Australia Awards South and West Asia

Lina Lushai is a proud Indigenous woman from the Chittagong Hill Tracts and the first Australia Awards alumna from the Lushai community of Bangladesh.

Raised in the serene hills of south-eastern Bangladesh, Lina grew up immersed in the beauty of her culture and the strength of her community, but also in the shadow of structural marginalisation. Witnessing these challenges firsthand shaped her resolve to create change through education.

In 2007, Lina received an Australia Awards Scholarship to pursue a Bachelor of Development Studies at the University of Adelaide. This opportunity became a turning point in her life. Studying in Australia expanded her worldview, deepened her expertise and connected her to a global network of changemakers.

Lina recalls, “I first heard about Australia Awards through a seminar organised for information sharing. The Scholarship helped me build my expertise in language and development practices, grow in confidence, and expand my global perspective. It opened doors I never thought possible.”

Reflecting on her Scholarship experience in Australia, Lina says, “The learning environment broadened my perspective on tolerance and acceptance. I was surprised to see such diversity: students from different nationalities, religions, cultures and traditions, all studying together. It gave me hope for what inclusive communities could look like back home.”

After completing her studies, Lina returned to Bangladesh and continued working for the advancement of marginalised communities, particularly indigenous children and youth. As her leadership in the development and humanitarian sector grew, so did her opportunities to engage with global platforms.

In 2018, Lina participated in the 17^th session of the United Nations (UN) Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues at the UN Headquarters in New York, where she connected with senior UN officials and Indigenous Peoples’ delegations to promote and advocate for indigenous rights.

Lina (second from left) participating in a campaign for the United Nations 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.

This opportunity, although separate from her formal studies, reflected the confidence, networks and leadership vision she had developed through her Australia Awards experience.

Today, Lina serves as an Education Officer for UNICEF in Cox’s Bazar, where she plays a vital role in ensuring that Rohingya refugee children have access to education. Her work spans 31 learning centres, supporting over 11,000 children, and involves close coordination with both local and international partners.

Her contributions focus on strengthening early learning, teacher training and inclusive education. She played a key part in the rollout of the Myanmar Curriculum and in building the capacity of Rohingya volunteer teachers. Lina’s efforts also helped increase enrolment, improve learning quality and foster stronger collaboration between various actors in emergency education response for Rohingya children.

“It’s not just about providing education,” Lina says. “It’s about creating space where every child feels valued, seen and empowered to grow.”

Lina (wearing the UNICEF branded jacket) visiting Bhasan Char school with her UNICEF team to support children’s education.

Beyond her professional role, Lina is committed to advocating for indigenous inclusion. She currently serves as the Joint Secretary of the Adivasi Australian Scholars’ Association of Bangladesh—a network of indigenous Australia Awards alumni working for equity, pride and representation.

“I am the first Australia Awards scholar from the Lushai community,” Lina says. “The Scholarship gave me the opportunity to boost my career and the confidence to stand tall as an indigenous woman leading change.”

Looking back, Lina remains grounded in the values and wisdom of her community.

“Growing up in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, I witnessed both the richness of my indigenous identity and the struggles our communities face,” she says. “My journey, from the hills to the humanitarian frontlines, is not just mine. It belongs to every young indigenous girl who dares to dream.”

Lina (second from right) participating as a speaker at Asian University for Women’s ‘celebration of indigenous identity and culture’ with fellow indigenous alumnae from Bangladesh Rani Yan Yan (second from left) and Han Han (far right).

Lina’s story is a powerful testament to the transformative power of education and the enduring strength of indigenous leadership. She stands as a bridge between tradition and progress, between her community and the world.