Zarif Faiaz

Zarif Faiaz is a writer, journalist, and a tech policy researcher based out of Dhaka, Bangladesh. He is the In-Charge of the Tech & Startup section at The Daily Star and a Fellow at the Tech Global Institute.

Bridging Bangladesh’s skills gap

Bangladesh’s vocational training sector has expanded rapidly in recent years, particularly in information and communications technology (ICT). Thousands of private training centres now operate across the country, offering similar types of courses in areas such as web development, hardware maintenance, and digital marketing. However, the absence of a standardised system of curriculum design, delivery, and assessment has contributed to wide disparities in the quality of training offered.

18m ago

Disinformation campaigns target women and minorities in Bangladesh: Study

Study reveals how gendered abuse, misinformation and disinformation on Facebook threaten democratic participation in Bangladesh, especially for women and gender-diverse individuals.

1d ago

Rewriting the future: Bangladeshi innovation in home appliances

The domestic appliance sector in Bangladesh is no longer playing catch-up with global markets, in many cases, it is leading them.

5d ago

Too old to hire? The quiet bias keeping skilled professionals out of jobs

In a world that prizes innovation and adaptability, one would assume experience is a critical asset. Yet, for many older professionals, particularly those over 50, the job market tells a different story—one where decades of service are quietly disregarded in favour of youth. Age discrimination, or ageism, in the workplace remains a pervasive but often under-acknowledged issue globally, and Bangladesh is no exception.

6d ago

The skills premium: how AI became essential for marketers

The marketing world is undergoing a seismic transformation. As generative artificial intelligence (gen AI) matures from a technical novelty into a strategic necessity, marketing professionals are being forced to adapt at a pace unprecedented in recent memory. No longer confined to the realms of data science or IT, AI has become central to the everyday operations of marketing departments, not just enhancing productivity, but fundamentally reshaping the structure, skills, and strategy of marketing teams worldwide.

1w ago

The colonial legacy in our digital infrastructure

How Bangladesh and the Global South remain trapped in digital dependence

1m ago

How to build a positive work culture in your office

In today's competitive business landscape, fostering a positive work culture, boosting employee morale, and enhancing team cohesion are not just desirable—they are essential for organisational success. Companies that prioritise these elements often experience increased productivity, reduced turnover, and a more engaged workforce.

2m ago

Inside Uber’s operations in Bangladesh: A chat with Nasheed Ferdous Kamal

The Daily Star sat down with Nasheed Ferdous Kamal, Country Head, Uber Bangladesh, and Amy Price, Director - Head of Tech, Media and Telecoms Practice at Public First, to discuss Uber’s economic and social impact, responses to safety challenges and debates facing the gig economy, and the future of ride-sharing in Bangladesh.

2m ago
May 20, 2025
May 20, 2025

Bridging Bangladesh’s skills gap

Bangladesh’s vocational training sector has expanded rapidly in recent years, particularly in information and communications technology (ICT). Thousands of private training centres now operate across the country, offering similar types of courses in areas such as web development, hardware maintenance, and digital marketing. However, the absence of a standardised system of curriculum design, delivery, and assessment has contributed to wide disparities in the quality of training offered.

May 18, 2025
May 18, 2025

Disinformation campaigns target women and minorities in Bangladesh: Study

Study reveals how gendered abuse, misinformation and disinformation on Facebook threaten democratic participation in Bangladesh, especially for women and gender-diverse individuals.

May 15, 2025
May 15, 2025

Rewriting the future: Bangladeshi innovation in home appliances

The domestic appliance sector in Bangladesh is no longer playing catch-up with global markets, in many cases, it is leading them.

May 14, 2025
May 14, 2025

Too old to hire? The quiet bias keeping skilled professionals out of jobs

In a world that prizes innovation and adaptability, one would assume experience is a critical asset. Yet, for many older professionals, particularly those over 50, the job market tells a different story—one where decades of service are quietly disregarded in favour of youth. Age discrimination, or ageism, in the workplace remains a pervasive but often under-acknowledged issue globally, and Bangladesh is no exception.

May 7, 2025
May 7, 2025

The skills premium: how AI became essential for marketers

The marketing world is undergoing a seismic transformation. As generative artificial intelligence (gen AI) matures from a technical novelty into a strategic necessity, marketing professionals are being forced to adapt at a pace unprecedented in recent memory. No longer confined to the realms of data science or IT, AI has become central to the everyday operations of marketing departments, not just enhancing productivity, but fundamentally reshaping the structure, skills, and strategy of marketing teams worldwide.

April 10, 2025
April 10, 2025

The colonial legacy in our digital infrastructure

How Bangladesh and the Global South remain trapped in digital dependence

March 20, 2025
March 20, 2025

How to build a positive work culture in your office

In today's competitive business landscape, fostering a positive work culture, boosting employee morale, and enhancing team cohesion are not just desirable—they are essential for organisational success. Companies that prioritise these elements often experience increased productivity, reduced turnover, and a more engaged workforce.

March 4, 2025
March 4, 2025

Inside Uber’s operations in Bangladesh: A chat with Nasheed Ferdous Kamal

The Daily Star sat down with Nasheed Ferdous Kamal, Country Head, Uber Bangladesh, and Amy Price, Director - Head of Tech, Media and Telecoms Practice at Public First, to discuss Uber’s economic and social impact, responses to safety challenges and debates facing the gig economy, and the future of ride-sharing in Bangladesh.

February 26, 2025
February 26, 2025

Climbing the corporate ladder: top strategies for career advancement

Climbing the corporate ladder requires a strategic approach that encompasses continuous learning, strong professional relationships, and a proactive attitude towards growth. Employees who want to advance must demonstrate their value in ways that align with both personal ambitions and the evolving needs of their organisations.

February 11, 2025
February 11, 2025

Lifelong learning: Staying relevant in the age of AI

The rise of AI isn’t a distant phenomenon confined to Silicon Valley boardrooms; it’s here, woven into the fabric of Bangladesh’s economy. Jobs once considered secure are evolving—or disappearing—while new roles, unimaginable a decade ago, are emerging at breakneck speed.