AIUB CS Fest 2024, presented by the Office of Student Affairs and organized by AIUB Computer Club (ACC) was hosted from April 25th to April 28th at American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB). An event like no other AIUB CS Fest 2024 had an array of thrilling segments, including the ICT Olympiad, Networking Contest, Programming Contest, Math Olympiad, Story Writing Competition, App Showcasing, Logo Design Competition, Drone Race Competition, Poster / Idea Presentation, Art Competition, Science Project Showcasing and lastly, Robot Soccer Competition.
On April 25, 2024, AIUB CS Fest 2024 began with great enthusiasm as participants from various schools, colleges and institutions gathered at the AIUB campus. The event’s first day was filled with various segments that set the bar high, including coding contests, app showcases, ICT Olympiads and more. The Junior and Senior Programming Contests took center stage in the morning, with competitors racing against the clock to solve coding challenges. Six percent of junior participants solved at least one problem, while four percent of seniors achieved the same. Throughout the day, the App Showcasing segment featured over 40 teams displaying a new range of applications, from study aids to games, demonstrating their technical creativity and skill.
Following this, the ICT Olympiad tested participants’ knowledge of networking, hardware, and software systems, while the Math Olympiad assessed sharp analytical thinking among participants. The day concluded with a Content/Story Writing Competition, where contestants expressed their creativity through compelling narratives.
On April 26, 2024, the second day of the AIUB CS Fest 2024 initiated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, officially opening the event led by the honorable guests, Mr. Ishtiaque Abedin (Founder Member and Chairman, Board of Trustees, AIUB) and Ms. Nadia Anwar (Founder Member, Board of Trustees, Vice-President, Office of Student Affairs). Dr. Bikarna Kumar Ghosh (Former Secretary, ICT Division, Former Managing Director, High-Tech Park, and CEO, Research & Innovation Center, FBCCI) graced the inaugural ceremony as the chief guest. Additionally, other notable attendees included Md. Abdur Rahman, (Pro-Vice Chancellor, AIUB), DR. Mohammad Zahidul Islam Khan (Registrar, Officer, Administration, AIUB), Manzur H Khan (Proctor & Director, Office of Student Affairs, OSA), Mashiour Rahman (Associate Professor and Associate Dean, FST, AIUB), Prof. Dr. Dip Nandi (Associate Dean, Faculty of Science and Technology, FST, AIUB), Abhijit Bhowmik (Associate Professor and Special Assistant, OSA) and honorable faculty members. The Science Project Showcase, a key attraction, featured over 40 teams presenting innovative projects that blended scientific inquiry with real-world applications.
In addition, participants of schools and colleges were tested on their technical knowledge during the ICT Olympiad and Math Olympiad. The Poster Presentation segment allowed participants to exhibit their research findings and innovative concepts visually. The day’s closing segment, the Content/Story Writing Competition, provided a platform for participants to hone their writing skills and share their ideas.
On April 27, 2024, the third day of the AIUB CS Fest 2024 was filled with various activities and the air was electric with anticipation. The Poster Presentation segment showcased creative idea prototypes, while the Networking Contest, featured multiple rounds. A notable highlight of the day was the Robot Soccer competition, which featured intense matches between AIUB students and school/college teams. The competition’s electrifying atmosphere, with teams competing for the top spot, kept the audience glued to their seats, where every goal was met with a chorus of cheers. Following this, the Art Competition brought together participants from different schools, with colorful creations on display. The youngest contestant, a 6-year-old boy named Safeen Mahfuz, stole the show with his enthusiasm.
The day concluded with the thrilling Drone Race competition, where participants raced their drones through a challenging obstacle course. The large audience at the AIUB Campus cheered on the competitors, adding to the festive atmosphere.
On April 28, 2024, the closing ceremony of the AIUB CS Fest 2024 took place at the AIUB Auditorium, marking the successful conclusion of this four-day event. Hosted by Manzur H Khan, (Proctor & Director, Office of Student Affairs, OSA), the event featured speeches by distinguished guests, including Prof. Dr. Md. Abdur Rahman (Pro-Vice Chancellor, AIUB), who encouraged participants to contribute to Bangladesh’s tech sector. Chief Guest Mr. Md Mustofa Kamal,( Director General of the ICT Ministry), praised the event and promised to support future CS Fests. The ceremony was presided over by Ms. Nadia Anwar (Founder Member and Vice Chairman, Board of Trustees, AIUB). Mr. Mashiour Rahman (Sr. Associate Professor & Dean-in-charge, Computer Science, AIUB) and Prof. Dr. Dip Nandi (Professor & Associate Dean, Computer Science, AIUB) was also present at the ceremony.
The program’s chief guest specifically thanked the Organizers for this great arrangement of student talent development and expressed the hope that students would become more engaged in the discovery of new technologies. The Chief Guest also mentioned the winners’ fantastic chance to receive a scholarship from the Ministry of ICT worth BD 10 lakh.
Over 2,000 students from 200 educational institutes and over 3,000 AIUB students participated in this year’s event, representing diverse regions across Bangladesh. Besides Dhaka division, many students from various divisions and district-level cities across the country have come to participate in the fest, including Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Comilla, Chittagong, as well as districts and towns like Munshiganj and Narayanganj. The closing ceremony included award presentations, where respected faculty members and special guests distributed certificates and crests among the winners. The ceremony ended with a performance by the AIUB Performing Arts Club (APAC) at the Auditorium and a group photo session with the winners, organizers, and volunteers.
AIUB CS Fest 2024 launched with a sense of purpose, a sense that something extraordinary was about to happen and overall was an incredible success indeed. The success of this event was made possible by the dedicated efforts of the AIUB Computer Club, with invaluable support from sponsors such as Brain Station-23 and Therap BD along with media partners, Jugantor, The Business Standards, Ekattor TV and magazine partner, Business Times. Appreciation goes out to all the enthusiastic participants from various institutions who contributed to this memorable occasion. The event’s 12 segments and dynamic activities created an environment of learning and competition making it a memorable experience for all involved.