National
PM’s Fellowship 2023-24 Granted to 48 Scholars
A total of 48 scholars representing various fields have been awarded the prestigious Prime Minister’s Fellowship for the year 2023-24, enabling them to pursue advanced studies at renowned universities worldwide. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina personally bestowed the fellowship upon the recipients during a ceremony held at the Shapla Hall in her office. Out of the 48 scholars, 38 will pursue their Master’s degrees, while 10 will embark on Ph.D. programs at esteemed institutions in countries such as the USA, UK, Australia, and Canada.
Introduced in 2018, the Prime Minister’s Fellowship aims to enhance the knowledge and capabilities of individuals within the civil service, academia, and other qualified citizens of Bangladesh. Through this program, selected fellows are given the opportunity to study at esteemed international universities. To qualify for the PhD scholarship, applicants must first secure admission to one of the top 100 universities worldwide, based on their own merits. Similarly, applicants seeking the Master’s fellowship must obtain admission to one of the top 200 universities globally.
Since the inception of the fellowship program, a total of 239 Master’s fellows and 98 Ph.D. fellows have been granted the opportunity to pursue their higher education at prestigious universities abroad. The Governance Innovation Unit (GIU) of the Prime Minister’s Office manages the application process, requiring candidates to provide proof of admission before being considered for the scholarship.
During the ceremony, State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain and PM’s Principal Secretary M Tofazzel Hossain Miah expressed their thoughts on the occasion. The Director General of the GIU, Dr. Mohammad Abdul Latif, delivered the welcome speech, and two previous fellowship recipients, Shibly Islam and Afifa Anjuman, along with Deputy Secretary of the Internal Resources Division AM Alamgir Kabir, shared their experiences of pursuing PhDs through this scholarship.
The Prime Minister’s Fellowship not only recognizes the academic excellence of these scholars but also underscores the government’s commitment to fostering intellectual growth and development in Bangladesh.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued a stark warning, suggesting that unless the ruling Awami League retains power, the country could regress into a state of darkness. She conveyed this message during a reception hosted by the US chapter of the Awami League at the Holiday Express Inn Hotel.
However, the Prime Minister expressed her confidence in the people of Bangladesh, stating that they would not want to return to such a bleak period. She referred to the 29 years under the BNP-Jamaat governments as an era of darkness during which little was done for the citizens except for the self-enrichment of the ruling clique.
She emphasized that the Awami League, since coming into power in 2009, has made significant strides in bridging the developmental gap created during those years of darkness. Bangladesh has achieved recognition as a developing country during this period, thanks to specific plans and a continued democratic process.
Prime Minister Hasina mentioned that her government is preparing for Bangladesh’s journey as a developing nation, starting in 2026. To facilitate this journey, a committee has been formed, led by her principal secretary, to find ways to ensure development and prosperity. She reiterated her belief that if the Awami League remains in power, Bangladesh’s path to becoming a developed nation will face no hindrances.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin delivered a call to action today, urging individuals from all political backgrounds and viewpoints to collaborate in furthering the country’s ongoing development. He made these remarks during the opening of the “Smart Children Carnival 2023” at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in the capital.
During the festival’s opening ceremony, President Shahabuddin emphasized the importance of not taking actions that might hinder the country’s progress. He acknowledged the ever-advancing world and encouraged everyone to move forward with the utmost tolerance, mutual trust, and faith.
The President underscored the need to nurture children as “smart citizens,” equipping them with efficiency, creativity, progressiveness, a non-communal mindset, and patriotism to contribute to the realization of a ‘Smart Bangladesh’ in the future.
Key figures including State Minister for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Division Zunaid Ahmed Palak, State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Md Zakir Hossain, and various other officials and children representatives addressed the event.
President Shahabuddin outlined the national goal of establishing a ‘Smart Bangladesh’ by 2041, characterized by top-notch, world-class work and management based on smart technology. He encouraged the younger generation to embrace modern knowledge and apply it in their lives, emphasizing the importance of learning about Bangladesh’s Liberation War and its founding leader, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Additionally, the President extended warm greetings and congratulations to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on her upcoming 77th birthday. He expressed his deep affection for all the children in the country and thanked the carnival’s organizers, highlighting the event’s role in fostering learning while enabling children to engage in sports, explore new technology, and make new friends.
President Shahabuddin urged local public representatives to provide necessary playgrounds for children who often spend excessive time using electronic devices, emphasizing the value of enriching knowledge beyond traditional textbooks. He emphasized that the country should be considered a family, and individuals should take the initiative to learn about their homeland.
The President also praised various development initiatives and the government’s commitment to realizing Vision 2021, aiming for a developed, prosperous, and smart Bangladesh by 2041 in line with the dream of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Furthermore, President Shahabuddin participated in an audio-visual exhibition that offered insights into the envisioned ‘Smart Bangladesh’ in 2041.
The nation will celebrate the 77th birthday of Prime Minister and Awami League (AL) President Sheikh Hasina today.
Born on September 28, 1947, in Tungipara, Gopalganj, Sheikh Hasina is the eldest of the five children of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatun Nesa Mujib.
Currently, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is abroad attending the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session. Following in the footsteps of Bangabandhu, she addressed the UNGA in Bengali, as she has done in previous years.
Awami League (AL), its affiliated organizations, and socio-cultural groups will commemorate the day with various events highlighting Sheikh Hasina’s life and accomplishments. These activities will include discussions, milad (prayer gatherings), and special prayers held both in the capital and nationwide.
Sheikh Hasina spent a significant part of her early life in her birthplace, where she received her early education. Her family moved to Dhaka in 1954 when Bangabandhu was elected as a legislator.
She pursued her education at institutions such as Sher-e-Bangla Girls’ School and College and Azimpur Girls’ High School, where she completed her secondary education in 1965. She then enrolled at Badrunnessa Government Girls’ College.
During her university days, she served as the vice-president of the students’ union at Eden Girls’ College (which included Badrunnessa and Eden Girls’ College at the time). Subsequently, she pursued her master’s degree in Bangla at Dhaka University.
As a student leader, Sheikh Hasina actively participated in the historic six-point movement in 1966 and the student movement of 1969, which led to the abdication of General Ayub Khan.
In 1968, she married nuclear scientist Dr. MA Wazed Miah with the blessing of her incarcerated father, Bangabandhu. During the Liberation War, she and her family were confined to a house in Dhaka. On July 27, 1971, she gave birth to her first child, Sajeeb Wazed Joy. Her second child, Saima Wazed, was born on December 9, 1972.
Following the assassination of her parents in 1975, Sheikh Hasina and her family sought political asylum in India, where she resided until 1981, when she was elected as the president of the Awami League in her absence. She returned to Bangladesh on May 17, 1981, to a grand reception.
In the 1986 parliamentary election, Sheikh Hasina was elected as a Member of Parliament from three different constituencies. After the fall of autocracy in 1990, she was chosen as the Leader of the Opposition through the general elections of 1991.
In the 1996 general elections, 21 years after her father’s assassination, she led the Awami League to victory, assuming power as Prime Minister for the first time.
On August 21, 2004, Sheikh Hasina narrowly escaped an assassination attempt as grenades were hurled at an AL rally on Bangabandhu Avenue in the capital. Although she survived, the attack resulted in the loss of at least 24 lives and injured over 500 others, most of whom were Awami League leaders and supporters.
In 2008, she led the Grand Alliance to a resounding victory, securing 90 percent of parliamentary seats in the general elections and becoming Prime Minister for the second consecutive term. On January 5, 2014, she was reelected as Prime Minister.
Under her leadership, Bangladesh has achieved remarkable progress in various fields, including economic growth, self-sufficiency in food production, and advancements in women’s empowerment, agriculture, education, healthcare, infrastructure, communication, energy, trade, ICT, and SME sectors.
Her humanitarian efforts, particularly in providing support to over 1.1 million Rohingya refugees from Myanmar, have garnered international acclaim. In 2017, the UK-based ‘Channel 4’ referred to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as the ‘Mother of Humanity’ for her role in sheltering Rohingyas fleeing persecution.
Sheikh Hasina has received numerous awards and honors, including the Tagore Peace Award-2018, the Vaccine Hero award, and the Champion of Skill Development for Youth award. She has also been recognized with honorary degrees and accolades for her leadership and intellectual contributions.
Sheikh Hasina has authored more than 25 books, including ‘Mujib Amar Pita,’ ‘Living in Tears,’ ‘Sada Kalo,’ and ‘Amara Janaganer Kotha Bolte Esechhi.’
