Fifteen campus activation programmes all over the country

While Bangladesh has successfully managed to manufacture various distinctive items, we have failed to translate this success in our export market. By incentivising the youth of the country, the Rise High Bangladesh campaign seeks to inspire them to come up with creative ideas centering on unique items that can broaden our export market, thereby taking Bangladesh to a higher pedestal of honour and prosperity.

The export ideas will be gathered from current university students, and the best three ideas will be rewarded at a gala event in December this year. The winner of the competition will be selected by both the jury and readers of The Daily Star.

Notable Bangladeshis who have made significant contributions in the fields of art and architecture, environment sustainability, and making a mark as global citizens will also be honoured through this initiative.

On August 9, 2016, the 'Rise High Bangladesh' campaign was launched in Dhaka. Prominent cricketer Tamim Iqbal was present at the launching ceremony.

Campus Activation Programmes

To reach university students and inspire them to participate in the export idea contest, campus activation programmes were conducted in 15 different universities all over the country, beginning with Ahsanullah University of Science & Technology (AUST) and Chittagong University on August 17, 2016.

During the daylong campus activation programmes, students from different departments joined in enthusiastically to inquire about the initiative. Many have appreciated the necessity and ingenuity of such a promotion. The programme venues were nicely decorated with banners and posters containing information about the contest. Despite regular classes and examinations, a great number of students approached the booths at the campus premise before and after their classes, where the Rise High Bangladesh volunteers explained the objectives, incentives and rules of participation to them.

The puzzle solving contest attracted large crowds of students at every venue. They were required to pick a clue card with information on a country's imported goods, and they had to identify the said country. Successful participants were given prizes. The game was arranged in order to actively integrate the young students into the programme, and encourage them to take part in the brainstorming process. Students were required to randomly pick out flashcards with information on the imported goods of different countries and they had to guess the country, ultimately leading them to identify the countries which are best suited to import goods from Bangladesh. The campus activation programmes ended on September 21, 2016. 

Professor Dr. AAMS Arefin Siddique

Vice chancellor, Dhaka University

Creativity is a noble quality. I appreciate any initiative that promotes the creative faculty of the youth. I hope this event will motivate our students to think about the economic progress of the country.

Professor Dr. Iftekhar Uddin Chowdhury

Vice Chancellor, Chittagong University

This type of contest is unique in Bangladesh. It will certainly motivate our students to think about the country's economic prospect. It will harness their creative energy and prepare them for the competitive world.

Professor Dr. Mohammad Rafiqul Alam

Vice Chancellor, Chittagong University of Engineering & Technology

We should tap our young minds for ingenious ideas. I believe this kind of initiatives inspire students to contribute more positively to the nation.

Professor Dr. Muhammad Mizanuddin

Vice Chancellor, Rajshahi University

This is really a great opportunity for our students. Since our university is situated in a remote area, very few national competitions are available to them. I hope our students will seize the opportunity to express their talent in a national platform.

Professor Dr. Muhammed Alamgir

Vice Chancellor, Khulna University of Engineering and Technology

In modern countries, universities play an important role in idea generation. We should motivate our students to think positively about the country by organising such contests.