BUP Research Society (BUPRS) concluded its fifth National Research Project Contest 2026 at Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP) on 16 August, bringing together emerging researchers from across the country.

Held under the theme “Research on Climate and Environment”, the week-long initiative sought to encourage young researchers to examine climate and environmental challenges through evidence-based research and interdisciplinary perspectives.

The contest was organised under the tagline “Research Today. Restore Tomorrow.” and the motto “Towards a Greener Horizon”.

It received more than 200 research abstract submissions from students representing 47 universities across Bangladesh. Following a rigorous selection process, more than 150 participants presented over 90 selected abstracts before academics and subject-matter experts from BUP and other institutions.

The competition comprised two segments — Research Project Paper and Critical Essay Writing — covering climate resilience, renewable energy, environmental sustainability, disaster management, environmental justice, climate communication, sustainable development and green innovation.

The contest began with a workshop titled “Research Made Easy: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners” at the FASS Tower of BUP on 8 August.

BUP Centre for Higher Studies and Research Director Professor Dr Md Mohoshin Reza conducted the workshop, providing foundational research guidance to more than 180 students.

An online research presentation session was held on 14 August for participants who were unable to present their work in person. More than 20 participants presented their research virtually before a panel of judges.

The online arrangement ensured that those unable to attend the physical sessions could participate in the national research platform.

Selected participants presented their research papers before judges from different research fields on 15 August. The presentations provided a platform for academic discussion, critical evaluation, innovation and knowledge exchange.

On the same day, BUPRS unveiled Mastering Research Methodology: A Simplified Guide to Multidisciplinary Research, authored by BUP Department of Development Studies Chairman Wing Commander Md Mahamudul Hassan, psc, PhD.

Faculty members, researchers and students attended the unveiling.

BUPRS also organised an online seminar in collaboration with the Teachers Association for Studies in Language, Literature and Culture (TASLLC), titled “Me, Myself, and My Methodology: Crafting Autoethnographic Research Design”.

BRAC Institute of Languages Associate Professor Md Shaiful Islam, PhD, conducted the session.

The grand closing ceremony was held at BUP’s Bijoy Auditorium on 16 August on behalf of the Department of English under the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Acting Dean Professor Dr Fahmida Haque extended the invitation to the event.

As part of the closing ceremony, BUP Centre for Bangladesh Studies Chair Professor and Department of Disaster Management and Resilience Distinguished Professor Dr Khondoker Mokaddem Hossain conducted a keynote workshop titled “Climate Justice in Bangladesh: An Overview”.

A question-and-answer session followed, allowing participants to engage with the speaker and further discuss the issues addressed during the workshop.

The finalists then presented their research projects, followed by a dedicated final question-and-answer session.

The closing programme proceeded with the prize-giving ceremony, concluding remarks and a group photograph, marking the formal end of the contest.

Outstanding participants received prizes and awards, while certificates were presented in recognition of their contributions to the national research platform.

Two champions and two runners-up representing two categories were recognised in the research paper presentation segment. A champion and a runner-up were awarded in the critical essay writing segment.

Critical Essay Writing Competition

Nusrat Jahan Ema of Bangladesh University of Professionals became champion for the essay titled “The Eco-Gothic Lens: How Cultural Narratives Shape Anthropocene Anxiety”.

Debopom Ghosh of Chittagong University was named runner-up for “The Weaponization of Scarcity: Eco-Fascism, Climate Security, and the Architecture of Abandonment”.

Research in Science and Technology

Nashmin Ferdaush, Chapal Kundu and Mushfiqur Ibne Zahid of Bangladesh Agricultural University became champions for their paper titled “Activation of Autophagy Mitigated the Salt Stress Sensitivity in Rice Seedlings”.

Wahidur Rahman, Maloy Roy Orko and Suha Islam Methi of East West University were runners-up for “Universal Cloud Print System (UCPS): A Secure and Scalable Cloud-Based Solution for Modernizing Legacy Academic Printing Workflows”.

Research in Business, Arts and Social Science

Naoshin Sharmin and Nurshalin Islam Shifat, representing Bangladesh University of Business and Technology and the University of Dhaka, respectively, became champions for “Complementing Environmental Regulation with Behavioral Change: A Field Experiment on Reusable Bag Use in Bangladesh”.

Anima Islam Anny, Hameem All Fuyed and Asif Mahmud of Bangladesh University of Professionals were runners-up for “Stories of Nature in Institutional Discourse: A Critical Discourse and Ecolinguistic Analysis of World Environment Day Slogans (2015–2026)”.

BUPRS said the contest marked another significant step in its efforts to promote research, critical thinking and academic excellence among university students.

With participation from 47 universities and more than 200 abstract submissions, the contest celebrated the ideas, efforts and potential of Bangladesh’s emerging researchers while reinforcing the message: “Research Today. Restore Tomorrow.”