North South University (NSU), the first and leading private university of Bangladesh, hosted the opening ceremony and orientation of the NIPPON AI Dojoon 21 September 2025, a groundbreaking AI education program launched in the country for the first time, a press release said.
The event was graced by Professor Abdul Hannan Chowdhury, Vice-Chancellor of NSU, as the chief guest, with Professor Abdur Rob Khan, Treasurer and Pro-Vice Chancellor (IC), attending as the special guest.
The NIPPON AI Dojo is a free AI education initiative jointly organized by Chowagiken Japan and AI Samurai Japan, with funding support from Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry. It has been introduced in Bangladesh as part of a feasibility study project.
For this inaugural phase, the program is being conducted in collaboration with two of the country’s most prestigious institutions, North South UniversityandBRAC University. The overwhelming response saw over 350 students apply, from which only 20 (10 from each university) were selected to actively participate in the pilot batch. The program will run from September 2025 to January 2026.
With the global AI industry booming and demand for skilled engineers at an all-time high, Bangladesh stands at a turning point. Each year, thousands of graduates emerge from top universities in computer science and IT, but many lack the opportunity for industry-level experience. At the same time, Japan faces a growing demand for skilled professionals in AI development. The NIPPON AI Dojo bridges these realities by equipping Bangladeshi students with practical skills in AI project development, preparing them to work on real-world, industry-driven solutions.
This initiative promises mutual benefits: Bangladesh can accelerate its transformation into a knowledge-based economy by developing industry-ready graduates, while Japan gains access to highly motivated, well-trained engineers to meet its workforce demands.
NSU has expressed a strong interest in supporting and hosting the program, marking a milestone in Japan-Bangladesh ICT cooperation. The success of this feasibility study could open pathways for more Bangladeshi graduates to enter Japan’s AI industry while addressing the critical shortage of skilled professionals at home.
