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Twelve young people with disabilities were honoured for their outstanding IT skills at the 10th National IT Competition for Youth with Disabilities 2026 on Saturday, with four national champions earning the opportunity to represent Bangladesh at the Global IT Challenge (GITC) in Vietnam this October.
Speaking at the closing and award presentation ceremony at the University of Asia Pacific (UAP) campus in Green Road, Dhaka, Posts, Telecommunications and ICT, and Science and Technology Minister Fakir Mahbub Anam said no talent should be held back because of disability.
“Our goal is to build a Bangladesh where no talent is stopped by disability. By harnessing the power of technology, every citizen will become an equal partner in the nation’s progress,” he said.
The minister stressed that disability is not a limitation and that, with proper training and access to technology, young people with disabilities can play a vital role in Bangladesh’s digital transformation. He said the government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, is committed to ensuring equal technological opportunities for all.
The competition, now in its 10th edition, brought together 70 participants in four categories: Visual Impairment (21 contestants), Physical Disability (25), Speech and Hearing Impairment (15), and Neurodevelopmental Disorders (9). The top three performers in each category, making a total of 12 winners, received awards.
The four national champions selected to represent Bangladesh at the Global IT Challenge for Youth with Disabilities (GITC) in Vietnam are Md. Shakil Mia (Visual Impairment), Sheikh Yamin Ahsan (Physical Disability), Nahin Siraj (Speech and Hearing Impairment), and Aryan Islam (Neurodevelopmental Disorders).
The minister assured the four champions of full government support for their participation in the international competition.
Presiding over the ceremony, Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC) Executive Director Nahid Sultana Mallik said the competition has become an important platform for developing the technical skills and creativity of young people with disabilities. She said the joint initiative of the BCC, the Centre for Services and Information on Disability (CSID), and the University of Asia Pacific would continue to expand to help develop skilled IT professionals.
The event was jointly organised by the Bangladesh Computer Council, the Centre for Services and Information on Disability, and the University of Asia Pacific.
Among others, CSID Executive Director Khandakar Johurul Alam, UAP Acting Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Mohiuddin Ahmed Bhuiyan, UAP Board of Trustees Chairperson K M Mujibul Haq, guardians, and senior government officials attended the ceremony.