Bangladesh wins people’s choice award in 2020 Stockholm Junior Water Prize

Bangladesh has won the People's Choice Award for naturally produced poly glutamic acid along with moringa Stockholm Junior Water Prize.

The announcement was made at the final phase of the "Stockholm Junior Water Prize 2020", which took place virtually on August 25, 2020, in Stockholm, the capital of Sweden.

Bangladesh team won the People's Choice Award with the highest number of votes. This year's champions are Japan and Diploma of Excellence winner USA, said a press release.

Delegations from 29 countries across the world submitted their ideas for this year's competition. Among these ideas from the best 12 teams, including Bangladesh, were selected for the final round.

Aditya Kumar Chowdhury and Iftekhar Khaled represented Bangladesh in the competition to victory. Both are students of Mastermind English Medium School. Aditya and Iftekhar's project was "Power solution by mixing Moringa oleifera for water purification," and with this, it's possible to reduce water contamination and bacteria at a very low cost.

With an aim to inspire youth and to engage them in water and environmental issues, the Junior Water Prize competition is held every year in August in Stockholm, Sweden, on World Water Week.

Youths ranging from 15 to 20 years participate in this program from over 30 countries around the world. This year the event was organized virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic.

On this ocassion, WaterAid Bangladesh Country Director Hasin Jahan said: "WaterAid is a believer of youth power which is why we continue to invest in youth and support them to bring innovative solutions for today and the future. This is a proud moment for all.''

Bangladesh started its journey with youth participation as country representatives in this international competition in 2015. In continuation of that, the Bangladesh Stockholm Junior Water Prize 2020 was organized for the sixth time this year. Following a rigorous competition among the students of different educational schools/educational institutes across the country,  Aditya and Iftekhar got the opportunity to attend this international competition. They are mentored by university faculties and industry experts in their journey to represent Bangladesh.

About the competition, Dr Tanvir Ahmed, a professor of the Deptment of Civil Engineering, BUET & Director of ITN, BUET said: "The feature of this competition is that the participants have to go through a rigorous research process and present a usable technology by combining the data obtained from the research. Despite our limitations, the way the students of our country have continued their water research deserves our considerable appreciation."

Regarding Aditya and Iftekhar's project Dr Mohidus Samad Khan, an associate professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering, BUET said:  "The proposed invention offers high promises in water treatment. This product is biocompatible and can be easily used in potable water treatment both in remote and urban areas. On the other hand, it can be used for industrial wastewater treatment. Therefore, as a product this invention offers high commercial value."