Empowering Female STEM Graduates 
On November 1, 2024, the Case Crack 2.0 competition finals took place at Khulna University of Engineering & Technology (KUET), with support from the SheSTEM program. This business tech challenge aimed to empower KUET STEM students. It provided them a platform to apply their technical expertise to solve real-world business problems, focusing on social issues.
The event was judged by a panel of experts:
- Mollah Mizanur Rahman – Joint Project Director (Joint Secretary), a2i, ICT Division
- Md Sahariar Hasan Jiisun – National Consultant, a2i
- Israt Bintea Ali – Software Engineer, Brain Station 23
- Nadia Zaman – Lead SQA Engineer, Brain Station 23
- Md. Abu Shahid Chowdhury – Assistant Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering, KUET
From left to right: Md Sahariar Hasan Jiisun, National Consultant, a2i; Md. Abu Shahid Chowdhury, Assistant Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering, KUET; Mollah Mizanur Rahman, Joint Project Director (Joint Secretary), a2i; Israt Bintea Ali, Software Engineer, Brain Station 23; Nadia Zaman, Lead SQA Engineer, Brain Station 23
The competition showcased projects that focused on tackling educational and social challenges faced by underprivileged children in Bangladesh. Topics discussed included the use of technology for gamified learning, incorporating offline capabilities to improve accessibility, developing mentorship and training programs, and integrating vocational training for skill development and job placement. The innovative solutions proposed aimed to create a lasting impact and help bridge the gap for disadvantaged communities.
The Case Crack 2.0 competition highlighted the importance of using STEM knowledge to drive social change, cultivate problem-solving skills, and instill a sense of social responsibility among the future innovators of the country.
