- Architect Mohammed Rezwan named a 2025 Yale World Fellow.
- His floating schools help students in flood-prone areas of Bangladesh.
- The model includes mobile libraries, health clinics, and training centers.
- It’s part of Bangladesh’s National Adaptation Plan (2023–2050).
- The concept is now used in eight countries worldwide.
Architect and social innovator Mohammed Rezwan has been selected as a 2025 Yale World Fellow, joining a prestigious cohort of 16 global leaders chosen from over 4,200 nominations.
Yale University announced the selection in a recent press release, recognizing Rezwan for his pioneering work in climate-resilient education. The fellowship honors global changemakers working to solve the world’s most urgent challenges.
Turning Floods Into Opportunity
Rezwan grew up in Chalan Beel, a remote wetland region in Bangladesh. There, yearly floods often forced schools to close and cut off essential services for communities. But instead of seeing floods as setbacks, he saw them as a challenge to be solved creatively.
In 2002, Rezwan founded Shidhulai Swanirvar Sangstha, a nonprofit that launched the world’s first solar-powered floating school. His goal was simple — make sure children could continue learning, rain or shine.
Rezwan’s model didn’t stop at education. Over time, it grew into a comprehensive floating support system. The boats now serve as mobile libraries, health clinics, adult education centers, training facilities, and even floating farms.
Thousands of families benefit from these boat-based services, which operate year-round — especially during monsoons when roads disappear under water.
From Bangladesh to the World
Rezwan’s floating school idea has changed lives in Bangladesh. It spread to eight countries across Asia and Africa, helping many communities adapt to rising water levels.
In 2023, the Bangladeshi government recognized the model’s success. They included it in the National Adaptation Plan (2023–2050), a long-term strategy to fight climate change.
His work has gained attention from global organizations. His inspiring story now appears in textbooks in the US, UK, Japan, and Taiwan.
Global Praise from Yale and Beyond
Emma Sky, Director of the Yale International Leadership Center, praised Rezwan’s contributions. She stated, “Rezwan’s work is not just for Bangladesh. In fact, his model shows how local innovation can help communities everywhere adapt to the climate crisis.”
Yale’s World Fellows Program highlights emerging leaders from various fields, including politics, technology, human rights, and education. This year’s cohort, for example, features professionals from countries like Pakistan, Turkey, Nigeria, and many others.
In response to the honor, Rezwan humbly said, “This recognition is for all the resilient people of Bangladesh who inspire us every day. Their courage, after all, shows the world that powerful solutions can come from anywhere.”
Recognized as an ‘Earth Hero’
Rezwan’s work has gained attention from both the United Nations and environmental groups. In 2019, a British magazine even named him one of the world’s 20 ‘Earth Heroes.’
His efforts stand as a strong example of community-driven climate adaptation. They’re simple, smart, and scalable, proving how much change can happen when people unite for a cause.
Mohammed Rezwan’s story truly highlights how grassroots innovation can drive real impact. Through floating schools, he’s shown that even during a crisis, education and opportunity can rise with the water.
As the world faces rising seas and climate disruptions, Rezwan’s model brings hope. It teaches us the importance of resilient, inclusive design in shaping the future of our planet.