Bangladesh’s Largest National Robotic Festival 2024 Ends with Vibrant Ceremony

East West University concluded 3-days National RoboFest 2024 (organised by the East West University Robotics Club), Bangladesh's grandest robotics and technology festival, with a vibrant prize-giving ceremony celebrating innovation, collaboration, and excellence.

 The EWU National RoboFest 2024 is Bangladesh's largest gathering of robotics and tech enthusiasts. It brought together over 526 teams and more than 2,000 participants, distinguished guests, and industry leaders nationwide from more than 85 institutions. More than 200 students from 25 schools and colleges also participated, setting a new benchmark for university-led tech events in Bangladesh.

Robo Soccer featured 60 teams representing over 250 participants from across the nation. Programming Hero Presents National Hackathon, the largest hackathon ever organised by any private university in Bangladesh. This event set a new standard for innovation and opportunity within the academic sector, out of 178 teams representing over 700 participants from various schools, colleges, and universities across Bangladesh. Esports Rivals, the biggest inter-university gaming tournament of 2024, invited 102 teams and over 300 gamers from across Bangladesh to compete. Line Follower Contest brought together some of the sharpest minds in robotics and engineering, featuring 44 teams and 185 participants competing with skill and innovation. The National Science and IT Olympiad brought together over 200 students from leading institutions to test their knowledge in science and technology.  Project Showcase featured some of the nation's most innovative student projects (43 teams and over 150 participants); this showcase provided a platform for ambitious ideas and cutting-edge designs, reflecting the creativity and technical ability of Bangladesh's next generation of engineers and inventors. As the largest Capture the Flag (CTF) event organised by any private university in Bangladesh, this AI-driven cybersecurity challenge provided participants with hands-on experience in critical cybersecurity problem-solving and comprised over 600 participants. Robot Exhibition displayed the very best in Bangladesh's student-led robotics; this exhibition presented a range of functional prototypes and futuristic designs and provided a glimpse into the next wave of technological advancement. Case Solving competition invited over 150 students to tackle complex real-world scenarios, nationally testing critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.

East West University Robotics Club also organised a roundtable discussion with Industry Leaders. The discussion title was "Towards Advanced AI Decade of Bangladesh: Sustainable AI in Industry 5.0". This roundtable discussion examines the role of artificial intelligence in driving the Fifth Industrial Revolution (5IR) and transforming education in Bangladesh. This discussion seeks to identify innovative AI applications that enhance learning outcomes, equip students with the necessary skills for the future workforce, and promote a culture of research and development. Industry experts, namely, Mr Mir Shahrukh Islam, Co-founder of BondStein, Mr Hasnaeen Rizvi Rahman, CEO of Astha IT, Mr Mahmudul Haque Azad, CEO of Craftsmen, Mr Minhaz Khan, Co-Founder of Inovace Technologies, Mr Abu Naser Mohammed Shoeb, CEO of Polygon Technology, and Mr Abdur Rakib, COO, Programming Hero and Phitron.io joined this most prestigious event.

The prize-giving ceremony marked the grand conclusion of National RoboFest 2024, celebrating the winners across various challenging segments. Professor Dr. Mohammed Farashuddin, Honorable Chief Adviser and Founder Vice Chancellor, East West University and Former Governor, Bangladesh Bank graced the closing and prize-giving ceremony as the Chief Guest. Professor Dr. Mohammad Ashik Mosaddik, Pro-Vice Chancellor of East West University, attended the event as the Program Chair. The massive event was concluded with a vote of thanks from Professor Dr Ahmed Wasif Reza and Md Al-Imran, Moderators of the EWU Robotics Club.

In the National Hackathon, Team Web Wizards from Imperial College of Engineering, Khulna emerged as Champion. In the CTF contest, DU_Featherless_Bipeds from Dhaka University secured the Champion title. In the Esports Rivals competition, Faiyazul Islam from North South University was crowned the FIFA champion. In Valorant, POG Champs from American International University Bangladesh emerged victorious. In Robo Soccer, CUB Hantar from the Canadian University of Bangladesh took the Champion title. DUET Infinitron from Dhaka University of Engineering and Technology secured the Champion prize in the Line Follower Contest. An Honorary Mention in the Robot Exhibition went to Team Atlas. In the Case Solving competition, Lubdhak from Chittagong University emerged as Champion. In the Project Showcase, O-Zone from East West University won the Championship title. In the National Science & IT Olympiad (Beginner Level), Janued Foysal Nuhash from National Ideal College won first place. M. Nura Alam from East West University Naim secured victory at the University Level.

The closing ceremony of National RoboFest 2024 marked a high point in the journey of East West University as it continues to champion technological progress, nurture emerging talents, and set the stage for a brighter, AI-empowered future in Bangladesh. EWU National RoboFest 2024 is a landmark event, not only for East West University but for the tech community in Bangladesh. RoboFest 2024 is more than just a competition; it showcases Bangladesh's future potential towards Sustainable AI and robotics.  The success of this event is expected to inspire further development in robotics and technology fields to establish Bangladesh as a tech innovation hub.