IUB celebrates 10 years of Saima Hall

Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) has marked the 10th anniversary of Saima Hall, a residential facility created to support underprivileged female students from remote regions.

The hall provides free accommodation, meals, and access to higher education. It is the first fully funded residential facility of its kind among private universities in Bangladesh.

The celebration took place on November 29, 2025, at the university's Bashundhara campus. Current residents of Saima Hall, who study in different departments at IUB, performed music and dance at the event.

Saima Hall opened in 2015 with eight students. It occupies the top five floors of a nine-storey building in J Block, Baridhara, Dhaka. The building belongs to the family of A Matin Chowdhury, a Member of the IUB Board of Trustees. The number of residents has since increased to 50.

The Shaheed Khalek and Major Salek Bir Uttam Trust funds the hall. The Trust was established by the family of A Matin Chowdhury. Trustee Salma Karim oversees all hall operations. She is supported by a committee of IUB officials.

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.

Speakers said Saima Hall students study at IUB with a full scholarship. The Trust covers accommodation, meals, and furniture. IUB bears all utility and maintenance costs, including electricity, water, gas, internet, and building upkeep.

Nearly 70 female students have completed their education at IUB while living at Saima Hall over the past decade. They come from disadvantaged families in remote and economically marginalised areas of Bangladesh. Many graduates now work in banking, information technology, and other sectors in Bangladesh and abroad. Others have pursued higher studies in countries such as the United States, Canada, Italy, Germany, Japan, and Malaysia.