Medhabikash provides scholarships to 400-500 disadvantaged but high-achieving secondary school students in Bangladesh each year to enable them to complete post-secondary education. On average, Medhabikash graduates earn over 3 times more than their parents and 7 times the annual cost of their scholarship. The program transforms lives by empowering talented youth and generating higher incomes, productivity, and social benefits.

1. Medhabikash: Transforming Lives
2
3
1
Their parents and peers toils as
day labors, rickshaw/van pullers, farmers, garment
workers, domestic helps to earn their livelihoods. The
humble income, struggle, sacrifice and profound
love of their parents and guardians pave their way
to secondary education and inspire them to win
high academic achievements. Typically their
parents and peers years of schooling ranges
from 0-8 years. On an average, their parents'
and peers' annual income is BDT
115,500 i.e. $1500 or less.
Whereas Medhabikash graduates’ on an average initial net
annual income is BDT 360,000 ($4675.32) which is 7
times greater than the per student yearly investment i.e.
BDT 53,900 ($700). These graduates’ initial net annual
income is 3 times higher than their parents' and peers’
annual income (BDT 115,500 i.e. $1500 or less) who
earn their livelihood through different manual works.
This leap of wage earning no doubt would yield
better individual and social return.
Every year a large number of invinci-
ble adolescents despite their poverty
and hardship did exemplary results in
Secondary School Certificate (SSC)
exam. Immediately after SSC
results are declared, BRAC
sieves out 400-500 (60%
girls) indomitable souls for
Medhabikash Scholarship
each year through a three
tier rigorous selection
process. With that support
they complete their post
secondary education (HSC
and Undergraduate).

2. Comparison of Year of Schooling and Monthly Income
between Medhabikash graduates and Non-Medhabikash
Youth from same socio-economic background
UN Study confirmed that every 1 year schooling associated with 10% increase in the
wage earnings*
*Source: UNESCO GEM Report P. 7 http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0019/001902/190214e.pdf
Source Sustainable Development of Low Income Countries through Investment in
Tertiary Education: Indicative and Strategic by Asma Banu and Others
Ripple effects of Post Secondary/Tertiary Education
Post Secondary/
Tertiary Education
High Private Rate
of Return(18.2%)*
High Social Rate of
Return(11%)*
Multiple SDGs (SDG 1, SDG 3,
SDG 4, SDG 5, SDG 8)
Higher Middle Income
country
Human capital
High productivity
lower birth rate
Women empowerment
Gender equity
Sensitive and responsi-
ble citizens
Greater family and social
wellbeing
Higher income
Social status
Skills and competencies
Benefits and pensions
Life long Learning
opportunity
Income
Year of Schooling
ThousandsinBDT
0
0 5
8 12
18 18 18 18 16 16
65
40
303030
27
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
9.5
87
3
Am
biya
Fancy
Hanufa
BegumAynalIslam
Sadia
Akter
M
stHasina...
Sam
m
iAkter
Sohorab...*Shadut...**Sajal...
*Shadut: BSc in Engineering(Civil)
**Sajal: BSc in Engineering(EEE)

3. Note to a Potential Donor:
BRAC’s Medhabikash Udyog, is an innovative intervention where talented but disadvantaged
students receive financial support to pay their college or university tuition fees both at home and
abroad.
This scholarship is awarded to high achieving students who score at least 80 per cent in the Sec-
ondary School Certificate (SSC) or Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSC) examination, which is
equivalent to grade point average (GPA) 5 or A+. However, often due to financial constraints many
of them cannot pursue their dream of higher education. For some who do, limited financial ability
hinders their academic performance. Through Medhabikash Udyog BRAC provides financial sup-
port to these underprivileged, but meritorious students. This monthly monetary support covers
admission fees, books and other educational and daily expenses.
Financial commitment from BRAC:
For each student, at the higher secondary level, per student yearly cost for girl is BDT 43,356
($563.06) and for boy is BDT 38,106 ($494.88). The HSC course duration is 2 years.
The scholarship covers:
• A monthly tuition fee: BDT 3,000 for girls and BDT 2,500 boys
• English and computer training: BDT 6,000
• Progress review meeting once a year: BDT 1200
At undergraduate level per student yearly cost for girl is BDT 56,856 ($738.39) and for boy is
BDT 44,856 ($582.55). The scholarship covers:
• A monthly stipend: BDT 4,000 for girls and BDT 3,000 for boys
• Progress review meeting once a year: BDT 2400
For both level scholarship the incurring yearly operation cost is BDT 8256
Since 2005, this scholarship initiative has directly resulted into the continued education of more than
3,500 meritorious students, who otherwise would not have the chance to continue their studies
beyond secondary level.

4. Co-branding opportunity for Platinum partners:
Our Platinum partners will get honorary mentions during any external communications opportunities
related with the initiative. Other co-branding opportunities will include:
• Name partner for 5 year+ commitment to contribute to the project
• Exposure of brand during any event organised by the initiative, ie reunions, training sessions
• Mentions as supporters of this initiative during any media exposé
The programme also consists of specially designed training modules to develop students’ confi-
dence and skills in English and computer literacy. However, we are only able to extend our support
to 400 students each year. With your support, we can expand our capacity and reach thousands
more with immense potential.
You can trust BRAC’s existing infrastructure and robust monitoring and evaluation practices, and we
will ensure that only the truly deserving candidates receive the support.
Together, we can harness a brighter future for Bangladesh.
To contribute, please contact
MedhabikashUdyog
BRAC Education Programme
BRAC Centre (18th floor)
75 Mohakhali, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
email: medhabikash@brac.net
Tel: +88 02 9881265 Ext 3410/3433
Read more about our students’ achievements:
• http://bit.ly/1aUVqwY
• www.brac.net/education/rozina
• www.brac.net/education/zahirul
• medhabikash.brac.net
For more information please visit: education.brac.net/medhabikash
• Support one student from higher secondary to university level by donating: BDT 300,000
• Be a Silver partner of this initiative by donating: BDT 5,000,000
• Be a Gold partner of this initiative by donating: BDT 10,000,000
• Be a Platinum partner of this initiative by donating: BDT 15,000,000 or more