5 prestigious scholarships for Bangladeshi students
Given the steep cost of studies at certain universities in developed countries, scholarships are the only answer to many students who aspire to acquire their higher education abroad. Sometimes students cannot apply for scholarships simply because they do not have access to the required information. Here is key information for five prestigious scholarships in the world.
Fulbright Scholarships (USA)
Fulbright Scholarship is very popular among Bangladeshi students and professionals. This is the flagship international exchange scholarship program between the US government and 155 countries. The Fulbright scholarship was introduced on 1 August 1946. Approximately 325,400 Fulbrighters, 122,800 from the United States and 202,600 from other countries, have participated in the programme since its inception. The programme awards approximately 8,000 grants annually. Currently, the programme operates in over 155 countries worldwide.
Further information is available at the programme’s website https://foreign.fulbrightonline.org/ and at the US Embassy in Bangladesh's website
Erasmus Mundus Programme
Erasmus Mundus is another popular scholarship programme. It is funded by the European Union. This aims to enhance the quality of higher education and promote dialogue and understanding between people and cultures through mobility and academic cooperation. It offers a joint Masters programme which provides students a chance to study at least two European countries. There are more than 130 Master programmes in a variety of fields of study under this programme. It offers Masters programme in Agriculture and Veterinary, Engineering, Manufacture and Construction, Health and Welfare, Humanities and Arts, Science, Mathematics and Computing, and Social Sciences, Business and Law.
Abdul Aziz, who graduated from Chittagong University’s journalism department, received the Erasmus Mundus scholarship. He is now studying digital media at Queensland University of Technology in Australia. Under the joint Masters programme, he also studied at University of Salzburg in Austria and Vrije Universiteit in Brussels. Aziz said that this scholarship programme is an excellent opportunity for Bangladeshi students to study in European countries.
“Students often cannot take this opportunity because of lack of information,” he said.
He said that a good IELTS score is important for this scholarship and students should write the motivation letter carefully.
Information is available at EU's website http://eacea.ec.europa.eu.
Chevening Scholarships (UK)
Chevening Scholarships (UK) is another prestigious scholarhip programme. The programme is funded by UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and partner organisations. This is the flagship programme of British government. The programme was introduced in 1983. It offers two types of award - Chevening Scholarships and Chevening Fellowships and the recipients are personally selected by British Embassies and High Commissions throughout the world.
Razwan Nabin is studying International Disaster Management at University of Manchester under Chevening Scholarship programme. He said that the first thing is to understand the requirements of the scholarship.
“Different types of scholarships have different systems of application. While some scholarships are awarded based on academic results, in some scholarship programmes, experience and leadership capacity of the students are also considered. Students need to study the application process,” he said.
He said that in case of Chevening Scholarship, students have to apply separately to the scholarship programme and to universities.
“In Chevening scholarship, students have to answer some questions about why they are applying. I think telling them your story is very important,” he said.
He advises students to take adequate time when applying for this scholarship.
“You have to be prepared. Please don’t fill up the form in a hurry. I think they want to see your passion for this scholarship programme,” he added.
All information regarding this scholarship and its deadline can be found at Chevening's website http://www.chevening.org/
Commonwealth Scholarship
The Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship is for students of Commonwealth countries. It aims at students of Commonwealth countries who can make a significant contribution to their home country after the completion of a higher education programme in the UK. It offers one year taught Master's courses or equivalent degree and Doctoral degree of up to three/four years' duration. The package includes economy return international travel, tuition fee and adequate maintenance and other allowances. The subject areas the scholarship covers are Engineering and Technology, Science (Pure and Applied), Agriculture and Humanities and Social Sciences. Information on this scholarship can be found at the website of British Council, Bangladesh and University Grants Commission
Australian Awards
The Australian Awards is a prestigious scholarship programme run by the Australian government. They are a whole-of-government initiative bringing together scholarships and fellowships administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade the Department of Education and the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR). It offers the next generation of global leaders an opportunity to undertake study, research and professional development in Australia and for high-achieving Australians to do the same overseas.
The award benefits include full tuition fees, return air travel, establishment allowance-a once only payment of A$5,000 and other benefits.
All information can be found at its website http://australiaawards.gov.au
Read more :