This statement by Dr. Jubayer Shamim highlights a fundamental reality of modern science and engineering. In today’s world, knowledge and research are no longer confined to a single boundary. On the contrary, deep expertise in one field often opens up new solutions in many others. This very concept of multidimensional application is one of the greatest strengths of contemporary research.
Many students in Bangladesh think that once they start studying a particular subject, they will be confined to it for life. As a result, if their interests change or a new area draws their attention, they hesitate—”I’ve studied this subject; if I switch now, will I fall behind?” Dr. Jubayer Shamim’s experience offers a practical answer to this dilemma. Though he did his master’s in nuclear engineering, he completed his PhD in mechanical engineering. However, despite changing fields, his core skills—thermodynamics, heat transfer, and fluid mechanics—remained unchanged. It is on this foundation that he has been able to work across various domains.
The key issue here is “depth.” Having a superficial idea of a subject makes it difficult to apply that knowledge elsewhere. But when a student goes deep into a topic—mastering theory, mathematics, programming, or experimental methods—that expertise can be utilized in various fields. Take mathematics or statistics, for example. A student skilled in mathematics isn’t limited to being just a mathematician; those abilities can easily be applied in data science, economics, biology, or even social science research. Similarly, knowing programming is advantageous for everything from medical imaging to climate modeling and engineering simulation.
Dr. Jubayer Shamim also offers another pragmatic piece of advice for young people—the process of building skills takes time. Today, there is a stronger tendency to seek quick results. Many consider themselves experts after just a few months’ course. But in research, developing deep expertise takes years. Only after working continuously on a single topic for one or two years can a student truly claim to be able to make a meaningful contribution. This patience over a long period is what lays the foundation for future multidimensional applications.
This leads to another crucial point—focus. Frequently switching subjects prevents the development of deep expertise. If you’re interested in one field today and another tomorrow, your skills remain fragmented. Dr. Jubayer Shamim says: first, choose a subject and delve deep into it. Try to understand what the professors in that field are working on, what kind of software or hardware skills are needed—build yourself step by step. Once you have a strong foundation, it becomes much easier to explore new domains from there.
This message is especially relevant for young people in Bangladesh. In the country’s education system, subject boundaries often feel rigid. But in the global research arena, these borders are much more flexible. The need is to develop a strong skillset—something you can use, time and again, to solve new types of problems.
Dr. Jubayer Shamim’s quote, therefore, is not just about the beauty of research; it offers a strategic guideline for youth. Go deep, develop your skills—and you’ll see new doors opening up for you on their own, illuminated by your expertise.
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