US envoy to Bangladesh Earl Miller calls for recognising power of the youth

US Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl R Miller has asked for recognising the power of the youth in solving problems and shape the future as Bangladesh aspires to become one of the leading economies of the world.

"As Bangladesh approaches the 50th anniversary of its independence, there's no better time to recognise the power of young minds – like yours – to solve problems and shape the future of our increasingly interconnected world," he said.

Ambassador Miller was addressing a virtual graduation ceremony of 40 new graduates of the "English Access Microscholarship Program," a US State Department-funded program, today.

He praised the 40 young women and men for their hard work in completing the course during the pandemic and encouraged them to continue their studies to prepare for the future, said a US Embassy statement.

The English Access Microscholarship Program is a two-year interactive program that builds a foundation of English language, American culture, and leadership skills for 13-20-year-olds from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

It helps them become more competitive for higher education and employment opportunities.

Currently 132 students are enrolled in Access programs in Dhaka, Rajshahi, Sylhet, and Chattogram. Two hundred additional students will start the program in 2021.

Since the program began in 2004, more than 1,200 Bangladeshi students have successfully completed it.

The graduating cohort of 40 Bangladeshi youths is the first group of Access students in South Asia to attend Access classes online – transitioning from in-person to online learning following the Covid-19 outbreak last year.

The group is also the Embassy's first ever cohort of Access students from Dhaka-area vocational schools.

The statement said the Access program is one of US Embassy Dhaka's many initiatives to strengthen and expand people-to-people ties and educational linkages between the United States and Bangladesh, enhance the quality of education locally, and empower Bangladeshi youth through innovative learning opportunities.

Global Educators Initiative for Sustainable Transformation (GEIST) International Foundation, a Bangladesh-based non-profit, partnered with the US Embassy to deliver this Access program.