VAB’s Founder and President Dr. A T Rafiqur
Rahman
Receives
Lifetime Achievement Award

It is with great honor and pride that we announce that Marquis Who's Who, the world's premier publisher of biographical
profiles, has just presented A T Rafiqur Rahman, PhD, with the Albert Nelson
Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award, for his “achievements, leadership
qualities, and the credentials and successes he has accrued in his field”.
An expert in public administration and
development, Dr. Rahman retired in 1996 after more than 15 years with the
United Nations (UN). Dr. Rahman also held high positions with the Canadian
International Development Agency (CIDA) and the International Development
Research Center (IDRC) in Canada. Apart from his commitments in the field, Dr.
Rahman taught at several institutions, including Dhaka University in
Bangladesh, Rhodes College in Tennessee, USA, and Baruch College, City University
of New York. He was also a visiting professor of political science at Carlton
University in Canada and a guest lecturer at the Harvard Institute of
International Development at Harvard University. Dr. Rahman has published
several books on development politics and administration, including his 2005
book, titled "Bangladesh in the Mirror: An Outsider's Perspective."
He has also authored numerous articles in international scholarly journals.
Marquis Who’s Who highlights: “As a commitment
to his country, Dr. Rahman established the Volunteers Association for
Bangladesh [VAB]. A nonprofit organization designed to improve the economic and
social well-being of the rural people of Bangladesh, it also provides
scholarships, tutoring and teacher training services, and equipment for rural
high schools in the poverty-stricken country.”
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in
America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished
individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including
politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment.
Three
Students of VAB Schools Will Compete in
Math Olympiad at National
Level
For the first time ever,
students of Shyamnagar, a remote Upazila in Bangladesh bordering the
Sunderbans, reached the National Level of Bangladesh Mathematical Olympiad in
its history of 18 years. Two students from Sundarban Secondary Girls’ School, Rumi
Akhter, left picture, and Sadhana Mandal, middle, as well as Sourav Chandra
Mandal of Ramjannagar Union Tofazzal Vidyapeeth qualified for the national
level after succeeding at the regional level. Rumi and Sadhana will compete in
the Junior Category and Sourav in the Secondary Category.
The Olympiad, with a slogan “Learn
Math, Have Dreams”, is organized by the Bangladesh Mathematical Olympiad
Committee and The Prothom Alo with the patronage of the Dutch-Bangla Bank.
Following the emphasis on Language and STEM subjects in its programs for
quality education in disadvantaged rural schools, VAB in 2015 started
encouraging the schools to have their students participate in Math Olympiads. It
also offered preliminary training for selected students by Volunteers from Math
Olympiad. Within four years in 2019, 19 students from VAB-partnered
schools competed at the regional level in the Junior Category and 10 in the
Senior Category. In 2020, the numbers jumped to 83 students in the Junior
Category and 25 in the Secondary Category.
The three Shyamnagar students
going on to the Finals have been congratulated by the Shyamnagar UNO A N M
Abujar Gifari and the Academic Supervisor of the Upazila Secondary Education
Office, Mina Habibur Rahman. Mr. Gifari assured them of assistance if they
succeed at the national level. VAB is giving awards to the contestants and the
Math Teachers of the two schools. VAB is also arranging for appropriate
training to prepare the contestants for the Finals.
All of us congratulate the
three accomplished students and wish them best for their success in the 18thMath
Olympiad of Bangladesh. We recall that in the 2018 International Mathematical
Olympiad, a Bangladeshi student earned the Gold Medal.
Outstanding
SSC Results of VAB Schools
The rural schools VAB works
with in Shyamnagar upazila of Satkhira district had outstanding successes in
the SSC examinations held earlier this year. The average pass rate was 95.48
percent. This is 12.61 percentage points (or more than 15 percent) higher than
the national average of 82.87 percent. The pass rate of these schools also
surpassed that of the Board in which they belong – they outstripped Jashore
Board by more than 9 percent. 5 out of the 15 schools achieved a 100% pass
rate.
The performance level of
successful candidates, as measured by the highest grades of “A+” and “A”, is
also superior to that at the Board level. 54.44 percent of the successful
Shyamnagar students earned “A+” and “A” grades, while for Jashore Board the “A+”
and “A” grade holders accounted for only 39.80 percent.
These rural schools are
relatively disadvantaged, dismally so in comparison with the urban schools in
the country. The students are also underprivileged. Many come from very poor
families, the income earners are day laborers, street-side vendors, van
pullers, and the like. During the trying times of the coronavirus pandemic,
many of these families do not have any source of income, and are completely
dependent on assistance from others for mere survival. Some of the schools were
badly affected by the recent Cyclone Amphan. Cruelly, the same schools were
also severely damaged by Hurricane Bulbul previously. It is remarkable that
despite all these impediments and obstacles, the rural schools of Shyamnagar
performed better than all other schools in the Board and the nation, at large,
and many urban schools, in particular.
Following its mission of helping
the poorest in Bangladesh get quality education, the policy and practice of VAB
has been to select disadvantaged schools and underprivileged students in rural
Bangladesh. VAB feels that its programs have been effective in these schools in
imparting quality education and in helping these students get an opportunity
for a better life.
Deepest Condolences On The
Death of Prof. Dr. Jamilur Reza Chowdhury

VAB lost its most caring and
committed leader, Professor Dr. Jamilur Reza Chowdhury, fondly known to us as
JRC, on 28 April, 2020 (Inna lillahiwainnailaihirajeun). Since 2010, JRC
was the Chairman of VAB’s Advisory Board, the highest body giving leadership,
guidance and direction to our Organization.
Prof. Dr. Jamilur Reza Chowdhury was
a national icon. His contribution to the country, particularly in the fields of
engineering, science, technology, education, research, infrastructure building
and economic development, are unparalleled. The nation will remain indebted to
him forever.
He was a Professorat the Bangladesh
University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Vice Chancellor of Brac
University, and for the last few years of his life, Vice Chancellor of Asia
Pacific University. At a critical period in the history of Bangladesh, in 1996,
he was an Advisor to the Caretaker Government. He chaired a number of
Committees at the national level, led several NGOs as head of their topmost
bodies, and provided leadership to numerous public and private institutions.
JRC received a number of national and
international awards. In 2017, the Government of Bangladesh conferred the
EkusheyPadak to him for his contribution in science and technology. In 2018,
the Government honored him by appointing him a National Professor.
While leading VAB, JRC made an
indelible mark by steering our Organization in our work for quality education
for the most underprivileged in rural Bangladesh. VAB was inspired to take
innovative measures and novel programs with the aim of achieving quality
education in an effective, affordable and replicable manner.When needed, he
went out of his way to promote the cause of VAB supporting needy students and
deserving high schools in rural Bangladesh.
All of us at VAB mourn his loss
deeply, express our condolences to his bereaved family, and pray for magfiratof
his Soul. (Please see an obituary here as our humble way to pay respect
to our beloved JRC.)
VAB Distributes Assistance to Distressed
Families Affected
by the Coronavirus Crisis
VAB is deeply concerned with the miseries and economic
hardships imposed by the coronavirus pandemic on the most disadvantaged
communities and families in Bangladesh. Of particular worry for VAB are the
severely distressed families in the school communities with which VAB works.
As described in the previous post on our Home Page, VAB
initiated an Assistance Effort to help these families with cash sufficient for
15 days’ supply of food and essentials. VAB USA came forward with a modest
contribution to support 1,200 most affected families, 20 families in each of
the communities of 60 schools VAB works with.Taka 1,800,000 was remitted to VAB
Bangladesh for the purpose.
Distribution of cash assistance in the hands of the heads
of distressed families has started. As of now, 300 families in 15 school
communities in Shyamnagar upazila and 100 families in 5 school communities in
Keshabpur upazila have been provided with cash assistance. Overcoming severe
restrictions of lockdown in most areas of the country, distribution was
possible with assistance received by the courtesy of a sister NGO, Bangladesh
Women’s Health Coalition (BWHC) and through selfless services of VAB Bangladesh
and its staff and their remarkable mobilization of support from local persons
and institutions. A detailed Report, in Bangla, can be
found here on the distribution of assistance in
Shyamnagar , and here on the distribution in
Keshabpur.
VAB will complete the distribution of cash assistance to
the 800 families in the remaining 40 VAB school communities as soon as
practicable. The progress in distribution will be posted in the website.
VAB’s
Assistance to Families in Utter Distress During Coronavirus Crisis
Parents
of many students of the 60 disadvantaged rural schools with which VAB works are
day laborers or daily wage-earners. The lockdown on account of coronavirus is
depriving them of their livelihood. VAB, in a very modest way, is making an
effort to provide assistance to these families in utter distress.
VAB
has identified 20 most needy families in each of the areas where its schools
are. These are near-destitute families of students. There are also teachers who
are not paid from a government salary scheme (MPO), and are dependent on
private tuition.
VAB plans to offer cash
assistance of Tk. 1,500 per family. The amount is sufficient for food expenses for two
weeks. Thanks to the profound generosity of the Chairman of VAB’s Board of Directors, Mr. Syed
Zaki Hossain, who is providing the fund for all
1,200 families, VAB Bangladesh is now in a position to implement its assistance
effort, and has madethe necessary preparations.
At
this time, VAB workers are self-quarantined in their homes. Their activities
outside, including dealings with banks, are extremely limited. However, plans
have been made to transfer funds from the VAB Bangladesh Office in Dhaka to
local banks. Agents of local banks have agreed to reach the target families
directly and expeditiously. In many cases, funds will be transferred to the
accounts of the Headmasters who are most reliable and accountable. The
Headmasters then, with the help of school teachers, will distribute cash in the
hands of the recipients.With some external help, we have been able to send out
fund for 400 families in Shyamnagar in SatkhiraSatkhira and Keshabpur in
Jashore, the families would be receiving them in the next
few days. Full implementation has to wait for lockdown to be lifted in Dhaka.
VAB
will review its next course of action as the situation changes. Meanwhileany concerned and
interested person can donate to VAB specifically to assist families in utter distress in these
trying times. In the USA, please write
a check to VAB, and send it to VAB, P.O. Box
234, Irvington, NY 10533. In Bangladesh, contribution can be deposited in VAB’s
Bank Account No. 148.120.5550 in Dutch-Bangla Bank Limited, Adabor, Dhaka. One
can also donatevia Paypal through VAB’s website: www.vabonline.org (“the “Donate Online” button is in the upper right hand corner of the
Home Page).
VAB sincerely
hopes its help may provide some redress. Most of
all, our thoughts and prayers are for the well-being of the growing number of
needy and distressed families. Let us all pray that we all come out safe
from this crisis.
Rural Students Awarded Government
Assistance for Sports Training:
Appeal
for Helping Them Enroll in Training Academy
A daughter of day-laborer parents,a son of a
caretaker in people’s home, a grandson of a van driver, and a son of a
fisherman and a day-laborer – these four high-schoolers from remote corners of
the country have been selected for enrollment in the Bangladesh National Sports
Academy (Bangladesh KreeraShikkhaPratishthan –BKSP). Bangladesh Government will
pay all of their expenses - for education and training, board and lodging,
clothing, etc. But they each have to pay an initial fee of Tk. 17,090 for
admission into the Academy. All four youngsters are from rural schools VAB
works with, and have been trained in soccer through the Student Clubs organized
and mentored by VAB. VAB is now appealing to all for helping these students
with the admission fee. Any amount paid by check or via Paypal will help
(please click on the “Donate” button above).
All four students are from ShyamnagarUpazila of
Satkhira District. Their coach, Akhtar Hossain, was impressed with their soccer
talents when they played in their schools as members of their VAB Student
Clubs. All of them come from very low-income families, and none of the
familieshave the means to incur any costs beyond bare subsistence. Msmt. RafezaKhatun,
a student of Ramzannagar Union TofazzalVidyapeeth in Harinagari village is the
youngest of four sisters. The two day-laborer parents can barely meet the expenses
for subsistence of a large family. A student of ZobedaShohrab Model Secondary
School of Majat village, Md. Hridoy Hossain lives with his van driver
grandfather, because his mother had toreturn to her parental home. Krishna Kumar
Mondol, the son of a fisherman father and a day-laborer mother, is a student of
Kathalbaria A G Secondary School of Nakipur village. Md. Ariful Islam is a
student of Shaokatnagar Secondary School in Shaokatnagar. His father maintains
his family by caretaking in other people’s homes.
BKSP is the only Sports Training Institution in the
Country. Its graduates are leading players in every sport, and form a large
contingent in each National Team. VAB is proud that members of its Student
Clubs in underprivileged rural schools got the opportunity to receive training
in BKSP.
It’s a life changing opportunity for these young
boys and girls. If you wish to be a part of it, kindly donate. Visit website: www.vavonline.org.
Should you wish to donate in Bangladesh, kindly use
the following information.
A/C Name : VAB TRUST
A/C No. : 0430310020599
Mutual Trust Bank Ltd, Mohammadpur
Branch, Dhaka.
You may deposit on line or by check. You may send your check
to VAB office at the following address:
Volunteers Association for Bangladesh
House 806 (fifth Floor), Road 3, BaitulAman Housing Society,
Adabor Dhaka.
VAB school in the 2nd position in debate competition
among 80 schools in Keshabpur Upazila
SatbariaGirls’ High School secured the 2nd
position among 80 schools in a debate competition at Keshabpur Upazila, Jashore.
Dipryia Kor Shetu, a 9th grader became the `best speaker’ in the
Upazila. Dipriya and the team coach Mr. Khorshed Alam, Senior Teacher, Satbaria
Girls’ High School said over telephone: "The win has been possible because
of the Debate Club program of VAB. We are grateful to VAB.” The Debate Club
program of VAB is a part of its Student Club program, which is designed to
strengthen critical thinking, problem solving and teamwork among students, in
addition to improving learning.
It may be mentioned that there are over one hundred
schools and madrasahs in the 12 unions of the Upazila. VAB works only in four
unions. And all four of them secured the top position in their respective Unions.
The first position holders from the unions competed in two rounds to be ranked
in the Upazila, based on points secured. Satbaria High School came out second.
The debate competition was organized by the Bangladesh
Anti-Corruption Commission in order to increase awareness against corruption.
VAB’s English Conversation Program between Rural and Urban Students:
Student
Volunteers of University of Asia Pacific Awarded Certificate
VAB has
successfully completed a program of conversation between university
students and students of rural High Schools in
Bangladesh. Twelve volunteers from University of Asia Pacific completed 240
minutes of conversation spread over ten weeks.
The Department of English headed
by Professor Arjumand Ara arranged for a
Certificate Award Event at the Conference Room of the Department on January 20,
2020. Professor Jamilur Reza Choudhury, National Professor and Vice Chancellor
of the University distributed the certificate among the student volunteers. A
number of students, Jannat, Alice, Anika, Raisa, Tania and Mehnaz, spoke of
their experience; they expressed delight to have been a part of the program and expressed the view that the program was
also instructional for them as well, in addition to being of benefit to the
High School students.
The event was attended by Professor Arjumand Ara, Professor Mehnaz Chowdhury, Professor Zakia Ahmed
and many of the teachers of the department. The Vice
Chancellor who is also the Chairman of VAB’s Advisory Board encouraged
the department to continue with the program. The meeting ended with a vote of
thanks by Professor JasimuzZaman, Country Director of VAB.
The English Conversation Program was initiated
by VAB as a part of its English Language Skill Development Drive, in an effort
to remedy the alarming deficiency of rural high school students in English
Speaking and Comprehension. The innovative and affordable program helps rural
students in attaining these skills through telephone conversations with
proficient students of urban universities.
Sweeping Performance of VAB Schools in Sports
VAB schools attained outstanding performance at the
upazila (sub-district) level in the recently held 49th Bangladesh
National School and Madrasa Winter Sports Competition – 2019. The accomplishments
of VAB schools spanned a wide array of diverse sports and athletic events in
Shyamnagar upazila in Satkhira disrict, and in a number of events, they swept
the top positions. READ MORE
Relief Needed for VAB Schools Severely Damaged by Cyclone 'Bulbul'
Most of the people and schools associated
with VAB were safe from Cyclone ‘Bulbul’ which devastated part of the country’s
coastal area in the southwest. However
one school, Kathalbaria A G Secondary School in Shyamnagar of Satkhira
district, was severely affected. The structures which house its classrooms were
terribly damaged
(see picture above). Classes are being held now under the open sky. The relatively new school performs remarkably
in both curricular and co-curricular fields. In the upazila-level competition
held by the Upazila Administration during the post-cyclone period when their
school had to remain closed, its students became Champions in Debating and
Runners-Up in Quiz.
Kathalbaria’s dynamic and fairly young
Headmaster, Mr. Md. Azaharul Islam appealed for relief to the local
Administration and philanthropists everywhere. VAB wholeheartedly supports this appeal,
and requests generous patrons to make contributions for the relief efforts. You
can click on the “Donate” button and make your donation via Paypal. On behalf
of Kathalbaria’s distressed students, we thank you in advance.
VAB receives check from Bangladesh Bank
Mr. Khondkar Morshed Millat, General Manager, Sustainable
Finance Department of Bangladesh Bank handed over a check for 20 lac taka to
Professor Dr. Jasimuz Zaman, Country Director of VAB.
VAB earlier submitted the half yearly report of the
Sustainable Education Program of VAB being financed by Bangladesh Bank. The
work involves a series of programs for strengthening student learning and
competence as well as programs empowering teachers and engaging communities.
The program is being successfully implemented in 25 schools covering clusters
in Nilphamari Sadar (Nilphamari), Muradnagar (Cumilla), Bhangura (Pabna),
Kashabpur (Jashore) and Shyamnagar (Satkhira).
The program had a total allocation of 45 lac taka. The
current disbursement has been made after evaluation of the program and its
expenditures during the first part of the project with 25 lac taka.
VAB’s Annual Board Meeting Takes Landmark Decisions
Volunteers Association for Bangladesh (VAB), an expatriate-led Charity, headquartered in New York promoting quality education for rural students in Bangladesh, held the 21st Annual Meeting of its Board of Directors on November 3, 2019 in Jamaica, NY. VAB, pronounced as “VAAB”, worked over the last 20 years in 150 high schools in 17 districts assisting more than 300,000 high school students. READ MORE
VAB Meets
with Representatives of Synergos

A meeting took place on 17 October, 2019 between
representatives of US-based non-profit Synergos and VAB officials. A brief
presentation on the work of Synergos was followed by presentation on VAB with stimulating
discussion on VAB programs and a productive exchange of ideas. READ MORE
Expatriates
Support VAB in Awarding Scholarships

Recent initiatives of
generosity by a group of Bangladeshi expatriates in Australia are helping VAB
overcome some of its resource limitations and are enabling it to award
scholarships to additional students in rural Bangladesh. Since 2017, this
group, led by Engr. Aminur Rahman and his wife Mrs. Zobeda Rahman, funded the
educational expenses of 35 high school students and 7 college students. READ
MORE …
Khan Academy Teaching Resources for Rural High Schools
Agami Foundation, an International NGO with Head Office in
USA offered three-day training on the use of Khan Academy resources for
teaching Math at Natun Bazar High School, Nilphamari Sadar, Nilphamari on
September 7 – 9. All fifteen Math teachers from fifteen schools of Nilphamari
cluster took part in the training titled: Digital
Skill Development Training.
Agami Foundation adapted Bangladesh curriculum in Khan
Academy model of coverage of Math. The trainers demonstrated the Khan Academy
method of covering different topics of Math. The teachers then conducted the
coverage of the Math topics in a mock class room. The material can be accessed
both on-line and off line. Because of slow and uncertain network at schools,
off line access to Khan Academy program was installed in school computers.
Four trainers, Marjuk, Rashedul, Nurun Nahar and Sadia conducted
the training. Abul Kalam Azad coordinated the program from VAB. The Headmaster
of Natun Bazar High School, Mr. M. Ruhul Amin extended full cooperation to run
the program
The teachers were responsive and promised to test out the
method and provide feedback. Agami Foundation will respond to any difficulties
and needs in successful implementation of the program.
The program was chalked out earlier between Ms. Dilruba
Chowdhury, Director, Agami Foundation and Dr. Jasimuz Zaman, Country Director,
VAB on February 11,2019 at Agami Foundation Office at Kalabagan, Dhanmondi,
Dhaka.
New Window of Opportunity for Rural High Schools