Computer Science and Engineering

The Department of Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) at Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology (AUST) organized an insightful Webinar titled "Navigating a Career in Computer Science: From Campus to Industry, Academia, and Back to Industry" on September 19, from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM via Zoom, engaging faculty members and over 70+ student participants.

The keynote speaker for the session was Dr. Md Mahir Asef Kabir currently a Software Engineer at Google (Pittsburgh). Drawing from his career journey—which spans undergraduate studies, internships at Amazon and Google, PhD research at Virginia Tech, and returning to industry—Dr. Mahir shared practical insights into transitioning between academic and corporate environments.

During the session, Dr. Mahir addressed key technical and professional aspects essential for computer science graduates:

• Campus to Industry Transition: He emphasized real-world engineering practices, highlighting the importance of teamwork, understanding large pre-existing codebases, and maintaining clean code in fast-paced work environments.
• Competitive Programming & CGPA: Dr. Mahir noted that competitive programming builds critical problem-solving skills and teamwork useful for interviews and higher studies. Regarding academic performance, while CGPA is not the sole criteria for employment, a strong CGPA serves as a key selling point when applying for graduate school and research positions.
• Impact of AI on Software Engineering: Addressing concerns around AI and Large Language Models (LLMs), the discussion highlighted that AI tools will augment software engineers rather than replace them. While AI speeds up task comprehension and code generation, critical problem-solving, code verification, and architectural testing remain human-driven responsibilities.
• Resume & Interview Best Practices: For resume preparation, Mahir recommended focusing on measurable impact and clear metrics rather than filling the document with technical jargon.

The session was attended by distinguished department faculty members, including  Prof. Dr. S.M. Abdullah Al-Mamun (Head of CSE), Associate Professor Md. Moinul Hoque, Associate Professor Faisal Muhammad Shah, Prof. Dr. Md. Shahriar Mahbub  and Mr. Md Hasan Al Kayem.

Head of CSE extended his heartfelt thanks to the speaker for taking the time to mentor and inspire current students and not forgetting their roots to AUST.

Distinguished faculty members expressed their deep appreciation to Dr. Md Mahir Asef Kabir, who is also an alumnus of CSE department at AUST for giving back to his alma mater and inspiring the next generation of engineers to aim for the absolute top of the global tech industry. Prof. Dr. Shahriar Mahbub expressed satisfaction with alumni remembering their university.

The webinar also featured contributions from other participants, including Saidur Rahman Sujon, Software Engineer at MASS HOLDINGS CO., LTD (Tokyo, Japan) in the IT Solution and Development Department who shared insights on engineering careers and certification standards in Japan.

The Convenor of the Seminar Organizing Committee, CSE, AUST Associate Professor Md. Moinul Hoque said that the CSE department is dedicated to creating regular platforms where students can interact directly with successful alumni and industry professionals. Sessions like this provide realistic roadmaps for our students, bridging the gap between classroom learning and global industry expectations and also look forward to organizing more specialized workshops and interactive seminars in the coming terms.

Ahead of the session, a token of appreciation (crest) was presented to Dr. Md Mahir Asef Kabir during his visit to campus (AUST) by the Head of CSE, Prof. Dr. S.M. Abdullah Al-Mamun. Prof. Dr. Mohammad Shafiul Alam, Associate Professor Md. Khairul Hasan, Assistant Professor Dr. Md. Masudur Rahman were also present during the hand-over ceremony along with the  Associate Professor Md. Moinul Hoque, Convenor, Seminar and Workshop Committee. CSE, AUST.   

The Webinar concluded with plans for continued alumni collaboration, workshops, and mentorship initiatives for AUST students, followed by a vote of thanks from Prof. Dr. S.M. Abdullah Al-Mamun, Head of CSE.