City Desk :
The 11th edition of the NASA Space Apps Challenge 2024, organised by the Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS) with support from the BASIS Students’ Forum, concluded with an award giving ceremony.
The 36-hour hackathon began on October 4. The award giving ceremony was held on Saturday at the auditorium of the American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB), reports UNB.
Helen LaFave, Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy, congratulated the participants and said, “I offer my heartfelt congratulations for your incredible success in the NASA Space Apps Challenge 2024.”
“This platform not only fosters innovation but also ignites a passion for science and technology in our youth. It’s remarkable that no other country has been a global champion three consecutive times. You should take pride in yourselves, and I hope to see another victory from you next year for the fifth time,” she said.
Nadia Anwar, chairperson of AIUB’s Board of Trustees said the event is significant not only for the youth of the country but also for advancing the future of science and technology. “Science and technology have always been at the forefront of human progress, reshaping industries and societies. This will inspire our youth to become the scientists and technologists of tomorrow. AIUB is proud to be a partner in such events, and we look forward to supporting future initiatives.”
BASIS President Russell T. Ahmed led the participants in a pledge inspired by Mughda’s dream and Tanvin’s drone challenge.
He said, “When I spoke to Snigdh, Mughda’s brother, I saw both pain and dreams in his eyes. I believe that you, Generation Z, will realize those dreams. Bangladesh is not a country that backs down. We regularly face challenges and move forward. Our students have become local and global champions through their participation in the NASA Space Apps Challenge, with some even securing jobs at NASA.”
He added, “BASIS has been organizing this competition for the 11th consecutive year, and this continuity will keep our youth motivated and lead us to a fifth global victory.”
BASIS Senior Vice President M Rashidul Hasan, Vice President (Admin) Syed Mohammad Kamal, Vice President (Finance) Iqbal Ahmed Fakhrul Hasan, BASIS directors Mir Shahrukh Islam and Biplob Ghosh Rahul, NASA Space Apps Challenge 2024 Convener Abhijit Bhowmik, and NASA Space Apps Challenge Bangladesh Advisor Mohammad Mohammad Mahdee Uz Zaman were present.