On Sunday, October 25, 2026, AIUB Computer Club (ACC) organized a workshop titled “Design Thinking, API Awareness, and App Development” in collaboration with AppLink and hSenid Mobile Solution. The workshop aimed to familiarize students with fundamental concepts of application development, the practical use of application programming interfaces (APIs), and design thinking as an approach to identifying problems and developing meaningful digital solutions.
Rasandun Perera, Product Manager at hSenid Mobile Solution, conducted the online segment and outlined the essential stages of building an application. He introduced the role of APIs in enabling communication between software systems and discussed REST APIs, SMS APIs, and Communications as a Service (CaaS) APIs. To support participants’ familiarity with the platform, he also instructed students to scan a QR code and register for accounts on AppLink.
Following the online presentation, Khaled MD Raihan, Trainee Developer Evangelist at AppLink, reviewed the key concepts and facilitated an interactive idea-generation activity. He encouraged participants to form groups of three, observe challenges in everyday life, and consider how applications could address those challenges. His discussion covered brainstorming, idea validation, seeking feedback from peers, and developing prototypes. He also described how AppLink could support the development of application ideas.
Atiqur Rahman, System Engineer, hSenid Mobile Solution and AppLink, further explained the AppLink platform and responded to questions raised by participants. He discussed the possibility of presenting promising application ideas to relevant Banglalink officials through AppLink and emphasized the importance of communicating ideas clearly, refining them through feedback, and exploring opportunities to turn them into practical solutions with potential revenue-generating value.
Later in the workshop, SM Abdullah Shafi, Lecturer, Special Assistant, OSA, Department of Computer Science, American International University-Bangladesh joined the session and observed presentations by four student groups. Group 1 proposed “Martioo — Your Campus Marketplace,” a campus-focused buying and selling platform; Group 2 presented “Job Khuji Alumni,” addressing employment opportunities and alumni connections; Group 3 introduced “Mama Koi?”, an application concept concerning rickshaw fares; and Group 4 presented “Gridwise: Smart Campus Energy Optimization,” focusing on more effective campus energy use. During the presentations, Atikur Rahman and other senior representatives asked questions about the proposed functionality and improvements, encouraging the groups to examine feasibility and refine their concepts.
The workshop concluded with SM Abdullah Shafi, Lecturer, Special Assistant, OSA, Department of Computer Science, American International University-Bangladesh honoring speakers with gift bags. After that certificates of participation were given to the students who completed the workshop. Overall, the session combined technical learning with collaborative problem-solving and gave students an opportunity to practice ideation, teamwork, presentation, and early-stage product planning. By connecting API awareness and application development with real-world challenges, the workshop reinforced the value of innovation, practical learning, and the development of solutions with potential social and economic benefits.
