SDG - 1
Community Outreach Poverty Alleviation Program at Chandpur District:
Daffodil International University (DIU) has demonstrated a firm commitment to bridging the gap between academic knowledge and real-world impact, making strides in research that drives sustainable community development. This commitment was recently exemplified through an impact evaluation conducted by a team of DIU faculty members and researchers on the Jeebika I & II projects in Chandpur, Bangladesh. The Jeebika projects, - a Livelihoods Enhancement Project, is dedicated to improving the socio-economic stability of vulnerable populations. Through initiatives that empower individuals with financial independence, skill development, and essential resources, the project aims to uplift marginalized communities, helping them build sustainable and resilient livelihoods. DIU’s impact evaluation of the Jeebika project exemplifies the transformative power of grassroots development and community-driven research. Through their assessment, DIU researchers have documented the project’s positive effects on income, health, education, and social cohesion, providing valuable insights into how development initiatives can achieve sustainable, long-lasting impact.
International Day for the Eradication of Poverty:
DIU observed the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, emphasizing a collective mission to eliminate poverty worldwide. The university aligns its educational and outreach programs with this cause, empowering students through comprehensive scholarships and community support initiatives. These efforts contribute to breaking the cycle of poverty and ensuring access to opportunities for all, resonating with the broader global agenda to end poverty in all its dimensions.
Educational Support for Underrepresented Groups:
Demonstrating its commitment to international collaboration, DIU provided full scholarships to 50 female students from Gaza, Palestine. This initiative not only addresses educational inequalities but also empowers women from a conflict-stricken region, ensuring that they have the resources and opportunities needed to break free from the constraints of poverty. This program was publicly endorsed during a visit by H.E. Mr. Yousef S.Y. Ramadan, the Ambassador of Palestine to Bangladesh, highlighting DIU’s role in global poverty alleviation efforts.
Community-Based Research and Outreach:
DIU integrates poverty-related studies into its curriculum, notably through the Department of Real Estate. Students conduct fieldwork in low-income settlements (slums) in Dhaka to study and document housing conditions, access to basic utilities, and socioeconomic factors affecting the residents. The findings from these studies are used to suggest improvements and influence policy discussions around urban poverty and housing. This hands-on research provides data that can be utilized for policymaking at the local and national levels, contributing to efforts to improve living conditions for the urban poor.
Agricultural Assistance for Flood-Affected Communities:
The Department of Agricultural Science at DIU took proactive steps to alleviate rural poverty by distributing rice and vegetable seedlings to farmers affected by floods. This initiative enables farmers to recover their livelihoods by resuming agricultural activities, thus preventing economic collapse and helping entire communities regain financial stability. The project supports SDG 1 (No Poverty) by directly contributing to income restoration in rural areas.
Financial Assistance to Students Facing Hardship:
In collaboration with Prime Islami Life Insurance Limited, DIU provided significant financial aid to students who experienced the loss of a guardian. Each affected student received 3 lakh TK from an insurance plan covering natural death, accidents, and disabilities. This support ensures that students can continue their education without the financial burden that often accompanies such tragedies, reflecting DIU's dedication to reducing poverty-related educational barriers.
Basic Necessities for the Underprivileged:
Under the “Daffodil Prothom Alo Bondhushava” initiative, DIU distributed winter blankets to over 200 underprivileged individuals in Ashulia, Savar. This initiative, aimed at alleviating the hardships of cold weather, is part of DIU’s comprehensive strategy to address immediate poverty-related needs and promote well-being among marginalized groups. Such acts of service align with SDG 1 and SDG 10, emphasizing the university’s commitment to reducing poverty and inequality.