Daring to Dream

Jabir Abdullah Masum is a 21 years old engineer, with an interest in electronics from a very young age. He went on to becoming a Research Assistant Engineer in Pi Labs Bangladesh Ltd, a teacher in OBAT Helpers and a trainer for Renewable Energy Innovation Hub – a project by the US Department of State. 

"I studied in a Madrasa, in Narsingdi- Jami Quasemia Quamil Madrasa- where my father was a teacher," says Jabir. "The Madrasa education system is very different compared to other educational institutes. I never could learn about my actual interests," he shares. He would collect scrap material, like broken antennas, put them together and receive different channels on his radio. "I would use my common sense and try and find out more." There was even a time when Jabir would go to different electronic shops and read instruction manuals for hours. 

After completing his HSC examinations, he went on a different path. After travelling to Dhaka, he took his chances with Dhaka Polytechnic Institute and was admitted. "When I got in, I did not even know that there was an electromagnetic pull from the centre of the Earth! Everyone else knew things that I never learned," says Jabir. When the time came to end his four year diploma, Jabir was the one who won everyone's hearts during the practical finals. "I was weak in written exams, and also doubtful. When the practical exams came, I used my experience and aced them!" he shares. He made quite a name during his time at the institute by winning group competitions.

After completing his four year diploma in Mechanical Engineering, Jabir applied for a training course at Pi Labs Bangladesh Ltd for training in electronics. Soon after he completed the course, he was hired by the institute. "During that time, my father had just gone into retirement and I was desperately looking for a job. It was an absolute blessing getting the opportunity to work with the people I was so inspired by," shares Jabir. Shortly afterwards, he was approached by Sajid Iqbal, founder of CHANGE, to be a trainer for a project by the US Department of State. "The one thing I am most proud of is that for both the jobs I got, I did not need to show a degree or any piece of paper to prove my worth. Any time I got recognition, it was purely because of my skills, which too have stemmed from my common sense," says Jabir.