Staff Correspondent
Dhaka, Jan 8, 2026: The Sharifa-Tofiz Foundation, a nonprofit organization established in 2024, has emerged as a dedicated force for social change in rural Bangladesh by expanding access to education, empowering women, and supporting under-resourced families.
Recently, the chief patrons of the foundation travelled from the United States to Bangladesh to strengthen and oversee charitable activities in remote areas of Shailkupa upazila in Jhenaidah district.
During their visit, the patrons visited two primary schools where they distributed scholarships among top-performing students from classes one to five. Alongside scholarships, essential educational materials were also handed out to support the children’s learning needs.
A festive atmosphere prevailed on the school premises as Upazila Primary Education Officer Bishwajit Saha and Upazila Assistant Primary Education Officer Mazedur Rahman, guardians, headmasters from neighbouring institutions, and local social dignitaries gathered to take part in the programme, lending it added significance and warmth.
Reflecting its commitment to gender equality and social inclusion, the foundation’s patrons also distributed financial assistance among vulnerable women in the upazila, aiming to help integrate them into the social and economic mainstream.
Rooted in community-centered and sustainable initiatives, the foundation operates on a simple but powerful belief: opportunity should never be determined by where a person is born.
Named in honour of Sharifa and Tofiz—whose lives embodied generosity, wisdom, and a deep respect for education—the foundation carries forward their legacy by addressing long-standing inequalities in rural communities.
Across these communities, many talented students struggle to remain in school, women face persistent barriers to financial independence, and families often lack access to basic resources. Through targeted support, mentorship, and skill-building, the foundation seeks to bridge these gaps and unlock human potential.
Education remains at the heart of the foundation’s work. Its Scholarship for Academic Excellence programme recognises high-achieving students from low-income rural backgrounds, providing tuition assistance, educational materials, and mentorship.
These scholarships are awarded through community gatherings that foster connection, encouragement, and shared purpose, reinforcing the value of education within families and villages.
Alongside education, the foundation is steadily expanding its focus on women’s empowerment. In many rural areas, women remain underrepresented in the workforce and underserved in social and economic opportunities.
The foundation is preparing initiatives that include vocational training, educational workshops, and micro-level financial support to help women build independent and sustainable livelihoods. New programmes in women’s empowerment and family support are set to be launched soon.
“Family and community support form the third pillar of the foundation’s mission. From providing school supplies to offering emergency assistance, the organization stands beside families facing financial hardship.
Over the long term, it aims to develop programmes that promote sustainable livelihoods, public health awareness, and localized community infrastructure, ensuring resilience beyond short-term aid,” the foundation said while outlining its objectives.
The foundation is led by a diverse and committed leadership team. President and Co-Founder Dr. Mizan Rahman, an engineering leader in the medtech industry and a former faculty member of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), brings decades of research and leadership experience.
Now based in California, Dr. Rahman co-founded the organization to honour his parents’ legacy by creating meaningful opportunities for underserved communities in Bangladesh.
Secretary and Co-Founder Mounia Rahman, a Cognitive Science student at Occidental College, contributes a youth-driven perspective, focusing on initiatives that inspire students—particularly young girls growing up in rural areas.
Executive Director Dr. Salim Kaiser, who also serves as Director of the Lab and Student Research Innovation Center at the International University of Business Agriculture and Technology (IUBAT), provides strategic and academic leadership, drawing on his extensive background in engineering education and applied research.
The foundation also benefits from the guidance of its Chief Patron and Advisor, Dr. Sharmin Jahan, a California-based physician specialising in child neuropsychiatry, whose expertise strengthens programmes related to education, mental health, and women’s advancement.
The Sharifa-Tofiz Foundation acknowledges that its impact would not be possible without strong local partnerships.
Teachers and volunteers from Bashantapur Primary School, Khulna Bazar Primary School, and surrounding villages play a crucial role by guiding students, organising scholarship ceremonies, and supporting workshops and family assistance activities.
Their local leadership, generosity, and dedication ensure that support reaches the families and children who need it most, reinforcing the foundation’s commitment to lasting, community-driven change in rural Bangladesh.
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