Pabna, Mar 28 (V7N)– Mohammad Rezwan, the architect behind the groundbreaking Chalanbeel Floating School, has been selected as a 2025 Yale World Fellow, a prestigious leadership fellowship awarded by Yale University in the United States.

"Mohammad Rezwan, the innovative architect of the Chalanbeel Floating School, has been selected as the 2025 “Yale World Fellow.” This leadership fellowship is awarded annually by Yale University in the United States. It is one of the most competitive and prestigious fellowship programs in the world," a press release from Rezwan's organization, Sidhulai Self-Help Organization, confirmed.

Rezwan is among 16 distinguished leaders chosen from over 4,200 global nominations, recognized for their significant contributions to various fields, including governance, climate change, and education.

"This year, 16 distinguished leaders from more than 4,200 nominations from around the world have been selected as 'Yale World Fellows.' They are making significant contributions to governance, climate change, business, media, law, technology, and cultural development. Only 3 of them work in non-profit organizations (NGOs)," the press release stated.

The 2025 fellows include prominent figures such as Swedish green business advocate Mathias Wickstrom, former Georgian parliament vice-speaker Tamar Chugoshvili, and Nigerian musician Bukola Elemide (ASA).

"In addition to Rezwan, the 2025 fellows include Swedish green business advocate Mathias Wickstrom, former Georgian parliament vice-speaker and democracy expert Tamar Chugoshvili, world-renowned Nigerian musician Bukola Elemide (ASA), Egyptian filmmaker Maryam El Marakeshi, and leading Paraguayan judicial figure Vivian Nunez," a Yale University announcement confirmed.

The Yale World Fellows Program, a four-month residential program at Yale's Jackson School of Global Affairs, recognizes Rezwan's innovative approach to addressing climate change and educational access.

"The Yale World Fellows Program is a four-month, full-time residential program run by Yale University's International Leadership Center and housed at the Jackson School of Global Affairs," a Yale program description stated.

Emma Skye, Director of the Yale International Leadership Center, highlighted the global significance of Rezwan's floating school model.

"Emma Skye, Director of the Yale International Leadership Center, said, 'Floating schools are not only the hope of Bangladesh, but now the whole world. Because the sustainable model of floating education invented by Rezwan is playing a significant role in addressing the climate crisis. The initiatives led by him over the past two decades have shown that local innovation in climate adaptation can have an impact not only in one country, but also around the world,'" Skye said.

Rezwan's floating schools, powered by solar energy, provide education in flood-prone regions, and his initiatives have expanded to include libraries, healthcare, and agriculture.

"Architect Rezwan grew up in a remote area of ​​Chalanbil, where schools were closed every year due to floods, people's livelihoods were uncertain, and basic services were disrupted. But he did not see this problem as just a crisis, but instead found a new solution in the midst of it. His organization, Sidhulai Self-Help Organization, implemented the concept of the world's first floating school in 2002. These schools, run on solar-powered boats, ensure children have access to education even in the midst of floods. Not just education, Rezowan's initiative has expanded to include floating libraries, healthcare centers, training centers, playgrounds, and floating agricultural farms," the press release detailed.

His model has been recognized by the Bangladesh government and replicated in eight countries across Asia and Africa.

"The Bangladesh government has included his innovation (floating schools) in the National Adaptation Plan (2023-2050). His innovative model has been successfully replicated in eight countries in Asia and Africa so far," a development report confirmed.

As a Yale World Fellow, Rezwan will lecture, mentor, and participate in global discussions at Yale University during the fall semester.

"As a Global Fellow, Rezwan will lecture and mentor students at Yale University during the fall semester (August-December). He will participate in global discussions on climate change and education development, conduct research, and present Bangladesh's experience on a global stage," a Yale program outline stated.

Rezwan expressed gratitude and emphasized the global potential of his model.

"Mohammad Rezwan said, 'This recognition is for all the struggling people of Bangladesh who have constantly inspired us. It is because of the inspiration we received from them that we have been able to prove that new solutions can come from any corner of the world. Hopefully, this recognition from Yale University will allow the Sidhulai Floating School model of climate adaptation and education development to be expanded more widely on a global scale,'" Rezwan stated.

The Yale World Fellows Program has a history of recognizing future global leaders, including Alexei Navalny and Jake Sullivan.

"The Morris R. Greenberg Global Fellows Program, which began in 2002, is a major initiative of Yale University's International Leadership Center. It is known as a special platform that recognizes influential leaders of the future. Many of the participants in this fellowship have gone on to become important figures in the world. For example, Alexei Navalny, the leader of the Russian anti-corruption movement, Jake Sullivan, former US National Security Advisor, Martin Lustu, former Argentine Minister of Finance and Production, and Katrin Eggenberger, former Foreign Minister of Liechtenstein," a Yale program history confirmed.

Rezwan's work has been recognized by various UN agencies and featured in educational materials worldwide.

"Rezwan's 'floating school' concept has been recognized as an innovation by various United Nations funds and programs (UNICEF, UNEP, and UNDP). In 2019, the British book 'Earth Heroes' recognized him as one of the world's 20 'Earth Heroes'. Rezwan and his floating school are now included in primary and secondary school textbooks in various countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, and Taiwan," a global education report stated.

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