BASIS Announces NASA Space Apps Challenge 2025 Bangladesh Edition
The Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS) has officially announced the 12th consecutive edition of the NASA Space Apps Challenge 2025 in Bangladesh. The announcement was made during a press conference held on Thursday, February 20, 2025, at the BASIS Auditorium in Agargaon, Dhaka.
This year, the hackathon will once again be organized with the support of the BASIS Students’ Forum. The preliminary rounds will be conducted across nine regions—Dhaka, Chattogram, Sylhet, Rajshahi, Khulna, Barishal, Rangpur, Mymensingh, and Cumilla. Online registration for participants opened immediately following the official announcement.
The press conference was attended by key BASIS officials, including BASIS Standing Committee Chairman Rafel Kabir, Standing Committee Member (Administration) Imrul Kayes Parag, Mostain Billah, and A H M Rokmunur Zaman Rony. NASA Space Apps Challenge Bangladesh advisors Mohammad Mahdi-Uz-Zaman and Ariful Hasan Apu were also present.
During the event, organizers outlined plans to host a variety of activities at universities across the country as part of the challenge. To sharpen students’ innovative skills, several workshops and seminars will be organized. Additionally, an online data boot camp will be held to enhance participants' data analysis capabilities. Each participating team will also be assigned a dedicated expert mentor to guide them in refining their projects for the main hackathon. Technical support will be provided to all teams to help transform their ideas into practical solutions.
Rafel Kabir, Chairman of the BASIS Standing Committee, stated, “BASIS has been organizing the NASA Space Apps Challenge year after year to showcase Bangladesh’s innovation and technological prowess on a global stage. Winning the global championship four times, including three consecutive victories, is a testament to the brilliance of our young talents. We are optimistic that this year too, Bangladeshi students will mesmerize the world with their creativity and innovative solutions. Competitions like this not only allow us to learn but also spark new inventions. Our students excel in every field, and I believe they will also make their mark in space research.”
He further added, “We are continuously working to create new opportunities for our students. As we head into the 12th edition of this prestigious competition, I am confident that our participants will once again make Bangladesh proud on the international stage.”
Mohammad Mahdi-Uz-Zaman, an advisor for the NASA Space Apps Challenge Bangladesh, commented, “We aim to engage around 200,000 students through social media and direct participation in this year’s NASA Space Apps Challenge. This is not just a competition; it is a unique platform for innovative thinking and solving global challenges. Workshops and seminars across various universities will open new horizons for students to explore problem-solving skills. The online data boot camp and expert mentorship will further aid in project development. Such competitions are vital indicators of our progress in technology education. The youth of Bangladesh have already proven themselves globally, and now is the time to step up and show the world the depth of our creativity and problem-solving capabilities.”
The NASA Space Apps Challenge, initiated by the United States' National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), brings together bright minds from 185 countries, including technologists, scientists, designers, artists, educators, and entrepreneurs. The goal is to collaboratively develop innovative solutions to pressing global issues. Bangladesh has the distinct honor of winning the global championship four times, including an impressive streak of three consecutive victories.
