Youth
BASIS awards to the best 99 individuals and organizations
Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS) organized the 7th Basis Outsourcing Award 2021. BASIS Outsourcing Award Ceremony was held on Bangladesh Film Archive Multipurpose Auditorium, presided over by BASIS President Mr. Syed Almas Kabir.
Mr. Zunaid Ahmed Palak, Hon’ble State Minister of Information and Communication Technology DIvision attended the event as the Chief Guest, Ms. Farhana A. Rahman, Convener of BASIS Outsourcing Award 2021 and Senior Vice President, BASIS, Mr. Shoeb Ahmed Masud, Vice-President (Admin), BASIS, Mr. Arfan Ali, President & Managing Director, Bank Asia, Mr. Md. Zia Arfin, Senior Executive, Bank Asia and Syed Mohammad Kamal, Country Director, MasterCard Bangladesh.
This time, the activities of BASIS Outsourcing Award 2021 started on October 27, 2021, through registration and continued till November 18, 2021. During this time, more than 1400, individuals and companies registered for the BASIS Outsourcing Award 2021. Among these, a total of 99 companies and individuals are awarded in 7 categories through a step-by-step screening process by an experienced judiciary.
At the company level, 20 awards are given, and 79 at the individual level. At the company level, 5 awards are given in the Outsourcing Company category, 5 in the Startup category, and 10 in the Export Excellence category. At the individual level, awards were given to 63 people from 63 districts, 5 women in the individual women’s category, 10 top national outsourcers, and 1 especially abled person.
The BASIS Outsourcing Award-2021 was organized in recognition of professional activities in various sectors of technology services, with the aim of implementing Digital Bangladesh by the government and eliminating unemployment through the use of technology by encouraging individuals and organizations.
Bank Asia was the Platinum Sponsor of BASIS Outsourcing Award-2021 and MasterCard, IBPC and LICT were in overall collaboration.
As the chief guest at the award ceremony, Mr. Zunaid Ahmed Palak, MP, State Minister of Information and Communication Technology Division said that Freelancers need to be motivated in such a way that the next generation is encouraged to see them. He said that we need funding for entrepreneurship, but not with traditional funding. He urged banks to take separate initiatives for youth. Besides, the government has taken a new initiative for women entrepreneurs called She-Power. He said the government wants to create at least 1 lakh freelancers as entrepreneurs by 2025 and called on freelancers to submit their proposals through BASIS. Business incubation centers will soon be established in all the universities. And the government is creating self-employment development project design with the success stories of the youth of the country.
Mr. Syed Almas Kabir, President, BASIS said that The government has set a target of 5 billion in export revenue by 2025. Achieving the stated target has already introduced 10% cash incentive on the income earned in this sector. I request to increase this cash incentive to 20%. BASIS is working closely with the government to find new markets. He said that in order to expand the international market, public-private initiatives need to be strengthened to innovate new products and services as well as to develop their own skills. In the implementation of the Digital Bangladesh Vision, the issues that our domestic software and software services are already being used successfully need to be taken to other countries of the world. BASIS has been requesting the government in this regard. This is because the cooperation of the government along with BASIS is essential in taking appropriate initiatives to expand the international market to achieve the export targets. Aiming at the Fourth Industrial Revolution, he called on the competitors to come together and make a million dollars by forming a small outsourcing company.
Ms. Farhana A. Rahman, Senior Vice-President of BASIS said that Technology is advancing and we need to develop skills in the same way. One of the aims of the event was to make visible and recognizing those working in remote areas, highlighting their contribution to exports, so that those who are personally freelancing can become entrepreneurs by creating companies. He added that the BASIS Outsourcing Award will continue every year at the initiative of BASIS to encourage individuals and organizations involved in outsourcing.
The winners in the outsourcing company category are BJIT Limited; Servicing Limited; Craftsman Lee; MD Infotech; Backbone Limited.
The winners in the startup category are Appnap Technologies Limited; Arafin Media; Cutting edger; Thematic; Creativitix Software Ltd.
The winners in the Export Excellence category are Secure Link Services Bangladesh Limited; Brain Station 23 Limited; Cefalo Bangladesh Ltd.; GraphicPeople Limited; W3 Engineers Ltd. Monster Lab Bangladesh Limited; ixora Solutions Ltd. Data exchange A. R. Communications and esteem soft limited.
At the individual District level, the 63 winners from 63 districts are FM Rifatul Alam; Md. Mahibullah Al Mamun; Sujit Krishna Kundu; Md. Mizanur Rahman; Md. Nazmul Haque; Md. Russell Mia; Md. Harunur Rashid; MD Nasir Ahmed; Rahat Ahmed; Enamul Haque; MD Ziaul Haque; Nazmul Kabir; Md. Nazmus Shakib; Md. Mahamudul Hasan; Syed Mashiur Rahman; Abdullah Al Farooq; Md. Rakibul Hasan; Sabbir Ahmed Robin; Zahirul Islam; Shahnoor; Bilal Islam; Khalid Hassan; MD Faisal Mridha Rony; MD Mahfuzur Rahman; Md. Atiyar Rahman; Sumon Kanti Das; Kazi Rashedul Islam; Md. Arifur Rahman; Mahfuz Mohammad Lutful Yazdani; Md. Tanvir Hasan; Masood Kamal Zeeshan; MD Rajib Hossain; Abir Mahmud; Sajal Kumar Sarkar; Srivijaya Chauhan; Jewel Rana; Nusrat Jahan Lashkar; KM Sayem; Mohammad Nazmul Hasan Akand; GM Rabbul Hasan; Kaushik Biswas; Md. Masud Rana; Sumon Chandra Saha; Md. Masum Pramanik; Jewel Rana; Md. Raihan Mia; Aftab Hossain; Sushant Kumar Chowdhury; Sajeda Sultana; Sadi Rahman; Md. Alsan Sharia; Abdullah Al Faisal; Farzuk Ahmed; Aslam Mia; Arif Hossain.
The winners in the women’s category are Suchana Akhter; Nahid Akter; Umm Habiba Nazneen; Jannatul Ferdous; Sabina Akhter.
The top 10 national winners are Md. Shakil Hossain; MD Selim Reza Babul; Moin Uddin Ahmed; MD Sohail Rana; Monirul Islam; KH Musfiqur Rahman Memo; Rokon government; Faisal Ahmed; Md. Saifullah bin Ashraf; God bless you.
One of the specially capable winners is Anik Mahmud.
One of the main objectives of the BASIS Outsourcing Award is to encourage individuals and organizations to achieve the government’s 5 billion export target by 2025 and to implement Digital Bangladesh. Besides, those who are now engaged in outsourcing work at the individual level should be able to directly participate in the progress of building a digital Bangladesh by forming a company as an entrepreneur in the near future. Because the companies are now able to take advantage of the 10% cash incentive that the government is giving on export earnings.
In recent years, a large number of talented entrepreneurs and individuals have created jobs through outsourcing services and are making significant contributions to the country and society by earning foreign exchange.
Bangladesh
Tarique outlines plan for employment exchange centres, expansion of overseas labour markets
The government will establish Employment Exchange Centres across Bangladesh to strengthen domestic labour market management, improve skills development and expand job opportunities, Tarique Rahman has said.
Responding to a question from Tangail-6 MP Robiul Awal in parliament on Wednesday, the prime minister said the centres would be created in line with the government’s election manifesto.
He also said the government is working to reopen the Malaysian labour market, expand opportunities in Thailand, South Korea and Japan, and revive or widen labour markets in Oman, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates through diplomatic efforts.
The government is also actively negotiating to set up visa centres in Dhaka for European nations like North Macedonia, Serbia, Mauritius, and Portugal to ease the migration process for skilled Bangladeshi workers, he said.
He added that the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) will introduce more demand-driven language courses and increase the number of training institutions.
Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani on Tuesday officially launched the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), as more than 100,000 young New Yorkers prepare to begin paid jobs across the city’s five boroughs.
The six-week program, running from July through August, places participants in thousands of workplaces, including community organizations, small businesses, hospitals, cultural institutions and government agencies. The initiative gives young people valuable work experience while helping them develop professional skills and earn an income.
“For so many young New Yorkers, a summer job is more than just a way to pass the time—it is a step toward their future,” Mayor Mamdani said. “For years, SYEP has helped thousands of young people launch their careers, develop professional skills and give back to their communities while earning a paycheck. Congratulations to this year’s participants. I hope you not only learn new skills at work but also discover more about yourselves this summer.”
Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Dr. Helen Arteaga said the program provides young people with essential workplace experience while promoting long-term economic success.
“The road to professional and personal success is paved by programs like SYEP,” Arteaga said. “Beyond workplace experience, the program also offers education in financial literacy and creates opportunities for young people in high-risk communities to build stable and successful futures.”
Marking its 63rd year, SYEP remains the nation’s largest youth employment program. NYC Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) Commissioner Sandra Escamilla-Davies said the initiative continues to open career pathways by connecting participants with employers, mentors and meaningful work experiences.
“SYEP helps young people explore their interests, build professional skills and prepare for the future while strengthening communities across New York City,” Escamilla-Davies said. “Together with programs such as Summer Rising, Saturday Night Lights and Summer Night Lights, it offers safe and engaging opportunities that continue to benefit participants long after the summer ends.”
Earlier this year, Mayor Mamdani released a video encouraging young New Yorkers to apply for the program, resulting in a record number of applications.
The program is designed to support young people who often face barriers to employment, including residents of NYCHA housing, homeless youth, young people with disabilities, those involved with the justice system, youth in foster care and individuals at high risk of gun violence.
Studies have found that participation in SYEP improves school attendance, builds workplace skills and reduces crime and incarceration. A 2021 study found that participants were 17 percent less likely to be arrested and 23 percent less likely to face felony arrests. Research also shows that participants are significantly less likely to be incarcerated in New York State more than five years after completing the program.
As part of its partnership with the city, Lyft will provide 1,200 free two-month Citi Bike memberships to SYEP participants, helping them commute to work and travel across the city. The company will also host interns on its Social Impact team, offering hands-on experience and opportunities to develop leadership and communication skills.
“We’re proud to continue partnering with the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development because access to transportation is access to opportunity,” said Inbar Kishoni, Senior Manager of Community & Equity Programs at Lyft Urban Solutions. “Since 2022, Lyft has provided free Citi Bike memberships and practical work experience to help young New Yorkers build skills and confidence. When young people move, cities move with them.”
The Transformation: Art of Alchemy exhibition was officially inaugurated on Wednesday at the Residence Gallery of the Dutch Embassy.
Guests explored evocative works by featured artists Vinita Karim, Rokeya Sultana, Asma Akber, Abdus Shakoor, Proshanta Karmakar Buddha, Biplob Chakraborty, and Ranjit Das.
The exhibition space allowed for meaningful dialogue on the transformative power of art in healing and wellbeing.
“Community healing begins with the shared processing of grief, joy, confusion, and hope,” said Shazia Omar, founder and CEO of Dhaka Flow.
“Through this visual exhibition and our workshops, we wanted to curate a multi-dimensional experience that highlighted the importance of shared creative expression in community healing.”
“Transformation: Art of Alchemy” was a powerful step forward in Dhaka Flow’s mission to create spaces where art and wellness intersect.
As we look ahead, we are committed to deepening this work—especially by uplifting emerging and youth artists across Bangladesh. Our vision is to keep expanding opportunities for shared creative expression, and to continue exploring the ways art and community can support collective wellbeing.
Alongside the artwork, Dhaka Flow has conducted a breathwork—meditation session in the space, with another one coming up soon.
They are also hosting three art workshops at the Dhaka Flow studio, and attendees are invited to sign up using the link below.
The Dhaka Flow team was present to greet visitors and share their vision for more events that celebrate artists and create space for transformation through movement, breath, and art.
In August, the space will host another exhibition presenting youth artwork from around the country.
The exhibition remains open until the end of July, and paintings can be viewed every Saturday from 12–5pm by appointment only.
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