Four students from Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) have begun their semester-long academic exchange at the University of Maribor in Slovenia under the Erasmus+ program for Fall 2026. The students, representing the fields of life sciences, finance and engineering, will study at the Slovenian university from October 1, 2026, to February 19, 2027.

The four students are Mahafuza Rumu from the Department of Life Sciences, Fardin Rahman and Simran Islam from the Department of Finance, and Shouhardo Mahir from Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE). Their participation in the program is facilitated by IUB's Office of Admissions, Financial Aid and International Relations.

Mahafuza

Mahafuza, a third-year student of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, is taking courses in Organic Analysis, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, and Microbiology. Beyond her coursework, she hopes to explore research opportunities and identify projects that could potentially be continued or developed in collaboration with IUB.

Interested in pursuing a career in life sciences research, Mahafuza also hopes to develop her teaching and communication skills through the exchange. She chose the University of Maribor to experience a different academic environment and interact with students from diverse backgrounds.

Mahafuza learned about the exchange opportunity through an email from IUB. During her stay, she intends to share Bangladeshi culture and her experiences as an IUB student with the international student community. She also encourages fellow IUB students to apply for exchange opportunities and prepare for the application process.

Fardin

Fardin, a third-year student of Finance, is studying Web-Based Information System, Open Economy Macroeconomics, and Marketing Research at Maribor. He hopes to broaden his understanding of business and finance while developing communication and adaptability skills.

Fardin first learned about the Erasmus+ opportunity through an email from IUB during his first semester but decided to apply in his sixth semester after hearing about another student's exchange experience and researching the program. He sees his stay in Slovenia as an opportunity to understand the country's people and culture beyond what a tourist might experience. He also hopes to explore nearby European countries and build connections with students from different backgrounds.

Planning to pursue a career in finance and gain international professional experience, Fardin intends to introduce his international peers to Bangladeshi traditions, food, festivals and culture. He advised fellow IUB students to monitor exchange announcements and begin visa processing, documentation and course planning early.

Simran

Simran, also a third-year Finance student, is taking courses in Human Resource Management, Open Economy Macroeconomics, and Marketing Research at Maribor. Having heard about international exchange programs from friends who had participated in similar initiatives, she applied after learning about the opportunity through an email from IUB. She hopes to experience a different education system and gain new perspectives on business and finance.

Simran hopes the semester will help strengthen her communication skills and adaptability while preparing her for a career in finance, preferably with a multinational or international organization. She also plans to explore Slovenia and nearby countries during her stay.

She intends to share Bangladeshi food, festivals, traditions and student life at IUB with the international community. Simran encouraged fellow students to consider exchange opportunities even if they initially felt uncertain about applying. She also acknowledged the role of the Office of Admissions, Financial Aid and International Relations in providing information and guidance throughout the application process.

Shouhardo

Shouhardo, a second-year EEE student, is studying Electrical and Electromechanical Converters, Service and Science Innovations, and Information Theory and Coding at Maribor. He aims to strengthen his practical knowledge and problem-solving skills while exploring opportunities to participate in research projects, workshops or internships relevant to his field, subject to availability.

Shouhardo learned about the opportunity through an email from IUB and applied to experience a different education system, explore another culture and gain exposure to academic and student life abroad. For him, the exchange is also an opportunity to enjoy independence and prepare for further studies abroad. He plans to pursue a Master's degree after completing his undergraduate education and hopes to apply the knowledge gained in Slovenia to his studies at IUB.

He plans to share Bangladeshi traditions, food, festivals and student life at IUB with students from other countries. Shouhardo encouraged fellow students to consider exchange opportunities and begin preparing their documents early. Identifying visa processing and paperwork as key challenges, he acknowledged the assistance he got from the Office of Admissions, Financial Aid and International Relations throughout the process.

International academic and cultural exchange

The Erasmus+ partnership between IUB and the University of Maribor has been facilitating student exchanges since 2021. With the participation of the Fall 2026 cohort, at least 21 IUB students have now undertaken semester-long exchanges at the Slovenian university. The partnership has also provided opportunities for IUB faculty members and management staff to participate in professional development programs at Maribor.

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