A properly structured permanent institution is essential for meaningful utilization of NRB expertise. The dependence on foreign consultants can be minimized if non-resident experts and specialists are given the opportunities to contribute to the energy, power and other sectors. If proper incentives can be offered under the government policy framework, public and private sector companies and institutions would be capable for engaging NRB experts with attractive remuneration packages. All has to bear in mind that the time of brain drain has to be reversed to brain gain now. Hence proper policy adjustment is essential for accessing the brain of NRB communities.
Local and NRB experts made the observation at a recent virtual discussion titled “Local and NRB Experts Bridging for Development”, organized by Energy & Power magazine as part of a series titled “EP Talks”.
Moderated by EP Editor Mollah Amzad Hossain, the panelists of the event was former Secretary of Power Division Dr. Sultan Ahmed, Pro Vice Chancellor of Islamic University Prof Dr. Mahbubur Rahman, Additional Secretary of Power Division A. T. M. Mostafa Kamal, Dr. Prof Jamil A Khan of University of South Carolina, USA, Engr. Shabbir Parvez, CEO of AstroComm Technologies, UAS, Engr. Rezwanul Kabeer, Managing Director of Energypac Infrastructure Development Company Ltd. and Engr. Khondkar A Saleque Sufi, International Energy Consultant, Australia.
Dr. Habib Siddiqi, Dr. Shamim Siddiqi, Dr. Alamgir Chowdhury and Dr. Arun Dev also participated in the open discussion.
Dr. Sultan Ahmed mentioned that the local experts could not often assess the issues and difficulties of the systems, but those working abroad can easily understand due to their having exposure to the modern technologies. If the NRBs can meaningfully assist in resolving systems’ limitation and tune this to make time-tested by utilizing their expertise, the nation would be extremely benefitted. The spontaneous response of the NRB experts like their participation in this discussion would extremely benefit Bangladesh.
Bangladesh is having leapfrog development. There would be a massive jump in 2030. The Five-Year Plans would no longer be required. Managing projects other than mega projects would become easier. Private sector companies have been given generous incentives for works. Consequently, investments have increased. Generation capacity has significantly increased because of private sector power plants. The installed capacity is much higher than demand now. The NRBs have opportunities to work in EPC here.
There has been discussion about curriculum. There has been training facilities in Bangladesh after acquiring university degrees. But internships are not being properly done. The curriculum needs updating for addressing this.
There has been a lot of talks about beach sand of Cox’s Bazar. Few companies came and wanted to sign agreements for extraction of minerals. We did not agree. There exist valuable minerals. The NRBs can come up with specific project proposals.
A.T.M Mostafa Kamal observed that bridging the NRBs and private companies is very much possible. The government has started facilitating this. Many directors of power companies have recently engaged some of them who returned home after working abroad. Salary and benefits are attractive now which should encourage NRBs. Opportunity is there in the Private Public Partnerships (PPPs) for the NRBs. The EPC is another avenue. Transmission and distribution sectors are there where NRBs can make contributions. Many large power plants are being built under joint venture where NRBs have the opportunities.
Dr. Mahbubur Rahman mentioned that our meritorious students after graduating from universities are leaving the country. University teachers are also leaving the country for working abroad. Now NRB experts can assist our development initiatives. Education system has been seriously impacted by COVID. Some efforts were made for distance learning digitally. But significant problems were encountered. There have been problems with devices, problems with networks. In remote areas and some other places, uninterrupted power supply has been a major issue. We know we may have to live with COVID for a while. The NRB IT experts can assist here in developing new distance learning programs based on their experience.
We have to bear in mind that during project formulation, we not only have to think about infrastructure only, we will also have to think about trained expert human resources for operation and maintenance of the facilities. To train our manpower, NRB experts can make meaningful contributions.
Mr. Shabbir Parvez informed that the satellite images could assist in identifying petroleum resources and minerals. A lot of such works are being done in developed countries. Bangladesh can be extremely benefitted if they add satellite imagery in their resources identification.
We can use it in water reserve assessments and identifying geological locations of coastal areas for predicting climate change impacts. It can also assist in locating right areas along the coastal region for developing major infrastructure. Bangladesh can be extremely benefitted if information is gathered from satellites and use it in making plans and sustainable operation.
Bangladesh has many expert human resources. But for lack of proper systems and processes, they cannot make significant contributions.
In foreign countries, cost management is regularly done every month. Parvez does not think that these are being done in Bangladesh. It is essential to do it progressively every month. We have seen that NRB experts are not valued in many cases.
Procurement process is very complex in Bangladesh. It makes situation extremely difficult for NRBs to work here. Procurement process is so cumbersome that it is extremely difficult for NRB experts to contribute despite having all sincere intentions and desires. He mentioned his personal bitter experience with Bangladesh Energy Research Council. If the processes and policies are changed as pointed out by Engr. Kabeer, the situation might change.
Prof Dr. Jamil A Khan said there would not be any value addition unless the right kind of experts are identified and engaged. Proper evaluation is essential for continuously developing education curriculum. In the Western World, the curriculum is reviewed and updated every year. Relevant stakeholders – academics, students, parents and representatives from industries get together in the evaluation process. These help universities in making tailor made curriculum for making graduates ready for industries. Bangladeshi universities and other institutions must do that. Universities must develop students job-ready for starting works right from the day one they start working in industries.
But there would be resistance always while changing the curriculum. Because when you add some, you have also to do away with some others. Otherwise, undergraduate study may take 5, 6 or 7 years instead of 4 years. The academics are in fear about losing jobs, which may also create some barriers. In such cases, the academic council takes decision. Dr Jamil said senior academics like him get full freedom for taking independent decisions.
Dr Jamil also acknowledged that Bangladeshi students are extremely talented. Many of them returned to Bangladesh after acquiring higher degrees. They could earn 6-7 times higher if they stayed back.
It is not always fair pushing the ball to the government for changing the curriculum. Academicians and faculty members can do that. It is very much possible if all relevant stakeholders including industry (ultimate employer) are integrated in the evaluation and review process.
Engr. Rezwanul Kabeer informed that the private sector companies are contributing almost 50% of the total daily generation now. The successful bridge of private and public sector developed for power generation can be modeled for NRBs – local experts’ integration for sustainable development of Bangladesh.
But in other segments like power transmission and distribution, not much could be achieved. Necessary capacity achievement is being delayed. For this, government policy support and legal framework development is essential. Tax issues would come if we talk about EPC. We have to pay 25% tax for engaging foreign experts for engineering. There are issues in procuring engineering documents. We have to pay tax here also. These act as barriers to engaging foreign experts and NRB experts.
NRBs cannot deliver their services voluntarily and they should be provided with due remuneration. Our new generation is better equipped with technology. It is relatively easy for making them more skilled.
Almost 10 million Bangladeshis are now living abroad. All of them are not skilled resources. If we could even up skill 10% of them, Bangladesh could double the remittance earning.
Engr. Khondkar Saleque Sufi mentioned that creating enabling environment is a prerequisite for effectively using NRB experts and resources in the development process of Bangladesh. There has been some isolated utilization. This has to be institutionalized and brought under a framework through a government policy. Satellite acquired information are essential for various infrastructure development in the coastal areas for longer-term sustainability. This information is also essential for resources identification in the offshore for developing Blue Economy. Even for geo thermal location of Sundarban mangrove forest and monitoring its bio diversity, satellite can be used.
Most NRBs cannot return permanently to Bangladesh. But can make major contribution through value addition in policy updating, capacity developing through training, research and development, curriculum refreshing and major contracts negotiation with international companies. But for all these changes of mind of the policymakers and creation of a platform are essential. In the past, few initiatives were taken for NRBs–local integration. But nothing much could be achieved. That is why Energy & Power has launched an initiative for developing a database of truly competent and willing NRB experts. In 3-6 months of time, the details of at least 50 NRB experts would be available on the EP website for government and private companies to access them when required.
