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

She has been admitted to the anthropology department of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology in Sylhet for the academic session 2023-24, reports our correspondent Bandarban.

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

Tongsoi is the third of four brothers. Her two older brothers are also students at public universities. One of them is pursuing an MA in graphic design at Dhaka University, while the other is a third-year honors student at Rajshahi University’s Institute of Education and Research.

Her younger sister is a student in a school in Dhaka.

Tongsoi’s older brother, Suitong Khumi, said all four siblings grew up with the aspiration to contribute to the development of their community.

“However, in order to make an impact, we believed it was necessary to first become capable and qualified individuals. This motivation led us to focus on our education, with a view to enrolling and studying at a public university,” said he.

He also said that their mother became their sole provider by weaving the community’s traditional clothes after their father’s death.

Suitong also said he also works part-time in graphic design and helps support his younger siblings’ education.

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

As most of the Khumi people live in remote areas amid various socio-economic challenges and obstacles, it is not easy for them, especially girls, to gain access to higher education, he further said.

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

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

According to the 2022 government census, the community has a population of only 3,994, most of whom live in the remote hilly areas of Ruma, Rowangchhari and Thanchi upazilas of Bandarban.

Lelung Santham Khumi, who became the first graduate and post-graduate student from the community, said the Khumi people have a long history, living in the hills since before the British colonial period and surviving by cultivating jhum in the deep forests. and hills.