The University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) yesterday bagged the first prize at the Citi Financial IT Case competition.

Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) and Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) were clinched the first and second runner-up positions respectively, in the first-ever competition in such a field.

Citi Foundation, the philan-

thropic arm of Citi and managed by Citibank NA Bangladesh and D.Net (Development Research Network) organised the competition for universitystudents.

The winners received the awards at a programme at Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka yesterday. The first-prize winner received $ 5,000 in award money, while the first and second runners-up received $2,000 and $1,000 respectively. The fourth and fifth winners were also awarded at the programme.

Dhaka University and United

International University finished fourth and fifth.

After stiff competition in the first two rounds that were held in the July-August period, 20 teams battled their way into the second round.

A 22-member jury board then selected five teams for the final round. Participants came from 20 universities, including eight public universities.

AKM Abdul Awal Mazumder, secretary for science and ICT ministry, handed over the prize money and crest to the winners.

Mamun Rashid, managing director and Citi country officer for Bangladesh said: "We at Citi believe, expanding educational opportunities and helping improve such employable skills is one of the most effective strategies for economically empowering the society and increasing the ability of young generation to contribute positively to the broader economy."

Prof Rafiqul Islam, vice chancellor of ULAB, Ananya Raihan, executive director of D.Net, were also present at the programme.