PM hails MIST world champions, pledges support for young innovators, startups

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today (2 August) congratulated the Military Institute of Science and Technology (MIST) team for winning the world title at the MATE ROV International Underwater Robot Competition 2026 and pledged full government support to promote research, technological innovation and startup ventures in Bangladesh.

"Youth innovators are the future of Bangladesh. To take the country further forward, innovators, researchers and technology entrepreneurs must come forward. The government will always stand beside them in their research, technological innovation and startup initiatives," he said during a meeting with the world champion team at his office in the Secretariat.

Tarique Rahman also emphasised the need to diversify Bangladesh's export basket beyond the readymade garments sector by developing high-potential industries such as semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, furniture and cosmetics, saying the government is committed to creating an ecosystem that encourages innovation and technology-driven entrepreneurship, said PM's Deputy Press Secretary Sujauddoula (Sujon Mahmud).

The champion team, MIST MAVIROV, comprising students from the Department of Electrical, Electronic and Communication Engineering (EECE), paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister in the afternoon following their historic victory at the international competition.

Congratulating the students on their achievement, Tarique Rahman described their success as a matter of national pride.

The students demonstrated their championship-winning underwater robot before the prime minister, who took a keen interest in its design, technical capabilities and practical applications.

He discussed the project in detail with the team members and praised their engineering skills and innovation.

The prime minister said such achievements would help elevate Bangladesh's technological capability on the global stage.

He also assured the team of government support for the robot's further technological development, commercialisation and participation in future international competitions.

During the discussion, the students shared their aspirations to pursue careers in the technology sector and launch their own ventures after completing their studies.

In response, the prime minister said the government would support them through its startup programmes if they chose to establish technology-based enterprises.

He also stressed the need to promote high-potential industries such as semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, furniture and cosmetics.

Highlighting the importance of the semiconductor industry, the Prime Minister said the government is encouraging both domestic and foreign investment in the sector while working to develop a skilled workforce.

He also called on Bangladeshi semiconductor professionals working abroad to contribute to the industry's growth at home.

He said Bangladesh would progress faster if people in every sector performed their responsibilities with professionalism and excellence.

The meeting was attended by PM's Defence Adviser Brig Gen (Retd) AKM Shamsul Islam, MIST Commandant Maj Gen Md Hakimuzzaman, Head of the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Brig Gen KM Mostafizur Rahman and 10 student representatives of the champion team.

Team MIST MAVIROV emerged champions at the MATE ROV International Underwater Robot Competition 2026, held in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, from 23 to 27 June.

Competing against 88 teams from 18 countries, including the United States, Canada, China and Saudi Arabia, the Bangladeshi team secured first place through outstanding engineering excellence, technical innovation, teamwork and problem-solving skills in a series of challenging mission-based tasks.

The achievement marked Bangladesh's first championship at one of the world's most prestigious underwater robotics competitions and underscored the country's growing capabilities in advanced engineering, marine technology and robotics.