AR Tahseen Jahan faced widespread boycotts and assaults for her political affiliations at Dhaka University. But in a story of resilience now capturing national attention, she has been admitted to Harvard University.
A top student from the Department of Development Studies, Tahseen was targeted by fellow students for her involvement with the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), the student wing of the Awami League.
Her story has been met with praise from political and academic circles in Bangladesh, with many viewing her success as a symbol of determination in the face of adversity. For her supporters, Tahseenโs admission into Harvard is not only a personal victory but also a message that educational excellence can transcend political divides.
Despite completing her final examinations, she was subjected to coordinated intimidation efforts that prevented her from attending her thesis defense and viva voce in person.
Faced with threats of physical assault and public harassment on campus by the interim government supporters, her situation became emblematic of the broader tensions gripping Bangladeshโs academic institutions during the political upheavals of 2024.
University officials, recognising the severity of the situation, intervened to allow Tahseen to complete her academic requirements online, an arrangement rarely offered. Against this backdrop, she graduated at the top of her class with a near-perfect GPA, achieving first place in every semester and maintaining a 3.95 out of 4.00 average, including four semesters with a perfect score.
Tahseen’s academic and research achievements are substantial: she has published over 30 policy-oriented research papers, contributed a chapter to a Springer publication, presented at international conferences, and co-founded a start-up while accumulating two years of professional experience.
This month, she begins a new chapter, joining the Master in Public Policy (MPP) programme at Harvard Universityโs Kennedy School.
Tahseen has also received offers from other leading institutions, including the University of California, Berkeley; Columbia University; the University of Southern California (USC); and the University of British Columbia (UBC), all accompanied by substantial merit-based scholarships and fellowships.
Her time at Harvard will include opportunities for cross-registration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Harvard Business School (HBS), and Harvard Law School (HLS), reflecting the interdisciplinary strength of her academic foundation.
Reflecting on her journey, Tasheen said: โFrom the back benches of Viqarunnisa Noon School to the front rows of Dhaka University, and now to the global stage at Harvard. The path has not been easy, but perseverance has made it possible.โ
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