Bangladesh's BYNC Wins World's Best Young Nuclear Network Award on Its First-Ever Participation

A proud piece of news has arrived for Bangladesh's youth on the world stage. The Bangladesh Youth Nuclear Congress (BYNC) has been recognised as the world's best 'Young Generation Network' at the International Youth Nuclear Congress (IYNC) 2026 conference held in Avignon, France.

Bangladesh achieved this prestigious honour on its very first participation in the organisation's 26-year history, leaving behind strong networks such as the United Nations, Russia, the European Nuclear Society, Asia and Japan.

BYNC won the 'Juan Alberto Gonzalez Garrido Award'. Introduced in 2016 in memory of IYNC official Juan Alberto, who was killed in the 2015 Paris attack, this international award is given in recognition of effective leadership by young professionals, member-level engagement and practical service activities at the grassroots level.

As the 49th national member organisation of IYNC, BYNC has raised the red-and-green flag to a unique height on the world stage within a very short time.

The organisation's founder and president, Mahmudul Hasan Sami, described the achievement as a matter of pride for the whole of Bangladesh. He said that through the dreams and collective efforts of a group of young people, Bangladesh has today moved from being a spectator to a seat of leadership in the international arena.

Sami expressed gratitude to every member, adviser, volunteer and partner of the organisation behind this historic achievement, and voiced his determination to strengthen the country's positive presence on the world stage.

The foundation of this international success in France was laid on home soil on August 8. On that day, BYNC organised the largest youth nuclear science and innovation conference, 'I4N X Innoventure Bangladesh 2026', at the American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB).

The conference, attended by around 500 researchers and students, had former Chairman of the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission Professor Dr Md Ali Zulkarnain as chief guest. IYNC President Benoit Erbacher joined virtually from France and spoke at the event.

Fifteen teams took part in the main competition of that national event, and 70 teams joined the poster and project exhibition. The winning team, 'Team RedSafe', went on to represent South Asia in Avignon in the global competition supported by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Within just one academic year of its founding, the organisation won praise for connecting student researchers with senior researchers and national institutions such as the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, NPCBL, BAERA, BUET, BRAC University and MIST. AIUB joined as an institutional partner and the Russian House as a supporter.

In addition, Supersign Cables as title sponsor, Meghna Bank as gold sponsor, Akiz Blue Pill as silver sponsor and international organisation IDP as education partner provided important financial and logistical support.

Behind this global success of volunteerism and innovation stood the constant guidance of the organisation's two chief advisers, Professor Dr Md Shafiqul Islam and Professor Lt Col Md Altab Hossain. Alongside President Mahmudul Hasan Sami, Vice President Sadia Nowshin Promi, General Secretary Nazifa Tasnim, Treasurer Zarin Tasnim Anjum, Adviser Fahim Anan, Webmaster Tamim Muhammad Raid, eight executive officers in total and a host of dedicated volunteers together earned this international honour.

This glorious success for Bangladesh in the arena of international nuclear policy and modern science has opened a new horizon for the country's young generation, according to those concerned.