Laurels for bright young minds
While the bright morning sun cast its golden glow across the horizon, another radiance filled the hallowed hall of the Bangladesh‑China Friendship Exhibition Center -- the proud smiles of O‑ and A‑level students being honoured for academic excellence.
A total of 2,545 students were recognised yesterday at the 25th The Daily Star-Prime Bank O and A Level Awards, themed “Saluting the Nation Builders of Tomorrow”.
The day was a celebration of the success of candidates in globally standardised examinations that connect students across borders through a shared academic benchmark.
They were honoured before the true but often unsung heroes -- parents who poured their hearts into their journey and teachers and mentors who guided them through times of uncertainty.
By 9:30am, the hall was filled to capacity as parents, teachers, and mentors took their seats and eagerly awaited their recognition of their hard work.
As the programme began, the atmosphere turned electric. One by one, the awardees rose as their names were called and received certificates and medals.
Over the years, this event has grown into the first and only initiative of its kind in Bangladesh dedicated to celebrating the achievements of English medium students in their board exams. What began as a pioneering effort has now become a tradition of honour, inspiring generations of learners and their families.
Chief guest State minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj, Editor and Publisher of The Daily Star Mahfuz Anam, CEO of Prime Bank PLC Faisal Rahman and Country Director for IDP Education Ltd Razib Mahbubul addressed the event.
Esteemed guests congratulated the students, saying they had made the country proud with their outstanding results, and urged them to use their knowledge to help build a prosperous Bangladesh.
Acknowledging the platform offered by The Daily Star programme, Bobby Hajjaj said, “I believe this stage is too small for your achievements. The true stage for your accomplishments will be the entire world, where you will carry our country’s name with pride.”
Mahfuz Anam said, “Go anywhere in the world, to the highest universities, and go anywhere to get the greatest experience, but at the end of it, serve your country. Without your help, Bangladesh will not reach the level that it has the potential to reach.”
Priyata Ghosh Piu of ABC International School, who earned 8 A* and 3 A grades; Safeya Chowdhury of Changes School, with 11 A grades; and Sahil Sadman of Don Bosco School and College, with 15 A* and 1 A grade in a single sitting of their O‑levels, spoke on behalf of the awardees at the event.
This year, a total of 1,928 O-level and 617 A-level students from the Edexcel and Cambridge curricula, across the October/November 2024, January 2025, May/June 2025, and October/November 2025 sessions, were recognised.
The awardees included 84 students who topped the world and 42 who topped the country in O-levels, alongside 28 global toppers and nine country toppers in A-levels.
From 121 English-medium schools across the country, these students stood out by achieving at least six A grades in two consecutive O-level sittings and three A grades in their A-levels under the Cambridge board.
Additionally, students who attained a grading of 7 or higher in six subjects in one or two consecutive sessions in their IGCSE exams, along with three A grades or above in IAL exams within one or two consecutive sessions, were recognised.
Faisal Rahman, Mahfuz Anam, and The Daily Star’s Consulting Editor Kamal Ahmed handed over the awards.
The eight-hour-long programme kicked off with a rendition of the national anthem around 9:40am.
Later, recitations from the Quran, Bhagavad Geeta, Bible, and Tripitak were delivered by Zikra Hafez Noor of British Columbia School, Prothoma Das of Daffodil International School, Uttara, Charles David Biswas of Academia, and Sabyasachi Barua of AG Church School, respectively.
Tribute was paid to the late Niloufer Manzur, founding principal of Sunbeams, for her contribution to promoting quality education. She breathed her last at the Combined Military Hospital in Dhaka on May 26, 2020.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Besides, a total of 49 principals were also recognised in honour of their role in building future leaders.
Between intervals, students from BAF Shaheen English Medium School, Mastermind English Medium School, Bangladesh International Tutorial, SFX Greenherald and Glenrich International School entertained the guests with cultural performances.
State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salauddin Tuku was immensely joyful as his daughter Samia Binte Salauddin, a student of Scholastica, received an award. “Given the hard work she has put in, this recognition will undoubtedly inspire her and will pave the way for even greater success in her life.”
Expressing gratitude towards The Daily Star, he said such an initiative encourages the youth and empowers a generation that will dedicate itself to building our nation through its merit and talent.
Fazilat Ahmed Munni, mother of Aurora Maitree Azad, an O-level student at Maple Leaf International School, said, “There can be no greater achievement for a mother than seeing her child succeed. I’m incredibly proud of my daughter… I hope this recognition inspires her to strive for the best in life.”
Prime Bank was the title partner of the programme that was moderated by Zunaed Rabbani.
The Daily Star first organised the O & A Level Awards in 1999, when around 300 students were honoured. Every year since then, this event has grown in popularity and has turned into a source of inspiration for many.
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