AUW students host sustainability event in Chattogram
Students at the Asian University for Women (AUW) ignited innovation, creativity, and environmental passion at 'Voices for the Planet 2026', a vibrant day-long sustainability event on Wednesday.
The programme took place at TaleSpace on the university's Mahsa Amini Campus in Chattogram. It was organised by the Green Bangle Project, in partnership with the AUW Student Government and the Environmental Sciences Club.
The event included an eco-preneurship competition, a book launch and discussion, a climate-themed comedy segment, and a prize-giving ceremony. These segments reflected student leadership in addressing environmental challenges through various formats.
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The eco-preneurship segment showcased business ideas focused on sustainability and waste reduction. EcoPack, created by three students, won first place. GrowNotes, based on plantable paper, placed second, followed by Go Girls!, a project promoting environmentally responsible practices.
Participants also dazzled audiences with recycled denim creations, incense sticks crafted from discarded flowers, and household items ingeniously repurposed from plastic waste—demonstrating creative, hands-on paths to sustainable living.
A standout moment was the spirited book launch and discussion, sparking curiosity about the rich intersections of literature, history, and the environment.
Faculty members presented works, including 'Reclaiming Forgotten Narratives' by Sangita Rayamajhi and 'Writing Zoological Natural History for British India' by John Mathew. The discussion focused on overlooked histories and their environmental context.
Later, the programme shifted to a climate comedy night co-organised with Inside the Greenhouse and the University of Colorado.
Students used satire, storytelling, and humour to unpack complex climate issues. They linked topics such as overconsumption, policy gaps, and climate anxiety to everyday situations, making them more accessible.
Performances included parodies of classroom discussions, fictional conversations between humans and nature, and humorous takes on eco-friendly trends. This segment used humour as a reflection tool, engaging audiences emotionally and intellectually.
Cheers and applause filled the air as awards were presented to top comedic acts and outstanding participants from every category, capping the event with uplifting energy.
Organisers hoped this initiative would spark a movement—empowering students to address environmental issues through bold entrepreneurship, lively dialogue, and creative expression, while strengthening AUW's vibrant commitment to sustainability and student-led action.
Academics, industry representatives, and development practitioners supported the programme. Student volunteers coordinated the event under faculty supervision from the Green Bangle Project.
