On Wednesday (19 December 2018), a seminar on “Science and Engineering Research in US - Role of the Government, National Labs and Universities” was held at Central Auditorium of University of Asia Pacific (UAP), jointly organized by Department of Civil Engineering under UAP CE Seminar Series and Bangladesh Academy of Sciences (BAS). Dr. Taher Saif, Professor of Mechanical Science and Engineering of University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign was the guest speaker.

He discussed the roots of American research and higher education and how American Universities have become the global hub of learning and innovation through decades. He also deliberated the role of US Government and National Science Foundation (NSF) in promoting high-class research. Then, he briefly presented his research on intelligent biological machines and mechanical interaction among genetically engineered cells. He presented such an elementary micro machine consisting of a soft slender string and cardiomyocytes. These cells interact with the string, and with each other. They beat in synchrony as a single actuator. This living actuator bends the string in a time-irreversible fashion and swims in fluids mimicking a bacterial flagellum.

Dr. Muhammad Mizanur Rahaman, Head of the Department of Civil Engineering of UAP inaugurated the event with his speech. The seminar was attended by several renowned professionals in their respective fields including Dr. Jamilur Reza Choudhury, Vice-Chancellor of University of Asia Pacific, Dr. Naiyyum Choudhury, Vice President of Bangladesh Academy of Sciences, Dr. Mesbahuddin Ahmed, Secretary of Bangladesh Academy of Sciences and many more.