The Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE) of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) and Proyash Institute of Special Education signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Dhaka on 6 July 2026 to advance research and innovation in assistive technologies for children with special needs, according to a press release said.
The agreement, titled “Cooperation for Research and Innovation in Assistive Technology for Special Children”, was signed at Room 634 of the ECE Building at BUET, aiming to strengthen joint research, technological development and service improvement in education and healthcare for children with special needs.
The programme began with a welcome address by Prof Dr Sharif Mohammad Mominuzzaman, Head of the EEE Department at BUET. A documentary showcasing Proyash Institute of Special Education was screened, followed by a presentation on the MoU’s key features by Prof Dr Mohammad Ariful Haque of the EEE Department.
Speeches were delivered by Prof Dr Abdul Hasib Chowdhury, Pro-Vice Chancellor of BUET, Prof Dr Md Kamrul Hasan, Dean of the Faculty of EEE at BUET, and Colonel Md Altaf Ali, PSC, Executive Director and Principal of Proyash Institute of Special Education.
Under the agreement, the two institutions will collaborate on artificial intelligence-based research to enhance services for children with special needs. Focus areas include automated detection and diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), AI-assisted Individual Education Plans (IEPs), digitisation of educational and health data, and development of assistive technologies.
The partnership also includes joint training programmes, seminars and workshops, as well as involvement of undergraduate and graduate students in research activities. Proyash will provide access to relevant data and field-level support, while BUET will contribute engineering expertise, laboratory facilities and technical resources. Intellectual property generated through joint research will be shared equally between both institutions.
Initial projects under the MoU include a secure digital platform for automated IEP generation and student progress tracking, a multi-modal AI-based screening tool for early ASD detection, and low-cost sensor-based therapeutic devices alongside customised prosthetic solutions.
The MoU will remain valid for three years from the date of signing and may be renewed by mutual agreement.
