EdTech summit 2021 discusses e-learning scope, potential

Nationally and internationally acclaimed speakers working in the EdTech field have discussed the scope of e-learning and its potential in the country at the Edtech Summit Bangladesh 2021. 

Excellence Bangladesh, in collaboration with The Business Standard, recently organised the summit, bringing together entrepreneurs and people associated with the country's reputed e-learning platforms.

The day-long summit comprised six exclusive sessions. 

Sumaiya Rima, head of marketing at Excellence Bangladesh, moderated the first session where Benjir Abrar, founder and CEO of Excellence Bangladesh, Azad Baig, head of online at The Business Standard, Ehsanur Raza Ronny, head of content strategy and product development at The Business Standard, Sadman Sadik, author and educator at 10 Minute School, and Issam Md Kamal, CEO of Myclassroom, discussed the future of EdTech.

When asked what his hopes are regarding the EdTech Summit 2021, Ehsanur Raza Ronny said, "The impact of Covid-19 created a head start in the popularity of e-learning, and this summit would take it to a different level. It would also let people get more accustomed to the options and opportunities of e-learning in 2021."

Sadman Sadik said, "Everyone has different needs. People are not lazy; they just do not find any reasonable opportunity. Solving the paradox, resourcefulness earning, and teaching, if we can connect these three things, it will be easier to teach people."

He also referred to the recent nationwide craze of TikTok Referral, which proved that having some sort of earning source can create a huge impact on students to get more inclined towards education. 

Azad Baig stated the potential of e-learning and said, "In the past, we were told folklore that to attain knowledge, travel to China. But in today's era or e-learning evolution, we are getting that opportunity sitting right in our home."

In the second session, Upskill founder and CEO Mustafizur Khan explained how Upskill is working to instil the exposure of basic coding and web development into the tech-friendly generation, especially kids.

Bohubrihi CEO Yanur Islam Piash said, "We provided free access to 12 courses in 12 months to students who wanted to enhance their skills from the diversified courses of Bohubrihi."

In the third session moderated by Hasan Mahmud Samrut from Excellence Bangladesh, Arefin Zihad highlighted how the advent of Covid-19 had altered the entire scenario of virtual education.

When asked whether there are opportunities beyond classroom education to develop oneself, Thinkdemy co-founder Onindo Ahmed noted that there are many. 

"If there is a collaborative environment amongst all the educational fields, such as science, commerce and arts, we could develop a comprehensive content with the aid of complimentary quality," he added.

Zamiar Shams, head of business development at Shikhbe Shobai, and Rifat Alam, co-founder of Innovation Masters, further spoke about the progression of the e-learning industry.

In the fourth session, where teachers and lecturers at various institutions actively working in EdTech participated, Daffodil International University Head of Employability Md Shibli Shahriar said, "I am affiliated with multiple universities all around the globe alongside Daffodil University, and I have witnessed that all of them are effectively and efficiently conducting online classes via the aid of Smart Edu." 

North South University (NSU) Lecturer and NSU Startups Next Coordinator Samuel Mursalin said a focus on attaining prowess in CV writing from a very early stage is of immense necessity for students.

In the next session moderated by AIESEC in Bangladesh Exchange Participant Manager (Outgoing Global Talent) Zarin Zaman, Canadian University of Bangladesh Associate Professor and School of Business Head SM Arifuzzaman spoke about the importance of emotional intelligence. 

Brac Youth Platform Curriculum and Material Development Specialist Sakib Bin Rashid talked about multiple projects he is conducting nationwide that are functioning entirely virtually. 

The Business Standard Founder HR Head Farhana Rahman Urmi and EduHive Co-founder and CEO Md Nazmul Haque Sarker appreciated how the summit may generate a difference in fathoming the current scenario of the global EdTech industry.

In the closing session, The Business Standard Executive Editor Sharier Khan said, "The future of education is e-learning. We hope that universities will focus on taking advantage of EdTech platforms to expand the opportunities of learning."

Sabbir Ahmed, lead instructor of Learning Bangladesh, Rifat M Huq of Instructory, and Bangladesh Youth Leadership Centre Online Education Manager Ayaz Aziz were also present.

In the closing session, The Business Standard Executive Editor Sharier Khan said, "The future of education is E-learning. We hope that universities will focus on taking advantage of EdTech Platforms to expand the opportunities of learning."