Walton, BUET sign MoUs to work jointly on research & innovation

Country’s super brand as well as electronics giant Walton and Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) signed two memorandum of understanding (MoU) to conduct joint research and innovation works in the electronics and hi-tech products manufacturing sector.

In this regard, Walton Digi-Tech Industries Limited and BUET signed a MoU while Walton Hi-Tech Industries PLC signed another MoU with the Research and Innovation Centre for Science and Engineering (RISE) of BUET.

The MoUs were inked at a programme held at the Council Building of BUET on Tuesday last (January 18, 2022).

On behalf of their respective organizations, BUET’s Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Satya Prasad Majumder and Walton Digi-Tech’s Chairman S M Rezaul Alam inked a MoU while Walton Hi-Tech’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Golam Murshed and RISE’s Director Prof. Dr. Muhammad Anisuzzaman Talukder signed the another MoU.

Among others, Walton Hi-Tech’s Deputy Managing Director Alamgir Alam Sarker, Walton Digi-Tech’s DMD Liakat Ali, Walton Hi-Tech Industries Research and Innovation’s Head Engineer Tapash Kumer Mojumder, Senior Executive Director Md. Sirajul Islam and Executive Director Krishnananda Bairagi also attended the programme.

At the event, Walton handed over the research project to BUET and also provided scholarship money, laptops, and desktop computer for the students.

Earlier last year, four engineering universities individually signed a memorandum of understandings with Walton to jointly work on research and development of domestically produced hi-tech product technologies. These universities are Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (RUET), Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET), Islamic University of Technology (IUT), and Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST).

Addressing the event Tuesday last, BUET VC Prof. Dr. Satya Prasad Majumder said: ‘Our students are very rich in innovative talents. But due to the lack of adequate research opportunities within the country, they are moving out of the country. Now today’s industry-academy-based collaboration has paved the way for them to work on research and innovation at Walton. All of our contributions will further boost up the domestic industry. In the future, the ‘Made in Bangladesh’ tagged products will conquer the world. And, the local engineers will be proud to be able to work in a local company like Walton.’

He also added, ‘BUET is working as a partner in the development of local industries. We have been advising the government on giving priority to domestic products. I will try to contribute more in providing policy support to the domestic industry.’

Walton Digi-Tech’s Chairman S M Rezaul Alam said: ‘Our engineers are very talented, which have to be used. The country, as well as the local industrialization, will further move ahead swiftly if we make the best use of our resources.’

Walton Hi-Tech’s Managing Director and CEO Golam Murshed said the engineering universities are doing research and innovation. The local engineers are making significant contributions. But their work is not getting recognition and branding. We have created a field so that young engineers in Bangladesh can do research at Walton. Our goal is to represent Bangladesh in the world by turning Walton into a top brand. Achieving that goal will be easier when the country's talented engineers utilize the huge opportunities for research and innovation we have. That is why Walton has taken the initiative to work jointly with the engineering universities.

Walton’s MD and CEO also added: “Our goal is to make Bangladesh a sustainable country by 2030 as well as a developed country by 2041. For that first of all, innovation and development of the technology industry are needed. Walton believes in sustainable products, policies, and development. That is why we have taken the initiative of 'Better Bangladesh Tomorrow'. Through this, work is going on to make the institution, the country, and the nation sustainable. Walton is reaching every corner of the globe. We recently signed an agreement with Danby to enter the North American market. We are launching a research and development center in Texas, USA very soon. Walton is working tirelessly for the development of the country and local industries.”