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By Md Aynal Haque

RAJSHAHI, Aug 23, 2026 (BSS) - A new horizon of higher education on the international stage is opening up for the students of Rajshahi University (RU).

This year, 10 students and former students from various departments of the university have received the prestigious MEXT Scholarship from the Government of Japan for higher education in Japan.

Some of them are going for PhD, some for Masters, and others are joining direct doctoral programs.

Among them is Mithun Kumar, a student of the 2010-11 academic sessions of the Department of Information and Communication Engineering of Rajshahi University. He is going to Japan for a PhD program with the MEXT Scholarship.

Akif Mahdi of the same department, from the 2014-15 sessions, has also got the opportunity for higher education in Japan. He has been admitted to the doctoral program at Yamagata University.

Tamanna Akter from the Department of Mathematics, 2018-19 session has got the opportunity to do a PhD under the MEXT Scholarship.

Iffat Farhana from the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, 2013-14 sessions, is also going to Japan for a PhD program as a MEXT scholar.

Sohel Rana from the Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences of Rajshahi University has also received the MEXT Scholarship. He will also pursue higher education in a PhD program in Japan.

Similarly, Md. Saydur Rahman Akash from the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 2017-18 session, has got the opportunity to do a PhD with the MEXT Scholarship.

The achievement of Samiul Basir from the Department of Information and Communication Engineering, 2019-20 session, is also noteworthy. He is going to Japan to study in a Master's program with the MEXT Scholarship.

And Abdullah Al Siyam, a former student of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering of Rajshahi University, is currently an Assistant Professor and Chairman of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at Netrokona University.

Siyam, who completed his BSc and MSc from Rajshahi University, is also going to Japan for a PhD program with the MEXT Scholarship.

Siddiqur Rahman from the Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, 2017-18 session, has also got the opportunity to do a PhD in Japan as an MEXT scholar this year.

On the other hand, Md. Mahadi Hasan from the Department of Pharmacy has also got the same opportunity. He is also going to Japan for a PhD program with the MEXT Scholarship.

The achievement of these 10 individuals from different departments of the same university is not just a story of personal success; it also presents a larger picture of the advancement of Rajshahi University students in international higher education.

RU Vice-Chancellor (VC) Prof Faridul Islam said students from diverse fields such as engineering, computer science, mathematics, biology, animal sciences, pharmacy and biotechnology have got the opportunity for higher education in Japan this time.

Especially by achieving a competitive government scholarship like the MEXT Scholarship, they have proven their academic capability and preparation for higher education at the international level. Their journey is also an inspiration for the current students of Rajshahi University.

Starting their journey from a public university of the country, these 10 young men and women are now stepping into universities and research laboratories in Japan.

Ahead of them is a new chapter - to create new possibilities for the country as well as for themselves through higher education, research and skill development.

VC Prof Faridul Islam also said a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and a Student Exchange Agreement have already been signed between the Faculty of Engineering of RU and the Faculty of Engineering of Yamagata University, Japan.

Under the signed MoU and agreement, there will be opportunities for the exchange of 5 students each year between the two universities, exchange of teachers and researchers, joint research and publications, exchange of academic information, and implementation of joint education and research-based initiatives.

Through the student exchange agreement, participating students will get the opportunity to study at Yamagata University for one semester to one academic year, and a tuition fee waiver will be applicable at the host university.