Glory Girls Leadership Program Held at ICT Olympiad 2: Aayat Urges Girls to Learn AI
The second phase of the ICT Olympiad Bangladesh, titled "Glory Girls Leadership Program," was held with the participation of a vibrant group of talented women excelling in technology. The program focused on how technology plays a pivotal role in empowering women and highlighted the ICT Olympiad’s future initiatives. Approximately 150 students from Dhaka and nearby districts attended the event, held at the Bishwo Shahitto Kendro in the capital on Saturday.
Faatiha Aayat, a Bangladeshi-American writer, child rights activist, and climate change reformist based in New York, shared her experiences during the program. She urged the women present to master technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and use them to address and present Bangladesh’s challenges on global platforms.
Speaking at the seminar, Aayat, also the Glory Girls Ambassador for ICT Olympiad Bangladesh, said, "There are many pressing issues in Bangladesh that deserve to be showcased globally. However, there are few women capable of doing so. We must explore future possibilities like AI and learn to use such technologies. If we master them, we can bring global attention to our problems and raise awareness. This is why I initiated Zero Olympiad—to ensure that by 2030, the gaps in achieving the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can be minimized."
The event also featured prominent speakers, including Dr. Tanziba Rahman, Chairperson of Bangladesh Freelancing Development Society; Syeda Naushad Jahan Promi, Chairperson of Together Initiatives; Sabila Inun, Director of De Casalia Limited; Sayeda Nafiza Reza, Managing Director of Digi Dot Limited; Nawrin Haque Ridi, Founder of Darakak; Arupa Dutta, Managing Partner of Arutas Interior BD; Fahmida Hossain, Chairperson of Elegant IT Limited; and Sumaiya Haque, Managing Director of Designers to Interiors. These speakers emphasized the importance of empowering women to achieve career and economic prosperity through technology. They noted that increasing women's participation in the technology sector is essential not only for their personal growth but also for the betterment of society as a whole.
ICT Olympiad Bangladesh’s Founder, Mohammad Shahriar Khan, remarked, "My goal is to open new horizons for women through technology, enabling them to lead in the tech sector and achieve success in their lives. We aim to use the power of technology to empower women so they can transform their imagination into reality."
Mohammad Abdur Rahman Nipu, Head of Student Welfare at ICT Olympiad Bangladesh, stated, "Empowering women through technology will not only bring changes to their lives but also advance the entire society."
Chief Educator Wahid Newton added, "Initiatives like Glory Girls raise awareness among women about technology and build their leadership capabilities, which will further strengthen the future of technology." Trustee Board Member Golam Sarwar noted, "The main objective of this event is to develop strong leadership among women in technology and create equal opportunities for their growth."
The ICT Olympiad Bangladesh, which began its second chapter on November 1, will run until April 30, featuring a range of programs aimed at enhancing ICT skills and fostering innovative thinking among the younger generation. Students from preschool to university levels are participating in this year’s Olympiad, which comprises five rounds. The first four rounds will be held online starting in late February, covering 21 segments, including programming, cybersecurity, robotics, IoT, AR, VR, quantum computing, AI, ChatGPT, tech freelancing, green digitalization, and drone technology. The grand finale will take place offline on April 30.
