Akij–Monowara Trust awards scholarships to 150 Dhaka University undergraduates, strengthening access, equity, and academic continuity. Photo : BSS

DHAKA, Jan 22, 2026 (BSS) - With the funding from the Akij-Monowara Trust, scholarships are being awarded for the second time to 150 meritorious and financially involvement students of the first year of undergraduate programmes at the Dhaka University. 

Under the initiative, each student will get a monthly stipend of Taka 5,000 for one year. As part of the programme, a lump sum amount covering three months of scholarship funds was distributed today at a programme at the Nawab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Building auditorium of the university.

Presided over by DU treasurer Prof. Dr. M. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, Vice-Chancellor of the university Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan attended the function as the chief guest. 

Among others, Monowara Begum, Trustee of the Akij–Monowara Trust, Munshi Shams Uddin Ahmed, Acting Registrar of the University of Dhaka and DUCSU Vice President (VP) Sadiq Kayem, attendted the programme as special guests.

In his address, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan stated that a university is a social institution and its foundation is strengthened through close engagement with society. 

Ensuring access to higher education for students from diverse social and professional backgrounds is a fundamental responsibility of the DU, the VC said, adding that in this regard, cooperation from corporate institutions and socially responsible organizations is extremely important.

He noted that the Akij–Monowara Trust scholarship is not limited to financial assistance alone, it is also a recognition of students’ overall achievements and a valuable addition to their future careers. For many students, such incentives play an indispensable role in continuing their education, he added. 

He expressed his gratitude to the Akij Group and the Akij-Monowara Trust for this initiative, describing it as a positive example of university, society and corporate partnership.

In his speech, Treasurer Prof. Dr. M. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said that a large proportion of students at the DU come from marginalized and financially disadvantaged families. Due to limited financial capacity, the university is often unable to ensure adequate financial support, which sometimes results in students dropping out or failing to achieve their desired academic outcomes. In this context, assistance from socially responsible organizations such as the Akij–Monowara Trust is extremely significant, he added. 

He stated that this scholarship is not merely financial aid, it is an effective means of sustaining students’ academic lives. He expressed gratitude to the Akij Group and the Akij–Monowara Trust for the initiative and called for an increase in the number of scholarships in the future.