Tongsay Khumi has recently become the first woman from the Khumi community, a small indigenous group in Bangladesh, to enroll in a public university. With an estimated population of only around 4,000, the Khumi people reside mainly in the hill areas of Bandarban. This achievement has sparked joy and pride within her community.
Currently, Tongsay is pursuing her undergraduate studies in Anthropology at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet. Her journey was filled with challenges—after losing her father, the family’s sole breadwinner, at age 11, her mother took up weaving and traditional handicrafts to support Tongsay and her three siblings. Against cultural expectations, her mother encouraged Tongsay’s education, defying pressure to prioritize only her sons’ schooling.
Growing up in a remote village in Bandarban’s Ruma sub-district, Tongsay persevered academically, attending Bandarban High School and later completing her higher secondary education in Humanities at Holy Cross College, Dhaka. Her older brothers are also students: one in Graphic Design at Dhaka University, while another studies Education and Research at Rajshahi University. Their achievements have inspired her community. 
The president of the Khumi Social Council, Siong Khumi, noted that Tongsay’s father was a founding member of their community council.
“She’s our pride. Though some girls have studied at national or private universities, she is the first to attend a public institution. Her success will inspire others, especially women, to pursue higher education.”
The Khumi community has long struggled with low literacy rates, particularly among women, who often leave school early to help with family farming. Tongsay’s story now stands as a powerful symbol of change, resilience, and the importance of education.
