The University of Rajshahi is set to host the eighth edition of the globally acclaimed Hult Prize, popularly known as the “Nobel Prize for Students.” This prestigious competition, dedicated to solving global challenges through social entrepreneurship, will officially kick off its campus round on January 17th, 2024, with registration open from December 9th to 20th.
This year’s event, titled “VRC Study Abroad Ltd presents Hult Prize On-Campus Program 2024-25 at University of Rajshahi, powered by IFAD Group,” is a collaborative initiative led by the Hult Prize at the University of Rajshahi and the university’s Career Counseling Development Centre (CCDC, RU). The announcement was made during a press conference held at the Rabindranath Tagore Academic Building.
Stages of the Competition
The Hult Prize competition at the University of Rajshahi will feature a structured process comprising four stages: the On-Campus Round, Regional Summit, Accelerator, and the Global Final.
The On-Campus Round will guide teams through several critical steps, starting with team formation and progressing through abstract submission, elevator pitches, final presentations, and a comprehensive Q&A session.
The top 30 teams from this round will advance to the semi-finals, followed by a selection of six finalists. Among these, three teams will emerge as winners and will represent the University of Rajshahi in the Regional Summit.
The ultimate goal for the winning team is to compete at the Global Summit, where the finalists will pitch their innovative ideas to a panel of esteemed global leaders. The team that prevails at this stage will be awarded 1 million USD to turn their entrepreneurial vision into a tangible solution for pressing social issues.
Unique Features of This Year’s Program
According to Azmine Tasik, the Deputy Director of the Hult Prize at RU, this year’s event will offer more than just a platform for competition. A series of workshops on entrepreneurship will be organized to equip participants with essential skills. Additionally, a special campaign aimed at inspiring the youth of Rajshahi to embrace and promote social entrepreneurship will be a key feature of the program.
Partners and Sponsors
The success of this year’s Hult Prize program at the University of Rajshahi is supported by several prominent partners. Prothom Alo and Ajker Patrika serve as Bangla Media Partners, while Business Inspection BD is the English Media Partner. Marico Bangladesh acts as the Strategy Partner, and Pran Food – Maxx Cola is the Beverage Partner. Radio Carnival has joined as the Broadcast Partner, ensuring the event reaches a wider audience.
Global Significance of the Hult Prize
The Hult Prize stands as the largest student-run social entrepreneurship competition worldwide. Organized in collaboration with the United Nations, it provides a platform for students from over 3,000 educational institutions in 121 countries to devise solutions to global challenges. Participants are judged by an elite panel of business leaders and changemakers.
The competition empowers students to transform their innovative ideas into actionable solutions, offering a life-changing opportunity to win 1 million USD in seed funding for their social enterprise.
The Hult Prize at the University of Rajshahi promises to be an inspiring journey for all participants, creating a space where innovative ideas meet impactful solutions. The university eagerly awaits a wave of entrepreneurial energy to drive social change.
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