The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Matsuo-Iwasawa Laboratory (Matsuo Lab) of the University of Tokyo have celebrated the successful completion of the 14-week GCI World April 2026 artificial intelligence (AI) education programme, with a Bangladeshi student earning a place among the top 17 participants worldwide.
To mark the programme's completion, JICA, Matsuo Lab and BRAC University jointly organised a hackathon and a special lecture on July 8.
GCI World is a global educational initiative by Matsuo Lab that offers practical training in artificial intelligence, data science and machine learning through a combination of theoretical learning, competitions and real-world business applications.
More than 25,000 students from 114 countries took part in the programme, including around 700 participants from Bangladesh.
The programme featured the GCI World Hackathon, where students developed AI-based solutions to real-world challenges, followed by a special lecture delivered by researchers from Matsuo Lab, one of Japan's leading AI research laboratories.
The session highlighted the latest developments in artificial intelligence and demonstrated how data science and machine learning can be applied to address practical business and societal challenges.
The special lecture and closing ceremony, held at BRAC University, brought together more than 800 students from around the world, both in person and online, along with researchers, academics, industry professionals and distinguished guests.
The event underscored a shared commitment to promoting innovation and preparing the next generation of AI professionals.
Speaking at the closing session, Morikawa Yuko, Senior Representative of JICA Bangladesh, said Bangladesh has the potential to develop innovative AI solutions to address its own challenges.
"If AI education can be connected with entrepreneurship, research and industry, I believe Bangladesh can develop its own solutions for its own challenges—and, in doing so, contribute innovations to the world," she said.
The programme concluded with the announcement of the Outstanding Student Certificate recipients. One Bangladeshi student was selected among the 17 Outstanding Students globally and will have the opportunity to visit Matsuo Lab at the University of Tokyo in August 2026.
According to JICA, the initiative reflects its continued commitment to strengthening Bangladesh's human resource development through international collaboration.
By connecting Bangladeshi students with globally recognised academic initiatives such as GCI World, JICA aims to enhance local expertise in AI, data science and digital innovation, contributing to the country's ongoing digital transformation.