Turning ideas into assets: Bangladesh’s future in innovation
On 6th November, A team from Brac University participated in an engaging workshop titled “Intellectual Property Commercialisation and Technology Transfer: Unlocking the Value of Innovation in Bangladesh”. Research and Innovation Centre for Science and Engineering (RISE), BUET, in collaboration with GPH Ispat Ltd., organised it. The event brought together academics, legal experts, and policymakers to explore how intellectual property can foster Bangladesh’s innovation and development.
Prof. Dr A. S. M. A. Haseeb (Head of Nanomaterials and Ceramics, BUET) attended the programme and served as the chief guest. The key speakers included Dr Mohidus Samad Khan, who discussed the role of institutions in managing IP; Advocate Shaleh Akram Somrat, who addressed practical aspects of IP infringement and legal protection; and Mr Mirza Golam Sarwar (Deputy Director, Department of Patent, Industrial Design & Trademarks) who emphasised the need to strengthen the national IP commercialisation ecosystem.
According to attendee Jabidul Islam (Junior, SoL), the main goal of the workshop was to deepen understanding of IP commercialisation and technology transfer. “The aim is to build a structured innovation ecosystem where research creates real economic value,” he shared. The sessions covered IP management, licensing, commercialisation, policy frameworks, and enforcement challenges. The workshop highlighted the importance of collaboration amongst academia, legal professionals, government bodies, and industry for this purpose. For universities, he explained that IP commercialisation encourages entrepreneurship, attracts investment, and helps research evolve into marketable solutions. He pointed out hurdles such as limited awareness, bureaucratic obstacles, and insufficient university–industry collaboration. Nonetheless, he believes events like this foster valuable networking opportunities and clarify the legal and commercial steps needed to bring innovations to market.
His advice for aspiring innovators was straightforward: “Whatever your field is, you need a basic understanding of IP laws. Bangladesh is heading toward an IP-driven future, and skilled professionals will be essential to sustain it.”
