“I would like to emphasize that a strategic combination of commendable technical ecosystem and rich content could be the game changer to bring about the true Digital Revolution”
Quazi Shafi Sunny
Project Coordinator of Google Bus in Bangladesh and organizer of Google I/O Extended Dhaka shares his insights about the recently held Google I/O 2015
For the first time, there is an event called Google I/O Extended Dhaka Program. What intrigued you to organize such an event?
This is not the first time that Google I/O Extended Dhaka is being held in Dhaka, it’s the second. The first Google I/O Extended Dhaka was held at HubDhaka organized by Google Developer Group Dhaka (GDG). I was intrigued by the facts how active different Google Communities are Bangladesh is and this was chance to meet and greet everyone who are all somewhat working towards same goal, exemplifying the prospect of ICT Industry in Bangladesh.
What is the response of developers who participated in the event and enjoyed live streaming of the actual I/O event?
The developers are always the core focus group in the I/Os as they are always ahead of the curve in terms of understanding and adaption in comparison to the consumers towards the latest innovations and technology. A good number of developers stayed back to watch the announcements made at Google I/O San Francisco in a similar fashion as football fanatics watch Fifa Worldcup Finals. They were most excited about the announcement made about Project Ara, a modular smartphone project by Google.
How is Google Bus doing in Dhaka?
Google Bus Bangladesh is one of the most important projects to land in the shores of Bangladesh in this golden time of Digitalization, it is going great. Ofcourse, apart from a few setbacks due to the political turmoil in the beginning of the year, it has been persistently been achieving its target of teaching key digital skills to more than half a million students in Bangladesh. I personally think it is a great initiative for first time internet users to familiarize themselves with the possible benefits.
Being an expert in Digital Media marketing, what’s your take on the current scenario?
I think we are in a transition period where we are quickly adapting to the uses of internet and smartphones. If you notice, all major advertising agencies in Bangladesh are investing into their digital wings or developing a separate digital agency due to the growing market demands. One of the most popular tools used to reach audiences in Bangladesh remains Facebook with over 11 million users; I realized that its quick bargain largely undermines the possibilities of the Internet in general with 42 million users in the country. I would like to emphasize that a strategic combination of commendable technical ecosystem and rich content could be the game changer to bring about the true Digital Revolution.
What according to you is the most exciting take-away from this year’s I/O and why?
The most exciting take-away from this year’s Google I/O Extended Dhaka would be finding out audience’s level of fascination towards the various start-ups and initiatives in Bangladesh and by Bangladeshis globally at the local Key-Note presentations in relationship to Google I/O San Francisco’s Key-Notes. I plan to set out for an excavation to establish communication with more such revolutionary initiatives to offer the audiences fresh new narratives in the coming years of Google I/O Extended Dhaka.