IUB students reach finals of Elon Musk’s not-a-boring competition

Two undergraduate students from the School of Business and Entrepreneurship at Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB), have made history by reaching the finals of the "Not-A-Boring Competition," an annual engineering contest organised by The Boring Company, the tunnel-digging venture of US billionaire Elon Musk.

Shah Asif Hafiz from the Department of Accounting and Dewan Md Alif from the Department of Finance are part of a 19-member team called Bored Tunnellers. The team comprises students and researchers from various disciplines across multiple universities in Bangladesh. They will compete in the final from March 27 to 29, 2025, at The Boring Company R&D headquarters in Bastrop, Texas, USA.

The annual competition challenges teams to drill 30-meter-long, 500mm-wide tunnels in the ground with maximum efficiency, aiming to push the boundaries of tunnelling speed and cost reduction. The tunnels created in the competition serve as a testing ground for future tunnelling technology that could impact urban planning, high-speed transport, utilities, defence, space colonisation, and resource extraction. Teams compete in three categories: Innovation, Accuracy, and Speed, with an ultimate winner selected based on tunnel completion time.

For the upcoming finals of the 2025 competition in March, Bored Tunnelers, formed in 2023, has developed an innovative Microtunnel Boring Machine (MTBM) for efficient excavation through an interdisciplinary approach, integrating robotics, mechanical, electrical, civil, and computer engineering. 

"Last year, we visited Texas and showcased our theme and plan. We competed against the University of Pennsylvania, Virginia Tech, ETH Zurich, and the University of Texas at Arlington. We made it to the finals and received the 'Rookie Award' for our innovative idea. We have updated the device further this year and hope to run it in Texas," said Shah Asif.

"It all started with two passionate engineering students, Shaekh Mohammad Shithil [UTM] and Shahriar Iqbal Mahim [RUET], who shared a vision of pushing Bangladesh into the global stage of tunneling and underground construction. Fahin Uddin Enam [BracU EEE], who brought in his manufacturing skills, later recruited more members from top universities in Bangladesh.

The other IUB student in the team, Dewan Md Alif, said, "This competition is not just about drilling a tunnel; it's about redefining how we approach underground infrastructure. We are proving that Bangladeshi students can compete at the highest level of engineering innovation. IUB's financial support has been instrumental in enabling us to represent Bangladesh on this global stage."

However, funding remains a significant challenge. The team must test its machine locally before competing in Texas, requiring financial backing for manufacturing, shipment, and travel expenses. Despite these hurdles, the team remains committed to pioneering tunnel boring machine (TBM) technology in Bangladesh. 

"We want to initiate TBM practices in Bangladesh for excavation projects, road and highway repairs, and other infrastructure needs," said Shahriar Iqbal Mahin. "Our journey doesn't end with this competition; we aim to build a legacy."

IUB Vice Chancellor Prof. M. Tamim said, "It is a significant achievement, demonstrating our students' ability to compete globally in engineering innovation. Tunnelling technology is crucial for future infrastructure, from urban transport to energy systems. What makes this even more remarkable is that two of our business students contributed to an engineering challenge, proving that technological breakthroughs require interdisciplinary collaboration. Their role highlights the growing need for business acumen in driving real-world innovation, and IUB is proud to support their journey on this global stage."

Bored Tunnellers is now preparing to refine its technology further, with support from manufacturing partner Bangladesh Industrial Technical Assistance Centre (BITAC) and sponsors such as Grameenphone, GIGABYTE AORUS, Super Star Group (SSG), and the Ministry of Public Administration. 

They also expressed gratitude to their advisors, Salman Khan Promon, a Graduate Teaching and Research Fellow at the University of Houston, USA; Md Mamunur Rashid, an Executive Engineer at BITAC; and Md Ashrafuzzaman, an Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration in Bangladesh.

"As cities expand, TBMs will be vital for underground transport, utility installation, and mining, reducing surface disruption while improving mobility and infrastructure. They enable long-distance tunnels, safe mountain crossings, and efficient resource transport. Future advancements in automation and AI will enhance efficiency, while potential applications extend to underground urban farming and even extraterrestrial habitats," said Asif.

"Compared to traditional methods, TBMs minimise noise, vibration, and environmental impact, making them a key technology for sustainable development. As urbanisation and resource demands grow, TBMs will revolutionise underground construction, ensuring smarter, cleaner, and more efficient infrastructure for the future," he added.

The 2025 edition of the Not-A-Boring Competition brings together teams for safety inspections, technical presentations, and networking opportunities before the main event. Bored Tunnellers will settle in from March 18-22, receive their machine via air shipment on March 23, and undergo inspections and presentations from March 24-26. The main competition, including tunnel drilling and performance evaluations, will run from March 27-29, followed by cleanup on March 30 and final packing on April 1.