of CSE, UAP is striving for a pioneer role in ICT through excellence in education, research and development towards preparing graduates as a global leader with quality education, innovative ideas, extra-curricular activities and collaboration between industry and academia. Also the Department of CSE believes in the pursuit of excellence by developing students in creating, applying and imparting knowledge of ICT. Educational curriculum, research and collaboration between academia and industry are given highest priority. CSE, UAP aspires to produce graduates capable of taking leadership in the field of their best.
Website Link https://uap-bd.edu/

Intl Collegiate Programming Contest

The International Collegiate Programming Contest is an algorithmic programming contest for college students. Teams of three, representing their university, work to solve the most real-world problems, fostering collaboration, creativity, innovation, and the ability to perform under pressure. Through training and competition, teams challenge each other to raise the bar on the possible. Quite simply, it is the oldest, largest, and most prestigious programming contest in the world.