Akib Zaman, an alumnus of the Military Institute of Science and Technology (MIST), is currently pursuing his PhD at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS). Akib is affiliated with MIT's renowned Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) and is working as a part of the Algorithmic Design Group led by Professor Mina Konaković Luković.

Akib's academic journey began at Jessore Institute Government Primary School, Jashore, followed by Daud Public School and College, Jashore, and then Jhenaidah Cadet College, where he passed his SSC and HSC exams. He then joined the Bangladesh Army, later graduating from The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, England where he was awarded with the "Best Overseas Student" award. Later, Akib transitioned into academia where his current research interest lies in the intersection of robotics and computational geometry, specifically optimising the design of reconfigurable robots – an area full of exciting, futuristic possibilities.

Campus sat down for a virtual interview with Akib where he shared more about his experiences, research, and insights.

Campus (C): Could you tell us a bit about your current research?

Akib (A): Initially, my research focused on the intersection of robotics and geometry processing, but now, I am specifically working on developing algorithms to optimise the design and control of shape-shifting robots. To put it simply, imagine the robots from the movie Transformers – machines that can change configurations. These Transformers have two configurations: a car mode for driving tasks, and a humanoid mode for combat tasks. But what if we could build robots with even more configurations? This initiative involves challenges like identifying the optimal design from a large search space and developing a central intelligence system to control the transformations. I am working on solving these problems, which require a deep understanding of geometry processing.

I am also interested in extending this work using phase-changing materials, which could enable liquid shape-shifting robots, like the T-1000 from Terminator 2. Imagine a soft robot capable of splitting its body to navigate through narrow arteries and locate cholesterol blockages. This technology has vast potential in robotics, especially for exploring unknown environments such as space, the deep ocean, and the human body.

C: What were some of the most notable projects from your undergraduate years that align with your current research interests in robotics?

A: During my first two years, I focused on strengthening my understanding of core Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) subjects like SPL, OOP, DSA, etc., without any involvement in robotics. My capstone project during my third year, "Intelli-Helmet", was a stress monitoring system for soldiers and it used EEG and heart rate data to identify post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This project was inspired by a scene from the TV series Band of Brothers, and it was published as my first research paper.

Later, I worked on developing "UVC-Purge", a semi-autonomous robot designed to disinfect spaces during the COVID-19 pandemic using controlled ultraviolet-C (UVC) radiation. Our team won the championship in the "Application Category" at the Medical Robotics Challenge for Contagious Disease 2020, hosted by the UK Robotics & Autonomous Systems (UK-RAS) Network. This recognition, along with a GBP 5,000 grant, inspired me to further explore the field of robotics.

C: What relevant initiatives did you take during your time at MIST?

A: After winning the grant in the early part of my fourth year, my group and I had a dream of participating in the University Rover Challenge (URC), one of the most prestigious rover competitions in the world, organised by NASA's Mars Society. We presented our success with UVC Purge as proof of concept to MIST's higher authorities, and we were granted funding to pursue our vision.

With an incredible team of around 50 members, we built the Mars rover from scratch, re-forming the Mongol Barota - MIST Mars Rover Society. In that year's virtual finals, we became the top-scoring team globally and produced another publication based on the novelty of our rover.

C: We also understand that you have taught at United International University (UIU). How was your teaching experience there?

A: After graduating in 2021, I joined UIU as a lecturer in its CSE department and had an exceptional work experience. During my tenure, I developed the UIU Mars Rover Team from scratch in September 2021, which earned international recognition under my direction as team mentor. We ranked the highest among Asian teams at the URC in 2022 and 2023, placing 13th and 9th globally, respectively.

At the Anatolian Rover Challenge (ARC), we were the second runners-up worldwide. Continuing my initiatives from MIST, I always dreamt of establishing a world-class research laboratory under my supervision after completing my PhD, so I pioneered a miniature version of it at the heart of Dhaka by becoming one of the founders of the Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR) at UIU. CAIR promotes ground, aerial, and underwater robotics research. Over two years, UIU invested more than BDT 2 crores into flourishing the robotics sector for which I am extremely grateful to the affiliated authority. I am proud to have contributed to laying the foundation for a lasting impact on future generations of robotics students and researchers.

C: Could you please tell us how you approached the MIT application process? How did you connect with professors or research groups at MIT during that time?

A: I didn't apply right after graduating in 2021 because I felt my profile wasn't strong enough to get into a top-tier university where I could pursue advanced research. So, I decided to take a year or two to strengthen my research experience. During that time, I worked with a professor at Rutgers University, USA, working on a deep learning framework for developing a sleep stage classification framework, and co-authored two research papers. I also collaborated with my thesis supervisor and colleagues at UIU on several research projects, which helped solidify my research portfolio. Around September 2022, I began compiling a list of professors whose research interests aligned with mine and whose labs I felt would be a good fit. I started networking with them, finding common ground before eventually reaching out to them via email. My target universities included Imperial College London and several top and mid-tier US universities based on the QS World University Rankings. In the end, I received acceptance offers related to robotics from MIT, University of Washington, University of Virginia, and University of Minnesota Twin Cities among others.

C: What key factors should students consider when planning their graduate applications, especially for top universities like MIT?

A: There are several key factors, the importance of which I realised even more after becoming a student reviewer for MIT applications this fall. First and foremost are CGPA and research profile. My CGPA was 3.98 on a scale of 4, and to get into top universities, you typically need a strong CGPA to demonstrate long-term dedication.

However, you can make up for a lower CGPA with significant research experience, particularly if you've published your work in well-known conferences or journals. It's crucial to have projects and publications in the same domain as your intended programme. In my application, I was able to connect the dots clearly, showing an intermediate level of expertise through hands-on projects like those in the rover challenges, along with a few publications in conferences and journals. All of this showcased my passion for solving complex problems, particularly in robotics.

Next, comes the standardised tests. I didn't take the GRE since MIT waived it during my application year, but I did take the IELTS and scored a Band 8, with all sections higher than 7.5. For those preparing, I recommend taking mock tests to ensure readiness and aiming for balanced scores across all sections.

Moreover, start building your CV and academic profile early, keeping them concise and organised. Your statement of purpose (SOP) and letters of recommendation (LoRs) are vital for piecing together your profile. They present your unique story and align your research interests with the programme. Engaging in projects with faculty members and maintaining strong relationships with them will help you organically identify the right people to write strong LoRs, which are absolutely crucial.

Lastly, extracurricular activities (ECAs) round out your application, showing versatility. I had a moderate ECA profile, working as a lecturer and being a founder of several teams that secured over USD 200,000 in funding, which demonstrated my commitment to STEM and community service.

Reaching out to professors is also a key part of the process. I had interviews with professors from five of the nine universities I applied to before the application deadlines, thanks to targeted outreach.

C: How important were standardized tests like GRE and IELTS in your admission process?

A: I would like to address one of the misconceptions that students have: GRE and IELTS aren't the primary focus for admission; instead, they objectively compare applicants coming from different curricula and demonstrate English proficiency and problem-solving skills, especially for non-native speakers.

C: How do you see your research impacting future technologies in Bangladesh and around the globe as well?

A: My research aims to develop algorithms to facilitate a future where robots not only perform tasks but also intelligently adapt to new tasks in uncertain environments through morphological reconfiguration. I envision this technology having significant potential in extraterrestrial exploration, deep ocean research, drug delivery and internal surgery in healthcare, and emergency disaster response – sectors where uncertainty is high, and deploying multiple systems is less efficient than utilising a reconfigurable robot. I aim to build upon the expertise gained during my PhD by expanding my research into new areas, focusing on enhancing the capability and flexibility of robotic systems.

Beside my core focus in research, I am eager to contribute to developing effective AI solutions like warehouse automation and control policies for autonomous vehicle and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in Bangladesh. I look forward to collaborating with more roboticists in Bangladesh and leveraging my expertise to develop solutions that reduce the need for manual labor.

C: What is your vision for the job industry and robotics?

A: The demand for robotics expertise is set to skyrocket globally, including in Bangladesh, over the next two decades. While still a niche field here, major companies like Google, Amazon, and Meta already have significant robotics R&D sectors. Examples include Meta's touch-sensitive robotics skin, which aids in the construction of the Metaverse, and Tesla's humanoid robot Optimus (Gen-2).

C: How is academic life at MIT different from here and why are they so advanced in research?

A: Academic life at MIT differs greatly from that in Bangladesh due to abundant resources and a focus on passion-driven projects. Students have access to a wide array of human and computational resources that nurture innovation. The environment is nearly non-judgmental, allowing for stress-free idea development, while resources are shared in a controlled manner to support promising initiatives.

MIT invests heavily in its PhD students, viewing them as valuable assets. This includes providing support for academic challenges and addressing administrative issues like visa and financial concerns. This holistic approach significantly contributes to their advanced research capabilities. I am very grateful to have such a wonderful opportunity to pursue an interesting research topic.

C: As an MIT PhD student and a MIST alumnus, what advice would you give to aspiring international students in Bangladesh?

A: My favorite quote from the movie Turbo is, "No dream is too big, and no dreamer is too small." Keep your dream alive by working hard and nurturing your inner inquisitive spirit along the way. I believe the fear of failure is the biggest enemy when it comes to taking risks in such a competitive academic environment in Bangladesh. I would encourage people to still take risks and follow their passion wholeheartedly. Not every voyage will lead to success, but each journey will teach you valuable lessons. And one day, you might look back and smile, realising that every step was necessary for the dots to connect perfectly. 

Fatima Ashraf is a Campus Ambassador for The Daily Star from the Military Institute of Science and Technology (MIST).