Tongsoi Khumi, who hails from remote Mongyo Para under Rowangchhari upazila of Bandarban, became the first female student from the Khumi community to enroll in a public university.

Our Bandarban correspondent reported that he has been admitted to the anthropology department of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology in Sylhet for the academic session 2023-24.

Tongsoi’s father, who served as the principal of a government primary school in the Taracha union under the upazila, was also the first government employee from the community. He passed away in 2014.

Tongsoi is the third among four siblings. Both of his older brothers are state university students. One of them is pursuing a master’s degree in graphic design at Dhaka University and the other is a third-year honors student of the Institute of Education and Research, University of Rajshahi.

His younger sister is a student at a school in Dhaka.

Tongsoi’s older brother, Suitong Khumi, said all four siblings grew up with a desire to contribute to the progress of their society.

“However, we believed that in order to make an impact, it is necessary to first be talented and talented individuals. This motivation led us to focus on our education with the aim of enrolling and studying at a public university,” he said.

He also said that after their father’s death, their mother became their only source of income by weaving the traditional clothes of the community.

Suitong also said that he works part-time in graphic design and contributes to supporting his younger siblings’ education.

Siong Khumi, chairman of the Khumi Social Council, said that there are many Khumi female students studying in private universities, and Tongsoi is the first female student from the community to enroll in a public university.

He said that since most Khumi people live in remote areas facing various socio-economic challenges and barriers, it is not easy for them, especially girls, to access higher education.

Siong added that Tongsoi’s success will have a positive impact on other students in the community.

The Khumis are one of the smallest and most vulnerable communities in the Chattogram Hill Tracts region.

According to the 2022 government census, the population of the community is only 3,994, mostly residing in the remote mountainous areas of Ruma, Rowangchhari and Thanchi upazilas of Bandarban.

Lelung Santham Khumi, the first student from the community to earn master’s and master’s degrees, said Khumi people have a long history, living in the hills since the British colonial period and surviving through jhum cultivation in deep forests. and hills.