He said this today while speaking as the chief guest at a special felicitation and inauguration ceremony titled 'SILICON RIVER NEXT 2026' at the Professor Dr. M.H. Khan Auditorium of Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology (AUST) in Tejgaon, Dhaka. The event was organized jointly by Silicon River Student Branch and the AUST EEE Society.

In his speech as chief guest, the Science and Technology Secretary called on the youth to focus on internationally standard technology innovation and research. He said the government is committed to providing the young generation with proper guidance and cooperation to build a digital and technology-driven Bangladesh in the days ahead. He also expressed hope that this conference will provide important inspiration to young researchers in showing the path to new technologies and innovations.

Speaking as a special guest at the event was M A Jabbar, President of the Bangladesh Semiconductor Industries Association (BSIA) and Managing Director of Neural Semiconductor Limited. Speaking as the keynote speaker (plenary speaker) was Dr. Muhammad Mustafa Hussain, Professor and Chief Architect of the ECE Department at Purdue University, USA. The event was presided over by the university's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dr. Md. Ashraful Haque.

The day-long event included a farewell reception for 'CREST Fellows 2026', a welcome ceremony for 'CREST Fellows 2027', felicitation of the 'CES 2027' final competitors, the official announcement of 'YCRC', and the inauguration of the 'Silicon River Student Branch'. Teachers and students of the university as well as distinguished personalities from home and abroad were present at the event.