A2i Innovation Lab (iLab)

This is Faruq Ahmed Jewel, Head of The Technology, A2i Innovation Lab (iLab). From my childhood, I used to look for solutions by looking at the various problems, misery and inconsistencies of the surrounding people. As a technology lover, it seemed that technological development and innovation could change people's lives.

Limitations could never be a barrier to practice technology. At the  early age we made a tank simulator for the Bangladesh Army with some young technology lovers. 

I dreamed of a lab where R&D would be done to change the destiny of the general people, society's big problems will be solved, young innovators dream come true and the future will be created by our own hand.

The dream of Innovation Lab started to come true when I started working as part of the government by joining  Aspire to Innovate (a2i) Programme. We started A2i Innovation Lab in 2017. 

iLab was established in 2017 to provide innovative solutions for the country through R&D. Now  iLAB has been successfully conducting innovative R&D activities as part of Aspire to Innovate (a2i) Programme, a whole-of-government program of ICT Division, Bangladesh supported by Cabinet Division and UNDP.

In a short time, iLab has become the central R&D hub for domestic innovation. iLab also provide quick innovative solutions to any national issues that arise suddenly. 

Over the last three years,  iLab has monitored 200+ innovative projects and a good number of them are ensuring citizen services. Notable iLab innovations are Centralized nebulizer, Fuel form plastics, Low-cost ambulance, Fuel from used cooking oil, Automatic vehicle number plate recognition system (AVNPR), Driving Simulator, Multimedia classroom, Hydraulic Ramp Pump, Portable infant incubator, Nurse call system, Dual system refrigerator, Free fall (Arrangements for a safe descent from any high-rise building on occurrence of fire or disaster),  etc.

Since the establishment of iLab, we have monitored 200+ innovative projects to improve the living-standards-of-people and a good numbers of them are ensuring citizen-services.

 We have seen the misery of the people living in the hills for drinking-water. Their pregnant mothers go down the hillside to collect drinking-water. This problem of the-hill-people of Thanchi, Bandarban has been solved through the Hydraulic-Ramp-pump innovated by  iLab.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvprlQO4rmQ 

iLab has developed  Digital-multimedia-classroom for the children of Itna upazila of Kishonganj, which is surrounded by haors, so that they can get quality education.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98J3yQcDekM

We have completed a successful piloting of a locally-produced-low-cost-ambulance at  Kutupalong-Rohingya-camp. 

Report: https://www.bd.undp.org/content/bangladesh/en/home/presscenter/pressreleases/2019/06/27/low-cost-ambulance-to-carry-patients-from-rohingya-camps-to-heal.html 

We started a specialized Lab  to conduct R&D activities on maternal and newborn health and life-saving-medical-devices. Already prepared prototype of portable-infant-incubator &  Nurse-call-system for clinical trials and installed a life-saving-medical-device like Centralized-Nebulizer in 4 hospitals which are providing services successfully.

Video: https://youtu.be/jnBQb3vsL8Q

iLab has invented fuel-form-plastic to protect the environment.  Some R&D like online based ETP monitoring system, River-water quality monitoring system also going on. 

Report: https://www.thedailystar.net/supplements/nation-builders-tomorrow/fuel-mans-dream-1535287

For conducting innovative activities, iLab has won several domestic and international awards, including ITEX 2018 and ITEX 2019, held in Malaysia in 2018 and 2019.

Report: 

https://a2i.gov.bd/itex-award-2018/

https://a2i.gov.bd/event/a2i-achieves-the-international-innovation-awards-in-itex-2019/

A2i Innovation Lab (iLab) is an Innovation-Lab  for R&D and manufacturing of innovative products to solve society’s big problems by involving young-innovators and solvers.

iLab has a strong solvers network including researchers, entrepreneurs, industrialist, mentors, tech-experts, software developers, data scientists, doctors, engineers, product-designers and manufacturers. Also, has 400+ awarded-innovators, iLab’s central mentor poll of 15 members, 137 Innovation Hubs in 137 Universities in Bangladesh.700+ teachers are mentoring 200,000+ Students.

The-experienced-technology-experts, industrialist-and-entrepreneurs of our solver-Network are ready to provide any kind of technical-supports, resources, lab-supports and manufacturing-supports and also they are highly committed  to work for the nation and also for global-Challenges.

 iLab also provide quick innovative-solutions to any national-issues that arise suddenly.

During the-pandemic-of-COVID-19,  iLab is working closely with the DGHS. When the-outbreak-of-COVID-19 started in Bangladesh, we took necessary-steps to produce the protective-equipments including PPE, Goggles, Mask etc. locally and sent them to DGHS and all over the country.

At the same time we have started R&D on medical-ventilators by incorporating universities & individuals initiatives and arranged to test the efficiency of the innovated-prototypes with the appropriate-equipments in the lab-environment.

iLab is still working to prevent-Coronavirus-(COVID-19)-outbreak. On June 9. 2020 Plasma-Network “Shohojoddha” has been launched as a co-initiative of iLab.

We work for the general citizen of our country and solve society's big problems through innovation and R&D. 

Every successful prototype is transformed into a product and service. iLab provides supports to increase the number of new startups from domestic innovation. 

iLab's innovative projects in the fields of health, education, disability, agriculture, industry, environment, technology, etc. are playing a vital role in improving the quality of life of the people.

Some innovations are creating new employment opportunities for the people, some are providing physical and mental well-being, preventing environmental pollution, solving problems around people like mountaineers who are deprived of various benefits of normal life.

In this way, iLab is ensuring economic, social and environmental sustainability.

Through iLab we solved problems for all  especially those who are deprived of various benefits of our society. As we have solved the drinking-water-problem of  the hill-people of Thanchi,Bandarban, developed Digital-multimedia-classroom  to provide quality-education to the children of Itna-upazila-of-Kishonganj, which is surrounded by haors. Already started a lab for R&D and manufacturing of emergency-medical-equipments which are required to improve the healthcare facility. We are providing on demand supports  in this COVID-19 situation closely working with the Directorate-General-of-Health Services-(DGHS),Bangladesh. As we are solving various problems of the society by conducting innovative R&D. So my project is relates to The Elevate Prize.

From my childhood, I used to look for solutions by looking at the various problems, misery and inconsistencies of the surrounding people. As a technology lover, it seemed that technological development and innovation could change people's lives.

Limitations could never be a barrier to practice technology. At the  early age we made a tank simulator for the Bangladesh Army with some young technology lovers. 

I dreamed of a lab where R&D would be done to change the destiny of the general people, society's big problems will be solved, young innovators dream come true and the future will be created by our own hand.

The dream of Innovation Lab started to come true when I started working as part of the government by joining  Aspire to Innovate (a2i) Programme. We started A2i Innovation Lab in 2017. 

iLab is my dream project and it’s the embodiment of my ambition, that  grown up from my childhood. To solve the surrounding various problems through innovative R&D. 

Since 2017 we have worked with thousands of young people to solve society's- big-problems. I have seen the same goal in all the young people. They also want to dedicate themselves for the nation and for the world through innovative R&D.

We still have a lot to do to build a beautiful future. In the last three years we have created the platform we need to bring big change. 

Now iLab has a strong solvers network including researchers, entrepreneurs, industrialist, mentors, tech-experts, software developers, data scientists, doctors, engineers, product-designers and manufacturers. Also, has 400+ awarded  innovators, iLab’s central mentor poll of 15 members, 137 Innovation Hubs in 137 Universities in Bangladesh. More than seven hundred teachers are mentoring more than two lakh students under Innovation Hubs in 137 Universities in Bangladesh.

The experienced-technology-experts, industrialist and entrepreneurs of our-Solver-Network are ready to provide any kind of technical-supports, resources, lab-supports and manufacturing-supports to any projects and also they are highly committed  to work-for-the-nation and also for Global-Challenges. That's why I am passionate about my project.

In my previous life I have solved many problems myself as an engineer and a technology lover. Leading innovative projects, providing solutions for embedded system, system automation, software and industrial automation for the industry as a tech-startup company. Notable one is Tank simulator. At the early age as a tech entrepreneur I designed and developed a tank simulator for the Bangladesh Army with some young passionate engineers. 

Currently, I am  coordinating A2i Innovation Lab (iLab) as Head of The Technology. Now iLab has a strong solvers network including researchers, entrepreneurs, industrialist, mentors, tech-experts, software developers, data scientists, doctors, engineers, product-designers and manufacturers. 

Over the last three years, utilizing the solvers network's expertise, resources, laboratory supports  iLab has monitored 200+ innovative projects and a good number of them are ensuring citizen services. Notable iLab innovations are Centralized nebulizer, Fuel form plastics, Low-cost ambulance, Fuel from used cooking oil, Automatic vehicle number plate recognition system (AVNPR), Driving Simulator, Multimedia classroom, Hydraulic Ramp Pump, Portable infant incubator, Nurse call system, Dual system refrigerator, Free fall (Arrangements for a safe descent from any high-rise-building on occurrence of fire or disaster) etc.

Also, iLab has 400+ awarded-innovators, iLab’s central mentor poll of 15 members, 137 Innovation Hubs in 137 Universities in Bangladesh. More than seven hundred teachers are mentoring more than two lakh students under Innovation Hubs in 137 Universities in Bangladesh.

The experienced-technology-experts, industrialist and entrepreneurs of our-Solver-Network are ready to provide market ready solutions. That's why I am well-positioned to deliver this project.

When I started my tech-startup EERT as an entrepreneur in my early life, I submitted a project proposal to build a tank simulator for the Bangladesh Army. We did a very good study and made a technical presentation to get the project. Everything was fine, the authorities were very happy with our presentation. 

The project was on a big budget so the army officers at that time were not interested in giving the project to a small startup like us and they had a lot of doubts about our ability.

Later in the week we created a dummy model of a tank to better present the technical issues.

We got the project by proving our ability. We successfully delivered the tank simulator project to Bangladesh Army after a long hard work and R&D. 

We built about 100 simulators for virtual training of the army. Notable among these are T59 Dynamic Tank Simulator, T69-II Dynamic Tank Simulator, Mine Simulator, Mortar Simulator, Driving Simulator etc.

While the project was going on, at one stage several officers of the Bangladesh Army  were transferred. Our project was about to close. At that time some of our boldest steps helped us overcome difficult situations.

In my previous life I was a team leader of  a R&D team. We were provide solutions for embedded system, system automation, software and industrial automation for the industry as a tech-startup company. Notable one is Tank simulator. At the early age as a tech entrepreneur I designed and developed a tank simulator for the Bangladesh Army with some young passionate engineers. 

For more than 10 years I have been involved in many national and international organizations such as a2i, UNDP, BASIS, ICT Division, Bangladesh as  Innovation Expert, Consultant, Resource Person, Technical advisor & Mentor.

I have participated in hundreds of National ICT related events including Digital World, Soft Expo, Digital Bangladesh Day, Digital Device and Innovation Expo, Digital Innovation Fair, Innov-a-Thon as Resource Person, Speaker, Organizer and Host.

At present under my leadership as Head of Technology, all the activities of iLab, 200+ Innovation Project, Solvers Network, Innovators network, University Innovation HUB are being conducted.

iLAB has been successfully conducting innovative R&D activities as part of Aspire to Innovate (a2i) Programme, a whole-of-government program of ICT Division,Bangladesh, supported by Cabinet Division and UNDP that catalyses citizen-friendly public service innovations simplifying government and bringing it closer to people.

In our organization we have 400+ awarded  innovators, iLab’s central mentor poll of 15 members, 137 Innovation Hubs in 137 Universities in Bangladesh. More than seven hundred teachers are mentoring more than two lakh students under Innovation Hubs in 137 Universities in Bangladesh. We already have experience of supervise hundreds of innovative projects and a good numbers of them are ensuring citizen services.

iLab has a strong solvers network including researchers, entrepreneurs, mentors, tech-experts, software developers, data scientists, doctors, engineers, product designers and manufacturers. The experienced technology experts, industrialist and entrepreneurs of our solver Network are ready to provide any kind of technical supports, resources, lab supports and manufacturing supports to any projects and also they are highly committed  to work for the nation and also for global Challenges.

iLab combines innovative community, young people, entrepreneurs, mentors, innovation hubs and resources to create a framework for the innovation ecosystem that will make any solution much more innovative.

When iLab identifies a problem, a problem identification workshop is conducted with the concerned authorities, stakeholders, user community, relevant industrialists, entrepreneurs and innovators. Where the scope of the problem is determined on the basis of everyone's opinion and the probable solution is determined by breaking down the problem at the microlevel. Later the technical expert team worked on all the analysis and create the project execution roadmap. Finally, projects are managed according the project execution plan.

The project is piloted by the end users in the appropriate environment. After successful piloting, new market research is done and manufacturing initiatives start through manufacturing partners.

Currently, we are serving 175,000 people in a year. We want to reach 275,000 people within the year and, minimum 3 Million in five years.

Within next year we will begin manufacturing after completing clinical trials of portable infant incubators, delivery tables and surgical lights, and plans to install 100 more pumps on the hill. Steps are being taken to install some more centralized nebulizers in different hospitals, and we will take steps for manufacturing locust ambulance large scale if we find a manufacturing partner.

In the next 5 years we will start manufacturing of obstetric delivery table, surgical light, portable suction machine, low cost fetal monitoring machine, assistive device for pregnant mother, pulse oximeter, ECG machine, Electrosurgical unit, OT table, Sterilizer machine, Patient monitor, Low cost NICU, By producing portable infant incubator, radiant warmer, phototherapy machine, portable medical incinerator and some other medical equipments in the country.  By installing the equipments in the upazila level health complexes will be able to provide high quality medical services at the upazila level.

As part of the Aspire to Innovate (a2i) Program, the overall activities of iLab are currently being funded by the a2i project. Therefore, separate initiatives of iLab require separate stakeholders, partners and funding for implementing the initiatives according to the plan.

So providing funds at the right time for the right work, finding the right manufacturing partner, managing many networks and performing right tasks utilizing the right resources  these are the main challenges of iLab.

All our problems will be solved if we get separate stakeholders and execution partners for each project. That's why we are looking for some suitable global partners so that we can ensure the best utilization of our own resources.

iLAB has been successfully conducting innovative R&D activities as part of Aspire to Innovate (a2i) Programme, a whole-of-government program of ICT Division, supported by Cabinet Division and UNDP that catalyses citizen-friendly public service innovations simplifying government and bringing it closer to people.

iLab  will have an execution partner of each medical equipment for manufacturing and marketing. With whom iLab will share a percentage approximately 50% of intellectual property (IP). 

At the early stage, iLab will provide 360 degree supports to all activities to build a startup and expand the business. iLab will  take royalty when each venture is established as a company and crosses the back even point. 

Mainly public and private health centres, clinics, hospital health complexes will be the main customers. 

The company will be responsible for manufacturing the equipments, marketing, sales, service and customer supports.

iLab  will have an execution partner of each medical equipment for manufacturing and marketing. With whom iLab will share a percentage approximately 50% of intellectual property (IP). 

At the early stage, iLab will provide 360 degree supports to all activities to build a startup and expand the business. iLab will  take royalty when each venture is established as a company and crosses the back even point. 

Mainly public and private health centres, clinics, hospital health complexes will be the main customers. 

The company will be responsible for manufacturing the equipments, marketing, sales, service and customer supports.

N/A

N/A

Approximately $8000,000

I think The Elevate Prize will be a very honourable achievement for me and for iLab. I always try to create  big impact by solving society’s big problems through innovative R&D from where  many people will be benefited.

If I was considered for The Elevate Prize, I would be able to expand iLab's activities to a much larger scale. Not only for the local community, I also want to work for the global community through iLab.

As iLab is an innovation lab, if we get the opportunity to get collaboration with MIT and other innovation labs  as a global partner,  will help us to complete iLab's ongoing projects and conduct new R&D for the global community.

iLab is an innovation lab, if we get the opportunity to get collaboration with MIT and other innovation labs  as a global partner,  will help us to complete iLab's ongoing projects and conduct new R&D for the global community.