Daffodil to Host AI Hackathon 2026 to Drive Innovation and Tech-driven Solutions

To encourage innovative thinking and technology-driven solutions among young talents, Daffodil International University is set to host AI Hackathon 2026, scheduled to take place on 11–12 July 2026 at its permanent campus in Daffodil Smart City. In this regard, the university has reached a collaboration with World AI Alliance (WAA).

A press conference marking the announcement was held on 15 April at the university campus in Birulia, Savar, with the presence of distinguished figures from the country’s ICT and higher education sectors. Among the notable attendees were President of the World AI Alliance and CEO of ScaleBuild AI Mr Ujjal Roy, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Daffodil International University Dr Md Sabur Khan, Pro Vice Chancellor Dr Mohammad Masum Iqbal, Registrar Dr Mohammad Nadir Bin Ali, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Information Technology Professor Dr. Md. Fokhray Hossain , Head of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering Dr Sheikh Rashed Haider Noori, Head of the Department of Software Engineering Dr Imran Mahmud, Head of the Department of Information and Communication Engineering Dr. Engr. Md. Taslim Arefin, and Head of the Department of Computing and Information Systems Md Sarwar Hossain Molla, along with other faculty members and officials of the university, were also present.

The primary objective of the hackathon is to bring together talented students from universities across the country to develop innovative solutions to real-world problems using Artificial Intelligence. The competition will take place as a 48-hour intensive hackathon, where selected teams will build and present their AI projects.

Participation Guidelines:
Students from all universities in Bangladesh are eligible to participate. Each team must consist of:

●     Three students

●     One mentor, either from academia or industry

The competition will be held across three distinct tracks.

Registration and Selection Process:

Participants will be required to register online and submit a concept note. A panel of expert judges will evaluate the submissions and shortlisted teams will be invited to the final round.

 Awards and Opportunities:

The hackathon offers a total prize pool of BDT 200,000. In addition, winning teams will have the opportunity to transform their projects into startups through funding, mentorship and incubation support facilitated by the World AI Alliance.

Daffodil International University believes that such initiatives not only enhance technological skills among the youth but also help transform them into innovators, problem solvers and future leaders. Through the National AI Hackathon 2026, the university aims to build a strong innovation ecosystem and further position Bangladesh on the global map of AI-based research and technological advancement, marking a significant milestone in the journey toward a Digital Bangladesh.