On the occasion of “International Mother Language Day 2024, the Department of Physics, Faculty of Science and Technology (FST), American International University – Bangladesh (AIUB) in association with AIUB Research for Development club (AIUBRed), has organized the Award distribution ceremony of “Physics Poster Contest – 2023” on 22^nd February 2024 at the Auditorium, AIUB.

It was a yearlong contest for three semester students such as Spring 2022-23, Summer 2022-23 and Fall 2023-24. The purpose of the contest was to bring out students' creative expression, stimulate their thinking processes, and acquaint them with scientific and scholastic trends.

There were three categories of participants in the contest, Category A – students of Physics 1, Category B – students of Physics 2 and Category C – the students enrolled in Modern Physics. Poster topics were different for each category.

In the first round around 9000 students participated in groups with 1800 posters in three different semesters of 2023 and among them 240 posters were selected for the final round. A total of 24 posters, (11 from category A, 10 from category B and 4 from category C) were awarded with crests and certificates in the event. The award-winning posters were displayed for exhibition in the ground floor lobby of D-building AIUB.

The renowned scientist, Professor Dr. Hassena Khan, Honorable Member, UGC, Bangladesh has adorned the program as Chief Guest and inaugurated the exhibition. Prof. Dr. Md. Abdur Rahman, Pro Vice-Chancellor, AIUB, has addressed the engaging welcome speech of the event.

The Program was also graced by the presence of Dr. Carmen Z. Lamagna, Member, Board of Trustees, AIUB; Group Captain (Retd) Dr. Mohammad Zahidul Islam Khan, Registrar, AIUB, Prof. Dr. ABM Siddique Hossain, Dean, Faculty of Engineering (FE), AIUB, Prof Dr. Tazul Islam, Dean, Faculty of Arts and Social Science (FASS), AIUB. In addition, the honorable Directors, Department Heads, and distinguished faculty members of AIUB have also embellished the program.

Dr. Humayra Ferdous, Head, Department of physics has given a brief overview of the yearlong contest where she appreciated the enthusiasm of the students. Dr. Humayra expressed her heartfelt gratitude toward the Chief Guest and all the distinguished guests for their gracious presence. She acknowledged the contributions of all behind the event.  She also thanked the sponsors of the events Educentric Ltd, Rockvill construction and development Ltd., and Marina Trading Company for their kind support for the event.  

Professor Dr. Hassena Khan, in her persuasive speech appreciated the concept of poster contest to create passion for research among the young students and emphasized the importance of research for the development of the country. Later she distributed the crests among the winners along with Dr. Carmen Z. Lamagna, Prof. Dr. Md. Abdur Rahman, and Dr. Humayra Ferdous.

The program was followed by a mindful cultural fest to attribute the sacrifices of the Language Movement martyrs of 21^st February 1952. Dr. Mahjabin Taskin, Assistant Professor, Department of Physics, and her daughter Junaira Sarwar have recited a heart touching poem. Later the cultural fest proceeds with a song and a dance performance by our students. The program comes to an end with the vibrant songs of Dr. Sarwar Hossain, Assistant Professor, Department of Physics.

Dr. Farzana Sabeth, Associate Professor, Department of physics was the convener of the organizing committee of the “Physics Poster Contest 2023”. Dr. Nusrat Jahan, Assistant Professor, Department of Physics, supervised the creative approach. Ms. Rutaba Jania, Ms. Israt Kabir and Ms. Rahnuma Shahrin Rista, Department of Physics anchored the event, while all the faculty members of the Department worked together, judged the posters, and provided necessary technical support to make the event successful.