AUW Indigenous Peoples' Center

🌿✨ Proud moment for AUW Indigenous Peoples’ Center!

Three AUW alumnae —including our IPC Coordinator —collaborated with UNESCO to support the Marma youth researchers in the Youth As Researchers (YAR) initiative. Their paper sheds light on Surviving Climate Catastrophe: Ancient Tactics Of Surviving Crisis And Current Adaptation Challenges

📄 Read the full Paper: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000397933

We are pleased to share the PDF version of the Conference Handbook 2026 on Indigenous Knowledge.

Download and explore the full publication here:

Conference Handbook 2026.pdf

On 3 April, during Boisabi Fest at AUW, a meaningful panel discussion was held on the theme "Reclaims Space : Indigenous Voices and Visibility in Bangladesh."

The discussion featured panelists - Rani Yan Yan, Sunetra Talukdar, Malaching Marma and Paddmini Chakma who shared thoughtful insights on Indigenous identity, representation and lived experiences.

AUW Indigenous Peoples’ Center Hosts Landmark Indigenous Knowledge Conference in Khagrachari Hill District

On April 10, 2026, the AUW Indigenous Peoples' Center (IPC) convened a historic conference at the Cultural Institute of Minority Ethnic Groups in Khagrachari, Bangladesh.

Govt Officials, traditional leaders, researchers, academics and artists gathered for a full day of presentations, performances, and debate around one urgent question: ‘How do we preserve our knowledge and what remains?’

The day opened with a traditional Krawoi Mro musical performance. Speakers included Professor Sangita Rayamajhi, Mong Circle representative Rani Ukhengching Marma (Co-Director, AUW IPC), Priyatar Chakma (UNDP), Deputy Commissioner of Khagrachari Md. Anwar Sadat.

Sessions covered:
🎭 Culture, Art & Literature – including Fourth Cinema, Preservation of Marma language among the diaspora, Tripura Community’s Garia Dance and KER festival, Magar Folk Dances of Nepal, Jhum cultivation, and the first-ever study on indigenous transgender/gender-diverse individuals in the CHT

👩 Women, Health & Environment – climate stress, water access, and indigenous women as environmental stewards

🌿 Environmental themes – multilingual education, eco-friendly lifestyles, and living heritage
Presenters came from Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and northeast India.

Day 2 (April 11): Field trip to Community Forest (Village Common Forest/ Mouza Bon) for palm plantation session (Green Bangle Project) including local tree species + Alutila Tourist Cave Park.

🎯Khagrachari Deputy Commissioner Md. Anwar Sadat attended the event as the chief guest. In his speech, Deputy Commissioner Md. Anwar Sadat said, "Knowledge, lifestyle, and culture of Indigenous communities are an integral part of our national heritage. The preservation, research, and inclusion of this knowledge in academic discourse is now a demand of the time. Such conferences will further strengthen and accelerate this initiative."

🎯UNDP District Programme Implementation Analyst
PriyatarChakma also briefly spoke, saying,
"Indigenous knowledge systems are our strength for
survival. Only by integrating this knowledge into
research and education systems can it become more
enriched for future generations."

🎯Professor Sangita Rayamajhi, Director of the Indigenous Peoples Center (IPC) of the Asian University for Women, said, "For a long time, Indigenous knowledge systems have been neglected. We want this knowledge to be given due recognition and included in curricula and research so that future generations can become aware of their roots and identity."

🎯 The message from Rani Ukhengching Marma IPC co-director, Mong Circle: "Many traditions are fading with time. The younger generation must learn them, and all stakeholders must act urgently.

Media Coverage on the Conference: Indigenous Knowledge, in Khagrachari

AUW hosts indigenous knowledge conference in Khagrachari Conference in Khagrachari highlights urgent need to preserve indigenous languages, culture and traditional knowledge

Join our Admission Information Session in Khagrachari and find out how you can start your journey at Asian University for Women (AUW). Learn about the admission process, scholarships, programs, and what student life is really like at AUW.

✨ Ask your questions. Explore your options. Take the first step.

📅 10th April
🕖 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
📍 Cultural Institute, Khagrachari Sadar

Prof Sangita Rayamajhi Director of IPC, Bangladesh with Mr. Resham Gurung, Vice Chairperson and Gyanendra PunMagar Member Secretary of National Foundation for Development of Indigenous Nationalities, Kathmandu Nepal, together with Prof. Krishna Hachhethu.

🍍🌱 Discovering Indigenous Farming Techniques at AUW

Students visited the pineapple plantation site at AUW’s main campus and gained valuable insights into how pineapples grow, along with the traditional indigenous techniques used in cultivation. This experience was a wonderful opportunity to connect with sustainable practices and appreciate the wisdom of indigenous knowledge. 🌍💚

📢 Call for Abstracts – Culture, Literature & Visual Arts, Women, Health and Environment Conference in Khagrachari 🌿📖🎨👩‍⚕️
The Indigenous Peoples Center at the Asian University for Women (AUW) is proud to announce its inaugural two-day conference in Khagrachari, focusing on the themes of Culture, Literature & Visual Arts; Women; Health; and Environment.
This flagship event will bring together AUW students and faculty, local colleges, indigenous community members, health professionals, and environmental advocates to celebrate heritage, promote well-being, and encourage sustainability.
✨ We invite you to submit your abstract under one of the following themes:
Culture, Literature & Visual Arts
Women, Health and Environment
📄 Abstract Guidelines:
Length: 250–300 words
Submission via Google Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/12DvwaBjyS70QATnXus-NVA1kyk-DGn8e-bckAZUhUEg/edit
No Registration Fee
🗓️ Deadline for Submission: March 20th, 2026
Join us in building bridges between academia and indigenous communities while contributing to meaningful dialogue and action.
খাগড়াছড়িতে সংস্কৃতি, সাহিত্য ও দৃশ্য শিল্প, নারী, স্বাস্থ্য ও পরিবেশ সম্মেলন - সারাংশের আহ্বান 🌿📖🎨👩‍⚕️
এশিয়ান ইউনিভার্সিটি ফর উইমেন (AUW) এর আদিবাসী জনগোষ্ঠী কেন্দ্র খাগড়াছড়িতে তাদের উদ্বোধনী দুই দিনের সম্মেলন ঘোষণা করতে পেরে গর্বিত, যা সংস্কৃতি, সাহিত্য ও দৃশ্য শিল্প; নারী; স্বাস্থ্য; এবং পরিবেশ - এই বিষয়গুলির উপর আলোকপাত করবে।

এই প্রধান অনুষ্ঠানটি ঐতিহ্য উদযাপন, কল্যাণ প্রচার এবং টেকসইতাকে উৎসাহিত করার জন্য AUW এর শিক্ষার্থী এবং অনুষদ, স্থানীয় কলেজ, আদিবাসী সম্প্রদায়ের সদস্য, স্বাস্থ্য পেশাদার এবং পরিবেশবাদীদের একত্রিত করবে।

✨ আমরা আপনাকে নিম্নলিখিত যেকোনো একটি বিষয়ের অধীনে আপনার সারাংশ জমা দেওয়ার জন্য আমন্ত্রণ জানাচ্ছি:
সংস্কৃতি, সাহিত্য ও দৃশ্য শিল্প
নারী, স্বাস্থ্য ও পরিবেশ
📄 সারাংশ নির্দেশিকা:

শব্দসীমা: ২৫০-৩০০ শব্দ
গুগল ফর্মের মাধ্যমে জমা দিন: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/12DvwaBjyS70QATnXus-NVA1kyk-DGn8e-bckAZUhUEg/edit
কোনও নিবন্ধন ফি নেই
🗓️ জমা দেওয়ার শেষ তারিখ: ২০শে মার্চ, ২০২৬
অর্থপূর্ণ সংলাপ এবং কর্মে অবদান রাখার সময় শিক্ষাবিদ এবং আদিবাসী সম্প্রদায়ের মধ্যে সেতু নির্মাণে আমাদের সাথে যোগ দিন।