In a vibrant tribute to International Girls in ICT Day, the Institute of Information Technology at Dhaka University and the Bangladesh Open Source Network (BDOSN) co-hosted the “Luna Shamsuddoha All Girls Programming Contest 2024” on May 1, 2024. Aimed at recognizing the invaluable contributions of Bangladeshi women to the ICT sector and fostering greater female participation, this event offered a platform for young female programmers to demonstrate their skills in a competitive yet supportive environment.
The competition was held at Dhaka University’s Information Technology Institute in partnership with Dohatec New Media. The usual routine of celebrating International Girls in ICT Day is on the fourth Thursday of every year. But this year, the event was scheduled in May to ensure maximum attendance and comfort of participants, judges, and guests due to the intense heat waves in the season. Around fifty students from various parts of Bangladesh, from high school to university, joined the institute’s computer lab to participate in the competition.
Several notable figures, including Professor B M Mainul Hossain, the Director of the Dhaka University Institute of Information Technology, and Dr. Lafifa Jamal, Professor of Robotics and Mechatronics Engineering Department, graced the event. Other distinguished attendees included Ms. Taslima Akter, the Director of Dohatec New Media, Ms. Fahmida Akter, the Chief Technical Officer from the same organization, Mr. Momluk Sabir Ahmed, the Managing Director of Computer Services Limited, and Mr. Munir Hasan, the General Secretary of BDOSN. Their presence at the event highlighted the community’s strong support for gender diversity in ICT.
The competition showcased the talent and potential of participants in a stimulating environment. Fariya Ahmed, a brilliant student from the Islamic University of Technology, clinched the top spot in the main competition. Nishat Tasnim Meem and Sadia Jahan Moon, both from the Military Institute of Science and Technology, secured second and third place, respectively. In the school and college level category, SM Sabiqun Meem from Jalalabad Cantonment Public School and College emerged as the winner.
The awards ceremony was the day’s highlight, providing an unforgettable and inspiring end to the competition. The winners were awarded cash prizes, certificates, and medals to commemorate their achievements. During the ceremony, several contestants shared their experiences, discussing the obstacles they faced, the skills they developed, and the personal growth they experienced through the competition. Their stories emphasized the importance of perseverance and determination in pursuing success in ICT. The guests also delivered inspirational speeches, encouraging the participants to enhance their abilities, become better programmers, and take the next step in promoting female participation in the technology industry.