Chevening is looking for individuals who will be future leaders or influencers in their home countries. Explain how you meet this requirement, using clear examples of your own leadership and influencing skills to support your answer.
As a young Bangladeshi Muslim woman, I am constantly motivated to challenge existing stereotypes that limit access to education for women in my region and restrict their roles in society. This has empowered me to take on diverse leadership roles, where I view leadership as a blend of influence, change, inspired action, and a strong vision for the future.
During my involvement with the USAID Obirodh: Road to Tolerance program, I recognized the impact of violent extremism on girls in Bangladesh, which motivated me to advocate for women's rights and education. I focused on promoting women's participation in STEM through the IEEE and its Women in Engineering (WIE) initiative at MIST, aiming to create an inclusive environment for female students and professionals. I organized workshops that featured successful female speakers from various fields to inspire women to pursue careers in STEM that led to a significant increase in female participation in our STEM programs, fostering a supportive community that inspired more women to engage in technology and engineering.
As a member of the organizing and technical committees of two international conference I played a crucial role in curating high-quality technical presentations and workshops, which enriched the content of the conferences and provided valuable insights into current trends and innovations in the field. The conferences served as a platform for networking, where I facilitated connections between students, professionals, and industry leaders, helping participants expand their professional networks and explore career opportunities. Through my involvement, I not only enhanced my project management and teamwork skills but also gained valuable experience in navigating the complexities of organizing large-scale events.
At my current position, I identified the necessity to revise our curriculum to better align with industry trends and emerging technologies, specifically in the area of machine learning. I have incorporated machine learning applications into the curriculum to ensure that students develop the essential skills required for successful careers in this rapidly evolving field. Additionally, I mentor students on their capstone projects, utilizing my foundational knowledge and experience in applying machine learning to healthcare challenges. Although my knowledge in this area is still expanding, I provide guidance that encourages them to explore innovative solutions, thereby fostering their creativity and practical application of skills.
I am grateful to have grown up in a family that values education, which has profoundly shaped my personal and professional journey. Accordingly, my leadership experience has committed me to both promoting the advancement of technology in Bangladesh and supporting Bangladeshi women in STEM. Hence, my most pressing goal is to enhance my qualifications as a young woman working in STEM by pursuing a Master's degree in Machine Learning at a reputable university in the UK. This will deepen my expertise, enabling me to make meaningful contributions to the field through innovative research and impactful projects that align with SDG 3, promoting good health and well-being, and SDG 9, fostering innovation to drive sustainable development and societal progress. I believe that the Chevening scholarship will not only support me in financing this goal but also further develop my leadership skills, positioning me as a self-aware global leader capable of leveraging my abilities to make a positive impact in my community.
As a young Bangladeshi Muslim woman, I am constantly motivated to challenge existing stereotypes that limit access to education for women in my region and restrict their roles in society. This has empowered me to take on diverse leadership roles, where I view leadership as a blend of influence, change, inspired action, and a strong vision for the future.
During my involvement with the USAID Obirodh: Road to Tolerance program, I recognized the impact of violent extremism on girls in Bangladesh, which motivated me to advocate for women's rights and education. I focused on promoting women's participation in STEM through the IEEE and its Women in Engineering (WIE) initiative at MIST, aiming to create an inclusive environment for female students and professionals. I organized workshops that featured successful female speakers from various fields to inspire women to pursue careers in STEM that led to a significant increase in female participation in our STEM programs, fostering a supportive community that inspired more women to engage in technology and engineering.
As a member of the organizing and technical committees of two international conference I played a crucial role in curating high-quality technical presentations and workshops, which enriched the content of the conferences and provided valuable insights into current trends and innovations in the field. The conferences served as a platform for networking, where I facilitated connections between students, professionals, and industry leaders, helping participants expand their professional networks and explore career opportunities. Through my involvement, I not only enhanced my project management and teamwork skills but also gained valuable experience in navigating the complexities of organizing large-scale events.
At my current position, I identified the necessity to revise our curriculum to better align with industry trends and emerging technologies, specifically in the area of machine learning. I have incorporated machine learning applications into the curriculum to ensure that students develop the essential skills required for successful careers in this rapidly evolving field. Additionally, I mentor students on their capstone projects, utilizing my foundational knowledge and experience in applying machine learning to healthcare challenges. Although my knowledge in this area is still expanding, I provide guidance that encourages them to explore innovative solutions, thereby fostering their creativity and practical application of skills.
I am grateful to have grown up in a family that values education, which has profoundly shaped my personal and professional journey. Accordingly, my leadership experience has committed me to both promoting the advancement of technology in Bangladesh and supporting Bangladeshi women in STEM. Hence, my most pressing goal is to enhance my qualifications as a young woman working in STEM by pursuing a Master's degree in Machine Learning at a reputable university in the UK. This will deepen my expertise, enabling me to make meaningful contributions to the field through innovative research and impactful projects that align with SDG 3, promoting good health and well-being, and SDG 9, fostering innovation to drive sustainable development and societal progress. I believe that the Chevening scholarship will not only support me in financing this goal but also further develop my leadership skills, positioning me as a self-aware global leader capable of leveraging my abilities to make a positive impact in my community.
