Research 1.0 competition held at CUET to foster innovation

The Bangladesh Institute of Technology (BIET) recently organised one of the country's most research-focused competitions, 'Research 1.0', at Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET).

The day-long event, held on Friday, 25 July, saw students from 38 universities across the country present their research-based work.

The highlight of the competition was the unique Three Minute Thesis (3MT) and Poster Presentation segments. Starting at 9:30 am, the 3MT segment featured 40 teams selected for the final round, who presented their research background, methodology, results, and impact in just three minutes using a single still image. This was the first time a national-level Three Minute Thesis event was organised in Bangladesh.

In the Poster Presentation segment, 18 teams from 26 universities participated in the final round, presenting a range of innovative ideas. Topics included alternative energy production from plastic and bio-waste, AI-based traffic control, early warning systems for earthquakes and cyclones, and the use of datasets to predict maternal risks. Other ideas ranged from eco-friendly building designs to solutions for reducing traffic congestion, with some proposing new technologies aimed at enhancing daily life.

The event also featured two keynote sessions, during which Professor Dr Imamul Hasan Bhuiyan from the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) and Abida Sultana, Director of the Chittagong Social Business Center, spoke on the importance of innovation and research in addressing real-world challenges.

The chief guest of the event was CUET's Honourable Vice Chancellor, Professor Dr. Mahmud Abdul Matin Bhuiyan. The guests of honour included former CUET and RUET Vice Chancellor, Professor Dr Jahangir Alam, and former CUET Deputy Vice Chancellor and Director of the Institute of Energy Technology, Professor Dr. Jamal Uddin Ahmed.

Special guests at the event included Dr Kazi Delwar Hossain, Dean of the Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Dr Nipu Kumar Das, Professor in the Department of EEE.

At the award ceremony, three main awards and six 'Emerging Idea' awards were presented in the 3MT competition, while three winners were recognised in the Poster Presentation segment. The event organisers expressed hope that SciBlitz 1.0 would encourage a research-oriented mindset among students.

Through this competition, participants gained valuable insights into how research can not only be an academic pursuit but also a powerful tool for solving practical problems in society.