Architect Mohammed Rezwan, the innovator behind floating schools, has been selected as a “Yale World Fellow” for 2025.
Each year, Yale University in the United States awards this leadership fellowship, which is recognized as one of the most competitive and esteemed fellowship programs globally.
This year, 16 distinguished individuals have been chosen as “Yale World Fellows “ from over 4,200 nominated candidates worldwide.
They have significantly contributed to the environment, technology, politics, media, the arts, human rights, international development, and justice sectors. Only three are from the non-profit sector.
In addition to Rezwan, the 2025 fellows include Sweden’s sustainability business leader and creative strategist, Mathias Wikström; Georgia’s former vice-speaker of Parliament and democracy advocate, Tamar Chugoshvili; Nigeria’s renowned musician, Bukola Elemide (Asa); Egyptian filmmaker, Mariam El Marakeshy; and leading Paraguayan judicial figure, Vivian Nunez.
The Yale World Fellows Program is a four-month, full-time residential program based out of Yale’s International Leadership Center and housed within the Jackson School of Global Affairs.
Emma Sky, director of Yale’s International Leadership Center, said: “Floating schools are now a beacon of hope not just for Bangladesh, but for the entire world. Rezwan’s sustainable model of floating education plays a crucial role in addressing the climate crisis. Over the past two decades, his leadership has demonstrated that local innovations in climate adaptation can have a global impact.”
Architect Rezwan grew up in a remote area of Chalan Beel, where annual floods would close schools, disrupt livelihoods, and hinder basic services. Instead of viewing this solely as a crisis, he sought innovative solutions.
In 2002, his organization, Shidhulai Swanirvar Sangstha, implemented the world’s first floating school concept.
These solar-powered boat schools ensure that children’s education continues even during floods.
Beyond education, Rezwan’s initiatives have expanded to include floating libraries, healthcare centers, training facilities, playgrounds, and floating farms.
The Bangladesh government has incorporated his innovation (floating schools) into the National Adaptation Plan (2023-2050).
His pioneering model has been replicated in eight Asian and African countries.
As a World Fellow, Rezwan will deliver lectures and provide mentorship to Yale University students during the fall semester (August-December), participate in global discussions on climate change and educational development, engage in research activities, and share Bangladesh’s experiences on an international platform.
Rezwan said: “This recognition is for all the resilient people of Bangladesh who continually inspire us. Their encouragement has enabled us to prove that innovative solutions can emerge from any corner of the world. I hope Yale University’s recognition will further promote the global expansion of Shidhulai’s floating school model for climate adaptation and educational advancement.”
Since its inception in 2002, the Maurice R Greenberg World Fellows program, a key initiative of the Yale International Leadership Center, has been recognized as a distinct platform for identifying future influential leaders.
Many participants have since emerged as significant global figures, including Russia’s renowned anti-corruption activist Alexei Navalny, former US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, Argentina’s former economy and production minister Martín Lousteau, and Liechtenstein’s former minister of foreign affairs, justice, and culture, Katrin Eggenberger.
Rezwan’s “floating school” concept has been recognized as an innovation by various United Nations Funds and Programs (Unicef, Unep, and UNDP).
In 2019, the British book "Earth Heroes" honored him as one of the world’s 20 “Earth Heroes.”
Rezwan and his floating schools are now featured in primary and secondary school textbooks in classrooms worldwide, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, and Taiwan.
