Chittagong University wins the inaugural Bangladesh National Biotechnology Thesis Presentation Contest – 2024, hosted by the Network of Young Biotechnologists of Bangladesh (NYBB).

The final round took place yesterday, December 20, 2024, at the Central Kochi Kacha Auditorium.

Students from 27 universities participated in the preliminary round of the competition, presenting their master’s thesis research on various applications of biotechnology. From these, seven finalists were selected to present their work in the final round. Their research spanned critical areas such as cancer diagnosis, autism detection, waste management, mosquito control, dye production, diarrheal diseases, food contamination, and food security.

The finalists included:

• Ahmed Zubayer (Khulna University)
• Saifullah Jamil (University of Dhaka)
• Mohammad Al Beruni (University of Chittagong)
• Tanjin Barketullah (Sylhet Agricultural University)
• Sunbin Samin (Jahangirnagar University)
• Md. Imtiaz (Jessore Science and Technology University)
• Mahmuda Haque (BRAC University)

In a closely contested final, Mohammad Al Beruni from the University of Chittagong emerged as the champion with his thesis on using genetic engineering for autism diagnosis. Tanjin Barketullah from Sylhet Agricultural University claimed second place for her innovative research on mosquito control technology, while Ahmed Zubayer from Khulna University secured the third position.

The judging panel comprised esteemed experts in biotechnology and genetic engineering, including:

• Dr. Mohammad Ziaur Rahman, Senior Scientist and Head of One Health Laboratory at icddr,b
• Dr. Md. Rezaul Karim, Chairman, Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Jahangirnagar University
• Dr. Miraz Kobab Chowdhury, faculty member, University of Dhaka
• Dr. Adnan Mannan, faculty member, University of Chittagong
• Dr. Md. Zahid Hassan, faculty member, Jagannath University
• Dr. Hamed Hussain, faculty member, East West University

Professor Dr. Mohammad Razuanul Hoque, Pro-Vice Chancellor of Noakhali Science and Technology University, was the chief guest at the prize distribution ceremony. Ragib Muttaqee, Vice-President (Event and Planning) of NYBB and the main event coordinator, gave the opening speech. Other notable speakers included Arif Khan, Scientific Officer at IEDCR and CEO of NYBB.

The Disease Biology and Molecular Epidemiology Research Group, Chittagong, and the Cancer Care and Research Trust Bangladesh (CCRT) supported the event.