Construction of Dr M A Wazed Miah High-Tech Park, Rangpur began on Thursday in the Kholishakuri area in the city fulfilling the much-awaited hopes and aspirations of young generations of the region.
Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, who was connected virtually, with State Minister of the ICT Division Zunaid Ahmed Palak on the spot, launched the construction by unveiling a plaque of the foundation stone.
Speaking on the occasion, the Speaker thanked the ICT Division for establishing Dr MA Wazed Miah High-Tech Park in Rangpur.
After unveiling the plaque of the foundation stone and offering munajats there, State Minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak termed the Hi-Tech Park as the opportunity for the employment generation of young generations of the Rangpur region.
"Dr MA Wazed Miah Hi-Tech Park would make a significant contribution to building a smart Bangladesh from a labour-dependent economy to a knowledge-dependent developed economy," he said.
Later, the IT/Hi-Tech Park at District Level (12 Districts) Project organized a foundation-laying function at Rangpur Zilla Parishad Community Centre.
Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury virtually addressed the occasion as the chief guest with State Minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak in the chair.
Managing Director of Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority Bikarna Kumar Ghosh delivered a welcome speech narrating the goals of establishing the High-Tech Parks.
"After implementation of Dr MA Wazed Miah Hi-Tech Park by June, 2024, direct and indirect working scopes will be created for at least 5,000 young start-ups, IT professionals and entrepreneurs," he added.
On the occasion, the state minister distributed made-in-Bangladesh 'WALTON' laptops to 54 freelancers as gifts from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for their maximum earnings after completion of training under the Learning and Earning Development Project (LEDP).
Zunaid Ahmed Palak also visited different stalls set up in the same venue by some 20 most successful freelancers and entrepreneurs on the 'Chari Mela' (Job Fair) premises organized by HyperTag with the assistance of the LEDP.
The Speaker said, "We are very happy that the foundation stone of Dr MA Wazed Miah Hi-Tech Park is being laid in Rangpur paving the opportunity for Rangpur people to contribute to the country's IT industry."
There is no alternative for young people to pursue technical education in this age of high competition.
"We want to build a technology-based nation. Rangpur has always been a neglected area, it has never been industrialized. The government is working tirelessly for the development of the Rangpur people," she said.
Dr MA Wazed Miah Hi-Tech Park has created an opportunity for male and female youths to stand on their feet. This park will create employment opportunities.
"Many people had criticized the announcement of building a Digital Bangladesh in the election manifesto of Awami League. But this Digital Bangladesh is now a total reality," she said.
State Minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak said the brilliant son of Rangpur and internationally reputed nuclear scientist Dr MA Wazed Miah would continue to remain a source of inspiration for future generations to build a science-minded nation.
Dr MA Wazed Miah played an important role in national politics in silence alongside conducting scientific research.
"In his educational life, Dr Wazed became associated with Bangladesh Chhatra League in the sixties. He was arrested in 1962 while protesting against Ayub Khan's military rule and spent some time in jail," he said.
Dr MA Wazed Miah has served in various capacities including Chairman of the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission. The scope of his research work was extensive.
"Dr MA Wazed Miah lived not just for his work, but for building a science-minded nation. That is why we have named the High-Tech Park after this brilliant son of Rangpur," he said.
He said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina always realizes the pledges and dreams she presents before people.
"The dreamer of modern Digital Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Architect of Digital Bangladesh and her ICT Adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy have already built a Digital Bangladesh and are producing IT skilled manpower to make the fourth industrial revolution a success," he said.
Palak discussed the enormous benefits of Digital Bangladesh built as a result of the relentless efforts, direction and supervision of Sajeeb Wazed Joy during the last 13 years.
"Following the implementation of Digital Bangladesh, we successfully managed Covid-19 pandemic, education through online classes, activities of the judiciary, administrations, offices, educational and other institutions and every sector," he said.
Rangpur Metropolitan Police Commissioner Abdul Alim Mahmud, Deputy Commissioner Md Asib Ahsan, Project Director (Deputy Secretary) of the IT/Hi-Tech Park at District Level (12 Districts) Project AKAM Fazlul Hoque, Project Director (Deputy Secretary) of the Learning and Earning Development Project Md Humayun Kobir, Chairman of Dr MA Wazed Miah Memorial Foundation AKM Chhayadat Hossain Bakul, President of district Awami League Mamtaz Uddin Ahmed, its General Secretary Advocate Rezaul Karim Raju, President of city Awami League Shafiur Rahman, its General Secretary Tushar Kanti Mandal addressed as special guests.
