Institute of Science and Technology in Dhanmondi, Dhaka

Every great accomplishment begins with a dream, a vision that motivates people to shape their thoughts into a powerful reality. Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Behind the establishment of IST, the dreamer was Professor Abdus Salam. He deeply believed that `scientific thought is the common heritage of all mankind’ and he had the dream that the developing world should benefit and could contribute substantially to that heritage, on par with the developed world.

He also believed that Islam is the fundamental part of any scientific work. He once wrote that “the Holy Quran enjoins us to reflect on the verities of Allah’s created laws of nature; however, that our generation has been privileged to glimpse a part of His design is a bounty and a grace for which I render thanks with a humble heart.”

During his acceptance speech for the Nobel Prize in Physics, Salam quoted verses from the Quran and stated:

“Thou seest not, in the creation of the All-merciful any imperfection, Return thy gaze, seest thou any fissure? Then Return thy gaze, again and again. Thy gaze, Come back to thee dazzled, aweary.”  This, in effect, is the faith of all physicists; the deeper we seek, the more our wonder excited, and the more is the dazzlement for our gaze.

He has been able to realize his dream by establishing the International Center of Science, technology, and Environment for densely populated regions (ICSTED).

ICSTED aims to bring together leading academic scientists, researchers, and research scholars to exchange and share their experiences and research results on all aspects of Science, Technology, Environment, and Development. It will also provide a premier interdisciplinary platform for researchers, practitioners, and educators to come and present the most recent innovations, trends, and concerns as well as practical challenges encountered and solutions adopted in the fields of Science, Technology, Environment, and Development.

IST is the outcome of his dream. It is one of the 8 centers in Southeast Asia located in Dhaka, Bangladesh. It was founded by Professor Dr. Shahida Rafique in 1993. This institution is always concerned about the quality of education with the motto “A Center of Excellence for Education”. IST is conducting renowned and highly demanding honors and master’s courses with distinction.