Institution news
How was your SOFE Global journey?
Tausiful: The journey, if put in one word, was simply ‘overwhelming’. Never in my wildest dreams have I ever imagined myself representing my country let alone South Asia in such a grand stage. Yet looking back, I can’t seem to find just one simple route which led to this success. There isn’t just one entity that facilitated my journey nor just one person that I would like to thank. Although now that I think about it, success is never a one-way route. It’s rather a cascade of events involving constant failures and improved attempts. It’s not just about finding one way that works; rather it’s about finding a thousand ways that don’t.
When did you got the inspiration to participate in SOFE and how was the experience at country & regional level?
Tausiful: The first time I decided to actually pursue the SOfE journey was back in 2019 when I was part of the audience of the SOfE Bangladesh Finals 2019. It occurred to me that making a change in society didn’t just come with inventing and fabricating new systems. The ideas had to reach the masses and SOfE was just preparing young engineers to do so. Once I gathered the courage to apply, to my surprise, I won the university round, the national round, the South Asian round and eventually the Runners Up position at the Global Finals. What was astonishing to me was the overwhelming support I received from the jury and the other competitors at every stage of the journey. The most important takeaway from the entire competition is the immense learning opportunity that one gets and the room for personal growth in such an amazing talent pool.
How does IMechE Bangladesh support you throughout your journey?
Tausiful: The development of IMechE, a prestigious professional body, is in shape now in Bangladesh with the dedication of few professionals under a dynamic leadership by the Chair of IMechE Bangladesh Chapter, Dr. Engr Altab Hossain, CEng, MIMechE, FIEB. Obviously, the student chapters of IMechE in Bangladesh have been developed tremendously with many more young and energetic future engineers around the nation under the umbrella of Dr. Hossain. SOfE is a platform organised by IMechE Bangladesh Chapter nationally every year gives the opportunity to the young members entering the global community to represent their innovative ideas and communication greatly. They have provided active support at every stage throughout my entire SOfE journey.
How did you develop the topic and what were the challenges behind it?
Tausiful: I represented South Asia with my topic “Unmanned Air Systems in Bangladesh”. In fact, this is what my start-up, ANTS Aerial Systems, has been working on for 3 years now. However, when we started back in 2018, I doubt if any one of us understood what a startup even implied. We were freshmen trying to do something different. What started with just a wish to make something that could fly, eventually turned to the dream to establish Unmanned Air Systems in the country. In reality, the path is never going to be easy. Yet I believe that if one is open to new ideas and possibilities, life finds a way. The idea is to keep going no matter what comes your way – be it 25 crashes before the aircraft even lifts off, be it the countless hours spent at developing faulty prototypes, the financial hurdles or the logistics challenges – DO NOT STOP. JUST KEEP GOING!
What are your suggestions for future young members or students who will be participating in SOFE?
Tausiful: For anyone starting fresh, I would like to give you just one piece of advice – APPRECIATE THE FAILURES. Failures help you improve the most. Be open to new ideas. Share your thoughts with everyone. Listen to what experienced people have to say; adapt and improvise accordingly. If you believe in something, do not stop trying no matter how many barriers you face. Limitations only exist, if you let them.
Tausiful Islam can be reachable at tausifulislam@iut-dhaka.edu