BDIUSA

BDI 2016 Essay Competition

BDI 2016 Essay Competition for University Students

Bangladesh Development Initiative (BDI), a US-based organization committed to research and advocacy for a democratic and prosperous Bangladesh, is pleased to announce a new program to increase the participation and engagement of young scholars in the development of Bangladesh. We would like to identify and nurture future “thought leaders” and activists who would actively contribute to the betterment of the lives of all Bangladeshi citizens. For more information on BDI, visit: www.bdiusa.org.

Goal:

The goal of this essay competition is to encourage students and young scholars to research, think, and write about a new idea, or an existing project that has the potential to substantially contribute to the economic prosperity of Bangladesh and the social wellbeing of her citizens. Our earnest hope is that this will lead to a life of advocacy and participation on the ground. Students from Bangladesh currently enrolled in a university (Bangladesh or abroad) are invited to submit an essay outlining their idea to develop Bangladesh. The essays will be reviewed by a panel of judges. The winners will receive awards including a Tk. 50,000 first prize for the best essay; Tk. 30,000 for the second best essay and Tk. 20,000 for the third best essay. Depending on the editor’s evaluation, the best papers will be considered for publication in the Journal of Bangladesh Studies as a special entry.

Eligibility:

Students from Bangladesh (undergraduates only) currently enrolled in a public or private university in Bangladesh or abroad are eligible. The participating students must first register for the contest by completing the attached form, which includes information on their current university, department, and faculty advisor (whom we can contact). This form should be emailed to: munirquddus@gmail.com with cc to rmquazi@gmail.com.

Guidelines:

  1. The essay should be single authored, written in English, and between 2,000-3,000 words. Graphs, pictures, charts, etc. can be included in an appendix. The essay should address the following question: “How will the implementation of my idea/project lead to improvements in my community and the nation?”

  2. The essay must be accompanied by a letter from a professor (employed in the student’s current university) attesting that the student is known to the professor, is in good standing, and the submission reflects the author’s own work and effort.

Deadlines:

  • Registration: July 31, 2016

  • Essay Submission: August 31, 2016