Empowering Female STEM Graduates 
On Friday, October 4, 2024, the KUET Business and Entrepreneurship Club (KBEC) successfully launched its intra-university business tech challenge, “Case Crack 2.0,” under the SheSTEM initiative, supported by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Held at the KUET auditorium, the event brought together over 300 STEM students, including more than 100 female participants.
The competition aims to empower KUET students by providing them with the tools to apply their technical expertise to real-world business and social challenges, enhancing their employability. A central objective of the initiative is to increase female participation in STEM fields in Bangladesh, contributing to the broader goal of fostering diversity in technology and business.
Case Solving Talks: Industry Experts Share Practical Insights
The event featured a lineup of young, accomplished industry professionals, each of whom provided valuable insights into solving business cases from different perspectives:
- Fatima Tasnim Easha, Junior Team Leader at a leading MNC
- Mobin Mithun, Junior Product Manager at WeGro Global
- Hasrat Humayun, Strategic Assistant at Banglalink
- Rajin Redowan, Consumer Activation Specialist at a leading MNC
Fatima Tasnim Easha, Junior Team Leader at a leading MNC
Fatima Tasnim Easha opened the talks with a focus on how to strategically approach business case-solving. Instead of rushing into potential solutions, she highlighted the need to first thoroughly understand the problem at hand. Fatima discussed how identifying the core issue is crucial for developing impactful and sustainable solutions. She then introduced frameworks for structuring a comprehensive business case solution, covering aspects like defining the problem, crafting a strategic roadmap, conducting thorough market analysis, and showcasing financial projections.
Mobin Mithun, Junior Product Manager at WeGro Global
Mobin Mithun took the stage to offer an introduction to different types of business cases and the foundational elements involved in solving them. He provided a range of practical resources, including AI-driven tools and design platforms, that students could use to develop more efficient and effective solutions. Mobin demonstrated PR Smith’s SOSTAC model, a widely recognized framework for strategic planning, as an ideal approach for tackling business cases. In addition to discussing strategic tools, he highlighted the importance of seeking continuous feedback from key stakeholders throughout the case-solving process to ensure alignment and refinement at each stage.
Hasrat Humayun, Strategic Assistant at Banglalink Digital
Building on this foundation, Hasrat Humayun drew from her own experiences in winning major business competitions across the country. She emphasised the importance of following a clear, well-defined structure when developing case solutions, from identifying the key drivers of a problem to presenting a comprehensive solution. Hasrat also delved into the significance of crafting a robust implementation plan. She explained that even the most innovative solutions need detailed timelines, contingency plans, and clear monitoring and evaluation metrics to ensure they can be successfully executed. Her talk reinforced the importance of a holistic approach, balancing technical solutions with practical execution plans and financial feasibility.
Rajin Redowan, Consumer Activation Specialist at a leading MNC
Addressing a different topic from fellow speakers, Rajin Redowan shifted the focus from technical details to the art of communication and storytelling. Rajin stressed the value of effectively conveying a solution through compelling narratives, a skill he considered essential for standing out in competitive business environments. Drawing from his own journey, Rajin spoke about how overcoming failures and learning from mistakes in business competitions had shaped his resilience and mental strength. He shared personal anecdotes about the barriers he faced early in his career and how he leveraged those experiences to improve his performance. His message to the students was clear: success often comes from persistence, self-reflection, and a willingness to grow from setbacks.
Role Model Talks: Inspiring the Next Generation of STEM Leaders
In addition to the case-solving talks, the event featured two insightful role model talks from industry veterans, offering students a glimpse into what it takes to succeed in specialised fields:
- Farzana Afrin Tisha, Head of Cloud & Cyber Security at Brain Station 23
- Mohammad Oli Ahad, Founder of Enterprise Tech Limited and former CEO of Intelligent Machines Limited
Farzana Afrin Tisha, Head of Cloud & Cyber Security at Brain Station 23
Farzana Afrin Tisha captivated the audience with her talk on pursuing a career in cloud technology, especially for women looking to start out their journey in STEM. Drawing from her extensive experience in cloud technology, Farzana offered actionable advice on how students can break into this growing field. She recommended focusing on earning AWS certifications and gaining hands-on experience through internships and personal projects. Farzana stressed the importance of building a portfolio that showcases skills and problem-solving capabilities, often a more powerful asset than formal qualifications in the current job market.
She also encouraged female students to develop strong communication and networking skills, explaining how these soft skills are crucial for career growth in technical fields. As the leader of the “AWS User Group Women in Tech Bangladesh” Farzana brought attention to the value of joining tech communities for peer collaboration and staying updated on industry trends.
Mohammad Oli Ahad, Founder of Enterprise Tech Limited and former CEO of Intelligent Machines Limited
Mohammad Oli Ahad, a trailblazer in the AI field in Bangladesh, delivered an impassioned talk on the future potential of artificial intelligence. With AI knowledge growing exponentially—currently doubling every two and a half months—he encouraged students to embrace the vast opportunities the technology offers. He shared real-world examples of how his company has implemented AI-driven solutions to create significant value for businesses. Painting a vivid picture of the transformative impact AI is poised to have across industries, he urged students to explore roles in AI as a career path.
Panel Discussion: Shaping the Future of STEM Graduates in the 4th Industrial Revolution
The panel discussion on the future of STEM graduates in the era of the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR) was one of the event’s key highlights. Moderated by Md Sahariar Hasan Jiisun, National Consultant at a2i, the panel explored both the opportunities and challenges awaiting STEM graduates in this rapidly evolving landscape. Panellists included:
- Farzana Afrin Tisha, Head of Cloud & Cyber Security at Brain Station 23
- Hasrat Humayun, Strategic Assistant at Banglalink
- Fatima Tasnim Easha, Junior Team Leader at a leading MNC
- Prof. Dr. Helal Al Nahiyan, Department Head of Mechatronics Engineering at KUET
From left to right: Md Sahariar Hasan Jiisun, National Consultant at a2i; Hasrat Humayun, Strategic Assistant at Banglalink; Prof. Dr. Helal Al Nahiyan, Department Head of Mechatronics Engineering at KUET; Farzana Afrin Tisha, Head of Cloud & Cyber Security at Brain Station 23; Fatima Tasnim Easha, Junior Team Leader at a leading MNC.
During the discussion, Farzana Afrin Tisha provided valuable insights into how the shift toward 4IR is reshaping the job market. As a hiring manager, she emphasised that while technical expertise is essential, students should also develop adaptability and continuous learning habits to remain relevant in this fast-changing field. She highlighted the standout qualities she looks for in new graduates, such as a solid understanding of relevant technologies, combined with leadership and teamwork skills.
Hasrat Humayun and Fatima Tasnim Easha offered insights into how academic institutions can better prepare students for the tech industry. They discussed the current gaps in STEM education and suggested practical ways to enhance the curriculum, including incorporating more industry-relevant training and fostering closer collaboration between universities and businesses. Hasrat emphasised the importance of problem-solving and analytical skills, while Fatima advocated for more hands-on learning opportunities, such as internships and case competitions, to bridge the gap between theory and practice.
Prof. Dr. Helal Al Nahiyan provided an academic perspective on how universities can strengthen their role in developing future STEM leaders. He highlighted the importance of promoting innovation and research within academic institutions and called for stronger collaboration between academia and industry to ensure that students are better prepared for the demands of the job market. His insights into the role of academic institutions in shaping future STEM graduates rounded out the panel, providing a well-rounded discussion on the future of education in the 4IR era.
Guest Speeches: The Vision Behind the SheSTEM Initiative
Thijs Woudstra, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
The event also featured a guest speech by Thijs Woudstra, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, who shared the broader vision behind the SheSTEM initiative. He highlighted the importance of bridging the gap between academia and industry to increase female participation in STEM fields and praised Bangladesh’s progress in this regard.
Bijon Islam, CEO and Co-founder of LightCastle Partners
Md. Sazzad Hossain Khan, an Education Consultant at a2i
Additional remarks were delivered by Bijon Islam, CEO of LightCastle Partners Limited, and Md. Sazzad Hossain Khan, an Education Consultant at a2i, both of whom expressed their support for the initiative and its efforts to develop a more inclusive and innovative future for STEM in Bangladesh.
The launch of “Case Crack 2.0” marks an important step in empowering KUET’s STEM students to apply their technical skills in the world of business. With a strong focus on fostering diversity and practical problem-solving, the event laid the groundwork for a vibrant competition that promises to unlock the potential of KUET’s young innovators.
