NIRO Lab Director Moderates Panel on Robotics and Industry 4.0 at BEAR Summit 2025
Dr. Shahnewaz Siddique, Director of NIRO Lab, moderated a key panel discussion on robotics and industrial revolution at the inaugural BEAR Summit 2025.
The inaugural BioTech, Electronics, AI, and Robotics (BEAR) Summit was held at the National Science and Technology Complex on July 16, 2025. This landmark event brought together academicians, local industry stalwarts, and leaders of top global tech companies to discuss the current status and future prospects of the BEAR and semiconductor fields in Bangladesh.
Panel Discussion: Robotics for Resilience
The afternoon session featured a distinguished panel discussion titled “Robotics for Resilience, Labor, and Industry Revolution 4.0 and 5.0”, moderated by Dr. Shahnewaz Siddique, Associate Professor at the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, North South University, and Director of NIRO Lab.
Distinguished Panelists
- Dr. Ebad Zahir - Senior Assistant Professor, Department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering, AIUB
- Dr. Md Akhtaruzzaman - Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science & Engineering, BUET
- Dr. Mohammad Ariful Haque - Professor, Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, BUET
Emphasis on Capacity Building
During the discussion, Dr. Siddique emphasized the critical importance of capacity building across the entire innovation cycle — from conceptualization and simulation to design, fabrication, software development, and testing. This holistic approach, which mirrors NIRO Lab’s own methodology, is essential for Bangladesh to develop a self-sustaining robotics ecosystem capable of contributing to the global Industry 4.0 and 5.0 revolution.
The panel explored how robotics can enhance resilience in various sectors, transform labor markets, and drive industrial innovation in Bangladesh. The discussions highlighted the need for collaboration between academia, industry, and government to accelerate the nation’s technological advancement.
About BEAR Summit
The BEAR Summit and the associated Semiconductor Symposium represent a unique convergence of thought leaders working to position Bangladesh as a significant player in the global technology landscape. The event underscored the growing momentum in Bangladesh’s tech sector and the pivotal role that institutions like NIRO Lab play in shaping this future.