BOSTON — Kamrunnaher, a Melrose resident, was born and raised in Bangladesh. A mother of two, Kamrunnaher made a difficult decision to leave behind a hard-earned government job in Bangladesh to support her daughters’ educational dreams in the United States. When she arrived in the U.S., she faced financial and emotional challenges, but she was committed to rebuilding her life from the ground up. She took on full-time work, full-time parenting and full-time studies.
When considering her career choices in a new country, she made a bold decision to pursue a new path in biotechnology, drawing on her long-standing love for biology and her background in zoology and fisheries. Through her brother-in-law and a biotech company in Cambridge, she connected with the Bridges to College program at JVS Boston which helped her enroll in Quincy College and pursue training in the growing field of biotechnology.
In 2024, Kamrunnaher was awarded a First Literacy scholarship which provided crucial financial support and encouragement at a time when she was navigating the challenges of starting over in a new country. The scholarship helped her reduce financial stress and stay focused on her studies, a key factor in her ability to succeed in the program and pursue her dream of working in the biotech field.
“The First Literacy scholarship was a turning point in my journey,” said Kumrunnaher. “It provided me with not only financial relief but also the emotional encouragement to keep going. It made me feel seen, supported and valued as a student and as a person. That recognition gave me the confidence to pursue my goals with full determination.”
Each year, First Literacy, a Boston based non-profit awards $1,500 scholarships to recent graduates of Massachusetts Adult Basic Education (ABE) or English language programs who are continuing to vocational training or higher education.
Since First Literacy’s Scholarship Program began in 1990, over 600 scholarships have been awarded to adult learners throughout Massachusetts. Awards are given in recognition of educational achievements and potential, community service and perseverance in the face of hardship.
Now, less than a year later, Kamrunnaher graduated from Quincy College with a certificate in Biotechnology and Good Manufacturing Practices. She plans to apply her training in a hands-on laboratory or manufacturing setting in the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industries. Her long-term goal is to become a respected and skilled contributor in the industry and to inspire other adult learners like herself.
“Education is a gift we can give ourselves at any stage of life and it can change everything,” said Kamrunnaher.
To learn more about First Literacy and the First Literacy Scholarship program, visit firstliteracy.org.