Network of Instrument Technical personnel and User scientists of Bangladesh (NITUB)
(A Network Supported by International Science Programme (ISP) under the International Programme in the Chemical Science (IPICS), Uppsala University, Sweden.)
The registration number of NITUB is S-7887(1077)08.
Announcement
The Network of Instrument Technical personnel and User scientists of Bangladesh (NITUB) is a voluntary, non-profit, and non-political organization dedicated to advancing scientific education and research in Bangladesh [registration number: S-7887 (1077)08]. Since its establishment in 1994, NITUB has been working to ensure that scientific instruments in educational and research institutions function properly, enabling uninterrupted scientific activities.
Its primary mission is to ensure that scientific equipment of the educational institutions, research organizations and public & private enterprises function properly and scientific activities do not suffer for non-functioning equipment. To make this mission successful NITUB’s activities are targeted towards generating skilled technical personnel in all sectors through training and to offer technical help with NITUB’s pool of technicians whenever instrument maintenance and repair services are needed.
Through regular training programs, workshops, seminars, technical support services, and partnerships with national and international organizations, NITUB continues to develop skilled human resources and foster a culture of professionalism and innovation. Our initiatives aim to empower technical personnel, support researchers, and contribute to the sustainable development of scientific infrastructure in Bangladesh.
We warmly welcome researchers, technicians, institutions, and partners to join NITUB in our journey to advance scientific capability, promote technical excellence, and support the growth of research and education for a better future of Bangladesh.
Genesis of NITUB
The establishment of the Network of Instrument Technical Personnel and User Scientists of Bangladesh (NITUB) was inspired by the need to overcome the challenges of maintaining scientific instruments in Bangladesh. Many costly instruments remained non-functional due to inadequate technical expertise and a shortage of trained personnel. To address this issue, the International Programme in the Chemical Sciences (IPICS) and the International Foundation for Science (IFS) agreed that Bangladesh should develop its own capacity for the proper use, maintenance, and repair of scientific equipment.
Accordingly, the first Workshop on Instrument Maintenance and Repair was organized in 1991 at the Department of Chemistry, University of Dhaka by the IFS Grantees and IPICS Fellows of Bangladesh. Its success led to a second workshop in January 1994, attended by 40 scientists and technical personnel from universities and research organizations across the country. The workshop was conducted by six experts from the International Centre for Advanced Technology (ICAT), Luton College, UK, with support from eight local resource persons, and was principally sponsored by IFS.
Following the workshop, participants recommended establishing a national network for scientific instrument maintenance and technical support. A proposal for NITUB was presented to the Asian Coordinating Group of Chemistry (ACGC) on 18 June 1994 in Melaka, Malaysia, during ASOMPS VIII. Supported by IFS, IPICS, UNESCO, and the Federation of Asian Chemical Societies (FACS), the proposal was approved, and NITUB was formally launched on 19 July 1994.
Following the example of NITUB, Professor Mangala Manandhar of the Central Department of Chemistry, Tribhuban University, Nepal, took the initiative to form Network of Instrument Technical personnel and User scientists of Nepal (NITUN). Resource persons from NITUB conducted NITUN’s Workshops and Executive Committee members of NITUB had visited Nepal and put forward suggestions during formation of NITUN.
Scientists from Nepal are taking part in some of the training programmes of NITUB. Scientists from Bhutan and Myanmar were also invited to take part in NITUB’s Programme.
Regional cooperation is expected to be extended to other countries in the region for example to Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia. NITUB received partial financial supports fron IFS and OPCW for such regional training programmes.
NITUB conducts its activities across all divisions of Bangladesh, not only from its center in Dhaka but also reaching every corner of the country where scientific workshops, training, or instrument repair are needed. This ensures a nationwide presence and consistent engagement with educational, scientific, and research institutions.
NITUB has received generous financial and logistic support from both national and international organizations. Initially, it was supported by IFS, IPICS, and UNESCO. Since 1996, NITUB has been a supported network of the International Science Programme (ISP), Uppsala University, Sweden, which remains its main funding partner. Additional support has been provided by the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), University Grants Commission (UGC), Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR), and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW). Funds are also generated through training fees and service charges.
NITUB gratefully acknowledges the cooperation of all its partners for their vital contribution to strengthening scientific research and instrumentation capacity in Bangladesh. In particular, NITUB expresses its heartfelt gratitude to the following institutions for their continuous support:
