News Item: : Internet Fair 2005 Ends with a High Note
(Category: ISPAB Internet Fair)
Posted by sfque
Monday 09 May 2005 - 11:20:07
The Internet Fair 2005 held in Dhaka, Bangladesh ended on May 5 after a 2 day extension brought about by public demand.
Following is the Press Release by ISPAB on the occasion.
Internet Fair 2005 was a grand success for all of us. It was perhaps the largest Internet Fair of Bangladesh. It was formally inaugurated by the Chief Guest, Science and ICT Minister Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan, MP at Bhasani Novo Theatre on 27 April. A large number of Internet enthusiasts turned up for the event. Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan, MP was present as the Chief Guest while Judith Chammas, Acting Ambassador of United States of America in Bangladesh, Yousuf Abdullah Harun, Former President FBCCI and Chairman Insoft Ltd. were present in the inaugural ceremony as Special Guests. The Guest of Honor was Md. Nasir Bin Baharom, Managing Director of Aktel. Also spoke on the occasion were Akhteruzzaman Manju, President of ISPAB and SM Iqbal, President of Bangladesh Computer Samity (BCS).
The theme of Internet Fair 2005 was 'Feel the Net'. This theme was selected keeping in mind of our getting connected to the World Information Super Highway through submarine cable in near future. Some people think that submarine cable would benefit only the ICT sector. However, the reality is that it will touch and benefit all the sectors of our national life directly and indirectly. That is why it is important that we start to feel the net in our everyday life from now so that that we get connected to the World Information Super Highway then we can make its proper use.
About 53 companies participated in Internet fair and there were 76 stalls. All the participating companies came out with attractive gifts and discounts. The participating companies were satisfied with the arrangements. In the final day of the fair, a survey was carried out among the participating companies and all the companies were given a questionnaire. With some exceptions almost all of them, felt satisfied with the arrangements of the organizing committee. Some of the respondents felt that the time of the fair should be changed to November-February season. They also asked to ensure more publicity of the fair in the media and in the streets before the fair begins so that more people can know about it.
Around 50,000 visitors visited Internet Fair 2005. In addition to it, many school children visited the fair at free of cost. The visitors could not only take advantage of the attractive gifts and discounts of the participating companies but also could browse Internet and play games at free of charge and also could attend the seminars. Everyday, many visitors of all ages took advantage of the free Internet browsing facility. Internet browsing was sponsored by INTEL. Those visitors who had no knowledge of Internet were helped in the fair.
The gaming contest attracted a massive crowd. Everyday hundreds of gamers enjoyed playing games in a networking environment. In Bangladesh, there is a huge market for computer games. After we get connected to submarine cable then we would be able to play games through Internet. We hope that soon we would be able to turn the enthusiasm of our young generation about computer games into a money making industry for our country. There were attractive prizes for the winners of the gaming contest.
There were also arrangements for seminars on Internet. Two seminars were held in the third day of the fair. The first seminar was organized by Computer Bichitra and its topic was 'Internet and Bangla Language'. Razib Ahmed, a member of the editorial board of Computer Bichitra and ICT researcher delivered the keynote paper. Dr. Jinat Imtiaz Ali, Chairman of Linguistic Department of University of Dhaka. Mostafa Jabbar of Ananda Computers, Azhar H Chowdhury, Convener Internet Fair 2005, Sumon Ahmed Sabir of BDCOM and Sikder Monowar Murshed, Assistant Professor of Linguistics Department Dhaka University and Dr. Ananya Raihan discussed about the topic. B M Inam Lenin, Executive Editor of Computer Bichitra presided over the seminar.
The second seminar was organized by Ankur and BDLug and the title of the seminar was "Open Source for Life: DTP, Home Entertainment and Bangla web browsing." The speakers talked about the different
uses of open source technology. Sazed Chowdhury carried out a demonstration about Open Source Technology while Azhar Chowdhury was present as the Chief Guest.
The third seminar was arranged by ISPAB and it was about Amateur Radio Technology. There was a demonstration about the good aspects of Amateur radio and it was stated that this kind of technology can play a very vital role in times of natural distress.
Both Computer Bichitra and Computer Barta were selling their magazines at a reduced price and Computer Bichitra has published a special supplement for Internet Fair 2005 which is being distributed at free of cost among the visitors.
On the fourth Day of the Fair, SkyBD organized a seminar on 3G Internet: Prospects & Problems in Bangladesh. John Tully, Managing Director of MicroTech, UK presented the keynote paper. English
Department of North South University has organized a seminar titled 'Electronic and Internet Journalism' at 4 PM. Three teachers of English department of NSU conducted the seminar for the ICT journalists of the country.
Internet Fair 2005 ended in a happy note. This time the media gave extensive coverage to the fair. It is hoped that Internet Fair 2006 will be a bigger event.
This news item is from Internet Service Providers Association Bangladesh
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