Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) Chairman Khondoker Rashed Maqsood on Sunday said the commission's financial literacy short video competition is not merely an event but part of a long-term movement to build a knowledge-based and responsible investor community across the country.
"If the younger generation is equipped with the right knowledge at the right time, they will grow into responsible investors and lead the way in building a healthy capital market," Maqsood said at the award ceremony of the 'Financial Literacy Short Video Competition' held at BSEC's Multipurpose Hall in Agargaon.
He stressed that the participants did more than showcase creativity; they carried forward vital messages about investment education to the broader public. "The videos they have created can be used on a larger scale in the future to raise awareness among general investors."
The BSEC chairman expressed hope that such initiatives would continue regularly and reach people at every level of society. "Let us all come together to build a conscious, knowledge-based and prosperous capital market, one that will further strengthen our national economy."
He also announced that the competition videos would be disseminated across the country, and that district and upazila level field administrations have been engaged to help spread investment education at the grassroots.
In her welcome address, BSEC Commissioner Farzana Lalarukh described the competition as a milestone, noting it was the first of its kind in Bangladesh. "There is no alternative to adequate knowledge and awareness among investors for building a healthy, stable and sustainable capital market."
She informed that the competition was open to undergraduate and postgraduate students from any educational institution nationwide. A total of 425 teams registered, with 90 teams submitting videos across three categories.
She said the evaluation process was conducted with full transparency and impartiality, and expressed hope that similar competitions would be organised in the future.
Khairul Bashar, Director of the Office of Communications at BRAC University and a member of the competition's jury board, praised the diversity and creativity of the participants.
"The strength of youth is the core strength of Bangladesh. The new generation thinks differently; the videos showed remarkable creativity and excellent storytelling," he said, adding that stronger engagement between policymakers and young people is essential for the country's progress.
Awards
A total of nine prizes were awarded across three categories— 'Healthy Capital Market and Prosperous Economy', 'Risks in the Capital Market', and 'Financial Literacy for Capital Market Awareness', with cash awards of Tk 60,000, Tk 45,000 and Tk 30,000 for first, second and third places respectively. Ten encouragement prizes of Tk 15,000 each were also given.
Healthy Capital Market and Prosperous Economy: 1st— New Bangladesh (Hamdard University Bangladesh); 2nd— Looser (University of Rajshahi); 3rd— GM Studios (BRAC University).
Risks in the Capital Market: 1st— Shwapno (IBA, University of Dhaka); 2nd— CINE ART (Jahangirnagar University); 3rd— DU Finance (University of Dhaka).
Financial Literacy for Capital Market Awareness: 1st— The Blind Men (Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University); 2nd— Akatsuki (BRAC University); 3rd— Information Scorpion (Bangladesh University of Professionals).
Encouragement prizes went to: Progoti, Stock Sensei, AR Studio, Team AdorBador, FinFlicks, Team Arthosutra, Team Crisis, Team Elomelo, Team FinLit and Team Mughdo.
The BSEC Chairman and Commissioners handed over crests, certificates and cheques to the winners.