North South University’s (NSU) Department of English and Modern Languages (DEML) concluded Bakeman’s 4th International Language League, the country’s largest language Olympiad, with the final round on October 9 and the prize-giving ceremony on October 10, 2026, held at the university.

The prize-giving ceremony was attended by  Mr. Bobby Hajjaj, State Minister of Primary and Mass Education, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh as the Chief Guest, and Member of Parliament for Dhaka-13; Special Guest Mr. Benajir Ahmed, Member and Former Chairman of the NSU Board of Trustees; Guests of Honour Mr. Li Shaopeng, Cultural Counselor at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Bangladesh, and Mr. Md. Shafiqul Islam Tushar, Executive Director (Marketing) of Akij Bakers Ltd.; and Session Chair Professor Abdul Hannan Chowdhury, Vice-Chancellor of NSU. The ceremony was also attended by Professor Nasar U. Ahmed, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of NSU; Professor Md. Rizwanul Islam, Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences; and Dr. Nazia Manzoor, Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of English and Modern Languages (DEML).

Dr. Nazia Manzoor, Associate Professor and Chair of DEML, praised the enthusiasm of the participants and the dedication of everyone involved in organising the event, saying, “The enthusiasm and participation of the students in the Language League are truly commendable. The dedication and hard work of everyone involved in making this event successful are equally important. By bringing together young people from different parts of Bangladesh, the Language League is playing an important role in celebrating the country’s linguistic diversity.”

Chief guest Mr. Bobby Hajjaj, State Minister of Primary and Mass Education, commended the scale and significance of the Language League, saying, “The Language League is a remarkable initiative taken by the Department of English and Modern Languages (DEML) of North South University that brings students together through language while providing young people with a valuable platform to develop and demonstrate their linguistic skills.”

Mr. Li Shaopeng, Cultural Counsellor at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Bangladesh, said, “Language connects civilisations and brings people closer. This multilingual competition celebrates the richness of different languages and cultures while promoting an open and inclusive vision of education. In our interconnected world, learning foreign languages is an important skill for young people.”

Mr. Md. Shafiqul Islam Tushar, Executive Director (Marketing) of Akij Bakers Ltd., expressed his pride in supporting the Language League, saying, “We are proud to be associated with an initiative like the Language League. It is a meaningful and important platform for students and language enthusiasts, providing them with an opportunity to showcase their linguistic skills and creativity.”

Mr. Benajir Ahmed, Member of the Board of Trustees of NSU, said, “Those of you who have won awards today have a great responsibility towards society and the country. I hope you will use your knowledge and abilities to contribute to the development of our nation and build a better future.”

Professor Abdul Hannan Chowdhury, Vice-Chancellor of NSU, said, “Language is important for learning, sharing ideas, and connecting with people. At North South University, we want to provide students with quality education, help them become good human beings, and develop their language and communication skills so they can succeed and contribute to the world.”

Professor Nasar U. Ahmed, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of NSU, said, “If you remain determined to achieve your goals, you can overcome challenges and succeed. Among more than 100,000 participants, you have emerged as the winner. This achievement reflects your hard work and dedication. I encourage you to keep learning, stay focused on your goals, and continue striving for success.”

The fourth edition reached students nationwide through campaigns, workshops, and selection rounds held at 560 institutions in various districts and divisions. More than 100,000 students participated in the competition, with thousands advancing through the divisional rounds held in Dhaka, Chittagong, Khulna Division (Jashore, Narail), Sylhet, Rajshahi Division (Bogura), Barisal, Rangpur (Panchagarh), and Mymensingh, before progressing to the final rounds. Ultimately, 261 winners were selected across different age groups and language-based segments.

The competition was divided into seven segments, with events tailored to participants’ age and educational level. Younger participants competed in Spelling Bee and Handwriting, while junior and secondary students took part in Grammar, Wall Magazine and Debate. Higher secondary and university students competed in Impromptu Speech, Short Story Writing and Debate.

The finalists gathered at NSU for the final round on October 9, followed by the prize-giving ceremony on October 10, where the winners were recognised for their outstanding achievements.

With its fourth edition bringing together students from across the country, Bakeman’s International Language League continues to position language not only as an academic skill, but also as a means of expression, connection and cultural understanding.