DU launches inter-university idea competition as OSL marks 10th anniversary
Students and alumni from seven public universities can submit innovative business ideas under the Creative Bangladesh project.
The Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship (ICE) Centre of the University of Dhaka (DU) has launched an inter-university idea competition aimed at promoting youth entrepreneurship, inviting students and alumni from seven public universities to submit innovative business ideas.
The announcement came today (30 June) at the closing ceremony of the Strategic and Entrepreneurship Leadership (SEL) Summit, organised to celebrate the 10th anniversary of DU's Department of Organization Strategy and Leadership (OSL).
The event was held at the Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) auditorium.
The competition is being organised under the Capacity Building of Universities in Bangladesh to Promote Youth Entrepreneurship (Creative Bangladesh) project, implemented through government-to-government (G2G) cooperation between the Government of Bangladesh and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).
Speaking as the chief guest, University of Dhaka Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr ABM Obaidul Islam said the university is working to transform itself into a research-oriented, innovation-driven and internationally recognised institution.
He stressed the need to nurture leadership, creativity and entrepreneurial skills among students, urging them to become job creators alongside job seekers.
Congratulating the department on its 10th anniversary, the vice-chancellor said the OSL Department has established a strong reputation in leadership development, strategic management, research and entrepreneurship.
Dean of the Faculty of Business Studies Professor Dr Mahmud Osman Imam attended the programme as the special guest, while Associate Professor Md Rashedur Rahman, chairman of the OSL Department, presided over the event.
The organisers said the competition aims to strengthen the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem across Bangladesh's public universities.
Students and alumni from the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Bangladesh Medical University, Bangladesh Agricultural University, the University of Rajshahi, the University of Chittagong and Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET) are eligible to participate.
Selected teams will join a 320-hour Entrepreneurship Education Programme, where they will receive training, mentorship and technical support to help develop their ideas into sustainable business ventures.
Applications will be accepted from 1 to 14 July, while idea pitching sessions are scheduled for 22 and 23 July.
The competition welcomes ideas from sectors including agriculture, healthcare, information technology, education, climate, energy, e-commerce and the creative industries.
