‘NASA Space Apps Challenge-2019’ kicks off 

The global programming contest "NASA Space Apps Challenge-2019" started in Dhaka on Saturday. 

The Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services along with the BASIS Student's Forum has organised the contest in Bangladesh for the 5th consecutive time, said a press release.  

This year, more than 4,000 participants from Bangladesh have submitted their projects. Of them, top 45 teams have been selected, which are competing in the 36-hour-long hackathon that will conclude on Sunday, said Convener of the NASA Space Apps Challenge Didarul Alam.

Skill Development for Mobile Game & Application Project under ICT Division, and the Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh, are partners of the event this time. The gold sponsor of this event is Evaly and internet partner Aamra Networks Limited. 

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has organised this event in 273 cities globally this time. From Bangladesh, participants from nine cities – Dhaka, Sylhet, Chattogram, Barisal, Rangpur, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barisal and Cumilla – have taken part in this global competition. This year's campaign involves approximately one core students virtually and around 2,00,000 students physically.

NASA Space Apps Challenge Adviser Mohammad Mahdee-uz-Zaman and Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh General Secretary Md Shamsur Rahman were present at the opening ceremony. 

Regarding the competition, Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services President Syed Almas Kabir said "NASA Space Apps Challenge" is an international mass collaboration focused on space exploration that takes place over 36-hours in 273 cities around the world. 

Mohammad Mahdee-uz-Zaman said this year NASA has announced five challenge categories comprising 21 sub categories. 

Besides, young and talented scientists will work on categories like weather, moon, planets and the like, he said.  

Bangladesh is constantly making progress for the past five years, he said, hoping that Bangladesh will do better this time around. 

After the 36-hour hackathon, the prize giving ceremony will take place at the Institute of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh in the capital's Kakrail on Sunday.  

State Minister for Information and Communication Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak will attend the programme as the chief guest.  

Chairman of the Bangladesh Communication Satellite Company Ltd Dr Shahjahan Mahmood will be present as a special guest.