Remembering • Innovating • Inspiring • 28 October • Al-Khwarizmi National Hackathon 2026 • Education • Environment • Remembering • Innovating • Inspiring • 28 October • Al-Khwarizmi National Hackathon 2026 • Education • Environment •
Why this hackathon
In memory of 28th October
28 October 2006 · Paltan, Dhaka
On 28 October 2006, as the four-party alliance government's term came to an end, Jamaat-e-Islami held a rally at the north gate of Baitul Mukarram in Paltan, Dhaka. Activists of the Awami League-led 14-party alliance, who had come onto the streets carrying logi-boitha (poles and oars), attacked it.
Members of Islami Chhatrashibir and Jamaat-e-Islami were surrounded, beaten and killed on the open street, in daylight and in front of the cameras. Attackers were filmed dancing on the bodies of the dead. Hundreds more were injured.
Six members of Chhatrashibir were among the 18 people killed across the country. A murder case was filed, and in April 2007 a charge sheet named 46 leaders and activists of the Awami League-led alliance. In 2009, under the Awami League government, the case was withdrawn.
We remember them by building: putting skill and time into work that serves students and the country. This hackathon is held in their memory.
Why Al-Khwarizmi
The hackathon carries the name of Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi, the ninth-century scholar whose work gave algebra its foundations and whose name gave us the word algorithm. Every program written during this event traces back to him.
Categories
Two sectors. Choose one.
The hackathon problems will come from these two sectors, and each team chooses one to work on. You do not need to choose when you register. The areas listed are examples of what the problems may cover.
01
Education Sector
Tools that make learning, teaching and running educational institutions better and more accessible for students in Bangladesh, and that help students plan and pursue higher study.
Learning tools for low-bandwidth or offline use
Assessment, feedback and tutoring aids
Higher study help: choosing a programme, applications and studying abroad
Access to scholarships, resources and guidance
02
Environmental Service Sector
Technology that helps communities and services protect the environment and respond to environmental problems.
Waste collection and recycling services
Air, water and flood monitoring and alerts
Tree plantation, clean-up and volunteer coordination
Format
How it works
3
Days, online
The build phase runs online over three days. Work from wherever you are.
24h
Maximum work time
Within those three days, each team may spend at most 24 working hours in total on its project.
AI
Any AI allowed
Use any AI tool or coding assistant you like. You must understand and be able to explain what you built.
1–3
Members per team
Teams of up to three. All members must be current private university students.
RegisterPre-register your team on this page. The fee is ৳2,500 per team, collected later by the organisers.
BuildChoose a problem from one of the two sectors and build your solution online during the three-day window, within 24 working hours.
SubmitSubmit your GitHub repository link and project details on this site.
PresentPresent your project in person on presentation day.
Prizes
What you win
৳32,000total prize pool
1st place৳15,0002nd place৳10,0003rd place৳7,000
Every participant receives a gift pack and lunch on presentation day.
Dates
Timeline
Pre-registration opens
Teams of up to three. Private university students only.
Pre-registration closes
11:59 pm, Bangladesh time. No late entries.
Online build phase
Three days, with a maximum of 24 working hours per team.
Submission deadline
GitHub repository link and project details, submitted on this site.
Presentation day and prize giving
In person. Gift packs and lunch for all participants.
Build, submission and presentation dates and the venue will be published here and sent to team leaders.
Submission
Submit your project
Code is submitted online. The presentation is held offline. You need the team code you received at registration.
A public GitHub repository with your code and a README
Project title, the sector you chose and a short description
Demo video or live link, if you have one
Project submission is not open yet. It opens during the build phase.
FAQ
Questions
Who can take part?
Current students of private universities in Bangladesh. Every member of the team must be a private university student.
How many people can be in a team?
Up to three. The first person on the form is the team leader and our point of contact.
What is the registration fee?
৳2,500 per team, not per member. No payment is taken on this site: the organisers will contact your team leader separately to collect it.
Can we use AI tools?
Yes. Any AI tool or coding assistant is allowed. Be ready to explain your project and your code at the presentation.
What does “24 working hours” mean?
The build phase lasts three days, but a team may spend no more than 24 hours in total working on the project within that window.
How do we submit?
Online, on this page: your GitHub repository link and project details, using your team code. The presentation itself is held in person.
Do we choose a sector when registering?
No. Register your team first. The hackathon problems come from the two sectors, Education and Environmental Service. Your team chooses one to work on and submits one project.
Pre-registration
Register your team
Open 6 October to 25 October 2026. The registration fee is ৳2,500 per team. You do not pay now; the organisers will collect it from your team leader later.