Showing posts with label Lifestyle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lifestyle. Show all posts

Thursday, January 14, 2010

National Institute Of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Bangladesh



The ready-made garments (RMG) sector in Bangladesh is an important sector of the nation's economy that gives employment to about 1।5 million workers and earns about 86% of total foreign exchange. Considering the vital contribution of the garment industry.There are about 4500 garments & 1000 Buying house in Bangladesh.Bangladeshi garments needs thousands of technically competent human resources like apparel Manufacturing expert, Fashion Designer, Merchandiser , Production Manager, Quality controller etc. RMG search qualified person & we are ready to provide qualified person.

National Institute Of Fashion Technology (NIFT) trainers are successful in their professional life and many of the holding important position in the RMG sector; many are pursuing their career abroad. To provide good quality Fashion education. To develop the student ability to apply multi-disciplinary concepts, tools and techniques to solve organizational problems. To provide a sound foundation in design and fashion with a strong industry orientation and the students are trained with the latest trend information of color fabric and styles to the global market and competition. Students get to train on machines and the methodology of today's advanced technology such as Computer Aided Design (CAD) Participation in seminars and conferences related to the industry to upgrade the student's knowledge.

Mission :

Live for today, learn for tomorrow. Our mission is to inspire and educate the scholar and leader in each student, building on a strong foundation in the Fashion industry and a commitment to the best of human values, fostering a commitment to a lifetime of service and learning.
We shall continue to be an institute with a difference by developing competent, committed and compassionate leaders through management education, knowledge generation and dissemination, capacity building, technology enabled learning and organizational development.

Vision & Purposes:

To provide accessible, affordable, innovative, high-quality learning opportunities and degree programs that meet the diverse needs of individuals pursuing integrity in their lives, professions and communities.

Logo:

This Candle of knowledge, with its suggestion of enlightened guidance, thus affirms the value we place on wisdom and understanding as the basis for leadership in life, including leadership in personal, professional affairs. A stack of books rests next to the lamp of knowledge, symbolizing the value we place on the interrelationship and inter-dependency of all forms of knowledge. Inside the book in every pages demonstrate everything from fashion industry. There is a certificate which is a sign of strongly recommendation for bright future.

Value:

  1. Integrity and Honesty
  2. Respect for Individuals
  3. Transparency and Accountability
  4. Commitment and Dedication
  5. Concern for Quality
  6. Passion for Innovation and Performance
  7. Social, Ecological and Ethical Sensitivity

Contacts:

Dhaka Campus:
National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT)
74, C/A, Wireless Gate, Mohakhali, Dhaka.
Phone: 02 9852132
Cell: 017 31 22 00 99, 019 71 00 77 77, 019 92 07 70 29

Gazipur Campus:
National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT)
Chandana Chowrasta, Gazipur City, Gazipur
Contact: 01992077041-45

Email address : info@nift.edu.bd
Web address : http://www.nift.edu.bd

Acc & Licensure:

Certificate of Registration of Societies(ACT XXI of 1860)
Issue no:8749
No.S-7129(317)/07
Dhaka 07/10/2007

APPLYING FOR HIGHER EDUCATION IN SWEDEN USING “STUDERA.NU”



Entry requirements

To meet the entry requirements for second cycle (postgraduate/Master's) studies, you must:
  • have been awarded a Bachelor's degree (equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen) from an internationally recognised university. The HEI must be listed in the latest edition of the International Handbook of Universities.
  • be able to demonstrate proficiency in English by means of an internationally recognised test, e. g. TOEFL, IELTS or the equivalent. Check the website of the HEI where you would like to study for more information about language requirements.

Internationally recognized universities of BANGLADESH:
  • Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology
  • American International University-Bangladesh
  • Asian University of Bangladesh
  • Atish Dipankar University of Science and technology
  • Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Medical University
  • Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University
  • Bangladesh Agricultural University
  • Bangladesh Open University
  • Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology
  • BGC Trust University Bangladesh
  • BRAC University
  • Central Women's University
  • Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology
  • Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University
  • City University
  • Comilla University
  • Daffodil International University
  • Darul Ihsan University, Dhaka
  • Dhaka Bishwabidyalaya
  • Dhaka International University
  • Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology
  • East West University
  • Eastern University
  • Gono Bishwabidyalay
  • Green University of Bangladesh
  • Hajee Mohammad Danesh University of Science and Technology
  • Independent University, Bangladesh
  • International Business Administration and Information System (IBAIS) University
  • International Islamic University Chittagong
  • International University of Business, Agriculture and Technology
  • Islamic University
  • Islamic University of Technology
  • Jagannath University
  • Jahangirnagar University
  • Jatiya Biswabiddalay
  • Khulna University
  • Khulna University of Engineering and Technology
  • Leading University
  • Manarat International University
  • Mawlana Bhasani Science and Technology University
  • Metropolitan University
  • North South University
  • Northern University Bangladesh
  • Patuakhali Science and Technology University
  • Premier University
  • Presidency University
  • Prime University
  • Pundra University of Science and Technology
  • Queens University
  • Rajshahi University
  • Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology
  • Rangamati Science and Technology University
  • Rangpur Science and Technology University
  • Royal University of Dhaka
  • Shahjalal University of Science and Technology
  • Shanto Mariam University of Creative Technology
  • Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University
  • Southeast University
  • Southern University of Bangladesh
  • Stamford University Bangladesh
  • State University of Bangladesh
  • Sylhet International University
  • The Millennium University
  • The People's University of Bangladesh
  • The University of Asia Pacific
  • United International University
  • University of Chittagong
  • University of Development Alternative
  • University of Information Technology and Sciences
  • University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh
  • University of Science and Technology, Chittagong
  • Uttara University
  • Victoria University of Bangladesh
  • World University of Bangladesh

Specific entry requirements:

In addition to the requirements described above there may be specific entry requirements stipulated by a HEI and/or department. You can find more information directly from the HEIs. See 'List of Higher Education institutions' on the right.

English language requirements:

For most masters' programmes the English language entry requirement is the equivalent of English studies at upper secondary level (post-16) in Sweden, known as English course B. For som masters' programmes the English entry requirement is at a lower level, known as English course A.

Minimum language test results required in IELTS:

You should send a copy of your IELTS test results to University Studies in Sweden, FE1, SE-833 83, Stroemsund, SWEDEN. They will verify your results online.

Academic modules:

For course B: an overall mark of 6.0 and no section below 5.0 
For course A: an overall mark of 5.0 and no section below 4.5

How to apply using “studera.nu”:

Check the programme description(s) carefully for detailed information, either at the university website or in the result list in 'Course search'. Then:

  1. Go to 'Your pages' and create a user account. NB! If you do not have a Swedish civic registration number you must use the link for 'Users with NO Swedish civic registration number'.
  2. Search for the study programmes you would like to apply for via the search engine Course search. (You can apply for up to 4 study programmes at Master's level).
  3. Click on 'Add' for the study programmes you are interested in and place them in your basket. Click on 'To application' to create an application in your name.
  4. Rank the selected study programmes in order of preference.
  5. Click on 'Send application' and print a cover sheet as instructed. 
  6. Sign the cover sheet, enclose all supporting documents and send the application to:

University Studies in Sweden 
FE 1 
SE-833 83 Stroemsund 
SWEDEN

NB! Applications sent by fax or e-mail will not be considered. This also applies for online applications without supporting documentation.

Supporting documents submitted with online application:

You must submit the following documents (stamped and signed copies) once you have completed your online application:
  1. Cover sheet.
  2. Certificates and diplomas from previous education at an internationally recognised higher education institution.
  3. Transcripts of completed courses and grades (including course list). If possible, sort them in reverse chronological order, i. e. the most recent on top.

Please note: If your degree was awarded in Cameroon, Canada, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, Sudan or the USA, your transcript of record must be sent directly from your university. If you send it yourself, it will not be accepted.

Certain countries have specific requirements. If you received your degree from Bangladesh, Cameroon, China, France, Germany, India, Nigeria, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines or the United States, you should see what these specific requirements are:

Specific requirements for students from BANGLADESH:
  1. For entry to a Master's study programme, the minimum requirement is a 4-year Bachelor's degree, or a Bachelor's degree followed by a Master's degree. Some, but not all, study programmes require for that first degree to be in a related field.
  2. Consideration will also be given to applicants who have attained a 3-year Bachelor's degree with honours.
  3. Students holding only a 3-year Bachelor's degree without honours will not satisfy the entry requirements for a Master's programme.
  4. Supporting document requirements
  5. Please note that college-issued mark sheet/result card/transcript will not be accepted.
  6. If the transcripts/mark sheets do not contain the names of the courses studied, a syllabus must be submitted, e. g., transcripts/mark sheets where the courses are listed as “Paper1" , “Paper2"are not sufficient.
  7. Proof of English language skills.
  8. Proof that you meet the specific entry requirements.
  9. A copy of the page in your passport with your personal data and photograph or some other document of identification

Sort the documents in the same order as stated in this list and send them in one envelope to the address stated on the cover sheet. Only send one set of documents. Avoid using staplers, paper clips, and documents printed on both sides.

If the specific entry requirements of a higher education institution and/or department include a dissertation or essay, send these directly to the HEI (Letters of Intent can be sent to University Studies). The specific entry requirements are stipulated in the study programme descriptions.

Please, only submit the required documents that are listed here above, and do not send letters of recommendation unless they are specifically required by the university to which you are applying.
NB! There is no collation between the number of documents and your chances of being accepted. On the contrary, problems arise because required documents can be overlooked due to the number of pages that must be reviewed. Furthermore, concerning the time factor, an excess of documents only delays the evaluation of your application.

Do not send the original documents, unless you are requested to do so. No original documents, apart from documents requested by an Admissions Officer, will be returned. 

Requirements for documents:

All documents, copies and scanned documents supporting your application must be stamped and signed by the issuing institution, or a notary public. If this is not done, your application will not be processed.

All documents mentioned above, must be submitted, even if you submit an evaluation from Högskoleverket (Swedish National Agency for Higher Education).
Documents should be in the original language, and in officially certified translations into Swedish, English, French or German, if the original documents are in a language other than the Scandinavian languages.

All TOEFL tests must be sent straight from Educational Testing Service (ETS) and reach University Studies in Sweden by the deadline for submitting documents. The institution code is Sweden 9520 and this must be stated.

Verification:

University Studies in Sweden checks the authenticity of your documents with the issuing institution. University Studies in Sweden reserves the right to revoke admission if supporting documents are discovered to be fraudulent. 

Submission of false documents is a violation of Swedish law and is considered grounds for legal action. Furthermore, those who buy and submit false documents, obstruct the processing of applications in any way, or contribute to the incrimination of other applicants from the same country are also in violation of Swedish law.

Semester start at August

Late applications:

Although you should submit your application as early as possible, late applications may be considered for some Master's programmes.

However, places are subject to availability and there is no guarantee that if you submit a late application, it will be considered by the university where you would like to study. 
NB! Only those Master's programmes that are still open for application will have an 'Add' button in the result list.

After selection:

You may be able to add a study programme that has been deleted in a selection round, provided that it has an active 'Add' button. Remember that the programme you add will be treated as a late application.

The application process:

Every semester, there are tens of thousands of applications to process. Opening the post, and scanning and reviewing documents can take several months.

One application:

As studera.nu offers a pooled admissions system, you only have to submit one application per semester and cycle (education level). For current dates, please see 'Key dates' for each cycle.
Once your application has been registered, you will receive a confirmation email.

One set of supporting documents:

All documents are scanned and accessible online for every Swedish university and their staff to view. You should never send in more than one set of supporting documents.

Scanned documents:

Once your application package has arrived all documents are prepared for scanning. The scanning may take up to six weeks, depending on the number of applicants and applications. Any paper clips, staples and bindings delay the processing of your documents so you should avoid using them.

Confirmation by email:

After you have submitted your application for a Master's programme, you are notified by email when your documents have been scanned and matched with your application.

Assessment:

Your application will be registered and then go through a review process by different institutions. In some cases, the final assessment will not be made until the very last week before selection.

Notification of Selection Results:

Once the selection results have been published, you will get an email reminder to check the results on 'Your pages'. Your notification will be accessible online as well as in a printable PDF-file. If you are offered a place, read the instructions about applying for a student visa as well as any information about enrolment/registration days or introductory meetings held by the university.

No reply required at studera.nu:

If you are offered a place on a study programme, no reply is required at studera.nu. However, you may need to communicate with the university or department that has offered you an admissions place.

Contact us:

You may contact us via the link contact/english. Due to the large volume of applications, the service is restricted to general questions; we are unable to answer more specific questions about your application via email. It is important to remember that the admission process can take several weeks. Your patience is appreciated.

Notification of selection results:

The results of the current selection round will be presented in your Notification of Selection Results.
If you are offered a place on a course or study programme, the term 'Admitted' appears after the title in the 'selection results' column.

If the term 'Deleted' appears after the title of the programme this means that you have been offered a place on a course or study programme you gave higher priority to in your application or that you did not meet the entrance requirements. The reason for not meeting the entry requirements could include: missing documents, verification difficulties or insufficient knowledge of English.
If the term 'Reserve' or 'Res' appears after the title of the course or programme, this means you have been placed on a waiting list.
Late applications will be marked 'Not processed'.

Print-out:

The notification is accessible online as a printable PDF-file, so no hard copy is sent by post. The print-out serves as the official document and should be used for any visa application.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

"Kung Fu Panda : Secrets Of The Furious Five" - The Story Within



With Po's status as the Dragon Warrior proven to all, Master Shifu has a new challenge for him; teaching Introduction to Kung Fu class to a bunch of a rambunctious bunny children. After getting the class to come to order, Po teaches them that fighting is only part of kung fu, while its true meaning is "Excellence of Self." To explain this philosophy, Po tells stories of each of his comrades, The Furious Five, and how they faced formative challenges in their youth that helped define them as true masters of kung fu.


Tuesday, October 20, 2009

PLANET HOME : An awsome documentary from GoodPlanet Foundation



GoodPlanet


GoodPlanet is a foundation that was created in 2005 (and recognized as being of public utility in 2009) to raise public awareness of environmental protection and to bring concrete solutions to the Earth’s ecological crisis. The foundation is chaired by Yann Arthus-Bertrand.



The mission of GoodPlanet


GoodPlanet is working to raise awareness and propose concrete solutions in favor of our planet and its inhabitants. We are

• Sensitizing all citizens to the world’s problems, and giving each person an active role ;
• Mobilizing the economic leaders and governmental policies by explaining the association’s goals and by helping them set up sustainable development procedures ;
• Implementing programs that propose concrete answers to the environmental crisis.

GoodPlanet is member of the French « Alliance pour la planète » and the « Comité 21 », in addition to other French ecological associations. We are pleased to announce that GoodPlanet has been recognized as a public utility Foundation. This new status enables our current projects to make a greater impact.


GoodPlanet Project "HOME"



With aerial footage from 54 countries, Home is a depiction of how the Earth's problems are all interlinked, but with an only one responsible: the human. It start with the creation and the evolution of the animal species in the Earth, until the human, who starts living peacefully with nature. But the accelerate grow of population in the last 60 years and the discover of the oil, changed all.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

HP Mini 1101: yet another new netbook

Hewlett-Packard is serious about the netbook market, announcing three new HP Minis running XP, Linux, and Vista…and including an option for 1080p video playback.

HP Keeps the Minis Coming with Mini 1101 and 110 XP/Mi Editions - HP Mini 110 XP (Black Swirl)

Hewlett-Packard is serious about the netbook business, and has announced three new additions to its HP Mini line. The HP Mini 1101 will be available with a user’s choice of XP or Vista, the 110 Mi will sport Linux, and the 110 XP will offer Windows XP and be available with an optional video accelerator the company claims can handle 1080p video content.

“With these new HP Minis, we’re enhancing the customer experience by adding compelling features that allow users to interact with their Mini in a fun way,” said HP’s VP and general manager for consumer notebooks Kevin Frost, in a statement. “Our broad portfolio of mini companion PCs truly offers customers choices to fit every need and every personality.”

All three models will be powered by either a 1.6 Ghz or 1.66 GHz Intel Atom N270 or N280 processor, with the Mini 110 and Mini 1101 offering a number of built-to-order options. All models feature a 5-in0-1 media card reader and VGA output.

The HP Mini 110 XP will support up to 1 GB of memory and will be available with either a 160 GB hard drive or a 32 GB SSD; available options will include WWAN support for mobile connectivity and an optional Broadcomm Crystal HD Enhanced Video Accelerator HP says enables the Mini 100 XP to handle 1080p video content. Meanwhile, the Mini 1101 will be available with either XP Home, XP Pro, or Windows Vista and will be available with either 3- or 6-cell batteries, along with an HP Mobile Broadband option. The Mini 110 Mi will run a Linux operating system and will support up to 20 GB of RAM and a 250 GB hard drive.

The Mini 110 XP and Mini 110 Mi should be available in the U.S. on June 10 in a “black swirl” design for $329.99 and $279.99, respectively; pink and white editions of the Mini 110 XP should land in early July, although pricing hasn’t been set. The Mini 1101 will be available in high-gloss black on June 1 for $329.

Sony Ericsson Yari, Idou and Aino: three new cell phones

Sony Ericsson announced three new phones on Thursday, all of which will eventually appear in the United States. Sony also announced a new sideloading movie service that will be compatible with two of the company’s newly announced phones.Sony Ericsson’s U.K. division announced the three phones in the U.K., which will ship to “selected markets,” including the United States, in the fourth quarter.

The three phones are the Satio, which was previously known as the Idou, the 12.1 megapixel cameraphone that wowed audiences at the Mobile World Congress; the Yari, a phone designed for “gesture gaming; and the Aino, which boasts an 8.1 Mpixel camera and the ability to control the Sony PlayStation 3. Sony did not announce prices on any of the models.

Both the Yari and Satio/Idou will be built in both U.S. and European versions, with the U.S. versions compatible with AT&T but not with T-Mobile. The Aino will come in one model, but it looks like that model will be compatible with AT&T.

Sony’s new movie service, dubbed PlayNow, will make its debut on both the Satio/Idou as well as the Aino. However, PlayNow will only be available in Italy, France, Spain, Germany and in the U.K., at least for now.

Sony is positioning all three phones as entertainment devices, but with different slants on the concept. PlayNow, by contrast, is designed to an overarching service that add value to multiple models.

PlayNow is a service to download movies via a PC and then “sideload” them to the phones via a USB cable. Using a desktop browser, users will be able to visit the Sony PlayNow web site and choose from about 15 movies at any one time. Sony will add four new titles every month, subtracting the same amount, the company said. Users can download and watch 60 movies in a 12-month period; each movie can be watched as many times as a user likes for 90 days.

Sony has positioned the Yari as the ultimate phone for mobile fun, with a number of innovative new features. Sony claims that the Yari will be the first phone to allow “gesture gaming” outside Japan, which apparently involves moving the user’s body to play a number of games that will either be preloaded or can be downloaded. It’s not clear, however, which games will be included, or how these gestures will actually be incorporated.

The Yari will measure 100 x 48 x 15.7 mm, with a weight of 115 grams. The slider phone will include a 2.4-inch screen capable of 240 x 320 resolution. Inside will be 60 Mbytes of storage, plus a microSD slot for an included 1-Gbyte card. The Yari will ship in Achromatic Black and Cranberry White early in the fourth quarter.

Features will include the gesture games, which will be controlled with gestures and an arcade-style “A” and “B” button, as well as a 5.0-Mpixel camera with face detection and geotagging. A2DP stereo Bluetooth will be included, as well as the ability to shake the phone to shuffle tracks. The Yari will also include the ability to place a “music call,” apparently allowing a friend to listen to the same track over the phone.

The Aino can also be considered a gaming phone, albeit in passing. Sony is positioning the phone as a complement to its PlayStation 3 console, allowing it the ability to access content stored on the console via Wi-Fi, a capability previously reserved for Sony’s PSP mobile gaming device. The Sony Media Go software also allows content to be transferred from the PC to the phone via Wi-Fi.

The Aino measures 104 x 50 x 15.5 mm, weighing 134 grams. The slightly larger size also translates into a larger 3-inch screen, with a 240 x 432 screen with 16 million or “true” color playback.

The Aino provides assisted GPS, and the ability to access DLNA devices on the network. A 8.1-Mpixel is also included, with a 16X digital zoom. It also packs a wireless Bluetooth headset as well as a charging stand. It will ship in either Obsidian Black and Luminous White.

The Satio/Idou appears to be identical to the model that Gearlog tested out at the Mobile World Congress.

Facebook hit by phishing emails again


For the second time in a week, Facebook users have been hit with an e-mail phishing attack that attempts to obtain their passwords to the social networking site. Users who saw “Hello” in an e-mail subject line Thursday and clicked on a Web link that said “areps.at” or “brunga.at” were taken to a fake Facebook log-in page, where they were asked for their passwords.

Those behind the attack are looking to use passwords to gain access to users’ Facebook accounts which include personal information, as well as links to information about family, friends and business associates.

They’re also hoping that those passwords are the same for users’ other accounts, including bank accounts, which could “have more financial viability” for thieves, said Laura Mather, managing director of operational policy for the Anti-Phishing Working Group. The group is comprised of law enforcement, business and computer security professionals.

The latest Facebook phishing scam is “not widespread and only impacted a tiny fraction of a percent of users,” said Facebook spokesman Barry Schnitt. “We’ve been updating our monitoring systems with information gleaned from the previous attacks so that each new attack is detected more quickly.”

Some Facebook users said they knew of several other users who also received the suspicious e-mails.

“We have already blocked links to these new phishing sites from being shared on Facebook, have had them added to the ‘block’ list of the major (Web) browsers and have begun working with partners to have the sites taken down completely,” Schnitt said. “We’re also cleaning up phony messages and ‘Wall’ posts and resetting the passwords of affected users.”

Facebook and other social networking sites, including MySpace and Twitter, have had problems previously with phishing. But Facebook, the largest of such sites, with more than 200 million users, seems to have been more of a target for the phishing attempts in recent weeks.

Earlier this month, the company said on its security blog that in conjunction with MarkMonitor enterprise security firm, “we’ve responded to over 1,400 phishing sites, including over 240 since the beginning of this year.”

Last week, some Facebook users found similar phishing e-mails in their in-boxes with the “Hello” greeting and the body of the message telling them to “Check 121.im” with “121.im” as the Web link that went to a fake Facebook page. Many of them logged in, giving their passwords.

“To combat these threats, we need users’ help, too,” Schnitt said. He said it is important for users to have an up-to-date Web browser that has strong anti-phishing features, such as Firefox 3.0.10 or Microsoft’s Internet Explorer 8.

Monday, April 27, 2009

Looking Forword To "Electric Cigarette"

Electric Cigarette is a smart cigarette and a revolutionary product with newest technological advances, offers a replacement for conventional smoking. Electric Cigarette looks, feels, and tastes like a traditional cigarette. It delivers all the pleasures of smoking without releasing harmful chemicals. It lets out vapor mist like smoke, and controls amount of nicotine to satisfy the smoker's craving.
An e-cigarette doesn’t hurt you, the ones around you or the environment. It’s a rechargeable device that uses sophisticated micro-electronic technology to deliver a true smoking experience, only without the tobacco smoke and tar that contain over 4.000 toxins. It contains water, propylene glycol, nicotine and tobacco scent and, instead of exhaling smoke, you exhale harmless vapors. So your body receives all the nicotine it craves but without all the other nasty stuff, it’s a dream come true and best of all you can legally smoke it indoors.

One rechargeable cartridge of an e-cigarette is the equivalent of 20 cigarettes and the device’s battery lasts a whole day, when used with normal use (whatever that means).

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

Friday, April 24, 2009

"MUKTANWESA"- A Magazine Of Enlightenment


MUKTANWESA is a half-yearly magazine published by "Mukto-Mona" publications. It has published it's 2nd issue of 2nd year on march 2009. I've just received that issue. It is a fabulous magazine and quite extra ordinary in its own style. It says about secularism, science, education and logistic point of view. The current issue of MUKTANWESA is a bandle of many interesting articles written by well-known scolers. It is a must read for those who practise real knowledge and have logistic view. So, my opinion is to subscribe this magazine of enlightenment as soon as possible. It is my assurance that you won't be disappointed.

ABOUT MUKTO-MONA

Mukto-Mona(www.mukto-mona.com) is an Internet congregation of freethinkers, rationalists, skeptics, atheists & humanists of mainly Bengali and South Asian descent who are scattered across the globe. Their mission is to promote science, rationalism, secularism, freethinking, human rights, religious tolerance, and harmony amongst all people in the globe. To that end, Mukto-mona regularly posts analytical articles, essays, reviews and debates on relevant topics in its homepage and forum. Since its founding back in the mid 2001, Mukto-mona has been able to draw the attention of many like-minded thinkers including many distinguished authors, scientists, philosophers and human rights activists from all around the world.

Members of Advisory Board :
  • Dr. Ajoy K. Roy
  • Dr. A. H. Jaffor Ullah
  • Dr. Alan Levin
  • Hasan Mahmud (Fatemolla)
  • Dr. Shabbir Ahmed
  • Bonna Ahmed
  • Jahed Ahmed
  • Mehul Kamdar
  • Farid Ahmed
  • Ananta Bijoy
  • Mahbub Sayeed
  • Dr. Irtishad Ahmad
  • Dr. Mizan Rahman

Members of MM Web page Editorial Board :

  • Avijit Roy
  • Bonna Ahmed
  • Snigdha Ali
  • Jahed Ahmed
  • A. H. Jaffor Ullah
  • Farid Ahmed
  • Tanbira Talukder

MM Web layout Design, Graphics and Animation

  • Sabina Islam and Avijit Roy

Contacts:

Bangladesh: Dr. Ajoy Roy; email: roya_k2003@yahoo.com

Ananta Bijoy; email: ananta_atheist@yahoo.com

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Making digital Bangladesh: No time to waste

The present government took office with the vision of creating digital Bangladesh. There seems to be genuine interest for implementing the commitment made by the ruling party in its manifesto. Surely, it is an encouraging sign.

In the World Summit on Information Society (WSIS), it was decided that a knowledge-based society would be developed throughout the world by 2015, which is in line with the government's decision of building a digital Bangladesh by 2021.

There has to be a transformation to a digital system in infrastructure, governance and education, the three most vital areas for the growth of a nation. The government has to be prudent in taking steps to empower the citizens. All Bangladeshis must have access to ICT, and the skills to use it, in digital Bangladesh.

To transform the government, we have to have e-readiness. The issues impeding the growth of the hardware and software sectors must be resolved. Bangladeshi businesses, especially SMEs, need to be able to transact through credit card over the internet and/or mobile phone. New technologies such as WiMax can be integrated into the overall system.

In digital Bangladesh, we envision that the government will have the capacity to deliver services to citizens through the Internet, radio and TV, and also to make its internal operations more efficient and transparent through the use of ICTs. In the health sector, we hope that ICTs will be used for connecting relevant healthcare service providers and for connecting doctors with patients in remote areas.

In the education sector, utilisation of information technologies and communication networks for dissemination and exchange of knowledge must be present. The agriculture sector can grow phenomenally with proper implementation of IT. Land management can be properly done through IT as well.

In digital Bangladesh, we hope a transformation will occur in the realm of commerce and industry. ICT can be used for marketing and promotion of products, for increasing internal efficiency, and for communication and transaction between businesses.

It is essential that the software and hardware industry of Bangladesh becomes a part of the global supply chain for ICT products and services, while serving as a platform for enabling the above goals in the digital age. A communication infrastructure that allows ICT-based services to be deployed equitably throughout the nation will make digital Bangladesh a reality.

Essentially, there has to be implementation of ICT in virtually every sector -- agriculture to government budgeting, port management to National Board of Revenue's tax management, and media to security management.

In recent times, we have witnessed growing security threats in our country. Information technology can be a very useful tool in preventing a large catastrophe from taking place. A digital database containing fingerprints can be a tool for fighting possible threats.

In order to create digital Bangladesh, the present government can start by looking closely into all the previous ICT policies and take prudent steps. The ICT ministry and its subsidiary, Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC), should be strengthened. Skilled manpower needs to be developed. We need to train our teachers. We need to look at the best practices around the world when it comes to using ICT for development to better understand how we can incorporate those in to our system. Estonia is a great example, which we can follow in terms of ICT usage in different aspects of government and social life.

The government's promise for a better tomorrow though the promised 'dinbodol' can be fulfilled through an honest desire for the creation of a digital Bangladesh. All the relevant stakeholders must be brought to a common platform. A chief Information officer should be appointed for the proper and successful management of the project.

Making digital Bangladesh will take united effort. The private sector, NGOs and grassroots organisations need to be involved in this endeavour. Only through joint effort can we create a truly digital nation. Public-private partnership must be present.

The Millennium Development Goal of the UN suggests the making of an IT village. In accordance with this goal, we have to be a strong member of the global society. For that, we must synchronise our plans with global initiatives and work hard. Our actions plans need to be time bound and specific, and strong and accountable program management has to be present. The future awaits us with all its wonderful opportunities; the onus is on us to take the right step.


The author is the former Senior Vice-President of BASIS and CEO of Spinnovision.

E-mail: timnurulkabir@hotmail.com

Pahela Baishakh Festivity


IF there is any festival that unites all of us Bangalis, it is none other than the Bengali New Year or Pahela Baishakh. This is a time that enables us to forget all the differences and indulge in celebrating our Bangaliana.

Pahela Baishakh also brings in forefront the everlasting folk songs of this region. Folk songs have recently been even more popularised by singers and musicians like Habib, Ornob, Anushesh and Maksud who have made the young generation once again interested in this genre of music. This week's spotlight is about the revival of folk music in Bangladesh.

Mahdin Mahboob
Star Campus Desk
Photos:
Mustafizur Rahman

The perfect date

SOURCE : The Daily Star (Monday, April 13, 2009 )
AUTHOR:

Dating…the sweet old time spent in getting to know each other, sharing thoughts and hoping that it leads to something more permanent. Yes all those Hollywood flicks were not lying: going on a date is a big deal. After all a date is the only official time when two people really get to hang out, talk and find out more about one another in person. Yes, late night phone calls are adventurous and e-cards at work are cute but it is actually when you spend time in each other's company that really tells you whether this rendezvous is worth the effort.

Thus it is only natural that you would want your dates to be perfect. A little candlelight, some chocolates and Celine in the background? Of course. But is it enough? Of course not. The perfect date is like a great painting or a scrumptious lobster bisque. It takes time, effort and above all, imagination. So grab a cushion and read on as we tell you the secrets to creating The Perfect Date.

The Perfect Place
“Love don't cost a thing”
The perfect place for a date doesn't necessarily mean an ultra-expensive candlelit French restaurant. Nor does it mean box tickets to the next India-Pakistan match. If it's a first date, you don't want the place to give off intense romantic vibes or be loud and noisy where you can't talk in comfort. So go for someplace neutral like a coffee shop and share a cuppa.

For future dates try to hone into what your date likes. If she's into theatre, a play would be perfect. If he likes indoor sports, bowling might just be the solution. The very first date makes or breaks the deal. So pay attention on the first date to what your partner is saying. That'll give you hints about what he or she likes. Then if you're on for a second date, suggest possible dating places that you think might please your date and make plans accordingly.

Always remember that money isn't the main factor. Having fun is. A date can be inexpensive yet fun all the same. And remember, inexpensive doesn't mean thrown-together-in-five-minutes. What you need in such cases is a little creativity. So don't obsess about the price tag.

The Perfect Outfit
“Fashion can be bought. Style one must possess.”
As superficial as it may sound, what you wear to your dates, especially your very first one, can be of considerable significance. Yes appearance does matter, well at least initially. It's okay to be a 30-year-old die-hard Elvis fan. But it isn't okay to turn up on a date with Elvis's hair or pants.

Clothes tell people about your individual style, how fashionable you are and even provide people with a window into your personality. But if you're confused about what to wear, consult with a friend, a fashion magazine or simply opt for one of the two safety nets: one, wear business casuals (after all work does require a certain amount of decorum); or two, that one outfit everyone says you look great in. And while you're at it, don't forget to take the location into account. After all you don't want to dine in dungarees or trainers at a five-star hotel.

All in all remember what P.J. O'Rourke said: Never wear anything that panics the cat.

The Perfect Gift
“Give a little bit”
Flowers, chocolates, perfumes and cufflinks? Seems to be about right doesn't it? Wrong! Not every girl eats chocolates and not every guy wears cufflinks.

So how does one figure out what to give his/her date? Simple. Listen. Both sexes have a tendency of talking about things they like without even realising that they have done it. And during the initial dates people talk about common interests to break the ice. That gives you a glimpse into the person's personality as well as preferences.

If she tells you about Candace Bushnell's latest novel, chances are she'll like The Devil Wears Prada. If he tells you how he fixed his bike all by himself, a subscription to Top Gear might just be what he will like.

The Perfect Mate
“Don't like me yet? Have another drink.”
Dates are the perfect way to find out about each other. And the best way to do that is by talking and more importantly listening. Give your date your full and undivided attention while she/he is speaking. Don't keep on acting like you know it all even if you really do know it all. And don't use what she/he is saying as a jump off point to highlight some great feat that you have accomplished. No one likes a know-it-all and self-promotion is no promotion at all. You don't have to prove how simply wonderful you are. Let your date make that decision. After all, humility too, is a virtue.

In the end, the perfect date is about making new discoveries, giving a part of yourself to someone and all in all hoping that it all leads to something more permanent. So take a deep breath, pop some mints and just be yourself. And don't forget, have fun!