Seminar held at Atomic Energy Centre, Dhaka on bridging science and society

A day-long seminar titled "Bridging Science and Society: Services and Solutions from Atomic Energy Centre, Dhaka for National Development" was held at the auditorium of the Atomic Energy Centre, Dhaka (AECD), located in Shahbagh.

The Atomic Energy Centre, Dhaka, organised the event under the auspices of the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC).

Dr Md Kamrul Huda, Chairman of the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, was present as the chief guest. The special guest was Professor Dr Abdus Salam, Dean of the Faculty of Science at the University of Dhaka. The keynote presentation was delivered by Dr Shamshad Begum Quraishi, former Director of AECD and recently appointed Member (Planning) of the Commission. Dr Quraishi chaired the seminar, and the welcome address was given by Dr Engr Sheikh Manjura Haque, Chief Scientific Officer and Head of the Materials Science Division.

Detailed presentations on the research and service activities of various departments at AECD were delivered by Dr Yasmin Nahar Jolly (Head of the Chemistry Division), Selina Yasmin (Head of the Health Physics Division), Dr Kazi Md Amzad Hossain (Head of Experimental Physics Division), and Md Saiful Alam (Head of Non-Destructive Testing Division), among others.

Established in 1964, the Atomic Energy Centre, Dhaka, is one of the pioneering institutions under the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC), dedicated to research and development in the peaceful use of nuclear science and technology. Currently, AECD conducts research and provides services in various sectors, including health, environment, industry, trade, and agriculture. Its scientific programmes are carried out across ten specialised divisions staffed by around 60 qualified scientists and engineers, with a total workforce of approximately 210, including 83 technical personnel.

AECD plays a vital role in national development through its multi-faceted research and service activities. These services include analysis and testing of food, water, environment, and health-related samples to ensure public safety; ensuring sustainable food security through the proper use of nuclear technology in food preservation; radiation-based quality control and safety in industrial and medical sectors; radioactive contamination testing of imported and exported goods; capacity building through training and research; and promoting collaborative efforts with national and international research institutions. It also focuses on future possibilities for nuclear science in Bangladesh using environmentally friendly and safe technologies.

The centre provides several unique services, including copper level determination in blood and urine for Wilson's disease, arsenic detection in human hair to diagnose arsenicosis, testing gold and silver purity in jewellery and medals, checking for radioactivity in imported and exported foods, and assessing industrial machinery for safety and quality assurance.

Dr Quraishi, in her keynote, emphasised that AECD's scientific solutions and services are building a robust bridge between science and society, contributing meaningfully to national development.

Special guest Dr Abdus Salam praised the AECD for its responsible contributions to the country. He noted that AECD scientists were the first to report the presence of metallic pollution (lead) in Dhaka's air in 1996–97, which led to the banning of leaded gasoline. As a result, airborne lead levels had dropped to 70 nanograms per cubic metre. However, he warned of a resurgence in lead levels, attributing it to the proliferation of lead-acid battery use and unregulated recycling plants.

In his speech, Dr Md Kamrul Huda affirmed that the researchers of OECD are committed to national progress through their research and services in the peaceful application of nuclear technology. He acknowledged the critical role of both the scientists and the stakeholders in achieving these accomplishments.

The seminar was attended by directors from various divisions of the Commission, faculty and students from public and private universities, medical specialists, representatives of research institutions and industries, and service beneficiaries from both public and private sectors.