BUBT hosts Dhaka regional round of AI Olympiad
The Dhaka regional round of the 3rd Bangladesh AI Olympiad 2026 convened hundreds of young technology enthusiasts at Bangladesh University of Business and Technology (BUBT) on Saturday, underscoring the nation's growing momentum in artificial intelligence education.
Participants from Dhaka and six neighbouring districts competed in programming, mathematical reasoning and artificial intelligence challenges.
The event commenced with registration at 8am, followed by two competition categories: AI Quiz and AI Coding Challenge. The coding contest ran from 8:45am to 11:10am, while the quiz took place from 9am to 9:45am.
A "Story of AI" session, focusing on machine learning, was conducted for quiz participants from 10am by students from the Institute of Information Technology, University of Dhaka.
The closing and prize-giving ceremony began at 11:10am, where nine winners were recognised in the AI Quiz and 16 in the AI Coding Challenge, each receiving medals and certificates.
Organisers noted that additional high-performing students from both categories will qualify for the National AI Olympiad, scheduled for 16 May 2026, with names to be published on the official website.
BUBT Vice-Chancellor Professor ABM Shawkat Ali attended as chief guest. Special guests included Professor Munshi Mahbubur Rahman, Dean, Faculty of Science and Engineering, BUBT; Professor BM Mainul Hossain, Director, Institute of Information Technology, University of Dhaka and General Secretary, Bangladesh Open Source Network; Dr Muhammad Aminur Rahman, Dean, Faculty of Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence, BUBT; and Masrur Hannan, Managing Director, Jadu PC.
Munir Hasan, President of Bangladesh Open Source Network, delivered the welcome address. Professor Md Ahsan Habib, Chair of the Department of CSE and Dean of the BUBT Research Graduate School, chaired the programme.
Professor Shawkat Ali remarked, "Artificial intelligence is no longer a dream of the future; it is a reality of the present. These talented students will drive Bangladesh's technological progress in the years ahead."
He announced that olympiad winners will receive a full tuition waiver for admission to BUBT.
Bangladesh Open Source Network stated that the successful Dhaka regional round reflects the rising interest in AI among students.
