Khulna University has been recognized as one of the country’s top five universities at the Bangladesh Innovation Fair 2026. Nine innovative teams from the university participated in the fair. Among them, the ‘Smart Wheelchair’ project by Azmain Inkiad Haque, a student of the Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) discipline, secured second place nationwide in the individual category. The closing and award-giving ceremony of the three-day Bangladesh Innovation Fair 2026 was held on Monday (September 14) at the capital’s Novotheatre.

Professor Dr. Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, the Prime Minister’s Adviser on Finance and Planning, attended the event as the chief guest and handed over awards to the winners. Md. Mamunur Rashid Bhuiyan, Secretary of the Information and Communication Technology Division, was present as a special guest. The three-day fair had been inaugurated last Saturday at the capital’s Novotheatre.

Organized under the theme “Innovation Ecosystem Toward Trillion Dollar Economy,” the fair saw participation from various universities, research institutions, industrial enterprises, entrepreneurs, and innovators across the country. Out of 963 innovative projects submitted, the ‘Smart Wheelchair’ project first made it to the top 50, then the top 10, and finally secured second place nationally in the individual category. Team leader Azmain Inkiad Haque had the opportunity to present their innovation before the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister assured full cooperation for the project on behalf of the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology and the Ministry of Health. Additionally, an opportunity has arisen for the project to receive support from a2i. The project aims to create a wheelchair with alternative control systems for persons with disabilities at a relatively low cost. It enables the operation of the wheelchair using various mobile parts of the body instead of a conventional joystick.

Fairuz Jahin Khan, associated with the project, stated that the initial version of the technology could be produced for approximately 30,000 Taka. Under the ‘Innovate to Market’ initiative, the project received a prize of 100,000 Taka and holds the potential for securing further funding in the future. Following their presentation at the fair, proposals for funding and collaboration have been received from various quarters. The nine teams from Khulna University (KU) included Smart Wheelchair, Neo Saver, AI-based Campus Security, Bliss Sihat, High-Voltage Energy-Efficient 3D Printer, Ecolink, AI-powered ECG Screening Device, True-Sight, and Urban Earth.

Among them, the ‘Neo Saver’ team had previously secured seed funding in the ‘Best Innovative Project’ category. Another notable initiative from the university is ‘Ecogen Sundarban,’ a community-based ecotourism model aimed at environmental conservation, enhancing the tourist experience, and ensuring the economic participation of local communities.

The model comprises a ‘Community Learning Hub’ for skill development and environmental awareness, a ‘Smart Eco-Experience System’ for the tourism experience, a ‘Digital Ecotourism Gateway’ for information and booking, a ‘Digital Local Enterprise Marketplace’ for marketing local products and services, and an ‘Environmental Monitoring and Data Dashboard’ for environmental management. Plans are in place to initially implement this in the Dacope area of Khulna and the Mongla area of Bagerhat.

Interest in this initiative has been expressed by a UNDP-affiliated project. Dr. Mohammad Anisuzzaman Talukdar, a UNESCO Chair holder, has also shown interest in the initiative. Expressions of interest regarding collaboration have also been received from various tour groups and private organizations. The nine teams participated in the fair under the supervision of four university faculty members: Professor Dr. G. M. Atiur Rahman (CSE Discipline), Professor Dr. Md. Mahbub Hossain (ECE Discipline), Professor Dr. Md. Wasiul Islam (FWT Discipline), and Professor S. M. Shamsul Alam (ECE Discipline).