Government College of Applied Human Science, an affiliated institution of the University of Dhaka, successfully hosted the Grand Finale and Award Ceremony of the Hult Prize On-Campus Cycle 2026 at its college auditorium, marking a historic milestone for the institution.
This was the first time the globally renowned social entrepreneurship competition was organized on the collegeโs own campus, providing a platform for young innovators to present sustainable and impactful business ideas.
The event brought together students, academics, industry leaders, and corporate representatives to celebrate innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development. Throughout the competition, participants showcased creative business models designed to address social and environmental challenges while promoting economic growth.
The ceremony was graced by A.K.M. Shoaib, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Mingda (Bangladesh) New Material Co. Ltd., as the Chief Guest. The program was presided over by Professor Dr. Meherunnesa, Principal of Government College of Applied Human Science, while Professor Habiba Yasmin, Vice Principal of the institution, attended as the Special Guest.
A notable highlight of the event was the leadership of Ishrat Jahan Lili, Campus Director of Hult Prize 2026. A fourth-year student of the Clothing and Textile Department, Lili played a pivotal role in planning, organizing, and hosting the entire program.
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Her achievement is particularly remarkable given her previous success as a BUFT Campus Champion, where she advanced to the global stage and secured a place among the Top 300 teams worldwide, bringing recognition to Bangladesh.
Through her efforts, the Hult Prize platform was successfully introduced to students of her own institution, inspiring a new generation of aspiring entrepreneurs.
After months of online evaluations, mentoring sessions, and business idea development workshops, the finalist teams presented their projects before an esteemed judging panel comprising Major Syed Muhammad Shamim (Retd.), former Director of Sustainable Development at JMS Group; Mohammad Ashraful Islam, Editor and CEO of Textile Focus; and Alif Hasan Khan, Senior Executive at Amazontex.
Following a highly competitive final round, Team Civic Cycle emerged as the On-Campus Champion, earning the opportunity to advance further in the Hult Prize journey. Team Karmotori secured the position of 1st Runner-Up, while Team Coastal Innovators achieved the title of 2nd Runner-Up.
The winning teams were awarded official championship trophies, medals, and certificates by the Chief Guest and the Principal. The event also recognized the valuable contributions of its partners and sponsors.
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The Fabrics Hub served as the Official Gold Sponsor, YarshMonรฉ joined as the Exclusive Reward Partner, and ecoeen supported the event as the Gift Partner. In addition, Online Textile School (OTS) participated as the Knowledge Partner.
Special recognition crests were presented to these organizations in appreciation of their support. Among the distinguished corporate guests was Sohel Hossain Soikat, Founder of ecoeen and Co-Founder of Bunon Bee, who addressed the audience and emphasized the importance of sustainability-driven entrepreneurship and innovation among young professionals.
Speaking at the event, Chief Guest A.K.M. Shoaib praised the participants for their creativity and vision. He stated, โThe business models presented today by our young women entrepreneurs clearly demonstrate that the future of Bangladeshโs textile and corporate sectors is both promising and sustainable.โ
In her presidential speech, Principal Professor Dr. Meherunnesa highly appreciated the leadership and dedication of Campus Director Ishrat Jahan Lili. She emphasized that the institution would continue to encourage global platforms such as the Hult Prize to foster innovation, leadership, and womenโs empowerment among students.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Campus Director Ishrat Jahan Lili. The successful completion of the Hult Prize On-Campus Cycle 2026 not only celebrated student innovation but also opened a new chapter in the history of Government College of Applied Human Science, reinforcing its commitment to entrepreneurship, sustainability, and global engagement.
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