Photo: Courtesy
Bangladesh's 'Flag Girl' Priota Iftekhar, who won Miss Culture Worldwide, has completed her Honors-Masters from Australia's renowned University of Technology Sydney (UTS). She studied for a Master of Strategic Communication (Extension). It is designed for those who want to advance their career in communication. This program delved into the intricacies of advanced public communication practices, equipping her with the tools to excel in research, evaluation, and ethical data analysis within the ever-evolving digital landscape.
Wolverine star of X-Men film series Hugh Jackman is an UTS Alumni of Bachelor of Arts (Communication). He studied at UTS in 1991. Australian cricketer Pat Cummins is also a UTS Alumni of Bachelor of Business graduate.
On June 14th, 2024, at 2 pm Sydney time, the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) hosted its Farewell Ceremony, a momentous occasion for graduating students like Priota. Stepping into the grand surrounds of the Great Hall, a wave of emotions washes over her. This ceremony marks the culmination of an incredible journey, not just of academic pursuit, but of personal growth and a deep connection to her heritage.
Priota Iftekhar said, "I did my Masters for the second time. I started my Masters in Strategic Communication in August 2022 after receiving the Post Graduate Academic Excellence International Scholarship. In this case, the UTS authority has fully funded. I am the first in the family to have obtained a foreign post-graduate degree from a foreign educational institution."
Priota's family lives in Australia. Studying at UTS enabled her to come to Australia and be close to family. In her words, "Both my parents graduated from Dhaka University's Faculty of Social Science. But they missed the convocation. So whenever my mother saw a picture of a graduate, she would wonder if she could see me wearing a convocation gown."
Priota's mother could not see her daughter's achievement during her lifetime. Both her parents are deceased. She chose a very special outfit for UTS convocation from the plan to carry their memories. She said, "I wear a saree my father gifted my mother in 2005 will adorn me with its vibrant tapestry of black, white, green and red. These colors, while reminiscent of struggle and sacrifice, are also the colors of Bangladesh and Palestine, nations with a rich history of fighting for their identities. In the global movement for peace and against genocide, I see a powerful synergy with the message woven into this garment. This saree becomes a testament to two intertwined narratives: my personal journey and my unwavering belief in a world free from violence. As I walk across the stage, it's not just my achievement that's celebrated, but the unwavering support of my parents and the hope for a more just future."
Located in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, UTS is renowned for its industry-focused approach (ranked 9th in Australia and a stellar 88th globally), UTS goes beyond traditional education. Their curriculum is a vibrant tapestry woven with real-world projects, collaborative work, and simulations, perfectly preparing graduates for success in the dynamic professional landscape.
Priota Iftekhar is the granddaughter of Noorjahan Begum, the pioneer of women journalism in Bangladesh. Roknuzzaman Khan (Dadabhai) is the founder of his Nana Kachikachar Mela. In 2008, She created a network called 'Flag Girl'. Through it various pieces of advice are given to women about travel. Apart from Bangladesh, travelers from different countries are members of this network.
Priota went on her first foreign trip to Sri Lanka. She has already visited more than 200 cities in the world. She has worked as a brand ambassador of Bangladesh Tourism Corporation. She has experience of representing Bangladesh in the Miss Culture Worldwide pageant held in Zimbabwe, Miss Tourism World in Malaysia, Miss Landscapes International and Miss Multinational pageants.
Messenger/Disha
