Architect Mohammed Rezwan awarded prestigious ‘Nobel Prize for Life’

Bangladeshi Architect Mohammed Rezwan has been elected as one of the recipients of the 27th edition of the "Global Love of Lives Awards." 

The awards recognize selfless service to the people globally.

He received the award in the "Medal of Achievements" category for his continuous endeavors to benefit disadvantaged communities with ingenious Nouka School.

The award was established in 1998 by Taiwan’s Chou Ta-Kuan Cultural and Educational Foundation, also known as the "Nobel Prize for Life."

Mohammed Rezwan is receiving the ‘Global Love of Life Awards’ from Chou Chin-Hua, the Founder of CTK Foundation, and Chen Hui-Pin, President of the National University of Tainan. From left to right: Chou Chin-Hua, Mohammed Rezwan, and Chen Hui-Pin . Photo: The Chou Ta Kuan Cultural and Educational FoundationLai Ching-te, President of the Republic of China (Taiwan), honoured Rezwan and other award winners at the Office of the President on September 27.

In the speech, the president said: “Rezwan, as an architect, developed a solution for climate change adaptation that benefits the world; his floating school creates hope for children and ensures access to educational opportunities.”

As the head of the delegation, Rezwan also gave a speech to the President, high government officials, CTK Foundation staff and volunteers, and other awardees.

Rezwan is lecturing to the 7th-graders at St. Paul’s High School in Kaohsiung, Taiwan . Photo: The Chou Ta Kuan Cultural and Educational Foundation

This year’s “Nobel Prize for Life” awardees include Hsiu-Chen Chiang, the first female mountaineer in Asia to complete the Seven Summits of the World; Ryyan Alshebl, a Syrian refugee who becomes a Mayor in Germany; and Jhe-Jing Gong, a young entrepreneur who promotes natural farming methods and revolutionizes rural agriculture in Taiwan.

Lai Ching-te, President of the Republic of China, is handing out a gift (traditional tea box) to Rezwan. Photo: The Office of the President in Taiwan

During a week-long program, the awardees shared their life stories at schools, universities, institutions, hospitals, and newspapers in Taipei, Yilan, Chiayi, Tainan, and Kaohsiung cities in Taiwan.

The 16-member Jury elected Rezwan among 3,499 candidates nominated from around the world.

He was recognized for innovating the Nouka School and starting the global floating education movement. Chou Chin-Hua, the Founder of CTK Foundation, says: “Rezwan’s invention is an effective method of dealing with the impact of climate change, and truly he is Bangladesh’s Earth Hero. Our award acknowledges his contributions to environmental sustainability and climate adaptation over the past two decades.”

“Like the Bangladeshi people, the Taiwanese people are resilient and have rebuilt their communities after each natural disaster. Therefore, I am honored to receive this recognition from Taiwan for our floating schools. They want us to build a school boat on the rivers of Formosa (the beautiful island). I hope we Bangladeshis will be able to create more life-transforming innovation to impact more lives globally,” says Rezwan.

Rezwan is giving a speech at the Office of the President. From left to right: David González, Mohammed Rezwan, and President Lai Ching-te. Photo: The Office of the President in Taiwan

Born in Natore, Mohammad Rezwan always dreamed of educating the poor and underprivileged children of flood-affected areas who cannot access education.

He spent his childhood in Chalanbeel, a vast wetland spread over ten Upazilas of Natore, Pabna, and Sirajganj districts. During his school days, he observed the problem-ridden life of people surrounded by water and felt the urge to do something. His dream came into reality when he founded the Shidhulai Swanirvar Sangstha. In 2002, Rezwan's ingenious innovation of a school boat floated on the vast waters of Chalanbeel for the first time.

Rezwan has been fighting for the right of all children, especially vulnerable girls, to go to school despite increased poverty and flooding caused by climate change.

Students attending class on a floating school. Photo: Abir Abdullah/Shidhulai Swanirvar Sangstha

Rezwan and his organization, Shidhulai Swanirvar Sangstha, operate specially ‘designed boats’ that serve as floating schools, playgrounds, libraries, health clinics, and vocational training centers for girls and women.

Rezwan is on board one of his fleet of boats; a school boat is in the background. Photo: Abir Abdullah/Shidhulai Swanirvar Sangsthan n

Since 2010, Rezwan’s success with his floating school has inspired other NGOs to start similar activities in Bangladesh.

The government has included his innovation (floating school or boat school) in the National Adaptation Plan of Bangladesh (2023-2050). Rezwan's life-changing innovation has spread beyond Bangladesh’s borders to eight countries worldwide.

Rezwan’s "school boat" idea was recognized by the United Nations Funds and Programs (Unicef, UNEP, and UNDP) as an innovation. In 2019, he was recognized as one of the 20 Earth heroes of the world by the British book ‘Earth Heroes.’

Rezwan and his floating school have been included in the school textbooks of primary and secondary classrooms worldwide, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, and Taiwan.