Entrepreneurial Abrar’s flightpath to aerospace engineering

The International Baccalaureate (IB), a global leader in international education, cultivates curiosity and empowers students to take charge of their learning. Through its focus on interdisciplinary connections, inquiry, and reflection, the IB enables learners to discover passions that shape their futures.

At International School Dhaka (ISD), we have witnessed this transformation firsthand—where young minds are encouraged to explore, question, and innovate. One such journey belongs to Abrar Chowdhury, whose fascination with aerospace engineering, coupled with an extraordinary entrepreneurial spirit, has recently earned him a place at the University of Manchester, a prestigious member of the UK's Russell Group of leading universities.

Abrar's interest in aerospace began at the tender age of six when he stumbled upon an encyclopaedia page illustrating four types of jet engines. That spark grew over the years and was truly ignited during an ISD science fair in Grade 10, where he designed his first drone. This pivotal experience—combined with classroom exposure and extracurricular challenges—solidified his ambition to pursue aerospace engineering.

The IB Diploma Programme (DP) further honed his academic and personal readiness. Subjects like Physics and Mathematics provided a strong foundation for university-level studies. Yet, the IB's strength lies beyond the academic—it nurtures the whole individual. Through core elements such as CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) and the Extended Essay (EE), Abrar developed essential skills in research, time management, and social engagement. CAS inspired him to engage in community-oriented activities, while his EE cultivated the discipline and independence required for scholarly inquiry. Even Visual Arts contributed unexpectedly, sharpening his design-thinking abilities—critical for an aspiring aerospace engineer.

The IB's collaborative, globally minded environment also played a crucial role. A memorable roundtable discussion in his humanities class on socio-economic issues expanded his critical thinking and taught him the value of diverse perspectives. His involvement in Service Saturdays, a student-led initiative at ISD supporting underprivileged children, deepened his commitment to social change. These experiences now align with his vision of fostering aerospace opportunities and skilled employment in Bangladesh.

In 2021, at just 14 years of age, Abrar launched a tech start-up, which went on to achieve a USD 3 million turnover. The company initially focused on supplying refurbished laptops during the pandemic to improve digital access for students. Today, Abrar is transitioning the venture into a fintech enterprise operating between Bangladesh and Singapore. Balancing entrepreneurship with academics has been no small task, but strategic time management and strong mentorship have guided his path.

When applying to university, it was a 2014 research paper by Professor Constantinos Soutis FREng on advanced aluminium alloys that drew him to the University of Manchester. That work, encountered during his early reading, fuelled his interest in aircraft design and materials science—areas he is eager to explore in depth.

Looking ahead, Abrar aspires to pursue a DPhil at the University of Oxford, with a long-term goal of returning to Bangladesh. His dream? To establish the country's first aerospace research and production ecosystem. He envisions developing both manned and unmanned aircraft for disaster relief, fostering international collaboration, and creating an environment where Bangladesh's brightest engineers choose to stay and contribute.

"Success means leveraging my passion for engineering and entrepreneurial drive to create a tangible and positive impact, particularly in my home country, Bangladesh," Abrar shared. "I want to transform Bangladesh's technological landscape."

Abrar's journey reflects the power of an education that nurtures visionaries and changemakers. The IB curriculum equips students not only for university, but for life—for leadership, innovation, and purpose. Stories like Abrar's are milestones, not only for individual learners but for learning communities committed to discovering and nurturing human potential.