Nur Mohammad Chowdhury secured first place in an exploratory data analysis competition held at Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, aimed at strengthening students’ practical data skills and ability to solve real-world problems.

Md Mahbub Shakil finished second and Saiba Khan third in the “CEGIS Presents Future Data Analyst Challenge 2026”, organised by non-profit educational initiative BanglayShikhi on Sunday, 12 July, at the seminar room of the university’s Third Academic Building.

Participants analysed real-world datasets and demonstrated their skills in data exploration, visualisation and generating actionable insights. The winners received prizes and commemorative awards at the end of the programme.

Riasad Amin, Hydrologist and Climate Change Expert at the Center for Environmental and Geographic Information Services, conducted a session on data analytics, geographic information systems, remote sensing and the growing importance of these skills in a technology-driven economy.

He discussed the increasing role of data analytics, artificial intelligence and evidence-based decision-making, saying such initiatives could help students acquire practical skills, address real-world problems and prepare for future careers.

Nazmul Hasan Raju, Chief Executive Officer of CHS Education, guided participants on overseas higher education opportunities, preparation strategies and university application procedures.

Professor Dr Md Fazlul Karim, Director of the Students’ Welfare and Counselling Centre; Professor Dr Monir Morshed, Proctor of Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University; and Professor Dr Md Delwar Jahan Maloy, Chairman of the Department of Statistics, attended the programme.

Other attendees included Professor Dr Syed Mohibul Hossain; Assistant Professor Noor Muhammad Khan; Assistant Professor Arzo Ahmed; Assistant Professor Md Hazrat Ali; Assistant Professor Md Abul Hossain Mamun of the Department of Statistics; and Associate Professor Md Shimul Sheikh of the Department of Environmental Science and Resource Management.

Md Rashedul Islam Rifat, Founder of BanglayShikhi and a student of the university’s Department of Statistics, chaired the programme. Faculty members, students from different departments and members of the organising team were also present.

BanglayShikhi said its eight-member core team organised the event under Rifat’s leadership. The other members were Md Shehab Uddin Ikhtiyer, Director of Partnerships and Sponsorships; Md Ontor, Director of Operations; Foysal Rahman Ovi, Director of Marketing and Communications; Farzana Yasmin, Director of Community Development; Tasnia Rahman Shefa, Director of Campus Relations; Maisha Hossain Niha, Director of Public Relations and Outreach; and Zakaria Mahmud Sourav, Director of Programmes and Competitions.

The Center for Environmental and Geographic Information Services was the title sponsor, while CHS Education was the co-sponsor.

Other partners included Ice Cream Station, NBICT Lab, TBS Graduates, Skin’O, PRAN, Joykali, Chobidyaloy and Udvash-Unmesh-Uttoron Shikkha Poribar. The Business Standard, Kaler Kantho, The Daily Campus and the Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University Journalists’ Association were media partners.

BanglayShikhi said the initiative sought to promote data literacy, research and innovation while helping students acquire skills relevant to the future workforce and strengthening links between academia and industry.