The NASA Space Apps Challenge 2021 has been launched under the auspices of Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS) with the support of Bangladesh University Grants Commission and BASIS Students Forum. The NASA Space Apps Challenge is an initiative of the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
This year, NASA will implement the project in 251 cities around the world. BASIS is hosting the competition virtually in 9 cities of Bangladesh (Dhaka, Chittagong, Sylhet, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Barisal, Khulna, Cumilla and Mymensingh).
On this occasion, a campus activation program was held online on 21st August. BASIS President Syed Almas Kabir said, “At this time of the corona pandemic, our children are missing out on their campus life. We are hopeful they will get back to their normal education very soon. This year’s NASA Space Apps Challenge will be held simultaneously with the rest of the world on the virtual platform. Participants from Bangladesh can participate in the competition from anywhere. It is possible to establish a digital Bangladesh. Our creative students from Bangladesh are successfully solving the NASA Space Apps Challenge and occupying a significant place. I am hopeful that this year too our boys and girls will brighten our face in the international arena by winning awards.”
“We learn a lot of new things from a competition,” said Farhana A. Rahman, senior vice-president of BASIS; A lot of new innovations come out. I would especially urge our girls to participate more in this competition. The girls of our country are doing well in all fields. Our girls can develop themselves by participating in various domestic and international competitions. I am optimistic that our girls will also lead in space research. She added that the inclusion of girls in each group under NASA guidance would add extra points for the team. We want to see at least one girl in each team. As high school children participate in this competition abroad, we are hopeful that in the future, high school level children of our country will also participate in this competition.
Professor. Dr. Jannatul Ferdous, Head of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) Department of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam University said the University Grants Commission has written to us to participate in the NASA Space Apps Challenge this year. I am hopeful that more students from Bangladesh will take part in this competition this year. Innovative ideas, teamwork and creative work of our students will put a mark on the world.
Dr. Mohammad Zahidur Rahman, Head of CSE Department of Jahangirnagar University; Md. Safayet Hossain, Assistant Professor of City University; Assistant Professor Md. Iftekharul Alam Ifat of Noakhali University of Science and Technology; Mr. Abhijit Bhowmik, Associate Professor of CSE Department of American International University Bangladesh; MM Fazle Rabbi, Assistant Professor, CSE Department of Bangladesh University of Business and Technology; Annajiyat Alim Russell, Senior Lecturer, CSE Department, BRAC University and Md. Abu Marjan, Lecturer, Haji Mohammad Danesh University of Science and Technology were present at the campus activation ceremony. They invited the students to participate in the competition.
Mahadi-uz-Zaman and Ariful Hasan Apu, advisors of NASA Space Apps Challenge, answered various questions of the students. A representative of ‘Zenith’ of BUET, the winning team of last year shared her experience with the new contestants. The event was hosted by Mr. Moon Mandal Rajib, Assistant Manager, BASIS Secretariat and Communication Lead, NASA Space Apps Challenge 2021. Thousands of students from across the country participated in the virtual event.
Interested parties can participate through the link http://bsf.basis.org.bd/NASA-Registration-Form. From 2 to 3 October 2021, the competition will be held virtually in 251 cities worldwide.
