bKash-Bigganchinta Biggan Utshob kicks off to inspire young scientists

The third edition of the bKash-Bigganchinta Biggan Utshob has commenced, aiming to inspire school students' interest in science, research, and innovation. Organised by bKash and the monthly science magazine Bigganchinta, this year's festival was inaugurated at Mirpur Cantonment Public School and College in Dhaka. Students from over 120 schools in the region showcased innovative projects, participated in quizzes, and joined science discussions. Robot WALL.E officially announced the festival.

This year's science festival will continue through regional phases in Chattogram, Rajshahi, Khulna, Barisal, Rangpur, and Sylhet, before concluding with a national finale in Dhaka. The initiative aims to cultivate a scientific mindset in students from an early age, equipping them to compete in a rapidly evolving technological landscape. In the previous two editions, students from classes six to ten displayed more than 600 science projects from over 850 institutes nationwide, engaging over 20,000 participants. Over 4,300 students also participated in quiz competitions, attracting enthusiastic attendance from parents, teachers, and visitors.

The festival was inaugurated by computer scientist and academician Dr. Mohammad Kaykobad. Other distinguished guests included Major General Sheikh Md. Monirul Islam (Retd), Chief External and Corporate Affairs Officer of bKash; Abdul Quayum, editor of Bigganchinta; Lt Col Farzana Shakil, Principal of Mirpur Cantonment Public School and College; fiction writer Anisul Hoque; Professor Arshad Momen of Independent University; writer and cartoonist Ahsan Habib; former Bangladesh cricket captain Habibul Bashar; and several senior officials from bKash and Bigganchinta.

During the Dhaka regional round, student teams from 120 schools presented around 150 innovative projects and participated in quiz competitions. Seventeen top projects were recognised, alongside winners of the quiz competitions in lower and secondary categories. Rayin Al Raad, a class ten student from St. Joseph Higher Secondary School, won an award for his environmental app project. Winning teams from the divisional rounds will advance to the national-level final in Dhaka, where national champions will be awarded.

The event featured interactive science stalls, a robotics exhibition, science magic shows, speeches from renowned authors, mathematicians, and science speakers, followed by a question-and-answer session with students. The day concluded with a musical concert and an award ceremony.