Once disheartened after failing to secure admission to a public university, Rakibul Islam Bhuiyan thought his dreams had come to a halt. But what once seemed like failure soon became the turning point of his journey. With renewed determination, he enrolled in the Department of Law at BRAC University, setting out on a new path—one that would eventually take him to the global stage.
Rakibul had one clear goal: to earn a place at one of the world’s top 10 universities. The road, however, was far from easy. After countless applications, rejections, and sleepless nights spent perfecting his Statement of Purpose (SOP), he kept moving forward with relentless effort and faith. His hard work finally paid off—he earned admission to one of the world’s most prestigious institutions, the University of Oxford.
What makes his story even more remarkable is that Rakibul has become the first Bangladeshi ever to receive the Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarship and Leadership Programme (WHD Scholarship) for the Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL) program at Oxford. This scholarship is not just a recognition of academic excellence, but also of leadership, social responsibility, and humanitarian values.
Rakibul shared that many talented Bangladeshi students dream of studying abroad but are often held back by a lack of confidence and proper guidance. Instead of waiting for external help, he became his own mentor—gathering information through YouTube, LinkedIn, and university websites to prepare himself independently.
Now at Oxford, Rakibul engages in academic discussions with students from all over the world. Through seminars and conversations, he continues to explore not just law, but also the deeper meaning of justice, humanity, and leadership. “True education,” he says, “is fulfilled only when it brings positive change to society.”
Speaking about his vision for the future, Rakibul shared,
“I dream of a Bangladesh where justice is not delayed for years. I want to see a system where people receive fair and timely justice—that’s my ultimate goal.”
His inspiring journey proves that failure is never the end—it can be the first step toward a new beginning.
Source: BRAC University Official Website
