English language for Bangladeshi nurses

The Bangladesh Health Project initially focused on developing the nursing college at IUBAT – the International University of Business, Agriculture and Technology, an English-medium university in Dhaka. Due to a lack of local faculty, international volunteers taught the BSN students; many brought donated textbooks because there were few nursing texts in Bangla let alone English. For the nursing students, the huge effort to master a foreign language was rewarded with access to vast resources for life-long professional development. Many hospitals and other employers also relied on English because of their international staff.

Recently IUBAT grad Mohammed Ali joined Oxford University for post-graduate studies. He writes, “I learned that my new classmates from non-English speaking countries had to achieve high scores on the IELTS exam to get into Oxford. However, I have been exempted from the English language test following assessment of my skills. I am truly grateful to the visiting teachers from Canada, the USA, UK, and Australia who provided me with an excellent foundation in the English language.”

Engaging students in research

BHP Director John Richards is in Dhaka during June and July, meeting with IUBAT College of Nursing faculty and students and visiting Oasis for Posterity projects. IUBAT Prof. Hasnat Alamgir sent this photo from his Research Methods course for third-year nursing students. To graduate from the BSN program, the students complete a major research project and thesis, sometimes conducting dozens of interviews on topics such as ante-natal care or infection control in hospitals. On this occasion, John shared his own research projects, suggested a dozen potential public health topics and, as he says, “Tried to motivate them to conduct good research.” Humour is a pretty good motivator!

OIST enrols first vocational students

OFP head, Rabiul Islam, reports that the Oasis Institute for Science and Technology has now enrolled its first two “batches” of students to the diploma programs in Computer Technology and Civil Engineering (photo). Tuition fees are modest, about $35 CAD per month. Four of the thirty-two students have tuition waivers, including two Bluebell graduates. OFP has hired qualified faculty with a very modest budget topped up by contributions from BHP. Over time we are hoping that OIST tuition will cover all operating costs. In the meantime, we welcome your contributions, We spend 100% of all donations that we receive on projects in Bangladesh, using BHP director donations for our minimal administration costs.