BRAC University (BRACU) today (Thursday, 16 March 2017) brought together Maisun Ibn Monowar, Abdulla Hil Kafi and Raihana Shams Islam Antara to share their journey into building BRAC ONNESHA, the first nano-satellite by a Bangladeshi university.
BRACU Vice Chancellor Professor Syed Saad Andaleeb Ph.D. appreciated the dedication put up by the three, pointing out that on an average they spent around 16 hours every day in the lab at Kyushu Institute of Technology (Kyutech) in Japan.
Stating that Antara had already patented a part of her research, he reiterated the need for putting the focus on value addition in education instead of just attaining certificates in universities.
Professor Dr AA Ziauddin Ahmad, Chairperson, Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, cited that Bangladesh had already tapped three vital areas of nuclear, space and oceanography and would soon start reaping benefits.
He emphasised on increasing collaboration with government agencies as he believed youths can achieve miracles.
Greeted with flowers, cheers and rapturous applause from an audience, mostly comprising students, at the BRAC University auditorium, the three narrated how they finished their undergraduate course in the electrical and electronic department before the idea came up to do their higher studies in space technology.
A video was played on the development of the satellite and its deployment and the three explained its components and the way they overcame hurdles, starting with the 14-month timeframe to complete all tasks before the launching.
Six students were introduced who graduated from BRAC University and are working on building the ground station for the satellite with hopes of inaugurating it next month.
During a question and answer session, it was pointed out that the money being spent to keep the satellite afloat for six months would repay in experience for years to come and save a tremendous amount of effort in future endeavours and insight into everyday electronics.
The talk, “BRAC ONNESHA: Beyond the horizon”, ended with the organisers, Robotics Club of BRAC University (ROBU) and BRAC University Electrical & Electronic Club (BUEEC), presenting crests of appreciation to the three.