Notre Dame University hosts Microbiology Olympiad

City Desk:

Notre Dame University Bangladesh (NDUB) hosted the Microbiology Olympiad 2026 on Saturday on its own campus, aiming to promote science education and nurture future microbiologists,

The day-long programme, jointly organised by NDUB’s Microbiology Department and the International Society of Bangladesh-Affiliated Microbiologists (ISBM), brought together around 500 participants including students, teachers, adjudicators, and researchers from 42 colleges and 11 universities to celebrate science, creativity, and young talent, says a NDUB release.

The program began with a welcome speech by Dr. Md. Shahidul Kabir, Professor and Chairman of the MicrobiologyDepartment. Short videos on the department and ISBM were screened to introduce the institutions and their activities.

Key speeches were delivered byProf. Dr. Fr. Patrick Daniel Gaffney, Vice Chancellor of NDUB, Dr. Mohammed Ziaur Rahman, Senior Scientist and Head of the One Health Laboratory Programme for Respiratory Infections at icddr,b, and Prof. Dr. Muhammad Manjurul Karim, Vice President of ISBM.

During his speech, Fr. Patrick said microbiology was a relatively new but highly dynamic scientific discipline. He noted that the Covid-19 pandemic had made people truly realize the strength and necessity of microbiology. He said, “In the 21st century, microbiology has become a frontier area with vast possibilities for discovery.It helps people understand nature and live healthier lives.” He also mentioned that students now had excellent career opportunities in this field.

Sharing his personal journey in microbiology, Dr. Ziaur explained how he had risen from an ordinary student to a recognized scientist through dedication to the subject. Addressing the students, he emphasized the importance of setting clear goals, developing skills, and continuing to work hard without stopping.