
Staff Reporter
The Amateur Radio Association Bangladesh (ARAB) emphasized the critical
role of youth in disaster management during an international seminar on
disaster emergency communication, held at the North South University Auditorium
under the theme ‘Beyond the Horizon: Ground to Orbit’.
The seminar, organized by ARAB, featured Chief Guests VC, NSU &
Special guest Major General Md Emdad,
Chairman of BTRC; Brig. Gen. Md Rofikur Rahman, former Director General of Fire
Service; Brig. Gen. Md Aminul Hoque, DG BTRC; Lt. Col. M.A. Azad Anwer,
Director, Fire Service; and Major Jolil (retd.), life member of ARAB Khandaker
Nasir Uddin (Former Vice-Chancellor, Gopalganj Science and Technology
University), Professor Najma Sams, ED
SAB, Dr M A Mannan. The event was also attended by chief guest NSU
Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Abdul Hannan Chowdhury and
international guests & .
Key speakers included Philip Springer (DK6SP), Sven Lovric (DJ4MX), Leon
Hellmich (DL3ON), and Jamie Williams (M0SDV). The seminar was presided over by
ARAB President Dr. Mir Shah Alam (S21MIR), with program coordination led by
Anup Kumar Bhowmik (S21TV) and event convener Jamil Ahmed.
The event is organised by
BTRC-approved HAM operators, plays
a vital role in ensuring effective communication during disasters such as
fires, floods, cyclones, landslides, earthquakes, and building collapses. Its
members provide critical support to rescue workers—including fire service, army
personnel and disaster volunteers—by maintaining independent communication
channels during emergencies.
Prior to the seminar, ARAB members conducted a 15-day field study in the
coastal regions of Barishal and Khulna to explore rapid communication
strategies during disasters. Drawing on the findings of this study, the seminar
offered training to over 400 young volunteers from universities across
Bangladesh on maintaining efficient communication in emergency situations.
Anup Kumar Bhowmik highlighted ARAB’s role in supporting government
rescue personnel and serving national interests. The Chief Guest NSU VC
encouraged organizing similar events at universities, noting that youth
involvement would accelerate progress in the disaster management sector.
The seminar was successfully conducted with support from Vice President
Jahangir Alam, Assistant General Secretary Raihan Tuhin, Deputy Director Mr.
Saad, Rudranil Apon, and EC Members Taslima Akter and Hayat Ahmed.
Concluding the event, ARAB President D. Mir Shah Alam S21 MIR expressed
gratitude to participants, university authorities, and international speakers,
urging young people to pursue science-oriented careers and dedicate themselves
to serving the nation.