The Grand Finale of ECONTHON 2026, a nationwide inter-university economics competition, took place on Saturday at the United International University (UIU) campus in Dhaka. The event was organized by the Junior Economists Forum (JEF) in collaboration with UIU’s Department of Economics.
Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Member of Parliament and Minister of Finance and Planning for the Government of Bangladesh, served as the chief guest. Hasan Mahmood Raja, Chairman of the UIU Board of Trustees and Chief Advisor of United Group, attended as the guest of honor. K. M. A. Shamim, member of the UIU Board of Trustees and advisor to United Group, participated as a special guest. The program was presided over by Prof. Dr. Md. Abul Kashem Mia, Vice Chancellor of UIU. Moderation was led by Prof. Dr. Mohammad Omar Farooq, Head of the Department of Economics at UIU.
The competition drew 224 teams from universities across Bangladesh, offering students an opportunity to extend their academic knowledge by tackling real-world economic issues. ECONTHON 2026 aims to provide a platform that promotes practical application of economic concepts beyond the traditional classroom setting, encouraging innovation and critical thinking among participants.
Organizers highlighted the event’s role in nurturing future economists by fostering engagement with pressing economic challenges at the national and global levels. The grand finale marked the culmination of a series of competitive rounds, demonstrating the growing interest and participation in economics among university students throughout the country.