A Facebook group discussing science answered 150,000 scientific questions. It attracts an average of 29 million people. Muhammad Shawon Mahmud, founder of BigyanPriyo, has created a digital ecosystem on science in Bangladesh.
Shawon had a hard time during the admission exam in 2016. Since he enjoyed reading on his own more than participating in the teacher's lesson, several thought-provoking questions evolved. Most of the time he did not get answers to those questions. There was no platform where scientific ideas and discoveries were accessible to all.
Enrolling at Jahangirnagar University gave him the chance to give this issue a lot of thought. He noticed many students were unable to ask questions, and many individuals who are not science literate have a lot of curiosity, yet are unable to obtain relevant information.
During his first year, the Jahangirnagar University Science Club significantly improved his drive and productivity for various science-based projects. Eventually, Shawon decided to create a platform that would engage the public in scientific discussions and developments by breaking down complex concepts into simple terms that are understandable to those who may not have a science background.
“Not satisfying the small curiosity is like burying the big inventors.” -- Shawon.
Why do you feel like you're falling when you go to sleep? Why do some dead bodies not rot in graves? Why can't you donate blood to your family?
Where do you ask and satisfy your curiosity when these kinds of “real life” science-centric questions come to mind? Although Google may claim to have the answers to any query, most search results are frequently unreliable. Finding trustworthy, research-based answers takes a lot of time. It also requires patience and proficiency in English.
On December 1, 2018, the birthday of Dr Qudrat-e-Khuda, Shawon launched a research-centric open-forum platform, “BigyanPriyo.” Initially, only friends from the department engaged with it. With the support of his friends and lecturers, he took small steps that led to significant potential.
Where do you ask and satisfy your curiosity when these kinds of “real life” science-centric questions come to mind?
BigyanPriyo quickly established itself as a trustworthy platform in the Bengali language for open science discussions and knowledge-sharing to a broader audience. Their Facebook group “Bigyan Ki Bole?” (previously known as “BigyanPriyo Poribar”) attracted nearly one lakh members in just six months, and by 2022, that figure rose to nearly one million. According to Meta Insight, as of 2022, the team had provided answers to over 150,000+ science-based queries behind which stand several national and international researchers as well as enthusiastic students from top universities in Bangladesh.
In 2020, Shawon further expanded the activities of BigyanPriyo. He began creating fascinating and engaging video documentaries for social media platforms that focused on STEM education. Many scientific enthusiasts began to follow them regularly.
Shawon was the first to raise his voice against pseudoscience and superstition online in the Bengali language. He has dispelled many common myths and false beliefs through online research and in-person spot counselling against superstitions by deploying an intellectual team. He was recognized nationally for his contributions to scientific education that are in line with SDG Goal 4 by 2030 when he was awarded the "Joy Bangla Youth Award" in 2022.
Shawon created a bridge between scientists and the public. BigyanPriyo contributes to the democratization of knowledge by ensuring that scientific information is not limited to experts or researchers. It allows a wider audience, including students, policymakers, and the general public, to stay informed about scientific advancements. And the university's conducive atmosphere was the driving force behind this endeavour.
Md Ashikur Rahman is a postgraduate student of Public Administration and Governance Studies, Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University. He can be reached at [email protected]
