In today’s interview, our special guest was Dr. Toufiqul Islam, who recently returned to the country after completing advanced research in China. Usually, scientists stay abroad or take up jobs after pursuing higher education or research, but Dr. Islam is an exception. Moved by his love for his country, he returned with the aim of contributing to national development through his research and experience. In this interview, we discuss his research, experience, and future goals. Read his interview to know more:
Climate Change and Research.
The main focus of Dr. Islam’s research is climate change, which is a significant challenge for our country. Climate change directly affects different regions of Bangladesh, especially the south. Unfortunately, we still lack enough awareness and scientific approaches to address this matter. Dr. Islam believes that to tackle this problem, we need to raise social awareness and conduct deeper research.
On this topic, he said, “We need research on rainfall patterns and their changes in our country. Climate change will not only affect the environment but also have far-reaching impacts on our agriculture, water resources, and people’s livelihoods.”
Research on Water Resources.
In his water resources research, Dr. Islam noted that in the future, the frequency and amount of rainfall may increase, though its intensity might gradually decrease. According to his research, even if rainfall increases in the future, this might create new risks for other natural disasters, but the severity of those risks may be lessened.
This could significantly affect Bangladesh’s water management and agriculture sectors, so this kind of research should be expanded further.
Advice for Young Researchers.
Dr. Islam has provided some valuable advice for undergraduate and postgraduate students interested in research. He said,
In their first and second years, students should focus on reading research papers.
In the third year, emphasis should be placed on developing soft skills and networking with the scientific community.
In the fourth year, students should learn to participate in research independently.
Dr. Islam also mentioned that perseverance and self-motivation are essential for success in research. Interest and focus in research are the keys to success.
The Research Environment in Bangladesh.
There is a lack of suitable environment and financial support for research in Bangladesh. However, it is encouraging that the number of research-oriented people is slowly increasing, and the government is arranging funding and monitoring for research. Especially, dissemination of research through social media is making the general public more aware of scientists’ work.
Dr. Islam stated, “Alongside support from the government and various organizations for research development, it is also important to highlight scientists’ contributions to society.”
Encouragement for the biggani.org Project.
Dr. Islam is quite inspired by the biggani.org initiative. In his view, such platforms create excellent opportunities for young researchers to learn about research and showcase their work. He called for the further expansion of this initiative so that more researchers can present their findings to the general public.
Statistics and Information.
Climate Change: The average annual rainfall in Bangladesh is increasing by 10%, and over the next 20 years, it may grow by up to 20%.
Water Resources: During the monsoon season, Bangladesh’s water level rises by about 30%, influencing agricultural production systems.
Student Participation in Research: Currently, around 20% of science students participate in research projects each year. The goal is to double this figure within the next five years.
Thanks to scientists like Dr. Toufiqul Islam, our nation is advancing and developing more rapidly. His experience and research have brought new perspectives to climate change and water resource management in Bangladesh. We hope his advice will inspire students and add a new dimension to scientific research activities in the country.
Watch Dr. Toufiqul Islam’s interview below–
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