Social impact of IUBAT

This year, IUBAT scored well in the Times Higher Education [THE] Impact Rankings 2022.THE Impact Rankings are the only global performance tables that assess universities against the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This year, 1524 institutions were ranked from 110 countries and regions; in Bangladesh, this included 12 public and private institutions. THE uses indicators to compare institutions across four areas: research, stewardship, outreach and teaching.

IUBAT secured 6th position among twelve Bangladeshi Public and Private Universities and 4th position among nine Private Universities. According to IUBAT Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Abdur Rab, a major factor in IUBAT’s strong showing was the university’s vision of Knowledge-Based Area Development. This aims to produce at least one professional graduate from each village as a step towards community self reliance. Attracting students from under-served rural areas aligns with several SDGs in the United Nations call for global partnerships to end poverty and tackle climate change. Translating the concept into reality, IUBAT supplements the family resources of a student through with many forms of financial assistance.

Remembering the founder of IUBAT College of Nursing

In May 2023, the IUBAT community gathered to observe the sixth death anniversary of its Founder and first Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr M Alimullah Miyan. Speaking at the on-line event, IUBAT Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr. Abdur Rab called Dr. Miyan the pioneer of private universities in all South Asia. BHP Director Alex Berland noted that because of his concern for social causes, Dr. Miyan had purposely chosen to advance nurse education over the more prestigious and profitable education of physicians. Other speakers commented on how this inspirational leader influenced several generations of learners with his ethical practice, administrative honesty and academic integrity.

For the prosperity of future generations

Sharmin Akter has been teaching at Bluebell School since January 2017. She teaches Bangla to the Grade 1 and 4 students, English and Math to Grade 1 students, and Introduction to Bangladesh and the World in Grade 3. Sharmin grew up in Balagram and passed her Secondary School Certificate exams in the vocational program and Higher Secondary Certificate exams in business management. Sharmin says that she enjoys working with the Bluebell students because some of her own extended family members have lived in the cluster village, Having observed their struggles to get on in life, Sharmin wants to help future generations prosper with a good education.