Campus Reports :
In Bangladesh, every year, an estimated 1.3 million students sit for the HSC (Higher Secondary Certificate) examination. However, a persistent shortage of skilled teachers and inadequate laboratory facilities have left a significant gap in ICT programming skills among these students, hindering their academic progress and future prospects.
To address this pressing issue and make programming more accessible, an innovative initiative was launched at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) for the incoming 2022 batch.
Prior to the commencement of regular classes, BUET introduced virtual classes on HSC ICT C programming using the HSC ICT Online System (https://hscict.org/) developed at eSRD-Lab, supported by ICT Divission Innovation Grant.
This initiative aimed to bridge the gap between programming proficiency at the HSC level and the requirement for engineering education.
The virtual classes, conducted from August 17th to September 3rd, 2023, received staunch support from BUET’s esteemed Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dr. Satya Prasad Majumdar.
Faculty members of Computer Science and Engineering department, BUET led the virtual classes, ensuring a high-quality learning experience for the students.
The closing ceremony and certificate declaration for the virtual classes took place on September 10th, 2023, via the Zoom platform.
BUET’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dr. Satya Prasad Majumdar, graced the event as the chief guest, emphasizing the importance of this initiative.
A total of 1,147 students actively participated in the two-week courses. Impressively, 512 students achieved the highest grade, A+, by successfully solving 80% or more programming problems provided by the system.
The initiative also yielded remarkable results, with 88.5% of participating students showing improvement in their programming knowledge, and 93% gaining increased confidence in their programming skills.
All the students recommended this HSC ICT Online System to be used by HSC level students to gain practical knowledge.
Professor Dr. Mahmuda Nazneen, the honored guest at the event, underscored the relevance of programming skills in the Fourth Industrial Revolution era.
She expressed optimism that this initiative would provide students with a solid foundation in programming.
Professor Dr. Md. Jahangir Alam, the special guest of the program, emphasized the critical role of programming in building a Smart Bangladesh in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
He hailed this initiative as a significant milestone in advancing ICT education.
In conclusion, BUET’s proactive approach to addressing the programming education gap through the HSC ICT Online System is poised to have far-reaching implications.
It offers a practical solution to the challenges faced by students across the nation and holds the potential to revolutionize ICT education in Bangladesh.
This initiative not only empowers students with essential skills but also contributes to the nation’s readiness for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
