Rosaleena

An assistant engineer with Bangladesh's Power Development Board in Dhaka, Rosaleena is one of 101 female engineers who participated in the recent WePOWER SAR100 training program, delivered by the Bangkok-based Asian Institute of Technology (AIT). Over 8-months in 2023-2024, female engineers just like Rosaleena from across Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka came together to participate in a series of online modules and research projects, collaborating on some of the South Asian region's most pressing energy issues.

The course and its final capstone week were made possible through the AU $32 million South Asia Regional Infrastructure Connectivity (SARIC) Program, which is funded by the Australian Government and implemented by Palladium alongside the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation.

For Rosaleena, the experience was life changing.

"My experience participating in the SAR100 course was invigorating and life changing. At the beginning I felt challenged by the course outline and lessons, but from the very first module the coordinators and lecturers provided a conducive learning environment. I work at a power management company [in Bangladesh], and I can use the lessons from the modules at my company, and when I'm a policy maker.” She smiles at this, and adds, "if I can make it as a policy maker - that's my dream!”

Rosaleena particularly enjoyed the SAR100 modules where she learnt more about energy trading and the power market – approaches that don't exist (yet) back home in Bangladesh.

Through her capstone group research project, "Smart Grid Monitoring Technologies and their Applications in South Asian Countries”, she was also able to explore regional challenges, opportunities and solutions.

"A key highlight was leading my capstone project group, which tested my confidence and skills. Working in groups with members from other countries gave me a lot of confidence.”

Aside from the obvious academic and sector learnings, Rosaleena credits SAR100 for challenging her to grow and step outside her comfort zone – for the better.

"I was group captain in the capstone project, and presented our presentation in the final ceremony. This was the first time I'd done something like that, on a platform as big as SAR-100. I will cherish that moment for the rest of my life. I was so moved by how my group members motivated me, and helped me. I feel this confidence will help me professionally and academically.”

Rosaleena is dreaming big, but she admits she didn't always feel this confident.

"When I was young, I was in a bad place in my life with my education and health. I never thought that my journey would end up here.”

With the benefit of hindsight, she reflects on how far she's come.

"Honestly, I thought I wouldn't be able to do the SAR100 course! It was a lot of pressure, but now I'm standing here at the end of the capstone week. I used to be terrified of talking to new people, and now through this program I have had the chance to talk to so many new faces across borders, which has changed my perspective and understanding.”

"I almost gave up, but if you try, then you can do it. Everything can be done if your follow your dreams.”