Leading mobile phone operator, Robi has joined hands with UCEP Bangladesh- a renowned NGO, to work on a project titled “Gori Nijer Bhobishhot (গড়ি নিজের ভবিষ্যৎ)” to develop skills of underprivileged youth.
A signing ceremony was held today at the UCEP Bangladesh Head office at Mirpur. Robi’s Chief Corporate and People Officer (CCPO), Matiul Islam Nowshad and Executive Director, UCEP 
Bangladesh, Zaki Hasan jointly signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organizations.
A Matin Chowdhury, Chairperson and A. Q. Siddiqui, Vice Chairperson, Board of Governors of UCEP Bangladesh were also present on the occasion among others.
This unique youth development project has been taken up under Robi’s Corporate Responsibility initiatives. The project aims to give the underprivileged youth an opportunity to have a better future by giving them skills that are badly needed by a number of growing industries of the country.
Under this 15-month long capacity development project, 500 underprivileged youth in Chittagong will be given technical training on RMG (Ready-Made Garments), Electronics and Mobile Servicing. In addition to the target beneficiary group of UCEP, Robi is also including children of its retailers from the Chittagong region in this program.
With this project, Robi becomes the first telecom operator in Bangladesh to actively invest in developing a skilled workforce to support growth of these industries.
In addition to technical training, UCEP will also arrange assessment and certification from Bangladesh Technical Education Board (BTEB) for the training participants to help them with industry placement upon completing the training program.
Commenting on the signing of the project, Robi’s CCPO said that “Robi has always been keen to engage with the youth of the country to support them ignite the power within. Hence, we are truly delighted to partner with UCEP Bangladesh as we endeavor to help the underprivileged youth community through this project. I am confident that under the able tutelage of the experts at UCEP, the training participants will get a chance to build a better future for themselves and that is exactly what Gori Nijer Bhobishhot (গড়ি নিজের ভবিষ্যৎ) aims to do.”
Chowdhury, Chairperson, UCEP Board of Governors said that this is a great opportunity for UCEP to start the partnership with Robi and he believes that this support of Robi will continue to the underprivileged youth of the country in future which will also encourage others to come forward to support the marginalized people especially youth of the country.
About Robi Axiata Ltd:
Robi Axiata Limited is a joint venture between Axiata Group Berhad, of Malaysia and NTT DoCoMo Inc., of Japan. Robi is the second largest mobile phone operator in Bangladesh in terms of revenue, with 27.4 million subscribers, as of June 2015. Robi network provides nationwide coverage to nearly 99% of the population with 12,679 2.5G BTS and over 2,450 3.5G sites. Robi proudly claims to have the widest international roaming service in the market, connecting 600 operators across more than 200 countries. It is also the first operator to introduce GPRS and 3.5G services in Bangladesh. The Company has introduced many first of its kind digital services in the country and has invested heavily in taking mobile financial services to the underserved communities in the rural and semi-urban areas.
About UCEP Bangladesh
UCEP was established in 1972 by a New Zealander philanthropist named Lindsay Allan Cheyne. It is now a hub of more than 55,000 children and youth taking education, skills training and job placement support along with the life skills and awareness on child and women rights issues. UCEP is operating through its 10 technical schools, 53 general schools and 3 outreach training centers all over the country. UCEP’s mission is to raise the socio-economic conditions of the urban and peri-urban working poor and under-privileged children and youth through education and skills training, awareness and advocacy for ensuring good governance to a level that they can effectively participate in national development with enhanced capacity and dignity and fulfillment of their basic rights.
