Shabita Binte Azad Shifa, a former student of Jagannath University, has been recognized among the top 50 women leaders globally. Nominated by Russia’s state-owned nuclear corporation under the Obninsk Tech Academy in the “Visible Power Female Leadership” category, Shifa has earned this honor for her leadership, volunteer work, and research contributions.
International Recognition for Leadership
Shifa, who studied Social Work at Jagannath University in 2014-15, was nominated by Obninsk Tech Academy, a subsidiary of Russia’s state-owned Rosatom Corporation, under the Visible Power Female Leadership category. She was selected after a multi-step evaluation process assessing her previous work experience, volunteer activities, awards, and research contributions.
She will participate in the World Atomic Week and an international female leadership workshop in Russia, where over 10,000 participants from around the world will join to celebrate 80 years of achievements in the nuclear industry.
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Global Exposure and Achievements
Shifa has previously attended several international conferences and summits in Russia. She also conducted research at North-Eastern Hill University in Meghalaya, India.
She has served as a lecturer at the University of Information Technology and Sciences (UITS) and worked as the Lead Program Officer for Grant Acquisition Management in the Rohingya Crisis Response Project under World Vision International Bangladesh.
Currently, she works to enhance soft skills and communication abilities among young people in Bangladesh through her organization Village Empowerment, where she is the founder and CEO.
Family Background
Shifa’s roots are in Gazipur. Her father, Engineer Abul Kalam Azad, has received the United Nations scholarship twice and earned higher education from People’s Friendship University of Russia (Lumumba University). Her mother, Sohrat Begum, served as the head teacher of a government primary school in Gazipur.
Global Leadership and Public Speaking
Shifa has represented Bangladesh in numerous international forums. In February 2025, she joined 85 Bangladeshi youth at the World Youth Festival in Sochi. In May 2024, she led Bangladesh at the International Children’s Committee in Moscow. In October 2025, she participated in the Eurasia Global Summit in Orenburg, Russia, representing Bangladesh with special recognition.
She was also the International Speech Contest Champion at Toastmasters International’s World Championship of Public Speaking (2019-20). She has competed as a semi-finalist in Asia, served as the first female president of Bangladesh’s Advanced Toastmasters Club, and coached two clubs in Maryland, USA.
Shifa has spoken internationally, including in India and Nepal, and delivered talks at Nepal’s Laxmi Bank.
Current Roles and Future Plans
Currently, Shifa is the Head of the Children’s Committee of Bangladesh at the National Preparatory Committee of the World Youth Festival, Russia.
Regarding her future plans, she says:
“২০২৭ সালের মধ্যে ‘ভিলেজ ইমপাওয়ারমেন্ট’ কর্মসূচির মাধ্যমে এক লাখ শিশুকে কমিউনিকেশন, প্রেজেন্টেশন ও স্পিকিং দক্ষতায় পারদর্শী করে গড়ে তোলাই আমার লক্ষ্য।”
“By 2027, my goal is to train 100,000 children in communication, presentation, and public speaking skills through the Village Empowerment program.”
Source: Kaler Kantho
