The first-ever national-level newspaper-based VOI Olympiad, titled “JournoFest 2025,” was held on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at the National Institute of Textile Engineering and Research (NITER) in Savar. Organized by the NITER Journalists Association (NJAS), this distinctive initiative aimed to promote journalistic practice among students and enhance their newspaper-related skills.
The event provided participants with practical exposure to newspaper editing, news writing techniques, analytical thinking, and the fundamentals of journalism. Teams from various educational institutions across the country took part in the day-long competition, showcasing their talent and competence.
The program began with participant registration, followed by the Newspaper Olympiad conducted through VOI activities based on national daily newspapers. Across different rounds, participating teams demonstrated their abilities in news analysis, presentation, and critical thinking.
As part of JournoFest, a special session on “Basic Journalism” was jointly organized by The Business Standard and TVS Graduate at the NITER Conference Room. The session featured in-depth discussions on key aspects of print and mass media, journalistic ethics, and professional realities.
Participants found the session highly enriching in terms of knowledge and experience.
After the lunch break, an exhibition fashion show was presented by the NITER Fashion Club, adding vibrancy and diversity to the event. This was followed by speeches from invited guests, who shared motivational insights and guidance for students. Subsequently, the official prize-giving ceremony was held, where winners were awarded for their outstanding performances. Sadman Sakib Sad secured first place, Sajid Mashrafi Fuad claimed second place, and Nafiza Binte Aziz achieved third place. The winners received crests and prizes from the organizers and guests.
In the concluding segment, a special session was held at NITER’s open stage, featuring renowned journalist and content creator Mrinnmita Majumder. She shared her professional experiences in the media, discussed challenges and opportunities in journalism, and offered valuable advice for aspiring journalists, inspiring the students present.
The day-long national-level newspaper-based competition concluded with a formal closing ceremony. Organizers expressed optimism that such initiatives would play a significant role in nurturing future journalists and further encouraging journalistic practice among students.
