Satyen Bose Science Festival ignites minds at Dhaka University

Curzon Hall at Dhaka University buzzed with intellectual fervour as the inaugural Satyen Bose National Science Festival kicked off on Saturday, transforming the historic venue into a vibrant hub of innovation, competition, and scientific exploration. 

Organised by the student-led Bijnan Adda, in collaboration with the Dhaka University Science Society, Research Society, Chase Club, and Quiz Society, the two-day festival—titled BRAC-Bijnan Adda 1st SN Bose National Science Festival-2025—promises to inspire a new generation of thinkers in a nation hungry for progress.

The event was launched with fanfare by Dhaka University’s Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration), Professor Dr Saima Haque Bidisha, who served as the chief guest. 

Addressing a packed audience at Curzon Hall, she underscored the festival’s role in a world driven by science. “To thrive in global competition, we must excel in science and technology,” she declared. “This festival is a beacon for our youth, encouraging them to engage with cutting-edge research and innovation across disciplines like information technology.”

The festival’s timing feels particularly poignant. “In the wake of the July Uprising, our youth are reimagining their role in shaping the state and society,” Bidisha noted. 

“This science festival is an expression of that transformative energy, fostering skills, curiosity, and a passion for discovery.” Her words resonated with the hundreds of students—spanning secondary, higher secondary, and undergraduate levels—who have flocked to compete and learn.

A feast of science and creativity

The festival is a dazzling tapestry of events designed to captivate and challenge. Participants are diving into a Science Olympiad, an IT Hackathon, general science quizzes, open-rated chess matches, and even Rubik’s Cube showdowns. 

Keynote speeches and talk shows tackle cutting-edge topics like cryptocurrency, geopolitical alliances, and the frontiers of science, sparking lively debates. Poster presentations and innovation exhibitions showcase ground-breaking work, with the Dhaka University Centre for Advanced Research in Sciences among the standout displays, highlighting research that could shape Bangladesh’s future.

The diversity of activities reflects the festival’s ambition to make science accessible and exciting. From high-stakes coding battles to chess moves and cube-solving sprints, the event bridges rigorous academics with playful creativity, drawing students from across the country. 

“It’s not just about competing—it’s about connecting with ideas and each other,” said Umama Fatema, co-founder of Bijnan Adda, whose passion for science education drives the initiative.

Voices of inspiration

The opening ceremony featured a roster of luminaries who set an electrifying tone. Professor Dr Abdur Rob, Vice-Chancellor of the International University of Business, Agriculture and Technology (IUBAT), urged students to embrace interdisciplinary innovation. 

Dhaka University Treasurer Professor Dr M Jahangir Alam Chowdhury echoed the call, emphasising the role of research in national development. Deans Professor Dr Kazi Matin Uddin Ahmed (Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences) and Professor Dr Md Enamul Haque (Faculty of Biology) highlighted the festival’s potential to spark curiosity and collaboration.

For students, the event is a rare chance to shine. “This is our moment to show what we can do,” said a participant gearing up for the IT Hackathon. Another, preparing a poster on renewable energy, added, “Seeing my work displayed alongside university research is thrilling.” 

A legacy in the making

Named after Satyendra Nath Bose, the legendary physicist whose work on quantum mechanics reshaped science, the festival carries a weighty legacy. Organisers hope it will become a cornerstone of Bangladesh’s academic calendar, nurturing talent and fostering a culture of inquiry. With support from BRAC and Dhaka University’s student organisations, the event is already setting a high bar.

As competitions heat up and ideas collide, the Satyen Bose National Science Festival is more than an event – it’s a movement. For the students pouring their hearts into code, quizzes, and innovations, it’s a chance to dream big. For Bangladesh, it’s a bold step toward a future where science leads the way.