The World
University of Bangladesh (WUB) was founded with a mission to produce skilled
professionals equipped to meet the evolving demands of the modern world. Guided
by values such as innovation, industry relevance, integrity, and social
responsibility, the university has built a reputation for blending academic
rigour with practical application. Its programmes are designed not just to
convey knowledge, but to inspire leadership, foster resilience, and prepare
graduates for meaningful contributions in their chosen fields.
WUB's vision is
deeply rooted in bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world
problem-solving. Through specialised faculties, dedicated mentorship, and
opportunities for experiential learning, the university aims to nurture
graduates who can adapt to diverse challenges, think critically, and create
positive change, whether locally or globally.
Two of its
alumni, Jimmy Majumder and Syed Ansar Ullah, carry these principles in
strikingly different yet equally inspiring ways. Jimmy, a robotics engineer
working in Japan's high-tech sector, and Ansar, a textile industry leader
managing production for a global fashion brand, both demonstrate how WUB's
foundation can launch graduates into careers that influence industries across continents.
From mechatronics classes to
Japan's robotics frontier
When Jimmy
Majumder entered WUB, he already had a hunger for innovation. But it was here
that his vision sharpened into action. During his first year, he founded the
Bangladesh Advance Robotics Research Center (BARRC), a platform through which
he would lead over 30 robotics projects, train more than 10,000 students in
person, and reach over one million learners online.
His academic
achievements at WUB were matched by his resilience. Having left a public
university's CSE programme, Jimmy juggled rigorous coursework with overnight
shifts at a UK-based call centre for two years. These challenges, he recalls,
"shaped me into a resilient, self-driven individual." It was in WUB's
environment that he discovered his ikigai — his purpose — and developed his
kigen, the spirit and motivation to persevere.
In 2018, Jimmy
graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering in Mechatronics and the Best Thesis
Award. That same determination carried him to Japan on the prestigious MEXT
Scholarship, where he earned a Master's degree in Robotics at the Kyushu
Institute of Technology, receiving both the Excellent Thesis Presentation Award
and the honour of being the departmental representative for academic excellence.
Today, he is a
Mid-Level Senior Robotics Engineer at QibiTech in Tokyo, working alongside the
Japanese government and leading corporations such as Sony, Kawasaki, and RIKEN.
He is also a Venture and Innovation Strategist at Google for Startups Japan,
integrating his entrepreneurial insights from BARRC with advanced engineering
expertise to drive cross-sector innovation.
"Japan's
robotics industry offers a glimpse into the future," Jimmy says. "In
a country facing a labour shortage, robotics is not optional; it's a national
imperative." His work spans factory automation, healthcare robotics, space
robotics, and agriculture, areas where he draws daily on the interdisciplinary
skills he built at WUB. The university, he reflects, was the torchbearer that
lit his way through challenges: "What truly matters is that you follow the
light with dedication, no matter how winding the path."
Engineering the future of fashion
Elsewhere, Syed
Ansar Ullah's professional journey takes place on the bustling production
floors of the textile industry. Graduating in 2013 with a degree in Textile
Engineering, Ansar entered one of Bangladesh's most vital and competitive
economic sectors.
Today, he is
the Managing Director of Brannerson Apparel Ltd, the Bangladesh production
facility for Oh Polly, a global women's high-fashion brand. His role requires
him to oversee operations from yarn procurement to finished garments, ensuring
that every stage meets the brand's exacting quality standards.
he knowledge I
gained at university helps me ensure product quality, streamline production,
and make informed decisions," Ansar says. The textile engineering
curriculum at WUB equipped him with both the technical expertise and the
industry perspective necessary for leadership in such a demanding field.
But managing a
garment manufacturing facility in Bangladesh is no small feat. "The
garment sector is profitable, but it comes with daily challenges," he
admits. His approach to these challenges is rooted in innovation — diversifying
products, creating value-added offerings, and exploring efficiency-enhancing
tools that keep his business competitive. This adaptability echoes WUB's
emphasis on problem-solving and forward-thinking.
Ansar's time at
WUB also included industrial tours to manufacturing plants, giving him early
exposure to real-world production processes. These experiences proved
invaluable once he entered the industry professionally, providing him with both
technical insight and the confidence to lead.
Lessons carried beyond graduation
Though
their careers are worlds apart, one navigating Japan's robotics revolution, the
other steering Bangladesh's textile exports, Jimmy and Ansar share a common
thread: the enduring influence of their alma mater.
For Jimmy, WUB's role was foundational not only in developing
his technical proficiency in mechatronics, control systems, and embedded
electronics but also in fostering his entrepreneurial drive. Founding BARRC
during his first year allowed him to blend theory with application, a skill
that continues to define his professional success.
For Ansar, the direct connection between his coursework and his
current responsibilities is clear. "My studies in Textile Engineering gave
me a complete understanding of the process," he says. "The technical
foundation I developed while at WUB is something I use every day." Both
also emphasise the role of extracurricular engagement in shaping their capabilities.
Jimmy's leadership in WUB's Mechatronics Club and Debate Club sharpened his
communication and strategic thinking, while Ansar's industrial tours helped him
bridge academic knowledge with practical insight.
Advice
for the Next Generation
As accomplished alumni, both Jimmy and Ansar feel a
responsibility to guide current WUB students. Their advice, while shaped by
different industries, converges on the importance of self-direction and
continuous growth.
Jimmy's
message is one of resilience and ownership: "Your success is shaped not by
where you start, but by how far you're willing to go. Own your growth, seek
mentors, build your skills, and keep following the light that your university
has handed you."
Ansar's
counsel is more tactical but equally visionary: "Prepare early. Ask
yourself what skills or knowledge can set you apart. Taking initiative now will
place you in a strong position later in your career."
Both perspectives reinforce a key WUB value that learning
is a lifelong process, and that graduates must be proactive in seeking
opportunities beyond the classroom.
A
testament to WUB's mission
Jimmy Majumder and Syed Ansar Ullah represent two distinct
outcomes of a shared educational philosophy. One applies robotics to solve
global labour and technological challenges; the other drives innovation and
quality in one of Bangladesh's most vital export industries. Both have built
careers on the pillars of technical mastery, adaptability, and visionary
leadership, qualities WUB strives to instil in every graduate.
Their journeys illustrate that while WUB's classrooms, labs, and
industrial tours are the starting points, the real measure of its success lies
in how its alumni carry forward the university's mission. Whether in the
futuristic corridors of Japan's innovation hubs or the dynamic production
floors of Bangladesh's garment sector, the influence of WUB's values is
unmistakable.
As the university continues to evolve, investing in advanced
facilities, industry partnerships, and global collaborations, it can look to
alumni like Jimmy and Ansar as living proof of what is possible when education
is coupled with purpose. Their careers are not just personal achievements but
contributions to the broader narrative of Bangladesh's role in the global
economy and technological progress.
https://www.thedailystar.net/supplements/star-alumnus/news/lighting-the-path-how-two-world-university-bangladesh-alumni-are-shaping-global-industries-3964381?fbclid=IwY2xjawMPs19leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFWa2FsQ1l3bjVoWXdnanl3AR78GY50VXp4qFQ52mF58mBnrW3JzoVlyl4iC82iCRW7puBad7KBgE72vbytoQ_aem_couiMWvnYq-DOhTRlMd5pg
