National Innovation Showcase to Spotlight Student Startups, Science Projects

The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) is set to organize a nationwide “Startup, Science Project and Innovation Idea Showcasing Program” aimed at fostering creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurial thinking among students. The national-level event is scheduled to be held on June 28 at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center in the capital, with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman expected to attend as the chief guest.

The program is being organized under the Educational Excellence Support Scheme (EESS) and will involve students and teachers from Grades 6 to 12 across the country. Each participating team will consist of three students and two teachers. The competition will be conducted in four phases—upazila, district, metropolitan, and national levels.

The announcement was made during a press conference held at the Ministry of Education conference room on May 8. Responding to questions from journalists, Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon said that the SSC and equivalent examination results would be published on July 20. He added that all education boards had already received final instructions regarding the result publication process.

Special guests at the event included Bobby Hajjaj and Prime Minister’s Adviser Dr. Mahdi Amin. Senior officials from both divisions of the Ministry of Education, along with directors general of relevant departments, were also present.

According to organizers, the upazila- or thana-level showcasing activities will take place on June 12, followed by district-level competitions on June 14. The best 100 teams selected from district and metropolitan rounds will advance to the national event, where they will present their startups, science-based projects, and innovative ideas.

Officials said the initiative is designed to move students beyond rote learning and encourage analytical thinking, creativity, problem-solving abilities, and technology-driven innovation. It is also expected to create opportunities for local innovations addressing local challenges while nurturing future entrepreneurs.

At the national exhibition, the top 10 teams will receive trophies. In addition, participating teachers will be recognized through the “Meritorious Teacher Award for Quality Education,” while students will receive the “Innovative Student Award.” Selected teachers will receive Tk 30,000 and certificates, while awarded students will receive Tk 20,000 along with certificates.

DSHE noted that the program aligns with the government’s policy commitments to joyful learning, skills-based education, startup development, and recognition of talent. Encouraging students to engage in technology-oriented and intellectual pursuits while developing a future-ready workforce is among the initiative’s key objectives.

Nationwide Tree Plantation Campaign

On the same day, a nationwide tree plantation campaign will be conducted simultaneously in 29,621 secondary educational institutions under the Learning Acceleration in Secondary Education (LAISE) project.

The initiative aims to raise awareness about climate change and promote environmental conservation among students.

According to DSHE, the campaign will cover 18,907 schools, 1,446 school-and-college institutions, and 9,268 madrasas. Each institution will plant one fruit-bearing tree, one timber tree, and one medicinal tree. A climate-awareness grant of Tk 5,000 has been allocated for every participating institution.

The Ministry of Education said the campaign forms part of a broader plan to plant five crore trees in educational institutions over the next five years. Inspired by the “One Child, One Tree” concept, the initiative seeks to directly involve students in environmental stewardship and tree plantation activities.

Educational institutions will organize rallies, climate-awareness campaigns, and displays of banners and festoons to mark the occasion. The central event will also be broadcast live on large screens, while participants from educational institutions nationwide will be able to join through video conferencing.

Stakeholders believe that bringing together innovation, technology, entrepreneurship development, and environmental conservation in a single nationwide initiative will accelerate students’ acquisition of future-oriented skills and contribute to achieving sustainable development goals.

//DBTech/SM/EK//