Higher education no longer just a dream for RMG workers

After passing HSC examination in 2006, Firoza Khatun wanted to receive higher education at a university, but she could not afford it. She thought her dreams were shattered, as she had to start working in a readymade garment factory to support her family.

But Firoza’s story did not end there, as she got to apply for a full scholarship at Asian University for Women in Chattogram.

“When an official from human resource department of my factory informed me that AUW offers RMG workers an opportunity to apply for admission with full scholarship, my happiness knew no bound,” she told The Daily Star.

“Some of my colleagues and I sat for admission test in 2016 and finally I was selected from my factory, Youngone Group in Chattogram Export Processing Zone,” said Firoza, who hails from Chapainawabganj.

Firoza is getting an Honour’s degree in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics at AUW.

Like Firoza, a number of RMG workers are now continuing their higher education in AUW with full scholarship.

The stories of Marufa Khatun and Popi Rani Roy mirror Firoza’s. Marufa was working as an operator at a Mohammadi Group factory in Gazipur when she got the opportunity to enrol at AUW in 2018.

“My education was stopped after HSC in 2016 when my father died and I got married,” said Marufa from Gaibandha. “I had to start working to support my family.”

“I never imagined that I would get to study at an international-standard university,” she said.

Popi Rani Roy, from Panchagarh, was a worker at Giant Group in Gazipur before she got admission to AUW in 2018.

“I couldn’t continue studying after my HSC exam in 2017, as my father had fallen ill. So I joined the RMG industry,” she said, adding, “I feel lucky to have a chance at quality education now.”

AUW had a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with 14 RMG factories under which the factory authorities pay the basic salary of the selected workers for five years so that their families do not face hardship.

Founded in the port city in 2008, AUW initiated the programme in 2016, said Rehana Khan, director of admissions, adding, “Mohammadi Group was the first one to sign an MoU.”

“We started with 11 students from the RMG industry in 2016 and now we have 60 students from 14 companies,” she said, adding, “The students who came from RMG sector are more confident as they study in a multicultural environment here.”

Contacted, Rubana Huq, managing director of Mohammadi Group, said she joined the initiative as she felt that women who worked in her factory have a right to fulfil their dream of higher education.

“If I can cherish my dream to earn a doctorate degree, why should my workers be deprived of higher education?” she said, adding, “So I decided to get on board with this initiative.”

“Now many other factories have come forward,” said Rubana, also president of Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), adding, “The first batch of RMG workers will graduate next year.”

Kamal Ahmad, founder of AUW, said, “We believe talents are hidden everywhere, including the RMG sector,” adding, “This is a glaring example of how businesses can contribute to the society, as many of them have signed agreements with us.”

The admission tests take place on Fridays, he said. A total of 4,000 women have taken the admission test since 2016, among whom 60 have been selected so far.