On 23 November 2025, Daffodil International University (DIU) and BRAC Bank jointly organised Oitijjer Haat 2025, the fourth edition of this festival, which began in 2022. This year’s edition brought together traditional culture, handicrafts, regional cuisine, and initiatives by young entrepreneurs from across Bangladesh under a single platform.

Theme: Branding Bangladesh

The 2025 edition was themed “Branding Bangladesh”, focusing on presenting heritage through a modern lens while creating entrepreneurial and business opportunities for young people. The festival served as a platform to showcase:

• Rural and traditional products, handicrafts, and regional food and culture.
• Student-led initiatives demonstrating branding, marketing, and customer engagement.
• Participatory efforts aimed at inspiring youth entrepreneurship.

This structure positions the festival as more than a cultural exhibition; it is a deliberate effort to integrate business skills, social awareness, entrepreneurial spirit, and cultural pride.

Connecting Youth, Artisans, and Rural Products

The event featured artisans, rural entrepreneurs, district-based food and cultural producers, and the younger generation of entrepreneurs. Many participants, who might not have access to mainstream markets, gained a national platform to present their products and cultural heritage.

Such initiatives facilitate an exchange between rural and urban communities, providing new market opportunities for local handicrafts and SMEs, while promoting cultural understanding and economic development.

Integration of Education, Culture, and Entrepreneurship

As a university-level festival, Oitijjer Haat combined education, creativity, and entrepreneurial thinking. Students not only presented their projects but also experienced real-world business challenges, customer interactions, and branding processes. This applied learning bridges theory and practice, cultivating independence, social awareness, and cultural pride among young people.

Cultural Pride and National Identity

One of the festival’s greatest achievements is representing the cultural diversity of all 64 districts of Bangladesh. Each district showcased its unique food, crafts, heritage, language, and cultural identity. This created a sense of national pride, allowing participants and visitors to celebrate their traditions and identity while reinforcing cultural unity across generations.

Future Potential

Oitijjer Haat has established itself over four editions as a platform connecting young entrepreneurs, artisans, students, rural producers, and cultural representatives. By integrating heritage and modernity, it has proven that development is possible through cultural and entrepreneurial collaboration.

Looking ahead, the festival could become a model for Bangladesh’s culture-entrepreneurship ecosystem if:

• Continuous market opportunities are created for district-level artisans.
• Universities, private institutions, and policymakers collaborate actively.
• Financial and training support is provided to young entrepreneurs.

Oitijjer Haat demonstrates how culture, education, and entrepreneurship can converge to create meaningful opportunities for innovation, heritage preservation, and national development.