September 21, 2025 — Alt Design Office (Headquarters: Tokyo & Bangkok, CEO: Hiroyuki Nobuto) has signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Faculty of Engineering, Begum Rokeya University (Rangpur, Bangladesh) and the Department of Computing & Information Systems, Daffodil International University (Dhaka, Bangladesh).
This MoU establishes an international framework in which universities, industry, and government collaborate to address disparities in access to education. The project, named “MathAssist”, will be implemented under a subsidy program supported by the Government of Bangladesh. It will first launch as a pilot initiative in Bangladesh, and then gradually expand to Japan and Thailand, with the aim of establishing an ASEAN-wide educational support model.
About Alt Design Office
Alt Design Office was founded in 2018, based on research originating from academia. Today, the company continues to bridge research and practice, supporting customer acquisition, entry into the Thai market, and branding initiatives. From web development and exhibition booth design to market entry support, Alt Design provides end-to-end solutions from strategy to execution, earning trust across public agencies, startups, and large corporations through projects with strong public value.
CEO Nobuto has conducted empirical research for more than 20 years on themes such as social inclusion and the reconstruction of marginalized communities through art and design. By integrating this expertise into business practice, Alt Design has developed a unique approach that circulates between research and implementation to tackle social issues. This MoU represents a new initiative that embodies this ongoing approach.
Project Direction
The project will develop a new model and platform for supporting mathematical learning, beginning with children in rural communities. Rather than focusing only on the acquisition of knowledge, it emphasizes learning processes, aiming to reduce the educational gap between urban and rural areas and to foster an environment where no one is left behind.
This initiative is not limited to educational institutions. It also aims to reach those in vulnerable positions who face difficulties in accessing education at all, by collaborating with NGOs to deliver solutions directly to the field. At the same time, it will be introduced into educational institutions and developed into a sustainable educational support model and product. Starting in Bangladesh, the framework will expand across ASEAN countries.
Academic Background
The foundations of this project stem from research presented at Tokyo Gakugei University in 2022 and at the National University of Singapore (NUS) in 2023, which garnered strong interest and recognition from international researchers. Building on this academic foundation, the MoU represents a major step in transforming research into a public-oriented framework for sustainable solutions to social issues.
Asian Collaboration Framework
Alt Design Office is a member of the Thai-Japan Association (TJA) and the Japan-Thailand Business Forum (JTBF), actively participating in networks that support economic and cultural exchange between Japan and Thailand. This MoU represents the first step in addressing educational disparities in Bangladesh, while also linking to challenges in access to education that exist in both Japan and Thailand. Leveraging these foundations, the company aims to establish an educational support model that will eventually expand across the entire ASEAN region.
Comments
Hiroyuki Nobuto, CEO, Alt Design Office
Educational disparity is a root cause of social division. For nearly 20 years, I have tackled this issue as a researcher, and at the same time, as a business leader I have worked on numerous public-oriented projects. This MoU is a new starting point for universities, industry, and government to come together and deliver learning opportunities not only to those often left behind but to all people. Beginning in Bangladesh, we aim to build a sustainable educational model that extends to Japan, Thailand, and ultimately across ASEAN.
Prof. Dr. Md Mizanur Rahoman, Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Begum Rokeya University
(Ph.D. at the National Institute of Informatics, Japan; former researcher at IBM Japan)
Children in rural areas hold potential, yet their opportunities are often restricted by their environment. This project is an effort to overcome those barriers. As a university, we are committed to fulfilling our responsibility to shape the future together with local communities.
Prof. Md. Sarwar Hossain Mollah, Head, Department of Computing & Information Systems, Daffodil International University
(A central figure at DIU, overseeing information systems education and ICT human resource development)
Guaranteeing access to education is not only about the future—it is an urgent action needed today. This MoU is the first step in creating practical solutions through collaboration between universities, industry, and government. Our students will actively participate in this initiative, with several hundred expected to be involved.
Next Steps
- 2025: Joint research and development with both universities under the Bangladeshi government’s subsidy program, beginning with pilot introduction in rural communities
- From 2026 onward: Nationwide expansion, developing into an educational support model in collaboration with NGOs and international organizations, with step-by-step extension to Japan and Thailand
Contact
Alt Design Office — Public Relations
Attn: Mori
E-mail: contact@alt-design.tech
Website: https://alt-design.tech