Seventeen young individuals from different universities and institutions across Bangladesh are set to participate in the second edition of the International Youth Research Camp in Sri Lanka, scheduled to be held in Colombo from 2 May to 7 May.

The participants, comprising students, young researchers, journalists and early-career professionals, will take part in research seminars, training sessions, interactive discussions and experience-sharing activities during the six-day programme.

The itinerary includes a one-day field visit to Galle, a historic coastal city, where participants will engage in fieldwork and explore cultural heritage sites.

As part of the programme, delegates will attend research and cultural sessions at the SAARC Cultural Centre in Colombo. A special academic session is also scheduled at the Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies. An interactive session with members of Toastmasters International Club will focus on communication and leadership skills.

The closing ceremony will be held at the Bangladesh High Commission in Colombo, where participants will present their research insights and experiences gained during the visit. The event will conclude with a certificate awarding session.

Throughout the programme, the delegation will visit educational institutions, tourist attractions and culturally significant locations across Sri Lanka. The participants are scheduled to return to Dhaka on 7 May.

The initiative is organised by the Bangladesh Research Society, a youth-led platform promoting research engagement in Bangladesh. Co-organisers include Help the Future, Village Empowerment, Run Globally, Global Institute for Research and Development (GIRD) and Hetman Travel.

Jamuna Television and The Business Standard are serving as media partners, while TBS Graduates is supporting the initiative as the youth partner.

The participants include Khandakar Ali Hossain, Sadia Afrin, Fahim Hasan Mahdi, Ahsan Ullah, Raziul Islam, Jaita Bepary, Srabani Chowdhury, Hamidul Huda Stevan, Rajat Shuvro Roy, Mahbuba Alam Munni, Md Mahir Tajwer, Sudipta Sarker Garba, Ishtiak Ahmed Dibbo and Fouzia Nahar.

Mentors for the camp are Sabita Binte Azad Sifa, Ruwan P Perera and Saifullah Khaled. Local coordination is being managed by P N Krishali L Nawarathna and R B K Parami Wijerathna. The camp is directed by S M Sadeq.

This marks the first time the International Youth Research Camp is being held in Sri Lanka. The inaugural edition took place in Nepal in May last year. Organisers aim to expand the initiative to more countries in the future, offering young people opportunities for research collaboration, networking and professional development at the international level.