Scholarship Application Letter Occupational Therapist in Bangladesh Dhaka – Free Word Template Download with AI
For Master of Occupational Therapy Program in Bangladesh Dhaka
Date: October 26, 2023
Dr. Ayesha Rahman
Scholarship Committee Chairman
Centre for Rehabilitation and Healthcare Development (CRHD)
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Dear Dr. Rahman,
I am writing to express my profound enthusiasm for the prestigious scholarship opportunity offered by the Centre for Rehabilitation and Healthcare Development (CRHD) to pursue a Master of Occupational Therapy degree in Bangladesh Dhaka. As a dedicated Bangladeshi citizen from Dhaka who has witnessed firsthand the transformative power of occupational therapy in our community, I believe this Scholarship Application Letter represents my most significant step toward becoming an impactful Occupational Therapist serving the underserved populations of Bangladesh.
My journey toward occupational therapy began during my undergraduate studies in Physiotherapy at Dhaka University, where I volunteered at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. While observing patients with stroke and cerebral palsy, I realized that rehabilitation extends far beyond physical exercises—it involves re-engaging individuals with their daily occupations: caring for family, returning to work, or simply participating in community life. This revelation led me to pursue occupational therapy as a profession uniquely positioned to address the complex healthcare challenges we face in Bangladesh Dhaka. Despite having only three certified Occupational Therapists per million citizens (compared to 10+ in developed nations), the demand for our services is rapidly growing due to aging populations, urbanization-related injuries, and increasing awareness of mental health needs.
My academic record reflects my commitment: I graduated with a First-Class Honors in Physiotherapy (CGPA: 3.8/4.0) while leading the "Dhaka Youth for Disability Inclusion" initiative at my university. This project partnered with NGOs to provide free occupational therapy workshops in low-income neighborhoods like Kawran Bazar and Mohammadpur, where I designed adaptive tools from recycled materials to help children with developmental delays participate in school activities. These experiences solidified my conviction that effective Occupational Therapy must be culturally responsive—adapting techniques to Bangladesh's context, such as incorporating family-centered care models and utilizing locally available resources.
During my fieldwork at the Bangladesh Institute of Occupational Therapy (BIOT) in Dhaka, I encountered a 12-year-old girl named Ayesha who had lost her mobility after polio. Traditional physiotherapy alone couldn't restore her ability to attend school or play with friends. Through occupational therapy—using locally sourced clay for therapeutic hand exercises and collaborating with teachers to modify classroom seating—I helped Ayesha regain independence in daily tasks within six months. This success exemplifies why I seek advanced training: Bangladesh Dhaka's healthcare system requires therapists who understand both clinical excellence and community realities, not just standardized Western protocols.
The scholarship would enable me to complete my Master of Occupational Therapy at the University of Dhaka's newly established School of Rehabilitation Sciences—a program uniquely designed for South Asian contexts. Currently, only 5% of occupational therapy students in Bangladesh receive full funding, forcing many to abandon studies or take high-interest loans. As a beneficiary, I would dedicate 70% of my post-graduation career to rural outreach programs funded by CRHD’s community partnerships, targeting the 68% of Dhaka's population living in informal settlements with limited healthcare access. My long-term vision is to establish the first occupational therapy hub at Shishu Hospital in Dhaka, focusing on pediatric rehabilitation—a critical gap since 1 in every 30 Bangladeshi children has a developmental disability.
I understand that effective Occupational Therapist practice in Bangladesh Dhaka must navigate unique challenges: from seasonal flooding disrupting clinic access to cultural perceptions of disability. My proposed research topic for the Master's program—*Culturally Adaptive Occupational Therapy Interventions for Urban Slum Communities in Dhaka*—directly addresses these barriers. I have already secured preliminary agreements with 15 community health workers across Old Dhaka to co-develop this framework, ensuring it reflects local needs rather than importing foreign models.
Financially, my family's modest income as a government schoolteacher (my mother) and small-scale textile business (my father) cannot cover the full tuition of BDT 2.4 million for the Master's program. This scholarship would eliminate this barrier without burdening my family or requiring me to seek overseas education where cultural disconnect might limit my impact. More importantly, it would signal CRHD's commitment to developing local talent—proving that Bangladesh Dhaka can cultivate world-class therapists without relying on foreign aid.
My professional philosophy aligns precisely with CRHD's mission of "Healthcare for All." I have documented how occupational therapy reduces long-term healthcare costs by 40% in similar contexts (based on WHO data), making it a strategic investment for Bangladesh's health budget. For instance, my community project reduced hospital readmissions among participants by 35% through early intervention—demonstrating how Occupational Therapist services prevent more severe complications.
I have attached my academic transcripts, recommendation letters from Dr. Farida Akhtar (Head of BIOT) and Mr. Tareq Rahman (Project Director at BRAC), and a detailed research proposal. I welcome the opportunity to discuss how my background in community-driven healthcare, combined with CRHD's scholarship support, can directly advance occupational therapy services across Bangladesh Dhaka.
As someone who has seen children return to classrooms and elders regain dignity through meaningful occupations, I know this field doesn't just heal bodies—it rebuilds lives. I am ready to dedicate my career to ensuring every person in Bangladesh Dhaka has access to the transformative care that occupational therapy provides. Thank you for considering this Scholarship Application Letter—I eagerly await the possibility of contributing to your mission as a future Occupational Therapist.
With deepest respect and gratitude,
Zahidur Rahman
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Email: [email protected] | Phone: +88017XXXXXXXX
Enclosures:
- Academic Transcripts (Undergraduate & Diploma)
- Recommendation Letters (2)
- Research Proposal: "Culturally Adaptive OT for Urban Dhaka Slums"
- Community Partnership Agreements
This document is exclusively for Scholarship Application Letter purposes and intended for CRHD's Occupational Therapy Scholarship Committee
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