Empower

Welcome to the May 2025 issue of Empower, the periodic newsletter of the IsDB-BISEW IT Scholarship Programme. This edition features the following topics of note:

• The Ever-Evolving Landscape of Web Development: Trends and Technologies

• A Startup with Big Dreams – The Story of Shahin Akter

The Ever-Evolving Landscape of Web Development: Trends and Technologies

In today's digital age, web development stands at the forefront of innovation, driving the online experiences that shape our daily lives. From simple static websites to complex web applications, the realm of web development continues to evolve rapidly, propelled by advancements in technology and changing user expectations. Let's explore some of the latest trends and technologies shaping the field of web development.

1. Responsive Design: With the proliferation of mobile devices, responsive web design has become a standard practice. Websites must adapt seamlessly to various screen sizes and resolutions, providing users with an optimal viewing experience across devices.
2. Progressive Web Apps (PWAs): PWAs blend the best of web and mobile apps, delivering fast, reliable, and engaging experiences to users. By leveraging service workers and other modern web capabilities, PWAs offer features like offline functionality, push notifications, and home screen installation.
3. Single Page Applications (SPAs): SPAs provide a fluid and dynamic user experience by loading all necessary code upfront and updating the content dynamically as users interact with the application. Popular JavaScript frameworks like React, Angular, and Vue.js have revolutionised SPA development, enabling developers to build highly interactive and responsive interfaces.
4. Serverless Architecture: Serverless computing abstracts away the server infrastructure, allowing developers to focus solely on writing code without worrying about managing servers. Services like AWS Lambda, Azure Functions, and Google Cloud Functions enable developers to build scalable and cost-effective web applications with minimal operational overhead.
5. Jamstack (JavaScript, APIs, and Markup): Jamstack is a modern web development architecture that emphasises pre-rendering static assets and serving them through a content delivery network (CDN). By decoupling the frontend from the backend, Jamstack enables faster page loads, improved security, and simplified scaling.
6. Headless CMS: Headless content management systems (CMS) separate the content management backend from the frontend presentation layer, providing developers with greater flexibility and freedom in designing and delivering content. Headless CMS platforms like Contentful, Strapi, and Sanity empower developers to build dynamic and personalised web experiences.
7. WebAssembly (Wasm): WebAssembly is a binary instruction format that enables high-performance execution of code on the web. By allowing developers to write code in languages like C, C++, and Rust and compile it to run in the browser, WebAssembly opens up new possibilities for performance-intensive web applications, including games, video editing tools, and scientific simulations.
8. Blockchain and Decentralised Web: Blockchain technology is reshaping the web by enabling decentralised applications (dApps) and platforms that prioritise security, transparency, and user ownership of data. Projects like Ethereum, IPFS, and Solid are paving the way for a more decentralised and censorship-resistant web.
9. Accessibility and Inclusive Design: As digital accessibility becomes increasingly important, web developers are placing greater emphasis on creating websites and applications that are inclusive and accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. By adhering to web accessibility standards and best practices, developers can ensure that their creations are usable by everyone.
10. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning: AI and machine learning are being integrated into web development workflows to automate tasks, enhance user experiences, and unlock new capabilities. From chatbots and recommendation engines to image recognition and natural language processing, AI-powered technologies are driving innovation in web development.

In conclusion, web development continues to evolve at a rapid pace, fuelled by emerging technologies, changing user behaviours, and evolving industry standards. By staying informed about the latest trends and technologies, developers can adapt and thrive in this dynamic and ever-changing landscape, creating immersive and impactful web experiences for users worldwide.

A Startup with Big Dreams

Md. Shahin Aktar

Course: Enterprise Systems Analysis & Design-C# (ESAD-C#)

Trainee ID: 1253832, Round: 42, TSP: PeopleNtech Limited

“In about a month, we are going to launch our flagship product in the market,” said Shahin proudly. “It’s a one-of-a-kind service that will bring immense benefits to job seekers across the country.”

Md. Shahin Aktar, a graduate of the IsDB-BISEW IT Scholarship Programme, was referring to the suite of innovative products and services recently developed by his newly founded company.

Shahin joined Nevronus Systems in 2024, bringing with him a wealth of technical expertise in advanced software engineering. Under his leadership, the company successfully launched an ERP platform and a data analytics & business intelligence solution, both of which were met with immediate market acceptance. With two additional products nearing release, Nevronus Systems is rapidly establishing itself as a promising player in the AI-driven software industry, with a strong presence in EdTech, analytics, and enterprise solutions.

Surprisingly, Shahin’s academic background lies in sociology. “The IsDB-BISEW IT Scholarship Programme changed the course of my career,” he said. Growing up in rural Satkhira, he had little exposure to computers beyond playing games on a government-donated PC in school. Yet even that brief interaction sparked a deep and lasting interest in technology.

After moving to Dhaka for higher education, Shahin was unable to pursue computer science due to his arts background in SSC and HSC. He went on to complete bachelor’s and master’s degrees in sociology, and like many of his peers, began preparing for the civil service (BCS) examination, despite lacking enthusiasm for it. Then, by chance, he came across a Facebook advertisement for the IsDB-BISEW IT Scholarship Programme. Seizing the opportunity to pivot to a career in technology, he applied, passed the assessments, and was awarded the scholarship in Round-42.

Shahin enrolled in the Enterprise Systems Analysis & Design with C# course. He recalled the training as intense and demanding, requiring sustained commitment and practice. Rising to the challenge, he completed the course successfully. With the support of the programme’s Placement Cell, he secured his first role as a software developer at NextTell Communication. He later pursued another master’s degree in Applied Statistics and Data Science at Jahangirnagar University.

In just a few years, Shahin was earning a competitive salary as a software engineer at Shadhin Music, an online audio streaming platform. However, he felt a strong entrepreneurial drive. A friend who recognised his talent and determination invited him to co-found Nevronus Systems in 2024.

At Nevronus, Shahin played a leading role in developing a range of innovative products, including:

• AI-Based Medical Diagnosis – Diabetic Retinopathy Detection
• EdTech Learning & Testing Platform
• Data Analytics & Business Intelligence Suite
• Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)

“The rapid advances in IT are reshaping how businesses operate and professionals work,” says Shahin. “Our company’s aim is to harness the power of IT and AI to help our clients become more productive and achieve their goals cost-effectively.”

Looking back, Shahin attributes his transformation to the IsDB-BISEW IT Scholarship Programme. “The programme was nothing short of life-changing. It gave me the technical foundation and industry entry point I needed to transition from a non-technical academic background into a thriving IT career.”

The IsDB-BISEW IT Scholarship Programme stands as a model of successful career conversion, equipping individuals from diverse academic disciplines with the skills, opportunities, and support to excel in the dynamic field of information technology. Shahin Aktar’s journey is an outstanding example of the programme’s transformative impact.