Startup Synergy and Student Success Spotlighted at National Policy Contest
Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser in charge of the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology, has proposed that time university students spend on startups be counted as academic credits. He also suggested that surveys conducted by universities could serve as a foundation for data-driven policymaking. According to him, this approach would enable young people to guide the government’s policy initiatives with innovation and creativity, while also strengthening the startup ecosystem.
He made these remarks on Sunday, September 7, while speaking as the chief guest at the final round of the 4th National Policy Competition titled “Industrial Revolution: Bangladesh’s Innovative Potential and Areas of Application” held at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST), organized by the Ministry of Youth and Sports. Before delivering his address, Taiyeb announced the names of the winners.
Team Arunava emerged as the champion of the National Policy Shust Chapter, securing 240 points. The team members — Zubair Bin Khalid, Tasfia Abbas Jui, and Siam Rahman Saurav — are all first-year students of the university’s Department of Mathematics. They impressed judges with their innovation UNMS, a secured single health data record solution.
The first runner-up was Team Capital Mitra, while Team Sunagorik finished as the second runner-up, just one point behind.
Handing over the awards to the winners, Taiyeb emphasized the importance of policy-related competitions, calling them promising for the nation. “Policymaking should involve greater participation from young people, as they can quickly adapt to the dynamic transformations in information technology. This transformation must be connected to policymaking,” he stated.
Highlighting the potential of the younger generation, he noted that the victory of the youngest contestants in the competition proved that the nation’s future leadership is in capable hands. “Those who are interested in startups should have their work recognized as academic credits, along with increased connectivity facilities and other opportunities,” Taiyeb said.
On challenges in policy implementation, he observed: “Implementing policies within the country’s legal guidelines is a major challenge. The policy proposals presented by young people must be examined through qualitative and quantitative surveys at the citizen level to ensure their effectiveness.”
At the conclusion of the event, Taiyeb presented medals, crests, and cash prizes to the winners. Five university teams competed in the final round, with Team Arunava clinching the championship, followed by Team Capital Mitra and Team Sunagorik as first and second runner-up, respectively.
Special guest Md. Mahbub-ul-Alam, Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, thanked the university on behalf of the ministry. “Currently, 34 percent of the population are young people, and the Ministry of Youth and Sports is working with them,” he said.
The event was presided over by SUST Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. A.M. Sarwaruddin Chowdhury, with Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Sajedul Karim, Treasurer Professor Dr. Md. Ismail Hossain, and Startup Bangladesh Independent Director Tanvir Ali also attending as special guests.
