Daffodil International University (DIU) is set to host the “AI Hackathon 2026” on July 11–12, 2026, at its permanent campus in Daffodil Smart City. The event, organised in collaboration with the World AI Alliance (WAA), aims to drive innovation and technology-driven solutions among young talents.
The announcement was made during a press conference held today at the university campus in Birulia, Savar. The event was attended by distinguished figures, including Mr Ujjal Roy, President of the World AI Alliance and CEO of ScaleBuild AI; Md Sabur Khan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of DIU; Pro-Vice Chancellor Mohammad Masum Iqbal; and Registrar Mohammad Nadir Bin Ali.
Also present were Professor Md. Fokhray Hossain, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Information Technology, and several heads of departments, including Sheikh Rashed Haider Noori (CSE), Dr. Imran Mahmud (Software Engineering), Engr Md Taslim Arefin (ICE), and Md Sarwar Hossain Molla (CIS).
The primary objective of the 48-hour intensive hackathon is to bring together talented students from across the country to develop AI-based solutions for real-world problems. Students from all universities in Bangladesh are eligible to participate in teams of three, accompanied by one mentor from either academia or industry.
The competition will feature three distinct tracks. Interested participants must register online and submit a concept note for evaluation by a panel of expert judges. Shortlisted teams will then be invited to the final round.
A total prize pool of BDT 200,000 has been announced for the winners. Additionally, winning teams will receive funding, mentorship, and incubation support facilitated by the World AI Alliance to help transform their projects into startups.
The university stated that this initiative is designed to transform youth into innovators and future leaders while building a robust innovation ecosystem. Through the National AI Hackathon 2026, DIU aims to position Bangladesh on the global map of AI research and technological advancement, marking a milestone in the journey toward a Digital Bangladesh.
