Today is the 49th birth anniversary of Sajeeb Wazed Joy, son of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her information and communication technology (ICT) affairs adviser.

Joy, a computer engineer, has transformed the country into technology-driven economy by making the best use of his academic knowledge. He is the architect of Digital Bangladesh.

He is working to drive Bangladesh country towards the fourth industrial revolution by supporting all government efforts in digitization of the country.

Joy, the grandson of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was born in Dhaka during the country’s war of liberation in 1971.

On the eve of his birthday, ministers and leaders in the country’s technology sector recalled his outstanding contributions to digitization of the country’s economy.

Talking to the daily sun, Telecommunications Minister Mustafa Jabbar said Joy is leading the technological transformation of the country by supporting the government in making important decisions.

“Under the supervision of the ICT adviser, we’ve entered into an era of the third and fourth generation mobile connectivity. We’re moving towards 5G. He supports all the major moves in development of technology,” he said.

Joy has been contributing to the government’s efforts to improve all indicators of technological advancement, including mobile phone users, internet users, accessing public services digitally, mobile banking, and earnings from tech sector exports.

Marking his birth anniversary, State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak published a book, focusing on his contributions to the country’s technology sector and future planning.

“The book has been published to project vision and mission of ICT Adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy before the young generation of the country,” Palak told the daily sun.

World Economic Forum (WEF) placed Sajeeb Wazed Joy in the list of ‘top young global leaders’ who have potential to shape the future of the world.

Former president of Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS) Shameem Ahsan said Joy not only dreamt of Digital Bangladesh but made it dream come true.

“Joy introduced alternative investment rules to facilitate venture capital and private equity firms, established small-cap board for small entrepreneurs, build infrastructure and reduced tax on e-commerce. He also exempted tech firms from corporate tax till 2024,” Shameem, also chairman of E-Generation.

Bangladesh Association of Call Centre and Outsourcing (BACCO) president Wahid Sharif said: Digital Bangladesh has now become a reality thanks to significant contributions of the ICT adviser.

“He (Sajeeb Wazed) is the idol for young generation and future leaders. Tech industry is growing rapidly under his visionary leadership. We wish him a long and healthy life on his birthday,” Wahid said.

Joy studied at Saint Joseph’s College, India and enrolled in computer science at the University of Bangalore and later transferred to The University of Texas at Arlington, USA and received bachelor’s degree in computer engineering. He completed post-graduation in public administration from Harvard University.