Visitors interact with students who showcase innovative projects at a science expo -- part of The Daily Star initiated Odommo Chattagram festival -- in the port city yesterday.Photo: STAR

The day-long science festival “Chattagram O Biggyan Charcha” was held yesterday at Fulki school in the port city as part of the Odommo Chattagram initiative of The Daily Star.
Over 100 young scientists of Chittagong along with some senior scientists displayed their innovative projects in the fair amid participation by a total of 1,157 students from 47 institutions of the port city.
Prof Md Alauddin, pro vice-chancellor of Chittagong University (CU), inaugurated the festival as the chief guest.
Abul Momen, resident editor of the Prothom Alo in Chittagong, presided over the inaugural session moderated by Adnan Mannan, lecturer of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology department at CU.
In his speech, Prof Alauddin termed science as the best tool for the advancement of a country. “So we should practice science in the right way,” he said.
He urged students to strive for acquiring knowledge rather than certificates and big corporate houses to contribute more in the field of research. He also emphasised holding of science fairs on a regular basis to facilitate interactions among scientists.
The Daily Star Editor and Publisher Mahfuz Anam visited the fair and expressed satisfaction over the converging of so many science-loving minds.
Raisul Huq Bahar, Chittagong bureau chief of The Daily Star, said, “We want to project the creative works of the scientists of Chittagong to the whole country and the world as well.”
Md Harun, president of institute of the Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB), Chittagong, thanked The Daily Star for arranging the science festival.
The event started at 10:40am with the presentation session “Advancement of research in science in Chittagong city over the last 20 years”.
Prof Imran Bin Yunus, former principal of Chittagong Medical College, presented a paper on “Health and Medical Science in Chittagong” while Prof Mohammad Al Forkan of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology department at CU did it on “Current and Future Prospect of Life, Science and Biotechnological Research in Chittagong”, Hanif Siddiqi, chairman of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) at CU on “Advancement of Research in IT and Software Engineering”, Prof Md Jahangir Alam of civil engineering department of Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (Cuet) on “Disaster Management and its Application in Chittagong”, and Prof Mohammad Saifuddin of Chittagong University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (CUVAS) on “Veterinary Education and its Progress in Chittagong”.
Prof Nurul Afsar of Chittagong University of Science and Technology (USTC), presided over the presentation session.
ASROW, Cuet and Robotics Club of Premier University presented a show on robotics at the science fair while Students' Climate Cell of Cuet a show on climate change and students of CUVAS held an exhibition on experimental animals and alternative medicine.
School-, college- and university-level competitions on science projects were also held in the festival. Besides, Electronic Olympiad among university students, Bio-Olympiad among school and college students, and computer games contest were also arranged.
An “Idea Contest”, based on products, was also held in the fair among university students. The Daily Star Editor and Publisher Mahfuz Anam inaugurated the contest.
In the inaugural speech, Mahfuz Anam said, “If you have good ideas, nothing can stop you. A good idea can change a nation.”
A curious mind is needed to become a scientist, he said, adding, “You [students] must ask questions and keep an open mind, as science is not just mere experiments, but philosophy as well.”
A scientific approach is needed in every step of life as unscientific approach is the root of all irregularities, he said.
In computer games category, Raktim Farhan of CIDER International School got the first prize while Mahmudul Hasan of CU won the first prize in the Idea Contest.
In project contest category, Kamrul Alam of CU won the first prize and Indranil Devnath and Ishtiak Rahman of Cantonment Public School and College topped in the school-level.
Alamgir Hossain of CU secured the top place in the Electronic Olympiad while Rita Rani Devnath of Cantonment Public School and College won the first prize in the Bio-Olympiad.
CU teachers Dwaipayan Sikder of Biochemistry department, Alok Paul of Geography department, Mosharraf Hossain of Forestry department, and Tauhid Hossain of microbiology department; Soumitra Palit, teacher of Independent University Bangladesh (IUB), Chittagong; Asif Imran, teacher of Premier University Chittagong, and Kishore Majumder, teacher of University of Science and Technology Chittagong (USTC) were present, among others, as the judges of the competitions.
Chief guest of the prize giving ceremony Saroj Kanti Singha Hazari said, “We cannot improve without science and so the educational institutions must stress on science education.”
Special guest Joynab Begum said the science festival would help the new generation improve their thoughts. “We should go ahead practising science in our day to day life,” she added.