SUST student chapter of AIChE wins prestigious global recognition

It is a big day for the members of the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) Student Chapter of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), as they have received the AIChE Outstanding Student Chapter Award 2024–25 for the very first time, alongside BUET.

AIChE is known as the global home of chemical engineers, with more than 60,000 professional members from over 110 countries. It also includes chemical engineering undergraduate and postgraduate students for various academic, skill development and leadership activities.

AIChE has around 400 student chapters around the world that are grouped into domestic and international categories. The SUST AIChE Student Chapter is one of those student chapters, operated under the university's Department of Chemical Engineering and Polymer Science (CEP).

"Heartiest congratulations to my students for the prestigious recognition. As their Faculty Advisor, I am delighted and proud of them. Their commitment, teamwork, and outstanding efforts have made this achievement possible," remarked their advisor Dr Engr Salma Akhter, a professor in the department of CEP.

Prof Dr Md Salatul Islam Mozumder, Head of CEP department, also extended his heartfelt congratulations to the students.

"This recognition will inspire not only our coming students but also the broader engineering community for excellence in chemical engineering education and community engagement. May this milestone be just the beginning of many more accomplishments to come," he said.

"Winning this award for the first time is a proud moment for us. We will continue the legacy, take our chapter and university to greater heights in the AIChE community, and contribute more to STEM. I sincerely thank our faculty, committee, juniors, and seniors for their constant support and guidance," said Ahmed Shakibul Islam, the organisation's current Student President.

The AIChE Outstanding Student Chapter Award recognises the exceptional performances and achievements of a student chapter over an entire year. Winners are selected carefully by an international panel of experts from academia and industries. The award also reorganises the merited works of the student leadership body and chapter advisor.

The past year has been a remarkable journey for the SUST chapter, marked by learning, leadership, and collaboration. They kicked off with Career Spark – Season 1, a signature professional development series. Across four episodes, experts explored career readiness and industry trends, covering opportunities in ceramics, essential skills for chemical engineers, emerging materials, and the balance between academia and industry.

Welcoming new faces, 'Introduction to AIChE for freshers' gave first-year students a glimpse into AIChE's mission, opportunities, and culture of leadership. Many of them took their first steps towards active involvement through this orientation.

Their annual newsletter named 'Streamline' highlighted chapter activities, research contributions, and member achievements, enhancing their visibility on campus and beyond.

Their 'K-12 STEM Outreach Program' at KIN School brought science to life for young underprivileged students through interactive sessions and mentorship, sparking curiosity about STEM fields.

On the international stage, they hosted 'Meet-ups' with student chapters from India and Nepal, creating valuable opportunities for cross-border networking and knowledge exchange.

This year, two of their members were recognised by AIChE and selected for the Executive Student Committee for their outstanding academic performance and active participation. One of them was also awarded.

As part of the Outstanding Student Chapter Award, the organisation will receive a plaque of appreciation for SUST, along with certificates of recognition for the faculty advisor Prof Dr Engr Salma Akhter, and the Student President Ahmed Shakibul Islam. In addition, the chapter will be recognised on AIChE's official webpage and receive a special mention at the AIChE Annual Student Conference 2025.