The Center for Nanotechnology Research (CNR) at American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB) organized the 2nd International Symposium on Nanotechnology (ISN 2022) on January 24, 2022. The theme of the symposium was "NanoTech for SDGs." International and local technical speakers shared their research findings with professionals and students along with representatives from industries who are directly involved with nanotechnology. The symposium was inaugurated by the chief guest, M. A. Mannan, MP, Honorable Minister, Ministry of Planning, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. The special guest, Engr. D M Majibor Rahman, Group Chairman, SEBL Group, in his speech highlighted how SEBL Group is contributing to achieving the 12 SDG goals out of the 17 SDG goals by establishing Solar Minigrids despite the challenges and how SEBL group is committed to welcome any new technology. Furthermore, the chief patron, Dr. Carmen Z. Lamagna, Vice-Chancellor, AIUB accentuated the impact of Nanotechnology in the various sectors including manufacturing industries, food industries, medical industry and many more. Then, the Chief Guest, Mr. M. A. Mannan MP, Honorable Minister, Ministry of Planning, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh elaborated how Bangladesh and its government is striving for the advancement of Bangladesh in various sectors despite the shortcomings. Moreover, he also emphasized on Nanotechnology and how Bangladesh can get benefitted by producing more experts in this field.

Thereafter, the Plenary Session I comprised two Keynote speeches delivered by the distinguished Professor Dr. Md Jamal Uddin of Coppin State University, USA, and Professor Dr. Mohsin Kazi of King Saud University, KSA. Furthermore, the Technical Session II contained three invited speeches by Ms. Afroja Shoma of AIUB, Dr. Ashfaque E Alam of Sheffield Hallam University, UK, and Dr. Muhammad J. A. Shiddiky Griffith University, Australia, respectively and a poster competition. In the Plenary Session III, there were two keynote speeches and a host speech delivered by the distinguished Prof. Dr. Saiful I. Khondaker of University of Central Florida, USA, Dr. Shaikh M. Mobin of IIT, India, and Dr. Mohammad Mahbub Rabbani of AIUB, Bangladesh respectively. The symposium also included a Panel Discussion. Several eminent personalities from industry and academia namely, Prof. Dr. Md Tofazzal Islam, Head, Plant Biotechnology Discipline, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Ms. Khaleda Akhtar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Education, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Engr. D M Majibor Rahman, Chairman and MD, SEBL group, Mr. Nawabur Rahman, Executive Director, Technical Operations, Square group, Dr. Khandaker Jakir Hossain GM(Tech), BNO Lubricants, Mr. Abdul Quauym, Editor, Monthly Magazine BigganChinta, Mr. Reaz Ahmad, Executive Editor, Dhaka Tribune, and Dr. Mohammad Mahbur Rabbani, Associate Professor and In-Charge, CNR, AIUB participated in the panel discussion, where they shared their valuable thoughts on how nanotechnology can impact the achievement of sustainable development goals.

Finally, the symposium concluded with the closing ceremony. The General Chair of ISN 2022, Prof. Dr. ABM Siddique Hossain, Dean, Faculty of Engineering, AIUB started his speech highlighting on how the visionary mindset of our Father of the Nation; Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibor Rahman led to the establishment of Water Resource Department at BUET. Prof. Hossain recommended that our nation should focus their research on agriculture and proposed the government of Bangladesh to take initiatives on setting up a Lab at BCSIR or Atomic Energy Commission. The Special Guest, Mr. Mohammed Yousuf, Managing Director, Lub-rref(Bangladesh) Ltd, in his speech highlighted how Lub-rref (Bangladesh) Ltd is committed to technological advancements and how his company is committed to provide support by making his advanced lab facilities available to university students for research. Furthermore, the Special Guest, Dr. Al-Nakib Chowdhury, Professor, Chemistry Dept., BUET, in his speech suggested how we should focus on popularizing this new technology to the new generation so that like many other fields, the young minds can weave a dream to become an expert in this nanotechnology. Finally, the Chief Guest, Dr. Hasanul A. Hasan Honorable Chairman, Board of Trustees, AIUB accentuated AIUB`s commitment towards delivering education in compliance to the advancement of the technology. Dr. Hasan also acknowledged the cumulative effort of the participants of this symposium who made it a success. Finally, Dr. Hasan concluded with the commitment to support such visionary event that would take AIUB to greater heights. Thereafter, the Award Distribution Ceremony for the Poster Competition took place, which was conducted by the Organizing Chair, Prof. Dr. Md. Abdur Rahman, Associate Dean, Faculty of Engineering, AIUB. Finally, Prof. Rahman concluded the symposium with a Vote of Thanks to all the participants and the organizing members. The symposium provided as a great platform for exchanging theoretical and practical experience among researchers from academia and industries.