Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) has marked the 10th anniversary of Saima Hall, a residential facility established a decade ago to provide free accommodation, meals, and quality higher education to underprivileged female students from remote regions of the country. Among private universities in Bangladesh, Saima Hall remains the first residential hostel offering such fully funded support exclusively for disadvantaged female students.

A special event was held on November 29 to celebrate the milestone. Students currently residing at Saima Hall – enrolled across various departments at IUB – performed at the celebration.

Saima Hall began its journey in 2015 with eight students, occupying the top five floors of a building owned by the family of A Matin Chowdhury, Member of the IUB Board of Trustees. Over the past 10 years, the number of residential students has increased to 50.

The hall is funded by the Shaheed Khalek and Major Salek Bir Uttam Trust, established by the family of A Matin Chowdhury. IUB Trustee Salma Karim oversees all hall operations, supported by a committee comprising IUB officials working under her guidance.

Speakers at the anniversary event included Trustee A Matin Chowdhury, Trustee Salma Karim, Chairman of the Board of Trustees Didar A Husain, Trustee Towhid Samad, Trustee Wazed Ali Khan Panni, Trustee Rashed Chowdhury, Vice-Chancellor Prof. M Tamim, and Pro Vice-Chancellor Prof. Daniel W Lund. Trustee Mohammad Tanvir Madar and Trustee Dr Husne Ara Ali were also present.

Over the past decade, nearly 70 female students have completed their education at IUB while residing in Saima Hall. All of them come from disadvantaged families in remote and economically marginalised regions of Bangladesh. Many alumni are now employed at leading institutions in the banking, information technology, and other sectors, both in Bangladesh and abroad. Several have also pursued higher studies in countries including the United States, Canada, Italy, Germany, Japan, and Malaysia.