Bangladesh Junior Science Olympiad Brims with Brilliance at National Round

The campus of the International University of Business Agriculture and Technology (IUBAT) in Dhaka turned into the country’s biggest gathering of young science enthusiasts as the 11th Bangladesh Junior Science Olympiad National Round was held with the participation of nearly 600 students. The daylong event, marked by youthful excitement and intellectual vibrancy, concluded on September 5, Friday afternoon with the announcement of 60 winners.

In the Primary Category, champion honors went to Ahanaf Adib, a fifth-grader of St. Joseph International School. In the Secondary Category, the champion was Bihan Pal, a ninth-grader of Ideal School and College, while in the Junior Category, Jyotirmoy Biswas, an eighth-grader from Rajshahi Bholanath Bishweshwar Hindu Academy, was crowned champion. All three received champion’s trophies.

For the first time, one champion was selected from each category in the national round. Of the 60 winners, 10 were from the Primary Category, 28 from the Junior Category, and 22 from the Secondary Category, each receiving medals and certificates.

These winners will now advance to the BDJSO Camp, where they will undergo intensive training and preparation. Based on their performances at the camp, six students will be selected to form Bangladesh’s team for the 22nd International Junior Science Olympiad (IJSO), scheduled for December 2025 in Russia.

The day began with the release of balloons and the national anthem, followed by an inauguration ceremony. After the competition, students enjoyed robotics and drone demonstrations, where they learned how robots and drones are operated. A lively question-and-answer session followed, attended by Professor Md. Monirul Islam, Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at IUBAT; Dr. Farseem Mannan Mohammad, General Secretary of the Bangladesh Association for the Advancement of Science; Dr. Mushtaq Ibne Ayub, Associate Professor of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology at Dhaka University; and Professor Dr. Adnan Mannan of the same department at the University of Chittagong.

One curious student asked, “If chlorophyll from plant leaves enters the human body, will humans also turn green?” Dr. Mushtaq Ibne Ayub laughed and replied, "That will never happen. Chlorophyll requires a specific mechanism to function."

The event continued with a cultural program after lunch, including a magic show by magician Swapan Dinar. The prize-giving and closing ceremony, sponsored by Al-Arafah Islami Bank, began at 3:00 pm.

Speaking as chief guest, IUBAT Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Abdur Rab Mia expressed pride in the younger generation, stating: “Today’s students are not confined to textbook knowledge; they are proving their skills in technology and innovation. They are identifying problems in society and the nation and working toward solutions, which is truly commendable.”

Special guest Md. Rafat Ullah Khan, Acting Managing Director of Al-Arafah Islami Bank, emphasized the role of science: “Behind every progress in today’s world lies science. Students must embrace scientific thinking and engage in research and innovation. Every success of yours makes us proud and strengthens our hope for the future.”

Also in attendance were Sajjadur Rahman Chowdhury, Executive Director of Bangladesh Freedom Foundation; Jalal Ahmed, Senior Vice President of Al-Arafah Islami Bank; Md. Mujibur Rahman, Zonal Head and Executive Vice President of the bank’s Dhaka North Region; Munir Hasan, President of the Bangladesh Association for the Advancement of Science; Dr. Farseem Mannan Mohammad, its General Secretary; and Professor Md. Monirul Islam, Dean of IUBAT’s College of Engineering and Technology.

Since 2015, the Bangladesh Association for the Advancement of Science has regularly organized participation in this Olympiad. As part of this year’s initiative, more than 150 workshops and promotional campaigns were held in over 50 district towns since July to inspire students’ interest in science. A record number of over 17,000 students registered both online and offline. Following preliminary online rounds and subsequent regional selections, nearly 600 students reached the National Round, including winners from six regional rounds, the e-Olympiad, and the School Olympiad.