Report on Computer Applications, Growth & Future in Bangladesh

This report provides a comprehensive overview of computer applications in Bangladesh, tracing its history from the 1960s to the present day. It highlights the increasing use of computers in various sectors such as government, finance, meteorology, and industry, with a focus on the growth of the IT sector and the rise of internet and email usage. The report also addresses the challenges facing the widespread adoption of computers in Bangladesh, including a shortage of skilled personnel and inadequate infrastructure. Furthermore, it explores the future prospects of the IT industry in Bangladesh, emphasizing the government's initiatives to promote IT development, the role of various associations and professional bodies, and the potential for growth in areas such as e-commerce and e-governance. The report concludes by highlighting the importance of human capital and the need for continued investment in education and training to support the growth of the IT sector in Bangladesh. Desklib provides access to similar solved assignments and resources for students.

Assignment On
3204: INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER
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Table of Contents
Introduction:....................................................................................................................................3
History of Computer Application in Bangladesh:...........................................................................3
Uses and Application of Computer in Bangladesh at presently:.....................................................4
Use of internet and e-mail:..............................................................................................................6
Growth Rate:....................................................................................................................................6
Problems of Application of Computer in Bangladesh:....................................................................7
Future prospect of Computer in Bangladesh:.............................................................................7
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................12
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Introduction:
A computer is a device that can take in data, process it, and store the results. They
are used as tools in every facet of society, much like the Internet. These days'
computers are quite intricate, with many moving parts and specialized components.
The 1960s saw the beginning of Bangladesh's IT industry, which had its origins in
the country's nuclear research. Over the next few decades, mainframe computers
from IBM became increasingly commonplace in Bangladesh's largest companies.
But it wasn't until the '90s that the business got any real attention at all.
History of Computer Application in Bangladesh:
In 1964, a 1620-series IBM mainframe was installed at the Pakistan Atomic
Energy Commission's headquarters in Dhaka (later the Bangladesh Atomic Energy
Commission). Computer use increased and more advanced kinds of information
technology were installed in Bangladeshi institutions in the years following the
country's declaration of independence in 1971. Bangladesh University of
Engineering and Technology's (BUET) computer Centre, presently known as the
Department of Computer Science & Engineering, has played a pivotal role in the
growth of IT education in Bangladesh since its inception in 1979. Because of the
widespread availability of personal computers, their use exploded in the late 1980s.
The first Bengali script for computers was developed in 1985, the culmination of a
number of independent efforts that had led up to that point. The year 1995 saw the
beginning of the export of locally built software as Internet use spread.
The Ministry of Science and Technology established the National Computer
Committee in 1983 to create the mandatory guidelines. The committee was also
tasked with carrying out actions that expanded the industry's customer base and
increased its output. The National Computer Board succeeded the committee in
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1988. It was in 1990 that the government of Bangladesh restructured the board into
the Bangladesh Computer Council, which is responsible for regulating the
country's use of computers and other forms of information technology.
Little Wasik Farhan Roopkotha of Bangladesh was named the "youngest IT
specialist" in 2013. To put it in perspective, he is only seven years old.
Uses and Application of Computer in Bangladesh at presently:
These days, you can find a computer in just about any institution in Bangladesh, be it a school or
hospital, a bank or insurance company, a government office, a factory, or even a military post.
There are more computers at the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics than at any other government
office in the country. All data acquired from surveys is stored, processed, analyzed, and even
used to create databases with the help of computers at the Statistical Bureau at this point.
Financial institutions, such as banks, especially private banks, are rapidly turning to
computerization for database management and the delivery of new services. Government banks
are also implementing computerization. Banking transactions using electronic means were
pioneered in Bangladesh by international financial institutions. These financial organizations are
better able to assist their clientele as a result of the relationships they have established between
their various branches, among their various banks, and even across countries. This is now the
norm at the majority of regional private banks. Many financial institutions, both at home and
abroad, have been using computer systems alone or in tandem to manage an ATM network.
Credit card use has skyrocketed in the United States since its inception in 1999. Presently,
companies like VISA and Mastercard and VANIK work with this computer-based Credit Card
Service, which is a handy and safe way to trade money. There are now a large number of foreign
banks that offer EFT services.
A number of Bangladeshi government agencies, including the Space Research and Remote
Sensing Organization, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, the Survey of Bangladesh,
the Water Resources Planning Organization (WARPO), the Geological Survey of Bangladesh,
etc., rely heavily on technology and use computers to create databases and maps. For instance,
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using GIS (Geographic Information Systems) software, you may quickly and easily create a wide
variety of professionally produced map types. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department is
now able to provide more timely and precise weather predictions thanks to the analysis of
satellite-gathered meteorological data and the creation of maps using a computer. This will allow
people to better prepare for natural catastrophes, minimizing the severity of the harm they cause.
Computer simulations provide allow for studies of climatic and meteorological changes.
The Election Commission of Bangladesh has undertaken a project to compile a computer-
generated voter roll that is free of errors.
A large number of public and non-profit groups rely on database application software. There has
been a shift away from outsourcing to overseas suppliers and toward hiring local software
developers to satisfy specific corporate demands. Computers are currently relied on too much for
the management and operation of crucial national industries, especially those in which
maintaining a high quality standard in production is of paramount importance. One such sector is
the pharmaceutical market. The computerized monitoring of these facilities helps ensure that the
pharmaceuticals produced there meet some arbitrary criteria.
When compared to other sectors of the economy, the IT sector is relatively new. In other words,
this industry's continued development is essential. In 1997, the Bangladesh Association of
Software and Information Services (BASIS) was founded as the sector's official national trade
association. By 2009, there were 326 businesses, up from just 17 in 1999. Japan International
Cooperation Agency conducted a study in 2007–08 that placed Bangladesh at the top of the list
for software and IT service delivery competitive spirit and at third place in competencies, behind
only India and China.
Use of internet and e-mail:
World wide internet use skyrocketed in the '90s. Bangladesh did not immediately
join the movement. In 1995, the country's citizens began using the internet for the
first time, albeit in a restricted capacity due to the prevalence of offline e-mail. It
was in 1996 that the first VASTs (Very Small Aperture Terminals) were developed
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with the internet in mind. Outside of Dhaka, however, cities like Chittagong,
Sylhet, Khulna, Rajshahi, Bagura, and Cox'sBazar now have access to the internet.
The expansion of accessible internet connectivity has opened up new possibilities
in the fields of study, work, and recreation. LANs didn't become commonplace in
American classrooms, training centers, and businesses until the early '90s. Several
universities in Bangladesh, including Shahjalal University of Science and
Technology, Rajshahi University, and Bangladesh Open University, have modern
optical fiber LAN backbones for campus-wide communications. Soon after, in
1999, a radio link connected Dhaka University and BUET to the system. Not all
schools have been wired for this system, but those that have can still access it over
a dial-up connection.
Growth Rate:
PCs were developed specifically for individual use. There are current figures,
historical data, projections, charts, statistics, a calendar of economic events, and
updates on the state of personal computers in Bangladesh (per 100 inhabitants).
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In addition, 2012 saw a 21.27 percent growth from 2008's 3.2 percent Internet
penetration rate. Growing Internet use is expected to boost the IT industry, which
the government estimates would add 7.28 percent to GDP growth by 2021.
Problems of Application of Computer in Bangladesh:
 There is a severe shortage of people able to operate and "maintain"
computers.
 There are no backup power sources and the electricity is always out.
 The computer's cost in relation to the average consumer's budget.
 Since we have such a hard time communicating in English, people may
assume that we are amateurs.
 Another major problem with the widespread usage of computers in
Bangladesh is the lack of adequate protection for sensitive data.
Future prospect of Computer in Bangladesh:
There is a lot of talk about IT (information technology) in Bangladesh right now.
About 35 data entry firms, 100 software firms, innumerable formal and informal IT
training institutions, and several computer retailers may all be found in the area. IT
has been classified as a priority industry by the government of Bangladesh, and as
such, there will be a computer training facility in each divisional and district
administrative center. Previously regulated imports of computer gear and software
are now tax-free thanks to the liberalization of VSAT and the widespread adoption
of high-speed DDN (Digital Data Network). A quarter of the recommendations
from the JRC report on software export have been implemented. E-commerce, e-
governance, computer networking, the Internet, web browsing, web applications,
multimedia product creation, etc., are just a few examples of the many sectors that
are currently bustling with activity.
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Telecommunication: With approximately 0.6 lines (compared to 1.5 in India) per
100 persons, Bangladesh has one of the lowest teledensities in Asia. The
Bangladesh Telephone and Telegraph Board (BTTB) charges over US$500 (or
US$60 in India) for a regular single telephone line connection, making it one of
the most expensive in the world. However, telecommunications services have
advanced greatly in recent years. Additionally, the present administration is
negotiating with a Canadian firm to acquire additional telephone lines. If these
phone lines are made available in Bangladesh, then the vast majority of the
country's PC users will have access to the internet and will be able to find global
employment prospects.
Associations and professional bodies: Among the most important organizations
for the growth of Bangladesh's IT industry are the following: * The Bangladesh
Computer Society (BCS) was founded in 1979. Members of the information
technology industry are represented here. BCS, or the Bangladesh Computer
Society, was founded in 1987. This is, essentially, a consortium of computer
suppliers. In 1998, the Bangladesh Association of Software and Information
Services (BASIS) was founded to promote the country's information technology
(IT) sector, specifically software development and related IT services. The private
company Bangladesh Software Marketing and Promotions (BSMP) was set up to
aid local software developers and promote their wares. In an effort to help
standardize the country's unofficial IT education, the Bangladesh Association for
Information Technology Education (BAITE) was founded. The purpose of forming
the Bangladesh Computer Authors Association is to promote creative writing in
Bangladesh.
Banks support: Data input, web development, multimedia, internet service
providers, medical data transcription, cyber cafés, and IT training facilities are just
some of the many enterprises that IT professionals in Bangladesh can start up.
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They can easily receive bank loans. Several government-backed financial
institutions have begun lending to startups in the software industry. Our
domestically manufactured software is also used by a few private banks.
However, due to a number of restrictions, the outcome is not as hoped.
Government initiatives: Significant efforts made by the government of
Bangladesh are contributing to the expansion of our information technology
industry. Our hope is that IT will soon advance for the better. For the sake of
clarity, nevertheless, many noteworthy initiatives of the administration are
emphasized.
IT has been selected as a priority area.
* Prompt implementation of suggestions made in the JRC report (a high powered
committee for software export).
* The elimination of tariffs and other charges on imported computing devices and
software.
* Foreign investors may fully and freely repatriate all earnings and capital gains.
Note that BTTB has implemented the DDN service.
It has been decided that during the next two years, Bangladesh would be linked to
the information superhighway via a submerged cable.
Bangladesh Computer Council: The Bangladesh Computer Council is the highest
IT policymaking body in Bangladesh. Independently, but under the administrative
supervision of the Ministry of Science and Technology, BCC conducts its
operations in accordance with the BCC Act of 1990. BCC is actively engaged in
many facets of the growing IT sector in the United States.
Human Capital: Human resources are the most important factor in the IT industry.
An enormous portion of Bangladesh's young, literate, and English-proficient labor
force is currently unemployed. Educating and training programmers and IT
specialists could help the country take advantage of its large labor force. A
program to educate future computer programmers in Bangladesh has already
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begun. In order to further their education, graduates can enroll in a one-year
certificate program at any of the colleges. It's possible that our educated
unemployed population will seize this chance to launch successful professions as
IT specialists.
The youth of Bangladesh are well knowledgeable about IT and see it as the sector
that would determine the country's economic and social trajectory in the coming
decades. Clubs, festivals, tournaments, and conferences devoted to computer
science can be found in many U.S. cities. The total number of magazines is around
16, with only four being available in digital format. IT pages appear once or twice
weekly in several daily newspapers. While some of the periodicals are
international collaborations, the vast majority are solely Bangladeshi efforts.
Currently, there are only a few number of online communities that encourage
participation. There has been a rise in the number of recently established
coworking spaces and internet cafes. The vast majority of these businesses
provide electronic communication services such as email, email-to-fax, phone fax,
and internet access.
Electronic commerce: Online buying and selling in Bangladesh has seen a dramatic
uptick in recent years. There are e-commerce-related conferences and symposia
happening all across the country almost every day, and e-commerce courses are
available at every major university. E-commerce laws are now being drafted by
the government with the goal of rapidly and simply enhancing the industry.
Some private companies have already begun laying the groundwork for
developing IT Park and IT cities in the country, which will provide them access to
both domestic and international markets. Foreign investors are eager to train
young people in Bangladesh to become IT specialists. They have already begun
paying for their advice. With this opportunity, students from Bangladesh can
break into the IT industry in other countries. Numerous opportunities exist for
participating in and penetrating the global market. All that is required is for us to
make the right moves. Our BUET students have proven that they are in high
demand on the global IT job market as specialists in information technology.
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Conclusion
Some private enterprises have already begun building and executing IT Parks and
IT Villages to encourage the expansion of the IT industry in the country. Foreign
investors in Bangladesh are eager to help train the country's next generation of IT
professionals. And they have started paying for their counsel. Students in
Bangladesh can now compete for jobs in the international information technology
industry. It's easier than ever to advance one's career and enter other fields. That
proper action be taken is all that is required. Students at BUET have shown that
there is a strong demand for IT specialists with backgrounds in Bangladesh.
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