Ms. Samira Zuberi Himika, representative of Team Engine, is a Bangladeshi who is leading the social business world. Today, we conducted an interview for Ms. Himika at Team Engine office, and it was refreshing to listen the story of her, who has paved the difficult way.
Cocoro: Your success is so well heard-of.
Himika: I grew up as Grameen Bank did. My father was one of the four or five founders including Dr. Yunus of Grameen Bank. At the time of establishment, he was the employee of Bangladesh Bank, but after retiring, he started to dedicate himself in Grameen Bank. Around this time in my life as Grameen Bank grew, I was transferred from one place to another.
After growing up, I worked for United Nations, British Broadcasting Corporation(BBC), and media communication.
I got a responsible and valuable work at all levels, and my life was fulfilling life at work. However, gradually the feeling contributing to more society by utilizing my strength got stronger. Most of my friends and acquaintances opposed my decision away from the brilliant and stable carrier. But I decided to listen and follow my heart. In 2010, I established Team Engine.
Cocoro: Was there any fear of pushing you back?
There was. However, I thought I needed to be away from a stable life to make the best of myself. It is really difficult especially for women to escape from comfort, but the step is very important at the same time. My strength is to listen to people, exploit their ability, and give shape to their idea or passion. I would like to make the best of the strength and contribute to change in society.
Cocoro: Could you tell us the activities of Team Engine?
Himika: Team Engine is a for-profit company, and we provide various operations to enrich people’s life. The three main themes are economic development, Intelligent society, true happiness. I would like to shape the solution which changes the world by using the power of society or people such as information, communication, innovation, courage to push one step, or entrepreneur mind.
I devoted myself in listening to people and understanding the actual problem for one year after the establishment. I found there were quite a large number of entrepreneurs in reserve who has difficulty to start or find someone to consult even though he has good idea, technology, or passion. To promote Bangladesh as middle income country, I thought it was required to grow these potential entrepreneurs, enhance export ability, and strengthen the economy. The project ‘Rise for GDP Growth ’ was shaped on the idea. There were 32,000 entrepreneurs from all over the country at the first time ‘National Entrepreneurs Summit’. The network has been expanded and currently 200,000 entrepreneurs are registered.
Cocoro: Do you have any other activities?
Himika: Team Engine has R&D team composed of 30 technicians technology development. We focus on developing character recognition by computer in Bengal. This is the world’s first initiative, and it is supporting 160 fonts. There are various unrevealed historical and cultural materials which has not been digitalized, and we work on digital archiving. And we also work on developing an application for blind men.
Our technicians are not inferior to MIT technicians. There are excellent capable technicians in Bangladesh. I would like to make them use.
Cocoro: Do you have any expectation for Japan?
Himika: I am interested in Japan’s art, idea to make things package, product design, and technology. I expect system development that could transfer the part of Japan’s strengths to Bangladesh. If we promote cross border cooperation between Japan and Bangladesh, it is important to draw a big picture and keep key performance indicators(KPI). It is preferable to consider the long-term and sustainable approach and clear the target.
I have never visited Japan, and would like to go next year.
Cocoro: Thank you very much.
[The editors note]:
I would like to hear more about her story. This is the true feeling after the interview. During the conversation, she kept looking into our eyes and her tone was clear, and I felt strong confidence and power of will from her attitude. Ms. Himika calls herself ‘Dreamer’ and believes discovering real potential capacity after escaping from comfort. And she acts this upon her own initiative.
‘Listen and Follow Your Heart’. I am happy to meet Ms. Himika who has self-respect and tenderness.
Reference: Team Engine HP