We are pleased to share the official two-day program schedule for the Harvard HSIL Hackathon 2026 – Dhaka Hub.

Designed to guide participants from onboarding to final pitch, the schedule ensures a balanced flow of collaboration, mentorship, development, and evaluation across both days.

Participants are encouraged to review the timeline carefully and align their workflow accordingly to make the most of the hackathon experience.

We are pleased to announce that the selection process for the Harvard HSIL Hackathon 2026 – Dhaka Hub has been completed.

After a thorough and competitive review, selected participants have been finalized. We extend our appreciation to everyone who applied and showed interest in being part of this journey.

In a first-of-its-kind initiative, 30 officials from LankaBangla Securities PLC took part in a 2-day hands-on training program, “AI Essentials for Capital Market Professionals,” held on October 3–4, 2025, at the Innovation Hub of United International University (UIU).

The program, organized by UIU’s Institute of Research, Innovation, Incubation, and Commercialization (IRIIC) in collaboration with AI Forum Bangladesh, aimed to equip capital market professionals with practical AI skills directly relevant to financial operations, risk management, trade execution, and strategic decision-making.

On 29 June 2025, A pioneering awareness and screening workshop titled “Endometriosis and Artificial Intelligence” was held at BP Pati Hall, Kumudini Women’s Medical College, with the goal of empowering women through early detection and intervention using artificial intelligence.

Organized by the Obstetrical and Gynecological Society of Bangladesh (OGSB), OGSB Tangail Branch, Kumudini Women’s Medical College, Kumudini Nursing College, and United International University’s Institute of Research, Innovation, Incubation and Commercialization (IRIIC) in collaboration with CMED Health Ltd., the event highlighted how AI can transform women’s health and diagnostics.

The scientific partner for the workshop was Renata PLC.

Bangladesh’s BPO industry is standing at the edge of an exciting transformation, and the BPO Summit Bangladesh 2025 is set to be a defining platform for this transition. On June 21, 2025, leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators will gather at Sena Prangan, Dhaka, to explore how Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) must adapt to the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).

At the heart of this powerful dialogue, Professor Dr. Khondaker Abdullah-Al-Mamun, Founder and Chairman of CMED Health Ltd., will serve as the Session Moderator for Session 02: Adapting BPO to the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR). A visionary in AI, healthcare technology, and innovation ecosystems, Prof. Mamun brings a unique perspective to the session, ensuring a focused discussion on future-ready strategies, digital transformation, and talent-driven innovation.

The session promises deep insights from a distinguished lineup:

Keynote Speaker: Mir Shahrukh Islam, Managing Director & Co-Founder of Bondstein Technologies, will kick off the session with his perspectives on integrating automation and IoT into outsourcing frameworks.

Panelists:

1. Manuj Aggarwal, Founder of TetraNoodle, known for his global work in AI and business transformation.
2. Syed Javed, Head of Global Partnerships at Klozer Inc, bringing international outlooks on global outsourcing competitiveness.
3. Farhana A Rahman, CEO & Chairperson of UY Systems Ltd., an influential leader in Bangladesh’s tech entrepreneurship space.
4. Raisul Kabir, Founder and CEO of Brain Station 23 PLC, a pioneer in exporting software services from Bangladesh.

On the occasion of World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) 2025, Professor Khondaker A. Mamun, PhD, Director of the Institute of Research, Innovation, Incubation, and Commercialization (IRIIC) at United International University (UIU), participated as a panelist in a high-level seminar organized by the Posts and Telecommunications Division of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.

The seminar, held on May 17, 2025, at the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) headquarters, brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and academic experts to discuss this year’s WTISD theme—“Gender Equality in Digital Transformation.” Professor Mamun contributed to Session 2, which focused on “Industry-Academia Collaboration to Drive Digital Transformation in Bangladesh.”

In the panel discussion, Professor Mamun emphasized the critical role of universities in fostering innovation ecosystems that align with national digital strategies. He highlighted the importance of strengthening ties between academic research and industry application, especially in emerging areas like artificial intelligence, health technology, and inclusive digital infrastructure. Drawing from his leadership at IRIIC and experience with startup incubation and public-private partnerships, he shared actionable insights on how academia can contribute meaningfully to solving real-world challenges through tech-driven solutions.

His participation underscored IRIIC’s mission to serve as a bridge between research and implementation—supporting Bangladesh’s transition toward a digitally inclusive future. The discussion also reinforced the need for cross-sector collaboration to ensure that digital transformation efforts are equitable, sustainable, and responsive to the needs of underrepresented groups, especially women and marginalized communities.

WTISD is observed globally every year on May 17 to raise awareness about the potential of the Internet and digital technologies to improve lives and close the digital divide. This year’s focus on gender equality added a critical dimension to the conversations, making the panel’s exploration of collaborative models all the more timely and relevant.

IRIIC is proud to have been represented at this meaningful national forum, and we remain committed to driving innovation, inclusion, and impactful partnerships at the intersection of technology and society.

On 31 May 2025, the British Council’s Alumni UK initiative organized an engaging webinar titled “AI, Data and the Future of Work” that brought together forward-thinking professionals, researchers, and policymakers to discuss the evolving landscape of work driven by artificial intelligence and data-driven innovation.

The webinar, featuring global experts and dynamic discussions, served as a platform to explore how AI and data are redefining industries, reshaping job roles, and transforming the way we work. Prof. Dr. Khondaker Abdullah Al-Mamun, Director of the Institute of Research, Innovation, Incubation and Commercialization (IRIIC) at United International University (UIU), participated in this prestigious forum, sharing his insights on the opportunities and challenges of integrating AI and data analytics into the future workforce.

The event emphasized how emerging technologies are opening up new possibilities for job creation, upskilling, and equitable access to work. From healthcare and education to manufacturing and finance, panelists discussed how AI-powered tools are enabling more personalized services and smarter decision-making processes.

Prof. Mamun’s presence and contributions highlighted Bangladesh’s growing focus on leveraging AI for development, with an emphasis on responsible innovation and inclusivity. As a thought leader in digital health and innovation ecosystems, Prof. Mamun spoke about the critical role of data governance, ethical frameworks, and lifelong learning strategies in ensuring that AI becomes a catalyst for positive social change.

The Alumni UK webinar attracted a diverse audience, including young professionals, entrepreneurs, researchers, and policymakers from across South Asia and beyond. The event also underscored the importance of international collaboration in harnessing AI’s potential while addressing challenges such as workforce adaptation, data privacy, and ethical considerations.

With such gatherings of knowledge and experience, the British Council’s Alumni UK program continues to strengthen global networks, fostering impactful dialogues to build a smarter, more sustainable future of work.

On May 30, 2025, the 2nd International Scientific Conference of the Paediatric and Adolescent Gynaecology Society of Bangladesh (PAGSB) took place at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka. The event gathered a significant number of Bangladeshi gynaecologists, healthcare professionals, researchers, and policymakers, focusing on innovative strategies to enhance adolescent and paediatric gynaecology in Bangladesh.

Prof. Khondaker A. Mamun, an academic and the Founder of CMED Health and AIMS Lab at United International University (UIU), delivered a keynote speech titled “Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Paediatric and Adolescent Gynaecology: Transforming Care for Young Girls through AI-Driven Solutions.” His presentation emphasized the crucial role of AI in revolutionizing healthcare delivery, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) like Bangladesh.

On the occasion of World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) 2025, Professor Khondaker A. Mamun, PhD, Director of the Institute of Research, Innovation, Incubation, and Commercialization (IRIIC) at United International University (UIU), participated as a panelist in a high-level seminar organized by the Posts and Telecommunications Division of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.

The seminar, held on May 17, 2025, at the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) headquarters, brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and academic experts to discuss this year’s WTISD theme—“Gender Equality in Digital Transformation.” Professor Mamun contributed to Session 2, which focused on “Industry-Academia Collaboration to Drive Digital Transformation in Bangladesh.”

In the panel discussion, Professor Mamun emphasized the critical role of universities in fostering innovation ecosystems that align with national digital strategies. He highlighted the importance of strengthening ties between academic research and industry application, especially in emerging areas like artificial intelligence, health technology, and inclusive digital infrastructure. Drawing from his leadership at IRIIC and experience with startup incubation and public-private partnerships, he shared actionable insights on how academia can contribute meaningfully to solving real-world challenges through tech-driven solutions.

His participation underscored IRIIC’s mission to serve as a bridge between research and implementation—supporting Bangladesh’s transition toward a digitally inclusive future. The discussion also reinforced the need for cross-sector collaboration to ensure that digital transformation efforts are equitable, sustainable, and responsive to the needs of underrepresented groups, especially women and marginalized communities.

WTISD is observed globally every year on May 17 to raise awareness about the potential of the Internet and digital technologies to improve lives and close the digital divide. This year’s focus on gender equality added a critical dimension to the conversations, making the panel’s exploration of collaborative models all the more timely and relevant.

IRIIC is proud to have been represented at this meaningful national forum, and we remain committed to driving innovation, inclusion, and impactful partnerships at the intersection of technology and society.