An early pioneer in IT

When Abu Yousuf Mesbah Uddin Ahmed first landed in the UK back in the 1970s, he did not imagine a life other than the one he dreamed of and that was to become an acturian after completing his studies.

However, financial glitches held him back from accomplishing his dream.  Ahmed later moved on to pursue a career in IT with hard work and determination.

“He always felt IT would become important,” said A Towhid, a long-time friend of Ahmed who passed away in 1996.

Towhid was speaking at the Daily Star ICT Awards, the first of its kind in Bangladesh, at La Meridien on October 28.

Ahmed, founder of IBCS-PRIMAX Software (Bangladesh), was honoured posthumously as an ICT pioneer for his courage in setting up an IT business in Bangladesh in 1989 when IT was still new and computers were seen, but hardly touched.

Ahmed jointed British Railway after completing his education there and headed the IT (information technology) Department, Towhid remembered fondly. A couple of years down the line, he left British Railway and joined Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI) in the UK as an IT manager. He helped design and develop many software packages.

He aspired to develop software here by utilising the talents, skills and innovative ideas of the youth of Bangladesh, said Towhid. His dream came true when he met Toufiq Elahi Chowdhury, managing director of the then Bangladesh Shilpa Bank, on a flight to Dhaka from London.

Ahmed shared his vision with Chowdhury and was assured of finance. Ahmed, along with some friends, finally established IBCS-PRIMAX as a joint venture with a paid-up capital of Tk 50 lakh.

The company that began operations in February 1990 focused on developing human resources by training the local youth.

“At that time, computers were kept in veils. People had little knowledge about software,” said Towhid, who joined the company as a partner.

Reflecting on the past, he said Ahmed advocated for the importance of IT in Bangladesh and wanted the youth to learn technology.

Today, his dream has become almost a reality, he said.

The youths here are here making software, setting up IT firms and signing up for IT outsourcing by showing their talents.

IBCS-Primax has 150 software engineers. But a big part of the story is that 60 percent of IT entrepreneurs here received training from IBCS-Primax.

“He [Ahmed] would be very happy if he could see how the boys in Bangladesh have taken IT to a higher level,” said Towhid after receiving the award on behalf of his friend.