Md. Rabiul Alam, a final-year Electrical and Electronic Engineering student at the National Institute of Textile Engineering and Research (NITER), a constituent institute of the University of Dhaka, has emerged as one of Bangladesh’s most promising young innovators, gaining recognition both nationally and internationally for his pioneering work in engineering and research.
Among Alam’s most remarkable accomplishments is his development of a drone that operates without propellers, a cutting-edge breakthrough powered by ion propulsion principles. In 2021, he received a grant of BDT 600,000 from the ICT Division, Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology under the project titled “Development of Antigravity Device using Artificial Intelligence.” The research is being conducted at the Institute of Electronics, Atomic Energy Research Establishment (AERE), Savar, under the supervision of Dr. Md. Anzan-uz-Zaman, Principal Scientific Officer(PSO), and Md Abu Sayid Haque, Director & Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) of AERE. Notably, the groundwork for this research began in the Department of Physics at Jagannath University under the guidance of Prof. Dr. Kamrul Alam Khan, who continues to serve as a key academic supervisor. This revolutionary drone project saw its first stage of success in 2023, and Alam is currently advancing its second phase as of May 25, 2025.
In addition to this innovation, Md. Rabiul Alam has secured a string of accolades throughout his academic career:
- $2,400 STEM USA Scholarship (2021) — Awarded by the Office of Scholarships at STEM USA, this scholarship supports students with a passion for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Rabiul was chosen for his commitment to academic excellence and future aspirations in STEM leadership. The scholarship emphasizes affordable online education grounded in strong ethical values.
- Top 250 Finalist in Unibator Innovation Contest (2021) — Rabiul’s idea stood out among over 7,000 participants nationwide, earning him a place among the top 250 innovators in the government-supported Unibator program. The competition focused on digital innovations with national impact, and Rabiul’s project impressed the evaluators for its creativity and technical viability.
- BDT 600,000 ICT Division Research Grant (2021) — This grant was awarded under the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology for his proposal titled “Development of Antigravity Device using Artificial Intelligence.” It represents one of the largest government-backed research fundings awarded to a student researcher in Bangladesh for drone innovation using electrostatic propulsion.
- $1,200 University of the People Scholarship (2021) — Rabiul received this financial award to support his Bachelor of Science (BSc) studies in Computer Science at the University of the People, an accredited online university based in the United States. The scholarship enabled him to explore computer-based modeling, algorithm design, and simulation techniques, complementing his core engineering pursuits in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. Rabiul received this financial award to support his studies in Computer Science from the University of the People, an accredited online university based in the United States. The scholarship enabled him to explore computer-based modeling and simulation to complement his core engineering work.
- BRAC Maker’s Residency Program Grantee (2021) — Selected by BRAC and Field Ready, Rabiul was awarded BDT 30,000 for idea incubation and prototype development. The program emphasized innovation through empathy-driven design and encouraged solutions for low-resource settings, where Rabiul developed grassroots engineering tools.
- Admission to Tsinghua University Global Summer School (2022) — As part of a highly competitive international selection, Rabiul secured admission to Tsinghua University’s GSS, China’s premier academic platform. There, he interacted with global peers and faculty on topics ranging from sustainable innovation to frontier engineering technologies.
- Winner of the National Smart Power and Energy Challenge (2023) — In this flagship competition jointly organized by Power Cell, and Green Delta Insurance, Rabiul’s project on a gravity-powered electricity generator using neodymium magnets and coil systems secured a BDT 500,000 grant. Out of 700+ national submissions, his was among the 7 ideas awarded both funding and a national crest.Bicchuron Smart Power and Energy Challenge 2023 Winner
- Selected Research Associate (2025) — Appointed by Dr. Niaz Asadullah at a highly specialized task force under the Chief Adviser of the Government of Bangladesh, Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology. In this task force, he is working under Prof. Muhammad M. Hussain, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Purdue University, USA, to research on the Hardware unit.
In 2024, Alam launched his own startup, Kinetic Obeys, focusing on sustainable tech solutions aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. As Founder and CEO, he has cultivated a multidisciplinary team to expand innovation at both the grassroots and global levels.
His academic contributions span across more than a dozen accepted papers at national and international conferences including BUET, CUET, Jahangirnagar University, and BCSIR Congress. His research interests include electrohydrodynamic propulsion, MEMS robotics, bio-electrochemical power, and high-voltage safety systems.
With such accomplishments at a young age, Md. Rabiul Alam represents a new wave of Bangladeshi scientific talent. His pioneering work and vision hold promise for transforming aerial mobility and energy technology in the years to come.
Furthermore, Maruf’s dedication to innovation and problem-solving was recognized on a national scale when he emerged as the winner of the National Smart Power and Energy Challenge of 2023. His idea “Development and Optimization of a Gravity-Powered Electricity Generator Using Neodymium Magnets and Coil Pathway”, presented as part of the ‘Bicchuron’ program organized by Young Bangla, Power Cell of the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, in collaboration with Green Delta Insurance, garnered widespread acclaim for its ingenuity and potential impact. As a testament to his innovative prowess, Maruf received a grant of 5,00,000 Bangladeshi Taka to further develop his winning concept and the award has been taken from State Minister Nasrul Hamid, MP.He will also start the work in Institute of Energy Science, AERE, collaborating with scientific officers very soon.
In addition to his research accomplishments, Maruf has a research group named ‘The House of El Genia’ where he actively teaches research work to his fellows and juniors taking workshops. He also showed his research outputs by participating in several research conferences. His ability to balance the rigors of undergraduate studies with the demands of research and innovation is a testament to his exceptional time management skills and unwavering dedication to his academic pursuits.
As Maruf continues to push the boundaries of scientific inquiry and innovation, his achievements serve as an inspiration to aspiring young scientists and innovators across the nation. With his unwavering commitment to excellence and passion for discovery, He is poised to make significant contributions to the field of science and technology, further cementing his legacy as a pioneering figure in Bangladesh’s academic landscape.
