a2i gives fund to seven best innovators

The a2i programme today gave seed money to the best seven innovators, who were selected through different innovation challenge competition held across the country under the programme.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Md Tazul Islam and State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak jointly handed over the seed money and certificates to the winners at a function at BAF Shaheen Hall in the city, said a press release.

The best seven innovators were selected through 'Water Innovation Challenge Competetion-2021', 'Pregnancy Monitoring Innovation Challenge-2022' and 'Letter Builder Innovation Challenge' conducted by the a2i across the country. 

Khaled Ashraf was given Taka 90 lakh as seed money for his innovation 'Digital Maternity' while Taka 60 lakh was given to Mehedi Hasan for his innovation 'Use of Technology for Health Improvement of Mother and Newborn Baby', Taka 33.20 lakh to Hasib Uddin for 'Sentinel Technologies', Taka 18.50 lakh to Ashikur Rahman Tanim for 'Water Wise Think', Taka 20 lakh to Ahmed Nafis Hossain Ayan for 'Advanced Monitoring System', Taka 28.32 lakh to Md Khaled Hasan Morshedul Bari for 'Wash Metric' and Taka 20 lakh to AHM Rezwanul Islam for 'Pani Dhee'.

Speaking on the occasion, LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Tazul Islam called for emphasizing on innovation to materialize the vision 'Smart Bangladesh' and said communication, education, water supply and more other services need to be developed for transforming the country into developed one by 2041. 

State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak said the government is encouraging innovation based on public-private and academia partnerships. 

"Besides, we have taken plans to give all kinds of cooperation to realize the dream of inventors step by step," he added. 

a2i Project Director (additional secretary) presided over the function while Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Aviation and Aerospace University (BSMRAAU) Vice-Chancellor Air Vice Marshal ASM Fakhrul Islam, Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Director General (DG) Professor Dr Abul Bashar Mohammed Khurshid Alam, Department of Environment (DOE) DG Dr Abdul Hamid, Dhaka WASA Managing Director Engineer Taqsem A Khan, a2i Policy Advisor Anir Chowdhury and a2i Innovation Fund Chief Naim Ashrafi were present at the event, among others, reports BSS.