Historic Graduation Marks the Foundation of the University of Arakan

The University of Arakan is proud to share a historic milestone: the first-ever cohort of Rohingya students has officially graduated from the Rohingya Graduation for Hope Institution, an educational initiative that has laid the foundation for the formation of the University of Arakan.

With the strong support and recognition of the Bangladesh authorities and other partners, this achievement marks a significant step forward in empowering Rohingya youth through quality, accredited education.

This is the first group of Rohingya students to graduate in the past eight years of life in refugee camps since 2017, a truly historic achievement that stands as a beacon of hope for future generations.

During the ceremony, one student, Abdur Rahman, shared:

“What a wonderful thing the Rohingya Graduation for Hope Institution has done in the seven years of Rohingya refugee life.”

A particularly moving moment was the speech by M. Arif, a talented, hardworking, and dedicated student. In his address on “Youth Leadership & Testimonies,” he powerfully stated:

“The Rohingya crisis is not a humanitarian crisis; it is a political crisis.”

He called on Rohingya youth to step forward as leaders and to reframe the struggle for their legal, political, and cultural rights.

Khaleda Lobid, Rohingya Graduation for Hope Institution Alumna;

I stand here today filled with gratitude and hope — not just as a graduate, but as the voice of every Rohingya girl who dares to dream. Our education is our power; it is the light that breaks chains of fear and silence. To my community, I say: let our daughters learn, let our sons walk beside us, and let the world hear our call for justice and dignity. Together, we will build a future where no dream is silenced and no generation is lost.”

The graduation ceremony was held on 13 May 2025 in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, with the support of the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC) and the presence of the honorable Mr. Mohammed Mizanur Rahman, Additional Secretary.

Mr Abdu SHUKKUR, lecturer, shared:
“As a lecturer and the one who took the initiative to provide higher education for the first time to one of the world’s most persecuted communities, I felt a deep responsibility to serve the Rohingya youth, who have been deprived of education in the world’s largest refugee camps. After the successful completion of this three-year journey, the students, parents, and wider community inspired us to establish the formal University of Arakan to expand our mission and create greater opportunities for all Arakanese.”

This historic event not only celebrates academic success but also symbolises the birth of the University of Arakan, an institution built on the foundation of hope, resilience, and a commitment to providing high-impact, quality, and accredited education to Rohingya youth and beyond.

The University of Arakan extends its deepest congratulations to all graduates and looks forward to shaping future leaders dedicated to rebuilding and serving the nation.