ARS-Bangladesh is committed to improving access to education for underprivileged students across Bangladesh. With a strong focus on socio-economic responsibility, the Access to Education Program provides scholarships and financial support to students from low-income families, ensuring that financial barriers do not hinder their educational aspirations. In the 2023-2024 fiscal year alone, ARS-Bangladesh provided support to 220 students, helping them continue their studies and work toward a brighter future.
The program is organized into different schemes, each tailored to meet the specific needs of various student groups. The “Odomyo Swopnojatra” initiative supports 15 students with monthly stipends ranging from Taka 1000 to Taka 3000, totaling up to Taka 50,000 to cover admission fees, books, and other educational expenses. This targeted support ensures that students have the resources needed to focus on their studies without financial strain.
Another key initiative under the program is the ARS-Bangladesh Higher Education Scholarship, benefiting eight students pursuing higher education. With a total allocation of Taka 204,000, this scholarship covers monthly stipends that help with tuition, books, and other necessities, enabling students to advance their academic careers and break the cycle of poverty.
In addition to supporting underprivileged students, ARS-Bangladesh also provides scholarships for the children of its employees, helping 210 children with a total of Taka 618,282 for admission fees, books, and other educational costs. This reflects the organization’s dedication to fostering educational growth within its own community as well.
Through these initiatives, ARS-Bangladesh’s Access to Education Program is creating meaningful change by empowering students and their families, contributing to a more educated and capable society for future generations.
ARS-Bangladesh Biogas Program: A Sustainable Energy Solution for Rural Communities
The ARS-Bangladesh Biogas Program, supported by the World Bank Group and the Ministry of Finance, has made impressive strides in advancing renewable energy in Bangladesh from 2014 to 2022. This project has focused on installing biogas plants across Jashore, Jhenaidah, and Chuadanga, directly benefiting 137 rural households.
Biogas, a mixture of gases created through the anaerobic breakdown of organic materials, has multiple applications. From cooking and electricity generation to being an organic fertilizer, biogas is a cost-effective, eco-friendly energy solution. ARS-Bangladesh’s initiative has focused on reducing rural households’ dependence on conventional fuels, thus lowering greenhouse gas emissions and conserving the environment.
One of the key advantages of biogas is its impact on reducing workloads—especially for women—who traditionally gather and manage fuel. By installing biogas plants, ARS-Bangladesh has contributed to more efficient energy use, improved household health and sanitation, and enhanced agricultural productivity through biogas slurry as a fertilizer. This initiative has also generated local employment opportunities in plant construction and maintenance, benefiting both communities and the environment.
Among the project’s achievements, workshops to promote biogas technology and training for farmers on slurry use have been instrumental. These efforts have equipped rural families with sustainable energy knowledge, enabling them to take a proactive role in conserving traditional fuel sources and protecting the environment.
The ARS-Bangladesh Biogas Program, funded with a grant of 2,829,500 BDT, serves as a model for sustainable energy projects, demonstrating the significant impact of biogas technology in empowering communities and promoting environmental sustainability in rural Bangladesh.