ICT fair kicks off amid high hope

The success of new technology mainly depends on how the youth deals with it and its link to the global village.
The 'BCS ICT World', a fair displaying the latest digital technology, started in Dhaka yesterday with a call to accepting the latest in technology.
Students crowded Bangabandhu International Conference Centre with no limits to queries regarding the products on display.
As many as 65 local and multinational companies are showcasing technology, including computers, laptops, software, hardware, telecom devices and technology-based education services at the five-day fair.
However, the vast array of technologies is enough to bewilder visitors.
"I am confused. I cannot decide what will be appropriate for me -- netbook or notebook," said Reazul Hasan, a student of Asian University, at the fair.
He said laptop prices have gone down, but internet modem prices and monthly charges are still too high for students.
Several netbook and laptop brands such as MacBook, Sony Vaio, Acer, Dell, Lenovo, Toshiba, Fujitsu, HP, and Asus, are available at the fair at prices ranging between Tk 25,000 and Tk 1,80,000.
Grameenphone and Augure Technology are selling internet modems at the fair. Several television brands are also displaying their wide screen televisions at the fair.
Abdul Hamid, speaker of parliament, inaugurated the fair, while Faruk Khan, commerce minister, Yeafesh Osman, state minister for science and ICT ministry, Mostafa Jabbar, president of Bangladesh Computer Samity (BCS), and Oddvar Hesjedal, chief executive officer of Grameenphone, were present.
At the inaugural programme, speakers stressed how the government can meet its election pledge to build a Digital Bangladesh by 2021 by making the youth use technologies.
Hamid urged the concerned people to implement the ICT policy in due time.
According to him, Bangladesh needs to improve IT education in line with global standards. "Our educational system should be digitalised more," he said and urged the government to provide computers among the students and teachers as soon as possible.
In regards to efforts to digitalise the parliament, Hamid said within very short time, member of the parliament will receive questions from the general people through email.
He said he will allow computers inside the parliament soon after providing computers among the members.
BCS is organising the fair in association with the ICT ministry. Mobile operator Grameenphone is the platinum sponsor of the fair, while Lenovo, Qubee and Samsung are the gold sponsors and Mercury is the silver sponsor.
The fair entry fee has been fixed at Tk 20, while students can enter for free.