Zarif Faiaz

Zarif Faiaz is a writer, journalist, and a tech policy researcher based out of Dhaka, Bangladesh. He is the In-Charge of the Tech & Startup section at The Daily Star and a Fellow at the Tech Global Institute.

Key considerations for getting bancassurance

In Bangladesh, bancassurance is gradually becoming a popular and convenient way for customers to purchase insurance products through their banks.

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Why it’s wise to start insurance at an early age

Starting insurance early is one of the smartest financial decisions a person can make—especially in Bangladesh, where insurance penetration remains low while the need for financial protection is rising.

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Bridging Bangladesh’s skills gap

Bangladesh’s vocational training sector has expanded rapidly in recent years, particularly in information and communications technology (ICT). Thousands of private training centres now operate across the country, offering similar types of courses in areas such as web development, hardware maintenance, and digital marketing. However, the absence of a standardised system of curriculum design, delivery, and assessment has contributed to wide disparities in the quality of training offered.

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Disinformation campaigns target women and minorities in Bangladesh: Study

Study reveals how gendered abuse, misinformation and disinformation on Facebook threaten democratic participation in Bangladesh, especially for women and gender-diverse individuals.

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Rewriting the future: Bangladeshi innovation in home appliances

The domestic appliance sector in Bangladesh is no longer playing catch-up with global markets, in many cases, it is leading them.

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Too old to hire? The quiet bias keeping skilled professionals out of jobs

In a world that prizes innovation and adaptability, one would assume experience is a critical asset. Yet, for many older professionals, particularly those over 50, the job market tells a different story—one where decades of service are quietly disregarded in favour of youth. Age discrimination, or ageism, in the workplace remains a pervasive but often under-acknowledged issue globally, and Bangladesh is no exception.

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The skills premium: how AI became essential for marketers

The marketing world is undergoing a seismic transformation. As generative artificial intelligence (gen AI) matures from a technical novelty into a strategic necessity, marketing professionals are being forced to adapt at a pace unprecedented in recent memory. No longer confined to the realms of data science or IT, AI has become central to the everyday operations of marketing departments, not just enhancing productivity, but fundamentally reshaping the structure, skills, and strategy of marketing teams worldwide.

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The colonial legacy in our digital infrastructure

How Bangladesh and the Global South remain trapped in digital dependence

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December 11, 2020
December 11, 2020

iPhone 12 Pro Max: The most iPhone you can get in an iPhone

I want to start off with the size -- the iPhone 12 Pro Max is too big. In fact, with its 6.7-inch display, it’s the biggest iPhone Apple has ever

December 4, 2020
December 4, 2020

Flying during the pandemic? 5 things to keep in mind to stay safe

Take multiple masks, either disposable ones or re-washables, throw in a face shield for added safety as you might come in close contact with

November 20, 2020
November 20, 2020

Tired of it

I mean the virus. As the pandemic drags on for the 8th month now, for many of us, it’s getting incredibly difficult to keep maintaining the health guidelines down to the last details.

November 20, 2020
November 20, 2020

As pandemic fatigue sets in, experts warn of danger lurking around

With weariness from the prolonged pandemic settling in, even the most conscious ones are slowly starting to visit restaurants, cafes and tourist destinations as they open up to public gatherings. While dangers still loom large, frustration from a seemingly never-ending pandemic is driving people to take up small cautious risks.

November 6, 2020
November 6, 2020

“Winter is here”

Like the disappointing 8th season of Game of Thrones, winter is finally upon us, bringing the scare of a second wave of Covid-19 along with it.

October 27, 2020
October 27, 2020

The man who built Samsung: A tale of strategy, controversy, success

Lee Kun-hee, Chairman of Samsung Electronics and the man widely credited for transforming Samsung into a global giant, breathed his last on Sunday in Seoul, South Korea. He was 78 at the time of his demise and was admitted in a hospital for the last six years following a heart attack, according to a statement released by Samsung.

October 23, 2020
October 23, 2020

Yet another attempt at exercising

Since the lockdown started, most of us have taken an attempt at starting a proper workout routine at least once. It’s safe to say that, most of us haven’t stuck to it. But despite that, the failed attempts go on to show that people are starting to take fitness more seriously and with Covid-19 bringing a major shift in our lifestyle, perhaps this enthusiasm is here to stay.

October 16, 2020
October 16, 2020

Get up, stand up

The past week has been a weary one. From being overwhelmed with news of violence against women to a nationwide eruption of protest against

October 9, 2020
October 9, 2020

From Trump to K-Pop

We knew the big ‘rona isn’t going away any soon, unlike Donald Trump. And that is why we have decided not to bow down before the virus.

September 25, 2020
September 25, 2020

“The Social Dilemma” exposes the ugly truth about social media with a stark warning

What sets The Social Dilemma apart from contemporary materials on the dangers of social media, is its simplistic and straightforward narrative that aims to explain complex algorithms in layman's terms. Coupled with honest, exclusive interviews of former Big Tech employees and a fictional second storyline that shows how a regular American household slowly disintegrates thanks to the influence of social media; The Social Dilemma desperately tries to tell a true horror story that's stranger than fiction.