Viqarunnisa Alumni Australia hosts grand reunion in Sydney

Viqarunnisa Alumni Australia (VAAUS) successfully hosted the VAAUS Grand Reunion 2025, presented by AIS Marine Investments, on 9 November 2025 at Lantana Venues, Sydney.

The gala event brought together approximately 1,100 guests, including nearly 400 former Viqarunnisa students from across Australia and Bangladesh.

The reunion marked the official launch of 'Change the Story', a community initiative promoting respect, equality, and safer futures for women. The evening featured a silent art auction showcasing works by eminent Bangladeshi visual artist Professor Rokeya Sultana, recipient of the Ekushey Padak 2025.

Tri Vo, MP for Cabramatta, attended the event on behalf of Chris Minns, Premier of New South Wales (NSW), adding special significance to the occasion. The evening also included a live performance by Bangladeshi singers Pritom Hasan and Protic Hasan, alongside cultural presentations by VAAUS members.

'For eight years, VAAUS has supported communities across Australia, and tonight they are raising funds to protect women and children — an incredibly important cause. I encourage everyone to give generously and enjoy this wonderful evening,' said Chris Minns, Premier of NSW, in his message.

The 'Change the Story' campaign seeks to end domestic and gender-based violence by fostering empathy, dialogue, and community engagement. Funds raised will support ALO Enlightened Women (Canberra) and Cultural Diversity Network Inc. (Sydney), organisations working to empower women from diverse and migrant backgrounds.

VAAUS also launched a nationwide mentoring programme for new Viqarunnisa graduates and announced that it had already raised $20,000 for its 2026 initiatives to strengthen community inclusion.

'This initiative reflects our shared purpose — to turn compassion into action,' said Dr Suranjana Jennifer Rahman, President of VAAUS. 'Our vision is to create a future where every woman feels supported, every voice is heard, and every act of kindness becomes a step towards lasting change.'

Since its inception, VAAUS has grown from a small alumni network into a registered charitable organisation under the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) with Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status. Over the past seven years, it has donated more than $42,000 to community partners across six Australian states, supporting disaster relief, children's health, and women's wellbeing.

AIS Marine Investments acted as the Title Sponsor of the Grand Reunion 2025. The company, with investments spanning government, infrastructure, offshore, and development sectors, reaffirmed its commitment to supporting initiatives that foster community growth and inclusion.

Through its efforts, VAAUS continues to demonstrate that true education extends beyond the classroom — through service, sisterhood, and a commitment to positive change.