For many students and young researchers, engaging in science means envisioning massive laboratories, expensive equipment, and advanced research facilities abroad. When they look at their own realities, they start to wonder— is research even possible with such limited resources? In the words of Dr. Ashraf Uddin Ahmed, “Science is not about big machinery—it’s about freedom of thought.” This statement highlights a fundamental aspect of practicing science.
A glance at the history of science reveals that many major discoveries began with very simple observations. Newton’s story with the falling apple stands as a symbolic example—a simple event sparks a question: why does the apple fall to the ground? What is the underlying rule? Although today’s research is highly technology-driven, the core principle remains the same— the freedom to question. Dr. Ashraf Uddin has spent much of his research career in laboratories with the latest equipment. Yet he repeatedly emphasizes that these tools are only a medium; the real driving force behind research is human thought and curiosity.
In countries like Bangladesh, one of the major obstacles to scientific pursuit is infrastructural limitation. Many students think that to do good research, they must go abroad and access sophisticated labs. Such notions foster a sense of inferiority among the youth. Dr. Ashraf Uddin believes it is essential to change this mindset. Of course, better equipment makes research easier, but the foundation of research lies in asking questions. Even with limited resources, research can be seeded through observation, comparison, and analysis.
By “freedom of thought,” he does not only mean personal curiosity; it also involves the institutional environment. If asking questions is discouraged, or dissent is suppressed within an educational or research institution, then true scientific inquiry cannot thrive. This freedom is also vital in student-teacher relationships. If students are afraid to ask questions, or fear embarrassment for making mistakes, creative thinking is stifled. According to Dr. Ashraf Uddin, the scientific environment should be one where questioning is normal and making mistakes is seen as a part of learning.
Another aspect of this perspective is the choice of research topics. Often, researchers choose “trending topics,” ignoring their own interests or the real needs of society. Dr. Ashraf Uddin believes that freedom of thought means giving importance to one’s own curiosity, while also considering societal needs. If a researcher does not find meaning in a project personally, staying focused on it for a long time becomes difficult.
Finally, this message leaves us with an important takeaway—if we view science solely as dependent on technology, we overlook many possibilities. The true strength of scientific pursuit lies in human thought, questioning, and creativity. Big machinery may be required for many experiments, but asking big questions requires no expensive equipment. In Dr. Ashraf Uddin Ahmed’s words, it is this freedom of thought that propels science forward.
Read the full interview with Dr. Ashraf Uddin Ahmed:
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