Bangladesh has just earned a new badge of honour on the global innovation stage. The University of Chittagong has bagged the Hult Prize 2025 Regional Programme of the Year for Central and Southeast Asia. Impressive, right? They’re no longer just a blip on the radar—these guys are absolutely excelling in the youth-led social entrepreneurship game. Seriously, they’re making waves.

The Hult Prize Foundation made the announcement on Saturday, 28 June, during their 2025 Community Awards. Essentially, they recognised programmes that went above and beyond in impact, reach, creativity, and all other dimensions.CU clearly excelled.

And CU’s programme? It didn’t just stand out—it set a new benchmark.

The Hult Prize: Nobel for students

Dubbed the “Nobel Prize for Students,” the Hult Prize is the world’s largest social entrepreneurship platform for students. Every year, teams from over 130 countries develop start-up ideas that tackle pressing global issues—from climate action to poverty eradication—with winners securing global recognition and $1 million in seed funding.

So, for CU to grab the top honour out of thousands of universities? That’s not just news; it marks a significant achievement.

The powerhouse behind it all: Md Aminul Islam Sharif

At the centre of this historic win is Md Aminul Islam Sharif, the Campus Director of Hult Prize CU, whose visionary leadership transformed a campus-level initiative into a nationwide movement. He said: “This is a moment of pride for Chittagong University. We had been nominated twice before but couldn’t win. Finally, this year, we became the ‘Programme of the Year,’ and it’s a historic achievement for us.”

And it truly was significant. The 2024–25 Hult Prize at CU set a new record for participation. One of the highlights was that CU organised Bangladesh’s first-ever national round of the Hult Prize. Over 200 teams from 45 universities participated there. From pitch workshops to widespread media coverage, the entire experience was vibrant, inclusive, and deeply inspiring.

Jannatul Mawa Mithila, the Deputy Campus Director, summed it up perfectly, “One of the most special aspects of this proud moment is that, for the first time, the Hult Prize national round was held in Bangladesh—and it was hosted by the University of Chittagong itself.”

As recognition of this victory, CU Campus Director Md Aminul Islam Sharif has been invited to attend the Hult Prize Global Finals in London, where he will officially receive this international honour on behalf of the university.

Beyond the title: real-world impact

Beyond the title, the real impact lies in the transformation this programme sparked. CU students have walked away with critical life skills in leadership, entrepreneurship, and collaboration. New youth-led initiatives are already blooming across Chattogram—from sustainable start-ups to education projects.

Professor Dr Muhammad Yahia Akhter, CU’s Vice-Chancellor, expressed his pride in the achievement by saying, “This recognition is a testament to our students’ vision, courage, and determination to solve real-world problems through innovation. It reflects the spirit of Chittagong University.”

The journey has just begun

This is more than a win—it’s a signal of what’s possible when vision meets execution. With new global partnerships on the horizon and a growing ecosystem of changemakers, CU is now positioning itself as a launchpad for Bangladesh’s next generation of world-shaping innovators.