A growing movement of student-led social action at BRAC University is set to reach communities across Bangladesh and beyond, with 156 students selected for the 2026 Millennium Fellowship to develop projects addressing some of society’s most pressing challenges, a press release said.

For a fifth year, BRAC University students will take part in the semester-long global leadership programme, working on initiatives linked to education, climate action, health, gender equality, innovation, poverty reduction and other Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Run by United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) and the Millennium Campus Network (MCN), the Millennium Fellowship supports undergraduate students in translating ideas into time-bound community initiatives designed to create measurable social impact.

For BRAC University, the fellowship reflects a broader commitment to connecting education with service, leadership and responsibility towards society.

The 2026 fellows will work on projects contributing to areas including SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, SDG 13: Climate Action, SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.

Their work comes as BRAC University marks its 25th anniversary, reinforcing a founding belief that education should not end in the classroom but should enable students to engage with real challenges facing communities.

Congratulating the fellows, BRAC University Vice-Chancellor Professor Syed Ferhat Anwar said, “At BRAC University, we believe education is most meaningful when it empowers young people to make a difference in the lives of others.”

“Seeing our students recognized for their commitment to social impact is deeply inspiring. Their projects reflect not only creativity and leadership, but also empathy, ethical responsibility and a desire to address challenges facing communities today,” he said.

“These are the qualities that will help shape a better future for Bangladesh and beyond,” he added.

The scale of BRAC University’s participation has also grown significantly over the years. The university’s first cohort comprised 14 fellows in 2021, followed by 22 in 2022, 26 in 2024 and 50 in 2025. This year, 156 students have been selected — BRAC University’s largest cohort to date and the highest number from any participating university worldwide.

The growth reflects increasing interest among BRAC University students in using their academic knowledge, creativity and leadership to create change beyond campus.

BRAC University Registrar Dr David Dowland, also co-chair of the Civic Learning Council of the MCN, said, “The Millennium Fellowship helps students connect what they learn with the needs of their communities.”

“The fellowship is an opportunity for service, reflecting our students’ commitment to civic engagement and creating positive change beyond the classroom,” he said.

Globally, more than 76,000 young leaders from over 6,000 campuses across more than 170 countries applied to join the Class of 2026. Around 330 campuses were selected to host more than 5,500 Millennium Fellows.

The Class of 2026 was launched through a Global Town Hall on 20 August 2026, connecting fellows from around the world.

Over the coming months, BRAC University’s fellows will turn their ideas into action — working with communities, building partnerships and demonstrating how young people can use education not simply to prepare for their own futures, but to help shape a more equitable and sustainable one.