In a landmark event for Bangladesh’s scientific community, BRAC University has officially inaugurated the Centre of Research Excellence in Semiconductor Technology (CREST). This national research hub, unveiled on Monday, operates under the “Silicon River” framework—a strategic national initiative aimed at synchronising the country’s developments in biotechnology, electronics, artificial intelligence, and robotics. The ceremony was attended by a high-level delegation representing the government, the armed forces, and the global Bangladeshi diaspora, highlighting a collective drive to transform the nation from a technology consumer into a high-value hardware producer.
The centre’s primary objective is to cultivate an innovation-driven workforce capable of meeting the rigorous demands of the global “deep-tech” industry. Professor Syed Ferhat Anwar, Vice-Chancellor of BRAC University, stressed that the institution will provide the vital academic bedrock required for this ecosystem to thrive. This sentiment was bolstered by the Ministry of Science and Technology, which views the centre as a critical component of national scientific priority. By fostering a direct link between researchers and industrial leaders like Neural Semiconductor Ltd., the project seeks to ensure that academic breakthroughs in VLSI systems and chip design are rapidly translated into exportable technology.
A core component of the centre’s mission is the support of emerging talent through the newly established CREST Fellowship. Ten elite students—including eight postgraduate and two undergraduate researchers—have been selected from top-tier institutions such as BUET, Dhaka University, and North South University. These scholars will conduct advanced research into nine distinct fields, including robotic materials, hardware testing, and AI-centric platforms. Furthermore, the Military Institute of Science and Technology (MIST) will lead the development of “BOOST,” a national virtual hub designed to streamline training and infrastructure, ensuring that the country’s semiconductor ambitions are supported by a structured, military-grade pipeline of expertise.
CREST Strategic Research and Development Pillars
| Research Vertical | Technical Specialisation | National Objective |
| VLSI Systems | Integrated Circuit (IC) Design | Reducing hardware import dependency |
| AI Hardware | Machine Learning Optimised Chips | Advancing domestic AI capabilities |
| Materials Science | Semi-conductor Packaging & Testing | Building local manufacturing capacity |
| Robotics & AI | Autonomous System Integration | Enhancing industrial automation |
| IP Protection | Patent Law & Innovation Security | Protecting indigenous technology brands |
The project was envisioned by Professor Muhammad Mustafa Hussain of Purdue University, who asserted that Bangladesh now possesses the global credibility required to establish world-class technology brands. His views were supported by Mahbub Rashed of GlobalFoundries, who noted that as global supply chains shift, a dedicated national research centre is a strategic necessity. The inaugural event concluded with a high-level panel discussion on intellectual property, where experts called for a unified national policy to protect semiconductor innovations. This comprehensive approach, blending high-level research with industrial commercialisation and legal safeguards, represents a significant leap forward in Bangladesh’s quest to become a global hub for technological excellence