NEWS Fahria Kabir, master’s degree student in Human Computer Interaction and Social Media at Umeå University, received the 2016 Global Swede Award at a diploma ceremony at the Offices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Stockholm on 18 May.
This special recognition is a joint initiative between the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Swedish Institute to honour international students who have distinguished themselves in areas related to innovation and entrepreneurship.
Higher education institutions from across the country have been invited to participate and nominate one foreign student to the sixth annual Global Swede diploma ceremony. The objective is to highlight international students who have excelled in their studies in Sweden and will be good ambassadors to promote a positive image of Sweden.
I am deeply grateful to have been chosen for this honour. Sweden and Umeå University have offered me a lot; a good environment for education and for engaging into different activities.
Fahria Kabir, from Bangladesh, was nominated due to her consistent excellent performance in her coursework and her prolonged enthusiastic engagement in social issues; she is currently investigating feminist theories in design as part of her thesis and has held symposiums in Umeå about gender, sexuality, and social media.
“Through her drive and dedication Fahria has shown how a student at Umeå University can wonderfully combine personal passions with cross-disciplinary academic interests and thrive. Fahria is a perfect Global Swede,” says Anders Fällstrom, Pro-Vice Chancellor of Umeå University.
Of her future plans Fahria says, “I would like to continue my activism alongside my future career. I am planning to apply for a PhD student position in user research, design research, social media or something related to Human Computer Interaction, as I would like to keep learning and exploring.”
Fahria Kabir
E-mail: fahria.kabir@gmail.com
Anders FällströmPro-Vice-Chancellor of Umeå UniversityPhone: +46 70-493 85 27
E-mail: anders.fallstrom@umu.se
This year, 22 foreign students at higher education institutions in Sweden have received the Global Swede recognition which includes a diploma and gift. The awards were distributed by Oscar Stenström, State Secretary to the Minister for Enterprise and Innovation, Mikael Damberg, and Annika Rembe, Director-General of the Swedish Institute.
High-resolution photo from the ceremony
Editor: David Meyers