HOW IT STARTED
“Life doesn't make any sense without interdependence. We need each other, and the sooner we learn that it is better for us all.” - Erik Erikson.
Psychology in Bangladesh was established in the 1960s, although limited instances were available to individuals for pursuing higher studies abroad in this field, particularly in North America. Lack of available resources and community support has been a significant hindrance over there. Furthermore, a lack of visible and supportive role models in the field of Psychology within the community has made it more difficult for aspiring students to envision higher. Given my aspiration for an academic career, I aimed to pursue higher studies in Canada. However, when I began applying for Ph.D. positions, I encountered numerous obstacles, lacking guidance on navigating the process, such as how to formally reach a potential principal investigator. This experience had a profound impact on me, inspiring me to offer informal mentorship to my junior peers as soon as I started my Ph.D. studies at McGill University. I started sharing information about potential labs and assisting them in their application journey like drafting statements of purpose.
Over the course of a few years, I discovered that my support and guidance were instrumental in helping people secure admission to prestigious institutions like University of Texas at Autsin, USA, and University of Ottawa, Canada. Reflecting on these achievements, I formally established and launched this program in 2021, recognizing the potential it held for further positive outcomes. Besides mentoring people, I want to serve as an exemplar of proactive support for others not only in my home country, Bangladesh, but also people from underrepresented regions of the world.
Over the course of a few years, I discovered that my support and guidance were instrumental in helping people secure admission to prestigious institutions like University of Texas at Autsin, USA, and University of Ottawa, Canada. Reflecting on these achievements, I formally established and launched this program in 2021, recognizing the potential it held for further positive outcomes. Besides mentoring people, I want to serve as an exemplar of proactive support for others not only in my home country, Bangladesh, but also people from underrepresented regions of the world.
– Sabrina Shajeen Alam, Ph.D.
VISION & GOALS
The long-term goal of MPUPS is to contribute to a more diverse and inclusive community of emerging scientists in our field, ultimately enhancing the quality of psychological science. It aims to advance the field of psychology in developing countries like Bangladesh by supporting the growth and development of its emerging scholars. It thrives to inspire and empower the upcoming generation of Psychology scholars.