Volume 01, Number 01, 2004

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Now showing 1 - 11 of 11

Interfacing arrangement and software development for acquisition and analysis of respiratory data
(BRAC University, 2004) Akter, Nasreeen
Lung diseases are still major killers in Bangladesh due to absence of proper diagnostic equipment primarily because of high cost. Indigenous development of transducer, hardware interface and application software can bring the benefit of modern technology at the doorstep of the people. In this respect, computerisation of a mechanical spirometer is an attempt to make the dream of poor people into reality. A wedge bellow type spirometer as transducer, modified ISA card circuit with low cost arrangement for hardware interface and window based easy operating software have been developed to reach to the target.
Rodda construction: a study of earth house at rajendrapur, Gazipur
(BRAC University, 2004) Uz Zaman, Q.M. Mahtab; Abdullah, Q.M.
Mud house is a typical indigenous style and is considered as an affordable means of construction to create shelter for poor. Bangladesh, due to its socio-economic condition, can harness the traditional and indigenous practice of building construction, partly due to the easily available craftsmen and lower cost of providing affordable construction materials in rural areas. Examining a distinct quality of earth construction in the northern part of Gazipur reveals a most innovative yet economical and environmental friendly earth construction method, termed as Rodda construction. This paper presents an empirical investigation into the process of making Rodda construction. Conclusion is drawn with the objective of presenting a suitable building process. Rodda, although originates in a unique physical setting, can be alternative building construction method for affordable housing in Bangladesh, providing a technical input is given by architects.
Exploration activities in Bangladesh Gas
(BRAC University, 2004) Al Wahid, Adnan; Rawshan, Nadia
Bangladesh, which constitutes one of the largest deltas of the world, has proved its hydrocarbon potentiality through discovery of 22 gas fields during the course of drilling only 65 wells over a period of last 90 sporadic years of exploration. Exploration activities in Bangladesh are divided in three phases. Phase I (1910-1933), Phase II (1951-1971) and Phase III (1971-2004). The method and intensity of exploration activity changed with the change in regime, technology, economic system and political environment. In phase-III, the Bangladesh Government undertook different strategies under different long-term plans. International Oil Companies (IOCs) have joined in exploration activities under PSC from 1993.
Local level politics in Bangladesh: Organization and process
(BRAC University, 2004) Wohab, Md. Abdul; Akhter, Sanzida
This paper focuses on local level politics and the organization of political parties to examine how the political leaders mobilize their supporters at the local level. The involvement of local people is also analyzed here. Moreover, some aspects of political awareness from within and outside the party are covered in the paper. Here, how local level politics are important in our political arena and what sort of cohesion exists between local level politics and national level politics also focused. To what extent and under what conditions do the political leader in local area, the relation between local and national politics and their contribution to development activities are also focused.
Trade and poverty allevation: The case of Bangladesh apparel sector
(BRAC University, 2004) Hoque, Anwarul; Chowdhury, Tanzir A.
Least developed countries beset with poverty are liberalizing trade policies with growth objectives. Trade contributions to economic growth are established, but impacts of liberalized trade policies on poverty have not been fully assessed. The impacts can be assessed at the micro-level through identifying the linkages between trade and poverty alleviation. In this paper the export-oriented Bangladesh apparel sector, the phenomenal growth of which came about through unilateral liberalized trade policies and quota-driven market access to developed countries under multilateral Multi Fiber Arrangement, has been studied as a case to observe if it contributed to poverty alleviation. The study revealed that the apparel sector has been very effective in reducing poverty by creating income-earning employment for unskilled workers, particularly women. However, the demise of the Multi Fiber Arrangement next year will severely affect the apparel sector’s ability for poverty reduction unless protection to employment and income of the garment workers is assured through market access by the developed countries.
IT strategies for Business competitiveness in Bangladesh
(BRAC University, 2004) Rahman, Ziaur
In the growth envelope, Information & Communication Technology plays the facilitating role of revitalizing the competitiveness of businesses across any country. This article offers a pedagogical perspective on ICT enabling strategies that need to be catered to and assimilated in Bangladeshi enterprises for enhancing their competitiveness in the global frontier. This study takes a macro level perspective on the focus of ICT education and its professional concentration at levels in Bangladesh. However, this article depicts the unbalanced educational thrust that is not alleviating the true scope of business competitiveness in Bangladesh. The findings from this articles show that economic stability and ICT infrastructure is not only required for effective and efficient development of the nation but also a culture of technology affiliation among the resource starved nation and a strategic plan for guiding the ICT sector is a must. Using primary and secondary market data, governmental policies, private and public initiatives, this article offers a picture of contemporary ICT environment, its shortcomings, association with the affairs of business development in Bangladesh and, finally, strategies for advancement among the landscape of different nations.
Secrets of the corporate jungle, shirley peddy JAICO publishing house, India,1997
(BRAC University, 2004) Anam, Rumana Liza
Interventions in water supply for the urban poor sustainability of the NGO-approach
(BRAC University, 2004) Rahman, Mohammed Mahbubur
Kofee Annan described the inability of a huge number of urban poor in the third world to access proper water and sewerage facilities, leading to many socio-economic and physical difficulties, as an affront to human dignity. Water should be managed as a financially sound commodity subject to legal and regulatory controls to ensure its conservation, protection and well-balanced use. Despite efforts by the governments, the magnitude of the problem remains unassailable. In this backdrop, the non-government organisations in some countries have come forward with innovative ideas to fill the gaps created by the failure of the public sector service providers. However, the question remains of ensuring the institutional and financial sustainability of any such approach, as it should primarily be upon the governments to satisfy the basic needs of the poor, if necessary with the participation of the private sector through a legislative and functional framework. This paper deals with the sustainability of the water and sewerage services in the third world urban areas with particular reference to a model developed by a Bangladeshi NGO where the public sector is the only service provider. It will briefly present the scale of the problem and identify the parties involved before presenting the case study on the Bangladeshi NGO and its program, and discussing on the various aspects of the sustainability issue.
Role of NGOs in rural poverty eradication: A Bangladesh observation
(BRAC University, 2004) Begum, Syeda Feroza; Zaman, Sawlat Hilmi; Khan, Mohammad Shahin
This article explores the role of NGOs (Non Government Organizations) in poverty eradication especially in the rural area of Bangladesh and how they are performing. Hence theoretical background of NGOs, a detail understanding of the term rural poverty, poverty scenario of Bangladesh was discussed. It was found with supportive references how the NGOs of this country are playing a positive and essential role for the betterment of the poor and the needy. The mission and activities of NGOs revealed the fact that the NGOs are omnipresent with their multifaceted and multidimensional projects aimed at providing informal and non-formal education, health, nutrition, and empowerment of women etc. NGOs have organized the rural poor and taught them the benefits of forming groups/cooperatives, supplied them with inexpensive agricultural technology, leadership development, social forestation through usage of government owned khas land etc all of which helps in poverty eradication. Hence NGOs in Bangladesh can continue playing the role of catalyst in the attainment of sustainable economic growth and development provided, an endurable, warm and dependable relationship is there between the Government and NGOs where both are working for the benefit of the people.
Use of a nested numerical scheme in a shallow water model for the coast of Bangladesh
(BRAC University, 2004) Roy, G D; Kabir, A B M Humayun
The coast of Bangladesh is very irregular in shape and the off-shore region is full of small and big islands. In this paper a nested finite difference scheme is used to solve the vertically integrated shallow water equations. A fine mesh numerical scheme for the coastal belt of Bangladesh has been nested into a coarse mesh scheme covering up to 15 degree north of the Bay of Bengal. The fine mesh scheme incorporates the off-shore islands and bending of the coastline accurately. The coarse mesh scheme is completely independent and along the open boundaries of the fine mesh scheme, the parameters are prescribed from those obtained in the coarse mesh one in each time step of the solution process. The model is applied to estimate the water level due to tide and surge along the coast of Bangladesh and the results are found to be satisfactory.
Identity in conflict: image and reality of Bangladeshis in Malaysia
(BRAC University, 2004) Haque, Muhammed Shahriar
Bangladeshis have often been associated with a nation that suffers from extreme poverty, embroiled in political turmoil, afflicted by floods, cyclones and by tragic accidents; these are the images that the mass media often portrays of Bangladesh internationally. Besides these associations, the media in Malaysia also focuses on the migrant workers and some of their isolated cases of criminal and antisocial activities. These activities portray a rather bleak and unwholesome picture of Bangladeshis in Malaysia and go towards creating an identity which is in conflict with the real identity of most Bangladesh nationals residing in this multicultural nation; hence, people in general develop a negative image of most Bangladeshis. This paper humbly attempts to show from a critical discourse analysis (CDA) perspective how the one sided media portrayal may contribute to the construction of an identity which not only contradicts but is also in conflict with the real identity of most Bangladeshi nationals—be they students, academics, professionals, businessmen or workers—residing in Malaysia. It is hoped that awareness of the issue from a CDA stance will help to dispel the stereotypical associations that more often than not may be triggered by portrayal of certain reports in the media.