An A-level student lands a Yale internship

An aspirant young writer and researcher, Md Nazmus Sakib Khan, has recently started working as a Research Intern at Yale University.

As a research intern, Sakib will be monitoring the living conditions inside the Rohingya refugee centres and host communities to identify the emerging needs.

He will also research and document the history of marginalization and persecution experienced by the Rohingya.

Sakib always had the interest to engage in research opportunities and so he had applied for more than 50 research internships across the world since 2018.

"I was assigned to this project. However, I was always interested in research topics that affect Bangladesh directly," Sakib told The Business Standard.

"I believe research works give us the ability to enhance our intellectual curiosity. From research, we can clearly interpret the in-depth aspects of a certain topic, and how such issues affect the world around us."

He regularly checks out the official websites of universities and other organizations including Oxford, Harvard, among others, to find research opportunities and learn more about global competitions and summits.

So far, Sakib has participated in Harvard University's "Empowering Humanity Conference 2020", "World Learning Leaders of Tomorrow Conflict Resolution Program 2019", "Oxford Global Summit for Young Leaders 2020", etc.

Organised by fellows of Oxford University, "Oxford Global Summit for Young Leaders" is one of the prestigious conferences for students under the age of 18.

"Representing Bangladesh at the Oxford summit was a great experience. I'm also one of the Oxford Global scholarship recipients of this conference, which is awarded to the best 20 participants of this summit," informed Sakib.

Currently, Sakib is doing A-Levels from Mastermind School. Since 2017, he has been writing articles in various English Newspapers of Bangladesh and other international publications including the Oxford Political Review (UK) and The New Voice (USA).

His writings include conceptualized columns on economics, finance, international relations and business.

Young Sakib is also working as a Project Associate in an initiative of the World Economic Forum named Shapers and the Solvers".

This initiative is being launched by "Global Shapers Dhaka Hub" of the World Economic Forum. 

In the upcoming months, the initiative aims to launch a webinar series for youngsters, where industry experts and professors from all around the world can discuss issues that shape our world.

Since childhood, Sakib was strongly influenced by his parents. His father is an engineer and his mother is a retired corporate banker.

"I still remember when I was 12, my father told me one day, 'anyone' can get good grades if they study. Can you do something exceptional besides being academically good?" recalled Sakib.

 "I maintained consistent grades in my school, and compatible academic exercises helped me achieve "The Daily Star Award 2019" for my O-Levels results. However, I would say my parents' unparalleled support helped me create a balance between my studies and my extracurricular activities. They have been my biggest inspiration."

"My colleagues, whom I consider mentors, helped me grow a matured understanding of various topics I was working on. Besides, they also mentored me on understanding and meeting the emerging needs in our community."

Sakib is also indebted to his school teachers for their constant support.  He wants to be an economist in the future as he believes that this is one of those subjects where contradicting yourself is seen as a highly desirable attribute.

"I have the vision to use my experience in the field of economics and policymaking to create a long-lasting effect on the economic development of Bangladesh."