Country's first National Biotechnology Olympiad held in JU

The 1st National Biotechnology Olympiad has been organised at Jahangirnagar University with the theme 'Jibon Dharay Notun Beg, Somriddhir Biotech.' The Olympiad was inaugurated on Friday (November 11).

Organised by the Biotech Club of the Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering in collaboration with the National Institute of Biotechnology and Farming Future-Bangladesh, the day-long Olympiad had a total of six categories of tests from 8th grade to university level, question and answer session, career chat, popular talk and prize giving ceremony.

At the beginning of the day, at 10 am, an hour-long examination is conducted in six categories at the Jahangirnagar University School and College. About one and a half thousand students from various schools, colleges and universities of the country participated in the examination.

Afterwards, a question and answer session was organised at Zahir Raihan Auditorium at 12:00 pm. Teachers and researchers from different universities of the country answered the written questions of the participating students about biotechnology.

At the beginning of the question and answer session, the Chairman of the Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Professor Umme Salma Zohra, said, "For the first time, the Department of Biotechnology organised the Olympiad. We are overwhelmed with such responses from students from all over the country. This event will continue in the future."

Swadhinata Padak, the highest state award-winning scientist Professor Hasina Khan was felicitated at the popular talk session at 2:30 pm. 

This scientist, who discovered the genome sequence of the national fish Hilsa, said, "A microorganism has been found in jute that can be used as an antibiotic. How many doors of possibilities are opening for us. When someone asks me what I have found in my long research life, I want to say I learned from researching about cells that cells work in such a controlled manner; it's amazing. Another thing I learned is the chain of command. Everything in a cell is organised. These have influenced my personal life too."

Professor Nazneen Nahar, Professor of Genetic Engineering and Molecular Biology Department of Chittagong University, said, "When I came as a teacher in my department, very few students were admitted. Gradually the number of students increased, and our research activities also increased. I think it brings more expansion at the job level. We feel its prevalence in our daily lives as well. We wouldn't have got the Covid vaccine if it wasn't for the genome sequence."

Finally, at 4 pm, the result announcement and prize distribution ceremony were held. 30 students were awarded in six categories, five students each. 

Abhinandan Pal, Shadman Zaman, Fahim Monayem, Prayas Ahmed and Fuad Bin Asadullah were awarded in the class eight category. Saifa Sultana, Sanjida Arfan, Albak Atiq, Marzia Khanum Molly and Swarna Biswas in Class nine; Samiul Islam Fagun, Mahjabin Afrin, Mariam Manwara, Abdullah Al Nahian Russo and Nishat Tasneem in class ten, Bisarga Saha, Irfan Hasan, Mrinmoy Sarkar Dhruba, Maliha Lahin and Rashid Shahriar in class twelve, Afrina Jahan Suchinta, Mohammad Osman, Ekramul Islam, Ashfaq, and Nibir Ahmed were awarded in the category of class 12. 

At the university level, out of students from 30 universities, Fazlul Karim Chowdhury, Samaita Sarkar Tuli, Jawata Afnan Sahara, Farhan Ishrat Rafi, and Anika Humaira were awarded.

Pro- Vice-Chancellor of Jahangirnagar University Professor Sheikh Md. Manjurul Haque was present at the time. Also, the Dean of the Faculty of Biology of Jahangirnagar University, Prof. Dr Md. Nuhu Alam and President of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering Department Prof. Dr Umme Salma Zohra, Vice Chancellor of Sylhet Agricultural University Mehedi Hasan Khan, Chairman of Biotechnology Department of Chittagong University Nazneen Nahar, Sabina Yasmin of Dhaka University, Prof. Matiur Rahman of Rajshahi University. , CIVASU Dean Ashutosh Das, Shaheen Mahmood, teacher of MBSTU, Shahab Uddin, teacher of BSMRSTU and other renowned faculties and students of biotechnology and genetic engineering departments of various universities in Bangladesh were present. 

Biotech Club at Jahangirnagar University is working to increase interest in biotechnology. The club conducts various social activities, including Biotechnology Olympiad, the club's own publication "Helix", research activities, and various seminars and workshops.

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