Innovation Fair 2026 to Honor Journalists
The Ministry of Science and Technology has announced an award initiative to recognize journalists for their contributions to science and technology reporting, marking the occasion of the upcoming Bangladesh Innovation Fair 2026.
According to an official press release issued by the ministry on Wednesday, December 24, journalists who have published science and technology–related reports, features or analytical articles in various media outlets over the past year will be eligible for the awards. The published works will be evaluated by a selection committee, and outstanding journalists will be honored.
Interested journalists have been asked to submit their applications through the designated link on the ministry’s website by December 31.
The announcement comes ahead of the three-day Bangladesh Innovation Fair 2026, scheduled to be held from January 19 to 21. The fair is being organized with the aim of promoting market-oriented research by prioritizing science-based innovation. The event will be implemented by the National Museum of Science and Technology (NMST) under the patronage of the Ministry of Science and Technology.
Under the theme “From Dreams to Innovation, Commercialization Brings Prosperity,” the ministry held an exchange meeting with journalists on Monday, December 22. The meeting was chaired by Science and Technology Secretary Md Anwar Hossain, who highlighted the government’s vision behind organizing the innovation fair.
During the meeting, officials stated that the Bangladesh Innovation Fair 2026 is designed to showcase the country’s innovative capacity on both national and international platforms. It will serve as a unique hub connecting innovators, entrepreneurs, investors and industrial stakeholders. While Bangladesh has a large pool of talented innovators working on new ideas, technologies and prototypes, many of these innovations remain confined to laboratories or limited platforms, restricting their economic and social impact. The fair aims to bridge this gap by facilitating direct interaction between innovators and industrial entrepreneurs, enabling smoother commercialization of innovations.
The meeting was attended by Additional Secretary Muhammad Ashraf Ali Khan, Chairman of the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission Dr Md Mujibur Rahman, Director General of the Science Museum Munira Sultana, Joint Secretary Sheikh Muhammad Touhidul Islam, Personal Secretary to the Secretary Md Al Amin, along with other senior officials.
Journalists participating in the discussion suggested increasing research funding across institutions under the ministry, strengthening collaboration between local and international researchers and stakeholders, modernizing educational curricula with greater emphasis on science education, expanding science club activities at the grassroots level, and placing more importance on organizing innovation competitions.
Discussions also emphasized the need for the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission and other scientific institutions to become more dynamic and accessible in sharing information with the public. Beyond electricity generation, participants highlighted the broader applications of nuclear technology in agriculture, healthcare, chemical-free food processing and other sectors.
Addressing the meeting, Secretary Anwar Hossain stressed that national development depends heavily on skills in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). “Considering this reality, the ministry has taken various initiatives and is holding regular consultations with experts, teachers, journalists and stakeholders to build a science-minded nation,” he said.
Expressing concern, he noted a worrying decline in the number of students choosing science education. “If we want to move forward as a nation, we must increase students’ interest in science,” he added.
The secretary also pointed out that Bangladesh currently has 258 researchers ranked among the world’s top researchers. However, due to weak integration between research and industrial application, the expected outcomes are not being achieved. “This is why we are focusing on market-oriented research, so that academic research can be effectively utilized in industrialization,” he said.
Calling on journalists to play a proactive role, Anwar Hossain urged the media to publish science-based reports regularly to inspire future generations to become more science-oriented. In this context, the ministry’s decision to honor science journalists has been widely seen as a step toward encouraging quality science communication in the country.
DBTech/IH/DB
