We are delighted by the news that Bangladesh has ranked number one so far among 174 participating countries over the last five weeks at FIRST Global Challenge (FGC)—an international robotics competition, held annually for high school students. In order to emerge as the winners of FGC 2020, Team Bangladesh must hold on to the position for five more weeks. Team Bangladesh has been on a journey to the top ranks of the challenge, from being in the first hundred to ranking 7th among 190 countries in the 2019 FGC which was held in Dubai. This year, it is being hosted online due to the pandemic.

FGC is the largest robotics competition for high schoolers, often referred to as the equivalent of the robot Olympics, which aims to encourage the youth of the world to pursue Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and facilitate learning. Bangladesh has been participating in the FGC since its inception in 2017. Every year, young minds passionate about STEM are given a challenge that is intended to solve some of the greatest challenges faced by humanity, including the 14 Grand Challenges for Engineering. Through this promising and engaging competition, students across the world are inspired to acquire the skills they will require to make their imaginations into realities. This year's theme—connecting communities—aims to integrate social, cultural elements with the creativity and innovation behind STEM, and our youth are surely putting up a promising participation.

Team Bangladesh, ranked numero uno as of September 2, exemplifies what our young bright minds are capable of achieving when provided with the appropriate support. We hope the government takes notice of this and acknowledges the importance of STEM. In order for the students, along with their determined mentors to accomplish crucial breakthroughs and emerge as the champions, they have to be supported by every means necessary, as their endeavours will surely serve humanity. With education institutions in an uncertain hiatus, such competitions must be encouraged more so that the bright minds of our nation can remain active and in turn, give wings to their dreams. Our best wishes for Team Bangladesh whose efforts are achievements to celebrate and be proud of.