Atlanta:Team CUET C from Chattogram University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) has claimed victory at the international ACI Mortar Workability Competition 2026 held in Atlanta, USA. The team secured first place overall and a second-place finish in the economic category.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, another Bangladeshi institution, the Islamic University of Technology (IUT), also participated in the competition, achieving fourth place overall and second place in both the "Environmental Design" category and the "Aesthetics in Concrete" competition. In total, the two teams from Bangladesh garnered four awards.
The American Concrete Institute (ACI) organized the event, which ran from October 11-14 in Atlanta, Georgia. Universities and institutions worldwide submitted entries, with 40 teams advancing to the final round after a rigorous selection process. Judges evaluated the mortar based on flowability, accounting for 50 percent of the total score, and stability, which accounted for 20 percent. Additional points were awarded for report quality, carbon emissions, and cost-effectiveness.
Dr. GM Sadikul Islam, a professor in CUET's Department of Civil Engineering and faculty advisor of the university's ACI Student Chapter, guided the CUET team. The team members were Khandaker Fahad Alam, Swarup Chandra Modak, Tanzim Musharrat Tushin, and Sumaiya Binte Mannan. The IUT team was advised by Professor Dr. Tareq Uddin and represented by Arina Tahrina Amin, Rajit Muhammad Chowdhury, Jasia Zubayer, Lamia Tabassum, Ragib Shahriar, Md. Humayed Tahsin Haque, Md. Mahadi Hasan Niloy, and Md. Zubayer Anjum.
Swarup Chandra Modak, a team member from CUET, expressed that the competition helped them recognize their potential and highlighted the need for more opportunities and resources to showcase their abilities globally. Prof Sadikul Islam noted the significance of this win, marking a milestone for CUET's ACI Student Chapter, which has previously won six international awards, albeit in online competitions. This triumph in an in-person event in the USA fulfills a long-held aspiration for the team and brings pride to CUET and Bangladesh.
The American Concrete Institute is dedicated to the development and promotion of standards, codes, and technical knowledge related to concrete construction. It collaborates with professionals and students globally, organizing competitions and training programs to advance concrete technology.