As citizens of Bangladesh, we share the collective responsibility of realizing the vision of ‘Smart Bangladesh 2041’. This ambitious goal depends on solving many technology-related challenges using advanced technologies. To achieve the vision of Smart Bangladesh, EDGE Projects is working tirelessly, with the establishment of Research and Innovation Centers (RIC) being a key part of this effort. We are inviting numerous prospective researchers to participate in our research program. To qualify as a researcher at the RIC, an individual must possess a keen enthusiasm with the problem-solving mindset, driven by a strong interest in research and innovation. Each proposed solution against problems should have a problem owner. It is essential that all solutions proposed are cost-effective, balancing innovation with financial feasibility. This approach ensures that the solutions are accessible and practical for widespread implementation. Additionally, a clear and defined timeline for submitting the solution is crucial.
Each proposed solution should be designed to make a significant impact, either socially or commercially. This ensures that the research aligns with the primary goal of contributing meaningfully to the nation’s progress. The solution should be highly scalable with the tangible Minimum Viable Product (MVP) or a functional prototype, suitable for small-scale pilot testing. The solution proposed should present opportunities for establishing a startup or potentially impact an existing business. This implies that the outcome of the problem-solving process may lead to the creation of Intellectual Property (IP), adding value and novelty to the field. It’s important to note that the solution MUST NOT be a theoretical research or academic papers. Instead, it should manifest as a physical viable product. This approach ensures that the solution is not only innovative but also practical and ready for real-world application, aligning with the goals of creating impactful and market-ready innovations.
Despite enough global food production to feed everyone, hunger persists as a critical issue. The World Food Program highlights that nearly 783 million people lack adequate food, with millions more suffering from nutrient-poor diets. This situation hampers health and development, despite the goal of a hunger-free world by 2030.
Ranked 7th among countries most affected by natural disasters, Bangladesh deals with significant food security challenges. About 40 million people in the country are food insecure, with 11 million facing acute hunger. The nation’s low-lying land and extensive waterways make it particularly vulnerable to climate events. Bangladesh challenges numerous daily food problems, such as distinguishing healthy seeds from bulk quantities, tracing food sources, and fighting widespread of food adulteration in the supply chain. Issues like protein extraction and addressing malnutrition, especially in rural areas, are critical. The challenges extend to storage, transportation, introducing new food items, and exploring sustainable uses of food products. [source: World Food Program]
Introduce new food in the regular food menu: Adding new foods to Bangladesh’s everyday meals can diversify and improve nutrition, blending local and international flavors to enrich its food culture. In Bangladesh, new food options are essential for a balanced diet, catering to the specific nutritional needs of different ages, genders, and individuals with health conditions or special dietary requirements.
Effective food source identification and traceability in Bangladesh: In Bangladesh, the absence of strong food traceability systems, particularly in sectors like shrimp farming, hinders public health, supply chain efficiency, and exports to major markets. This issue risks economic difficulties and job losses, impacting the sustainability of the food industry and the livelihoods it supports.
Challenge of food adulteration: In Bangladesh, widespread food adulteration, affecting over 70% of food items like dairy and vegetables, poses serious health risks, including cancer, kidney disease, diabetes, and birth complications. The situation, worsened by dangerous chemicals in up to 80% of foods in some regions, calls for urgent legal, technological, and awareness measures.
Optimizing protein extraction techniques: With significant increases in egg and chicken prices in Bangladesh, improving protein extraction from agriculture and aquatic sources is vital to meet the population’s nutritional needs affordably. Leveraging the country’s rich agricultural and aquatic resources for better protein extraction can ease economic pressures and potentially boost exports. Focused research and investment in this area are key to sustainable economic growth and food security.
Optimizing off-season conservation of food: Bangladesh, with its rich production of fruits and vegetables, faces challenges in post-harvest management, leading to substantial waste and untapped export potential. Despite being a leading producer of jack fruit, mango, vegetables, and potatoes, about a third of its horticultural produce is wasted annually due to poor preservation, storage, and transport. Effective post-harvest strategies are essential to reduce waste, stabilize markets, and expand exports, benefiting the economy and local farmers.
Creation of alternative food products from fruits, such as candies/juices: Bangladesh, known for its delicious fruits, sees a loss of 25-35% of these fruits after harvest, according to BARI. Yet, there’s a great opportunity to turn these fruits into products like candies and juices, available all year, through improved processing methods. This could strengthen the agricultural sector and create opportunities for global exports, boosting Bangladesh’s reputation in the international fruit market.
Introduce new food/drinks product in the shop: Bangladesh, with its diverse cuisine and abundant produce, has limited processed food and drink options in its shops. Introducing new products can provide to developing tastes, reduce food waste, strengthen local farming, and promote economic growth. The aim is to develop authentic, attractive, and sustainable items for both local and global consumers.
Availability of Jackfruit products through-out the year: The primary goal is to establish a system that ensures the availability of jackfruit products throughout the year in Bangladesh. This involves developing effective methods for preserving jackfruit, creating a variety of processed products, and setting up a robust supply chain that can handle both domestic distribution and exports, which can significantly reduce waste by promoting our national fruit.
Improved storage and transportation facilities: Upgradation of the food storage and transportation systems of Bangladesh, will reduce the spoilage and dependency on middlemen. This will help in preserving food quality, lowering prices for consumers, and ensuring a more efficient supply chain.
3D printed food-Future Food: Bangladesh could benefit from innovative food solutions like affordable 3D printed food, to meet Bangladesh’s specific needs, offering nutrient-rich, accessible food options to fight the This technology promises customizable and nutritionally enhanced food production.
Research on unconventional food items: In Bangladesh, limited dietary variety and reliance on conventional crops pose nutritional challenges, highlighting the potential of exploring unconventional foods like water hyacinth and algae, which could offer new nutritional benefits and enhance food diversity.
Criterion 1: Impact on Nutritional Diversity and Health
Evaluation of how the proposed solution addresses the nutritional needs of different demographics, including age groups, genders, and individuals with health conditions.
Consideration of the potential health impact of introducing new foods, alternative products, and optimized protein extraction methods.
Criterion 2: Feasibility and Scalability
Assessment of the practicality and scalability of the proposed solutions, particularly in the context of Bangladesh’s diverse agricultural and aquatic resources.
Consideration of how well the solutions can be integrated into existing food systems, supply chains, and markets.
Criterion 3: Innovation and Creativity
Evaluation of the uniqueness and innovation demonstrated in addressing challenges such as food adulteration, food waste reduction, and the creation of alternative food products.
Consideration of how the proposed solutions leverage technology, research, and unconventional approaches.
Criterion 4: Economic and Social Impact
Assessment of the potential economic benefits, job creation, and market expansion resulting from the proposed solutions.
Consideration of the social impact, especially in terms of promoting local farming, economic growth, and enhancing the overall food culture.
Criterion 5: Sustainability
Evaluation of the sustainability aspects of proposed solutions, particularly in optimizing off-season conservation, improving storage and transportation facilities, and introducing eco-friendly practices.
Consideration of the long-term environmental impact and resilience of the proposed innovations.
Criterion 6: Practicality in Implementation
Assessment of how easily the proposed solutions can be implemented in real-world scenarios, considering existing infrastructures and socio-economic conditions.
Consideration of the practical challenges and potential barriers to implementation.
Criterion 7: Alignment with National Goals
Evaluation of how well the proposed solutions align with national goals related to food security, economic development, and sustainability.
Consideration of the potential contributions to achieving the goal of a hunger-free Bangladesh by 2030.
Criterion 8: Collaboration and Community Involvement
Assessment of the level of collaboration and community involvement in the development and implementation of proposed solutions.
Consideration of partnerships with local communities, farmers, businesses, and government entities.
| Scoring Criterion | Breakdown of Score | Max Mark | Marks Obtained |
| Problem’s root cause Analysis |
|
10 | |
| Solution and Innovation potential |
|
20 | |
| Implementation |
|
30 | |
| Sustainability/ Commercialization |
|
30 |
|
| Total | 100 |
What research facilities are available at the RIC?
RIC will acts as a gateway, providing researchers with access to various other facilities offered by the universities. The RIC offers state-of-the-art research facilities including advanced computing resources, data libraries, and collaboration spaces for interdisciplinary projects. Specialized labs for linguistic and computational research are also available.
Where is the RIC located?
There will be 10 designated RIC’s in 10 different public universities, where the research projects can be taken. The list of RICs are as follows:………
Is there any Funding opportunity?
Yes, the RIC will allocate funding to researchers based on the scalability and future potential of their projects, as determined by the RIC’s selection and other committees. Upon signing an agreement with the RIC, researchers will initially receive 40% of the total funding. The remaining 60% will be released following the successful progression of the research and a favorable assessment by the monitoring team.
What type of research problems can be addressed through RIC?
The area of research problems are; Food, Health, Agriculture, Manufacturing, Environment, Transportation, Telecom, Education, Culture, Cyber security.
Who can apply?
Anyone with a passion for research and an enthusiastic mindset is welcome to apply for the research program, provided they have backing from an institution.
I am a student, can I apply?
Yes, you are eligible to participate in the research. However, it is required that you have support from your academic institution. It is important to note that a group must consist of at least two individuals to be eligible to apply for the research.
I do not have any organizational connection, can I apply?
No, it is necessary to have support from at least one organization that can provide backing and take responsibility for your involvement.
What benefits do I get from such research?
The RIC offers various grants for innovative research projects. Researchers can apply for funding to support projects that show potential for significant contributions to their field.
What are the prerequisites to be eligible for doing research at the RIC?
Every enthusiastic applicant must follow some specific procedure. It is important to note that a group must consist of at least two individuals to be eligible to apply for the research. Initially, your research proposal must be submitted to the RIC. Dedicated committees are in place to review these submissions. Once your proposal is chosen, you are required to present a detailed budget proposal, which also undergoes evaluation and approval by these committees. Following thorough scrutiny, if your proposal is accepted by the RIC authorities, you will enter into an agreement with the RIC.
Do researchers outside of those 10 universities get a chance for research at the RIC?
Yes, any researcher is eligible to submit a proposal and, upon approval, can utilize the designated RIC facilities. However, they must first enter into an agreement with the respective RIC.
Can I collaborate with industry partners through the RIC?
Absolutely. The RIC encourages collaborations with industry partners for research projects. This can provide practical insights and additional resources for your research.
How does the RIC assist in protecting Intellectual Property (IP)?
The RIC has dedicated IP advisors who can guide researchers through the process of patent filing, copyright registration, and other IP protection methods. We also provide assistance in navigating IP laws and regulations.
Is there a platform for showcasing research outcomes?
Yes, There will be an Experience and Exposition Zone in the “Center for 4IR” to showcase your research outcomes, which must be some devices.
Does RIC offer any training or workshops?
No, RIC is only for research work.
Do I get opportunities to promote my product?
Yes, RIC will be equipped with a dedicated marketing team and a designated budget to promote all research projects and products.
How can I get involved with RIC’s research community?
By attending our public events and workshops. We also welcome proposals for new research initiatives.
What are the possible sectors of research?
There are plenty of sectors, such as, Food, Health, Agriculture, Manufacturing, Telecom, Cyber security etc. RIC website mentioned all.
What is the future of the research outcomes?
Each research outcome potentially opens the door to creating a startup, equipped with the necessary features for successful commercialization with the structured and impact-driven approach to driving forward the nation’s technological and socio-economic advancements.
Does RIC provide ongoing support after the completion of my research?
RIC will provide support to showcase the physical outcomes of the research at the Center for 4IR at Bangladesh Computer Council.
Youth Tower (Level 3,4 and 5)
822/2, Rokeya Sarani Dhaka-1216,
Bangladesh
Bangladesh Computer Council
ICT Tower, Agargaon, Dhaka,
Bangladesh
Email: ric@bcc.gov.bd
Phone:02-41001721
