The IEEE Aerospace and Electronic Systems Society BRAC University Student Branch Chapter organized an event titled "Commemorating 5 Years of BRAC Onnesha & Reminiscing BRACU Dichari" to commemorate BRAC University's significant achievements. Respected academics from both the Computer Science and Engineering and Electrical and Electronic Engineering departments of BRAC University were present to share their experiences with BRAC Onnesha and Team BRACU Dichari, conveyed their insights for the future
The newest flagship project, BRACU Dichari, developed by the undergraduate students of BRAC University, shared their journey on becoming the first Bangladeshi team to qualify for the European Robotics League(ERL) and team Dichari earned a special award, the "Perseverance Award," and the 4th position in the "ERL Emergency Local Tournament," which took place from June 20 to June 25, in Poznan, Poland.
With the guidance from the team’s advisor Mr. Abdulla Hil Kafi, Research Associate, LaSSET, (Laboratory Space Systems Engineering & Technology), School of Engineering and Co-Advisor, Associate Professor Dr. Md Khalilur Rhaman, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, BRAC University, Advisor, IEEE Robotics and Automation Society BRAC University Student Branch Chapter, Team Dichari developed an Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) along with an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). Some of the key functionalities of the rover and the drone include Autonomous Navigation, Object Detection and Avoidance, simultaneous Localization and Mapping, Emergency response and pick and drop feature.
Followed by the segment, Raihana Shams Islam Antara, Research Associate at LaSSET, BRAC University, highlighted the process of creating the first nanosatellite and the significance of BRAC University in furthering this research in our country. She was an engineer in the BRAC Onnesha Satellite, the first nanosatellite from Bangladesh designed and constructed in 2017. On February 8, 2017, BRAC University became the first Bangladeshi educational institution to get its very own nano satellite, developed and assembled by three of its students - Abdulla Hil Kafi, Raihana Shams Islam Antara, and Maisun Ibn Monowar.
On July 7, 2017, SpaceX successfully launched the nanosatellite on board its Falcon 9 rocket on CRS-11 mission to the International Space Station. The satellite was designed and constructed in collaboration with the Kyushu Institute of Technology Birds-1 program and it included the collaboration of five countries. For the successful launch of BRAC Onnesha in 2017, we also earned the ACI award and the "Airbus Diversity Award," one of the most prestigious distinctions in the engineering field.
In the later part of the event, Dr. Arshad Chowdhury, Dean of the School of Engineering, then extended congratulations to the team Dichari for their outstanding achievement. He said, "Behind every great film comes a tale of suffering and tenacity.
Therefore, we must study how this triumph was achieved with such hardship and forbearance.” Along with him, Dr. Mosaddequr Rahman, Chairperson and Professor, Department of Electrical and Electronic engineering, urged the students to engage more in extracurricular activities and use their engineering knowledge in the real world.
Dr. David Dowland, the Registrar, BRAC University, subsequently lauded the "Dichari" team. He was ecstatic to learn that they received an award for persistence. In addition, Professor A.K.M Abdul Malek Azad, Ph.D, Counselor of the IEEE BRAC University Student Branch, provided his insightful commentary on this accomplishment. Subsequently, he underlined the importance of writing research papers and journal articles about the ongoing projects. "We need tiny bonfires working together to create a large one," he said. Later, Dr. Md. Khalilur Rhaman sent his heartfelt greetings to the team. He said, "I want more devices with intelligent sensors that can think like the human brain."
Lastly, there was a cake cutting ceremony with the esteemed faculties and guests after that discussion sessions with the attendees and thus a vibrant event came to a conclusion.