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Launch Supplement «

Hussain Amir Ali (HAA): How are the courses different from the courses you studied a year back?
   Asiful Haque (AH): The syllabus changes every 4 years. When I joined BUET, the syllabus had just been changed and it was again changed just before I joined as a lecturer. CSE is a very innovative field and so it’s important to keep changing the syllabus. For instance, this time around the syllabus includes ‘Theory of Computation’ and ‘Graph theory’, courses that weren’t during my time at the university.
   HAA: Is the equipment at BUET sufficient enough for the courses compared to foreign universities?
   AH: It would be ridiculous to compare equipment used at foreign universities to the ones used at BUET. Their equipment is technological advanced at universities can afford it because of their solid funding. On the other hand, BUET receives a meagre amount of cash from the government. The rest of the funds come from government or private organisations that pay BUET to develop the required software etc. Fortunately, the equipment is good enough for the courses offered.
   HAA: How does the education system at BUET differ from other universities?
   AH: On all fairness, the system is all the same if one compares between BUET and some of the top private universities in Bangladesh. The syllabus is almost same and the teaching method is also good everywhere. Technologically, all of them are in the same boat. The students are BUET are of top quality because of the tough selection procedure. There are top class students not coming from only throughout Bangladesh but also students are coming in from Nepal and other sub continental countries and studying with a scholarship. The biggest problem with BUET is its examination system. Students are not tested regularly and there is only one big final exam per semester that determines a student’s grades. So if one parties for the rest of the semester and studies properly before the exams, he’ll likely end up with good results. Other universities have examination systems that keep the students on their toes. Then again, BUET provides Computer Engineering and Computer Science as one subject while elsewhere there are provided as two different subjects. Therefore, the pressure of studying in BUET is relatively more.
   HAA: As being a student of BUET and now being a teacher, what do you think is a major problem at BUET?
   AH: The bureaucracy. BUET is a democratic institution, which is good in its ways, but then it also has to face the problems that every democracy faces. It takes a long, long time to make and implement a decision, even if it’s for the better. Several meetings have to be called and many other red tape formalities have to be completed to perform any official work. This is one of the main reasons that the examination style hasn’t been changed at BUET, even though many professors have realised this problem.
   HAA: How far are the Computer Science and Computer Engineering studies lagging behind when compared to the rest of the world?
   AH: With respect to the latest research that has been going on in recent months, Computer Science is lagging behind by 5 years while Computer Engineering is lagging behind by 10 years. All the institutions here are capable to provide good education for the undergraduate studies. But when one moves to the Masters level, the whole scene changes, as institutions are not competent enough to provide with the latest education. The biggest reason for this fiasco is the lack of research performed in this country. What is taught here are the results of researches that are performed in other countries. Once the research is completed, the results reach this country in about 3 years. Then the teachers analyse it decide whether it is suitable to include in their curriculum or not. So by the time it is taught to the students, the material is already half a decade old. On the other hand, if the researches start taking place over here, then automatically the industry would develop. Then again, for that to happen, technology has to be improved, which is only possible if the government or the private sector starts funding such projects. In the end, it’s all one big vicious cycle that has to be broken if are to see Bangladesh prosper in this industry.
   HAA: How is the market here for CSE graduates?
   AH: Tremendous would be an understatement. For example, 53 students graduated along with me last year. Of them 40 % went into the telecommunications sector, some went to different software development and IT companies. One of them would be going to Microsoft at the end of the year. And the best part is, even when everyone one of us is employed, we are offered being offered jobs by different organisations with better packages. Bangladesh is booming with telecom industries, IT programming and Database system companies, and software developers. Foreign investors are also coming in. and so there is no lack of jobs in this line of work. Even if you don’t get a job, the least you can do is start teaching. If graduates go elsewhere to work, then they do face problems with their backdated knowledge. Fortunately, they do adapt themselves in the more advanced world by teaching themselves whatever they missed out over here. Therefore, the whole world has become a big job market for professionals in this line of work.
   HAA: What needs to be changed to make Bangladesh potent in the CSE industry?
   AH: Basically, this is a problem connected to the national economy. The more powerful the economy of a country, the better will be educational system. The government has to start spending on improved technology. It also has to pay well to its teachers as lower incentives discourage them to undertake researches. As for BUET, the examination system has to be reformed to make the course more challenging. The grass root levels also have to be improved, as the students coming in to the institutions do not have a very good basic idea of what they will be studying. So if there needs to be a reform, it has to start from here. Lastly, this country is suffering from ‘Brain Drain’. As the economy cannot provide well to the brilliant minds, the students leave and thus the country cannot develop. Most of the western companies are now shifting their operations Asia. If Bangladesh can improve, then soon there will be companies coming here as well. And thus it is important for the brains of the country to stay back here and make sure that it happens.

Director (Human Resources) Partex Group
   Your job interview is the first important step in your career. It is a momentous occasion and your capability backed with necessary preparation is an important part of the encounter. Naturally you will bound to be somewhat apprehensive and nervous; however good preparation is an important part of overcoming apprehension and nervousness to an extent. You should be relaxed and at ease as far as possible. The interview is not just an oral examination, but an incisive enquiry as to your potential capability through response to unexpected and expected queries and presence of mind. The interviewers will evaluate your attitude, knowledge and confidence through this verbal interaction.
   If possible, prior to the interview, try to find out whatever you can about your prospective employer. This however may not always be possible if it is geographically far or someone else is recruiting for a client. For starters go through the copy of your application and prepare yourself mentally for related questions that might be based upon the particulars you provided. An important point is to be certain that there are no mistakes in your CV and accompanying application letter. All expression should be clear and objective, and try to avoid any superlatives to make you seem like a dream come true.
   If you have experience, or are changing or trying for an interesting prospect, be prepared to give valid reasons for your desire to change. Your past service background will be under scrutiny along with the range and scope of your past function and responsibilities. During interview it will be pragmatic to present as far as possible a true picture of your past activity in line with the questions posed by the interviewer. Be on guard not to be carried away with self-glorification; for it poses move doubts than confidence in the mind of the interviewers. They may well think; if he or she was so good, than why is the applicant trying for a change? This impression creates a negative aspect in the mind of the interviewers, unless you can substantiate your reasons for change with conviction.
   About technical (and or) on job knowledge, give answers you know, donot try to bluff or second guess the interviewer, for you will invariably be caught short! Should something come up that is beyond your knowledge, be frank and admit it. No one expects all correct responses; rather it is the quality of your response that counts.
   For your first job after education, the trend of question will naturally be different. Broadly it would usually be based upon your academic background hobbies and interests. Questions could be of a probing nature to determine if fundamental concepts of the subject you studied are clear to you. Quite possible queries may be directed to test your knowledge on simple English grammar, composition and possibly vocabulary; if this is considered necessary for your prospective job. Issues of self-confidence, clarity and logic of expression, poise, style and content of response is common to all interviews either for an experienced or inexperienced candidates.
   If question of salary and other terms are discussed state your expectations rationally and if necessary be prepared to discuss and accept any logical observation on this matter by the interviewer. Normally this may not be discussed in the preliminary interview to a great extent, but is relevant and important if you are called again on being short-listed after preliminary interview. You should be prepared for two or even three interviews depending on the organisation’s practice, before you may be sure that you have landed the expected job!
   Time discipline must be observed; it is essential that you are punctual. Try to report at least five or ten minutes before the schedule interview time so that your particulars, and supporting documents (if any) are verified and recorded. Dress should be neat and sober; acceptable to an office environment. Please donot introduce any thing out of the ordinary in your dress and get-up. Your plus points will be demonstrated during your verbal interaction and not beyond it. Finally it is your responses in support of your application that wins the issue.