Office for Advancing Learning
About Us
The Office for Advancing Learning provides opportunities for advance learning through its Summer School programs and GRE Test Prep services. The Summer School involves external outreach to the student communities that are not yet a part of the AUW family. The Summer School programs are meant for high school and university girls from all regions of Bangladesh. The GRE Test Prep services are internal outreach to AUW’s students. It prepares AUW’s undergraduate students for higher education in the top universities of the world.
Purpose
The aim of the Office for Advancing Learning is two-fold. First, the Office seeks to promote the pursuit of higher education in STEM, humanities, and journalism among women in Bangladesh. The Summer School programs introduce students to college-level classes and build the skills necessary for success in higher education. The curriculum employs participatory approaches to learning that are student-centred and practice-based. The programs conclude with a session on academic and career paths in the field. The programs also serve to pique interest in disciplines that are uncommon but important to national development.
Second, the Office encourages the University’s students to aspire for masters and doctoral programs in the best universities of the world. The Office advances the aspirations of our students through the GRE Test Prep services.
Programs
Summer School
About Summer School
The Summer School was launched with a pilot program in math and science. In 2020, the summer school expanded to include programs in computer coding and humanities but the programs were canceled due to COVID-19. The Summer School returns in 2022, and will include Journalism, Math & Science, Computer Coding, and Humanities programs. The Chevron Corporation powers the Computer Coding program as well as the Math & Science program. The Journalism program is supported by The Asia Foundation and the Humanities program is supported by the Asian University for Women Support Foundation. The Summer School includes four and eight-week camps from June 26th 2022 to August 18th at the AUW campus in Chittagong. Eligible applicants for the Journalism program include undergraduate students with an interest in journalism and the media. All high school girls in Bangladesh are eligible for the Computer Coding, Humanities, and Math & Science programs. These three Summer School programs begin on July 17th and conclude on August 11th. The application deadline is June 30th. Students from National Curriculum schools will be offered full scholarship to attend the Summer School. The programs draw on international and local instructors to facilitate instruction on campus.
The daily Summer School schedule includes four classes every day from 9am to 4:30 pm with a lunch break and two coffee breaks. The morning session includes two 90 minute classes and the afternoon session will similarly include two 90 minute classes. Students also have the opportunity to balance academic learning with extracurricular learning every day. This year, workshops to enhance English-speaking skills will be organized if requested after 4:30 pm.
Math & Science Program
This program engages students in the theory and practice of math and the sciences. For 2022, the courses offered include Statistics, Physics, Public Health, and Design Thinking. The Lead Instructors are Ms. Zahra Kanji and Mr. Joshua Talbot from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Thirty students from grades 10 – 12 will be admitted to the program. Course instruction will involve theory, lab practice, and field work. The Lead Instructor for each course will be assisted by a Teaching Assistant and a Bangla-English translator in class.
Computer Coding Program
This program engages students in the learning and practice of Computer Coding. For 2022, the course will focus on Python. Students will also learn the basics of data science, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. The Lead Instructor is Mr. Cole Baker from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He will be assisted by AUW’s computer science faculty. Thirty students from grades 10 – 12 will be admitted to the program. Course instruction will involve theory during the morning sessions as well as lab practice during the afternoon sessions. The Lead Instructor for each course will be assisted by a Teaching Assistant and a Bangla-English translator in class.
Humanities Program
This program engages students in the learning and practice of different disciplines in the humanities. For 2022, students will engage in anthropology, conflict management, ethnomethodology, and a theatre workshop. The Lead Instructors are Mr. Harun Rashid from Kent State University and Mr. Daniel Smith from New York University. Thirty students from grades 10 – 12 will be admitted to the program. Course instruction will involve theory, practice labs, field work and a theatre performance. The Lead Instructor for each course will be assisted by a Teaching Assistant and a Bangla-English translator in class.
Journalism Program
The Journalism program sponsored by the Asia Foundation is designed for university students with an interest in journalism. The duration of the Journalism program is June 26th to August 18th. This program introduces students to the field of journalism and mass communications. The program consists of five main segments: fundamentals of journalism and the media, video journalism, constructive journalism, investigative journalism, and the newsroom school. The Journalism program concludes with sessions on minimizing bias, women in media, press freedom, and media ethics. The instructors include Emmy award winner Professor Craig Duff from Northwestern University and leading Bangladeshi journalists from BBC Media Action, DW Akademie, Dhaka Tribune, and The Daily Star.
Cost
The Computer Coding, Humanities, and the Math & Science programs are being offered with full scholarships to the students of schools following English medium and Bangla medium of the National Curriculum. For students following all other curriculums, the program is priced at Tk. 50,000 for students staying on campus and Tk. 35,000 for students staying off campus. The price includes expenses instruction, accommodation, meals, daily transport to campus, and field work.
Scholarships
Full and partial scholarships are available for meritorious students from schools following an international curriculum who demonstrate financial need.
Summer School Application
Students can apply for the Summer School programs through the application portal or by emailing the application form. Students accepted to the programs will receive an offer of admission letter via email or post with payment information. Students can sign back into the application portal to access the University’s bank details and upload the voucher received after payment. The deadline for paying fees is June 30th 2022.
- Application Portal Math & Science, Humanities, and Computer Coding summerschool.auwerp.org
- Application Form Math & Science, Humanities, and Computer Coding
- Application Form Journalism
Student Life
Student Life
The Summer School classes begin at 9am every day. Students engage in four 90-minute learning sessions until 4:30pm with two coffee breaks and a lunch break. The post-lunch time involve lab work and lectures until 4:30pm and extracurricular learning from 4:30pm until 6pm. These activities may involve workshops in spoken English, sports, art, and field trips.
Staff
Staff
Director, Office for Advancing Learning
Faculty, Master of Arts in Education Program
Dr. Mary Vayaliparampil
Program Officer, Office for Advanced Learning
Monica Chowdhury
Trainee, Office for Advanced Learning
Zahida Akter
Volunteer
Shoshana Williams
Contact Information
Phone Number: +8801926673013, +8801973401229
Landline: +880312854980 Ext.164
Email: summerschool@auw.edu.bd