BAU students shine in global Food Systems Innovation Challenge

BAU students shine in global Food Systems Innovation Challenge

Students from Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) have earned international recognition by excelling in the Food Systems Innovation Challenge 2025, held in the Netherlands.

The six-month-long competition, jointly organised by Wageningen University and Research (WUR) and the Netherlands Food Partnership (NFP), brought together 24 student teams from 12 countries across four continents, each supported with funding to implement innovative ideas for sustainable food systems.

BAU was the only Bangladeshi institution represented, with two teams—Agro Feme Septate and AquaFour—qualifying for the finals, hosted at WUR’s Omnia Building on September 30.

Rubaiya Binte Rezwanur Purna (MS, Fisheries Management) from Agro Feme Septate and Shabnam Ferdous (MS, Food Safety) from AquaFour showcased their projects in the Grand Finale, guided by mentor Prof Dr Mohammad Matiur Rahman of the Department of Fisheries Biology and Genetics.

In a proud achievement, Agro Feme Septate secured a place among the top three winners, earning the €3,500 Grand Prize, while AquaFour won the Audience Award, receiving €500 through international votes.

The winning Agro Feme Septate team also earned direct entry into the prestigious Youth Food Lab incubation programme, a collaboration between WUR, the World Food Forum/FAO, and IAAS.

The finale featured pitching rounds, juror Q&A sessions, and final presentations before invited guests, with winners chosen through expert evaluation and global audience votes.