IUB celebrates 10 years of saima hall for underprivileged women
Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) has celebrated the 10th anniversary of Saima Hall, its fully funded residential facility for underprivileged female students from remote regions.
Among private universities, Saima Hall remains the first hostel providing free accommodation, meals and full scholarships exclusively for disadvantaged women.
A special programme was held on Saturday (29 November) at IUB's Bashundhara campus to mark the milestone. Current residents of Saima Hall, enrolled across various departments, performed music and dance at the event.
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Saima Hall began operations in 2015 with eight students, occupying the top five floors of a nine-storey building owned by the family of A Matin Chowdhury, a member of IUB's Board of Trustees. The building is located in J Block, Baridhara. The number of resident students has since grown to 50.
The hall is funded by the Shaheed Khalek and Major Salek Bir Uttam Trust, established by the family of A Matin Chowdhury. Trustee Salma Karim oversees operations, supported by a committee of IUB officials.
Speakers at the anniversary event included Trustee A Matin Chowdhury; Trustee Salma Karim; Board of Trustees Chairman Didar A Husain; Trustees Towhid Samad, Wazed Ali Khan Panni and Rashed Chowdhury; Vice-Chancellor Prof M Tamim; and Pro-Vice-Chancellor Prof Daniel W Lund. Trustees Mohammad Tanvir Madar and Dr Husne Ara Ali were also present.
It was shared at the event that Saima Hall students receive 100% scholarships to study at IUB. Their accommodation, meals and furniture are funded by the Trust, while IUB covers all utility and maintenance expenses, including electricity, water, gas, internet and upkeep.
Over the past decade, nearly 70 women have completed their degrees at IUB while residing at Saima Hall. All come from disadvantaged families in remote and marginalised regions. Many alumni are now employed in banking, IT and other sectors at home and abroad, while others have gone on to pursue higher studies in countries such as the United States, Canada, Italy, Germany, Japan and Malaysia.
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