Participants along with guests and teachers pose for photos at Independent University, Bangladesh ‘Coding for All’ initiative programme on IUB campus recently. — Press release

Ten faculty members of Independent University, Bangladesh from non-engineering backgrounds have successfully completed the first ever computer programming training workshop for faculty members, organised as part of the university’s unique ‘Coding for All’ initiative.

On December 21, at the Centre for Cognitive Skill Enhancement laboratory on IUB campus, vice-chancellor Tanweer Hasan, proponent of the initiative, aimed at bolstering students’ digital readiness, presented certificates to faculty members, said a press release.

Professor Meherun Ahmed, dean of the School of Business and Entrepreneurship, and professor Mamun Bin Ibne Reaz, dean of the School of Engineering, Technology and Sciences were present at the event.

Titled ‘Automate your day with Python’, the workshop spanned four weeks, concluding on December 7 that was designed to provide practical skills in Python programming, aimed at enhancing the digital capabilities of the faculty. It focused on automating everyday tasks, such as sending personalised mass emails, organising files, and handling data in Excel spread sheets.

One of the participants, Mahmud Hasan Khan, professor of English and modern languages department and executive director of Sasheen centre for multilingual excellence, said that he had got the basic idea about how to use Python to set the parameters for sentiment analysis at the programme.

IUB VC Tanweer Hasan said that they had a unique approach where every student, regardless of their field of study, was required to develop computer and coding skills.

Faculty members from global studies and governance, management information systems, development studies, life sciences, pharmacy, and other departments participated in the workshop.

The training sessions were conducted by three faculty members from Computer Science and Engineering department. Launched in 2023, the initiative has already seen several hundred students from different departments receive coding training.