BASIS prepares for NASA space apps challenge

Encouraged by Bangladeshi teams' global championship in four of the past 11 seasons, the Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS), in collaboration with BASIS Students Forum, is preparing to host the Bangladesh edition of NASA Space Apps Challenge 2025.

The association said at a press conference in the capital on Thursday (20 February).

BASIS Associate Committee Chairman Rafel Kabir, members Md Emrul Kayes Porag, Md Mostain Billah, and AHM Rokmunur Zaman Rony, event advisers Mohammad Mahdee Uz Zaman and Ariful Hasan Apu spoke at the event. 

They said that the auspicious global hackathon competition for students is organised by the United States' National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) aiming to unite talented technologists, scientists, designers, artists, educators, and entrepreneurs from 185 countries to craft innovative solutions to global challenges.

As part of this initiative, students from nine cities across Bangladesh—Dhaka, Chattogram, Sylhet, Rajshahi, Khulna, Barishal, Rangpur, Mymensingh, and Cumilla—will participate in this grand hackathon.

Over the past 11 years, Bangladesh has proudly secured the world champion title four times, including three consecutive wins, a record that underscores the nation's growing prowess in innovation and technology.

In preparation for the event, various activities will be held at universities nationwide. A series of workshops and seminars are planned to further nurture students' creative ideas, while an online data boot camp will enhance participants' technical and data analysis skills. 

Competing teams will also benefit from dedicated technical support and will be paired with expert mentors to refine their projects in anticipation of the main hackathon. Starting on Thursday, interested individuals can participate through the link: https://nsac.basis.org.bd/.

BASIS Associate Committee Chairman Rafel Kabir said, "BASIS has consistently organised the NASA space apps challenge to showcase Bangladesh's innovative strength and technological expertise on a global stage."

Mohammad Mahdee Uz Zaman said, "We are planning to engage 2,00,000 students in this year's challenge—not only through social media but also via direct participation in the competition. This is not merely a contest; it is a unique platform for fostering innovative thinking and addressing global challenges."

"The workshops and seminars across various universities will open new horizons in problem-solving, while the online data boot camp and expert mentoring will support project development," he added.