[Dhaka, January 26, 2021] As a connectivity partner to Digital Bangladesh, Grameenphone has been continuously collaborating to upskill and build capabilities to meet digitalization and new-normal customers' needs. In December 2020, the organization arranged a series of Hackathons "Codemasters" as a flagship event under this platform. The platform has helped Grameenphone to identify competent coders and IT professionals to achieve modernization and digitization ambition.
Over 1300 participants registered for Digital Ninja Codemasters Hackathon. Over 400 were selected to participate in Hackathon Part 1, and around 60 were qualified for Hackathon Part 2. On that note, Grameenphone has organized a prize-giving ceremony, which took place on January 26, 2021, at GP House.
During the ceremony, a panel discussion on "Digitization and Growth Prospects of Bangladesh" was organized where Syed Almas Kabir, President of BASIS, Munir Hasan, Head of Youth Programs of Prothom Alo, Sami Ahmed, Policy Advisor at LICT, Solaiman Alam, Head of Digital & Strategy, Grameenphone and Syed Tanvir Husain, Chief Human Resources Officer, Khairul Basher Head of Communications Grameenphone were present.
Grameenphone has been evolving its platform "Digital Ninja" to collaborate with coders and developers in Bangladesh in co-creating innovative solutions. The primary vision of Digital Ninja, since its inception, has been to build a freelancer community. It aims to connect local developers and IT professionals while empowering them to apply digital skills to develop solutions that will create convenience in customers' lives.
Speaking as chief guest Syed Almas Kabir, President of BASIS said, “Thanks to Grameenphone and the mobile operators internet now is available all throughout the country, easing up the availability of freelancing works for the youth. Additionally, such initiatives are creating a positive precedence among the youth to create their own futures and careers. The youth should keep themselves updated with AI and tech based skills for their future.”
On this occasion, Syed Tanvir Hossain, Chief Human Resource Officer of Grameenphone, said, "Collaboration and co-creation have become pivotal for all us to take on the challenges and opportunities of the new-normal era leading towards the fourth industrial revolution. Digital Ninja will enable us to acquire skills relevant to create solutions to serve our customers' better. As a connectivity partner to Digital Bangladesh, it is our responsibility to empower the IT professionals and developers to grow and contribute to the economy to strengthen the vision of Digital Bangladesh 2021. In the 2020 flagship event of Digital Ninja, "Codemasters Hackathon," we have received tremendous response from professionals and developers countrywide, got the opportunity to witness their skills, and hope that our initiative has upskilled their capabilities."
One winner and one runner-up were chosen from each category – Android Application Development, Business Analyst, iOS Application, Quality Assurance Engineer, and Backend Development. Each winner has received BDT 100,000, and each runner-up has received BDT 50,000.
For Android Application Development, Khondoker Ashiqur Rahman was chosen as the winner, whereas Md. Touhidul Islam was selected as the runner-up. Khondoker Ashiqur Rahman is working as a Software Engineer for 2 years while completing his final year of the Undergrad CSE program from BUET. Md. Touhidul Islam has four years of experience in developing mobile applications. In the future, he plans to create a learning platform for beginners to become a professional on mobile application development.
For Business Analyst, Sadman Mahmud was chosen as the winner, whereas Raisa Fariha was selected as the runner-up. Sadman Mahmud plans to start his own technology company, while Raisa Fariha is a final year student at the Islamic University of Technology for Computer Science and Engineering. During her studies, she got the opportunity to work as a Software Development intern at Mercantile Bank Limited.
For iOS Application Development, Grameenphone chose Nagib Bin Azad as the winner and Md. Nazmul Islam as the runner-up. Nagib Bin Azad has over 8 years of experience in developing iOS applications, and currently, he is working as a Project Manager (Lead iOS) in REVE Systems. Md. Nazmul Islam has started his career as a Junior Software Engineer at Brain Station and is currently working as a Software Engineer at TigerIT Bangladesh Limited.
For Quality Assurance Engineer, Grameenphone chose Amit Saha as the winner, while Monem Tajwer was selected as the runner-up. Amit Saha has over 4 years of experience as a Software Quality Assurance Engineer. His work experience includes web applications, android applications, AI-based applications, test planning, test management, team mentoring, and recruitment activities. Monem Tajwer wants to be a researcher and work in the field of AI (Artificial Intelligence).
For Backend Development, Shohidul Islam was chosen to be the winner, whereas Tasin Ishmam was the runner-up. Shohidul Islam has around 4 years of experience as a Software Developer and has an understanding of PHP, Node.JS, Vue.JS, Kotlin, and react-native. Tasin Ishman has 3 years of working experience in web development, blockchain development, and general software engineering. He plans to work as a software engineer in a technical and challenging environment.
Md Hasan,
Head of External Communications
Email: md.hasan@grameenphone.com
Phone: 8801711082469
About Grameenphone Ltd.
Grameenphone, part of the Telenor Group, is a leading telecommunications service provider in Bangladesh with more than 76 million subscribers. Since its inception in 1997, Grameenphone has built the largest cellular network in the country, covering nearly 95 percent of the country’s population. With its brand promise to enable customers to “Go beyond,” Grameenphone seeks to help customers get the full benefit of mobile data and voice services and provide Internet For All. Grameenphone is listed on the Dhaka Stock Exchange. www.grameenphone.com: www.facebook.com/grameenphone