Four students from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) have won the prestigious Honda Young Engineer and Scientist’s (Y-E-S) Award 2024, presented by the Japan-based Honda Foundation.
In Bangladesh, the Honda Foundation organizes the Y-E-S Award in collaboration with four public engineering universities: BUET, Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET), Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET), and Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (RUET).
This year, the winners—Anik Saha, Fairuz Mubashwera, Taslima Hossain Sanjana, and Sadman Sakib Himel—are all students of BUET.
The award ceremony was held in Dhaka on Saturday, where certificates and prizes were handed over. Naoki Takahashi, Minister and Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh, attended as chief guest.
Other notable guests included Dr. Ainun Nishat, Chief Evaluator of the Honda Y-E-S Award in Bangladesh; Masaki Tsunoda, Managing Director of Honda Foundation; Susumu Morisawa, Managing Director and CEO of Bangladesh Honda Private Limited; Shah Muhammad Ashequr Rahman, Chief Marketing Officer of Bangladesh Honda; Kazuiki Kataoka, JETRO Country Representative in Bangladesh; Ashir Uddin Ahmed, Associate Professor at Kyushu University in Japan; and university representatives.
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The Y-E-S Award program was launched to foster future leaders in science and technology across Asia. It aims to recognize and encourage students who have the potential to develop and apply technologies that contribute to a humane and sustainable civilization.
The program was first introduced in Vietnam in 2006, followed by India in 2007, Laos and Cambodia in 2008, Myanmar in 2014, and Bangladesh in 2019. Each country’s program is tailored for optimal impact.
In Bangladesh, up to four undergraduate students are selected annually from the designated universities to receive a USD 3,000 grant. Additionally, awardees are eligible for up to USD 10,000 under the Honda Y-E-S Award Plus program if they pursue higher studies or training in Japan within four years—through master’s, doctoral, or internship programs in Japanese universities, research institutions, or approved private companies.
The Honda Foundation was established in 1977 through donations from Soichiro Honda, founder of Honda Motor Company, and his younger brother Benjiro. The Y-E-S Award reflects Soichiro Honda’s vision of empowering the next generation to lead innovation in eco-technology and sustainable development.