NHSPC 2025 Regional Rounds Inspire Young Coders
Amid growing global trends in automation, computerization, and digitization, the demand for skilled technologists, particularly computer programmers, is also rising in developing countries like Bangladesh. To foster programming enthusiasm and assess coding skills among secondary and higher secondary students, the ICT Division has launched the National High School Programming Contest (NHSPC) 2025.
This initiative has become a prominent platform for nurturing programming interest among talented students across the nation. As part of the program, regional rounds of NHSPC 2025 were recently held at various universities: on 28 May (Wednesday) at Barisal University, Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University (MBSTU), and Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University (JKKNIU); on 29 May (Thursday) at Cumilla University; and on 30 May (Friday) at the Institute of Information Technology (IIT), University of Dhaka.
Students from junior (grades 6–8), secondary (grades 9–10), and higher secondary (grades 11–12) categories participated in the competitions. The Dhaka regional round drew over 300 students from Dhaka, Munshiganj, Narayanganj, Narsingdi, and Manikganj. Despite continuous rain since the day before, students arrived with their guardians to take part in the contests.
At IIT, the programming competition began at 9:15 a.m., followed by the quiz competition at 9:20 a.m. at Curzon Hall. After the quiz, an ICT and AI seminar was held for the participants.
Speakers at the seminar emphasized that while extensive AI research is underway globally, Bangladesh is still lagging behind. They highlighted the potential of AI in solving complex problems more efficiently in the future—from weather forecasting and space exploration to agriculture, industry, and service sectors. Given the country’s vulnerability to climate change, they stressed the importance of using technology to find sustainable solutions.
University of Dhaka Vice-Chancellor Prof. Niaz Ahmed Khan attended as chief guest. Prof. Syma Haque Bidisha, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration), and Munir Hasan, President of the Bangladesh Open Source Network, were present as special guests and awarded medals and certificates to the winners. The event was presided over by IIT Director Prof. B.M. Mainul Hossain.
Prof. Niaz Ahmed Khan said, “Parents in our country are very aware. Students are also trying to understand technology through computer use. Parents must be even more vigilant to prevent their children from misusing technology.”
In Dhaka, the programming contest recognized 10 junior, 17 secondary, and 16 higher secondary students as winners. In the quiz competition, 30 winners were selected in each of the junior and senior categories, totaling 60 winners.
At Cumilla University, the regional round included over 200 participants from Cumilla, Brahmanbaria, and Chandpur. The competition awarded 26 students in junior and senior quiz categories, 22 students in programming across all three levels, and 12 students in chess.
Prof. Mahmudul Hasan, Chairman of the Computer Science and Engineering Department, served as the chief guest and handed out medals and certificates to the winners.
At JKKNIU in Trishal, Mymensingh, over 100 students from Mymensingh, Jamalpur, Netrokona, Sherpur, and Kishoreganj participated. Activities began at 8:00 a.m., followed by the national anthem, and then the programming and ICT quiz competitions commenced as scheduled. Guests included university Treasurer Prof. Zainul Abedin Siddiqui, Dean of Science and Engineering Prof. A.H.M. Kamal, Acting Registrar Prof. Md. Mizanur Rahman, Head of CSE Department Prof. Md. Sujan Ali, and national chess arbiter Mohammad Murad Hossain from the Bangladesh Chess Federation.
Students from Bhola, Barisal, and Jhalokathi joined the regional round at Barisal University. Following the national anthem, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Mohammad Toufiq Alam gave the welcome address, encouraging students to pursue technology. The event was chaired by Associate Professor Rahat Hossain Faisal, Head of the CSE Department.
At MBSTU, students from Tangail and Gazipur took part in programming and quiz competitions, as well as chess and seminars on cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. Speakers advised students to use technology responsibly. The event featured Prof. Mohammad Matiur Rahman, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, as the chief guest, with ICT Department Chairman Prof. Monir Morshed and Research Cell Director Prof. Mostafa Kamal Nasir among the guests. The program was presided over by Prof. Mehedi Hasan Talukder, Chairman of the CSE Department.
In all regional rounds, awareness-raising seminars on cybersecurity and AI were conducted, and winners of programming, quiz, and chess competitions were formally announced and awarded medals and certificates by the dignitaries.
A total of 47 winners were selected in Mymensingh—9 in programming, 25 in quiz, and 13 in chess across three teams. In Barisal, 28 winners were announced, including 1 in programming, 15 in quiz, and 12 in chess. In Tangail, 14 students won in programming, 41 in quiz, and 7 chess teams were recognized.
Alongside all other events, each venue hosted the strategic “Battle of Brains” chess competition, further enriching the experience for participating students.
