A Class X student from Cox’s Bazar has earned national recognition after representing her district at a prestigious science and innovation competition and addressing Prime Minister Tarique Rahman during the award ceremony.
Subaita Binte Shahid, a science student at Ramu Cantonment English School and College, emerged as one of the leading young innovators after her team’s project advanced from the upazila and district levels to the national Startup, Science Project, and Innovation Idea Showcasing competition.
The national event was held on June 29 at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre in Dhaka, as part of the Educational Excellence Support Scheme (EESS) of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) under the Ministry of Education. More than 8,000 participants from across the country competed in the programme, with only 101 teams selected for the final round following multiple stages of evaluation.
Representing Cox’s Bazar, Subaita played a leading role in presenting her team’s innovation project. Her presentation skills and confident delivery also earned her the opportunity to speak on behalf of participating students before Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the education adviser, senior government officials, education administrators, teachers and students from across the country.
During her address, Subaita thanked the government for creating opportunities for young innovators and pledged to contribute to the country’s development through science and innovation.
“Honourable Prime Minister, your initiative will inspire us to become creative thinkers, researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs. We promise to use our knowledge and skills for the country’s development and the welfare of its people. Let our pledge today be to become capable citizens and build Bangladesh first,” she said.
The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education presented Subaita with an Outstanding Innovative Student certificate in recognition of her performance at the national event.
The project developed by students of Ramu Cantonment English School and College, titled Rupantar, proposes a circular-economy-based waste management solution that integrates Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled smart waste segregation, resource recovery, and an eco-marketplace. The team says the project offers a sustainable approach to addressing Bangladesh’s waste management challenges while supporting the country’s environmental goals and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDGs 11, 12 and 13.
Subaita, a resident of the Burmese Market area in Cox’s Bazar town, is also a regular presenter, reciter and drama performer at Bangladesh Betar’s Cox’s Bazar station.
Her father, Mohammad Shahidul Islam, is a journalist, broadcaster and presenter at Bangladesh Betar, while her mother, Sharmin Siddika Lima, is a researcher, associate professor, cultural activist and social worker.
Besides academic excellence, Subaita has earned recognition in debating, literature, culture and sports, receiving numerous awards, medals and certificates. She has also represented her institution in national debating competitions.
Cox’s Bazar District Secondary Education Officer Mohammad Golam Mostafa congratulated Subaita on her achievement, saying that she was among only ten students selected to deliver remarks at the national event.
“Her speech reflected the aspirations of young innovators to contribute to nation-building through knowledge and innovation. On behalf of the education community in Cox’s Bazar, we congratulate her on this remarkable achievement,” he said.
Educationists in Cox’s Bazar said Subaita’s success demonstrates the potential of students from the district to compete at the national level and expressed hope that her achievement would encourage more young people to pursue science, research and innovation.
By Abdu Rashid Manik
Photo: Collected
