Born from the halls of Viqarunnisa Noon School in Dhaka, a group of alumni in Australia have turned their shared roots into a powerful movement of compassion, empowerment, and social change.
The labour room was silent except for the rhythmic beeping of monitors. A young woman—alone, frightened, and far from home—gripped the hands of a few women she barely knew. They were not her family but members of Viqarunnisa Alumni Australia (VAAUS), an organization formed by former students of Viqarunnisa Noon School and College in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
She had escaped domestic violence while pregnant and found herself isolated in a new country. Yet, in the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, she discovered a family in VAAUS—women who offered shelter, care, and unwavering support. That single act of compassion became a defining example of how VAAUS turns sisterhood into purpose—bringing hope, strength, and dignity to the communities it touches.
From School Memories to a Movement of Change
The story of VAAUS began in October 2016, when a few Viqarunnisa alumni met at a Sydney restaurant to reconnect and explore how they could turn shared memories into meaningful action. By March 2017, that idea had evolved into the official establishment of Viqarunnisa Alumni Australia (VAAUS)—a platform built on sisterhood, service, and purpose.
The founding team—Dr. Ifat Anjum, Dr. Fariza Sabrina, Fadia Tasneem, Dr. Suranjana Jennifer Rahman, and Tasrina Nahid Tonny—envisioned an organization that would channel their shared heritage into social good. Under the leadership of Dr. Mahbuba Khanom Mukta and Dr. Suranjana Jennifer Rahman, VAAUS achieved official registration with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) and later obtained Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status, enabling wider reach and sustainable impact across Australia.
Seven Years of Impact
Since its founding, VAAUS has contributed more than $42,000 to 12 organizations across six Australian states and territories, supporting initiatives focused on health, education, and dignity for women, children, and families.
When devastating floods hit Queensland and New South Wales in 2022, VAAUS acted swiftly, providing aid through the Red Cross. The organization partnered with Share the Dignity to supply hygiene essentials to women in crisis, organized a charity dinner in Adelaide for the Little Heroes Foundation, and raised funds in Perth for the Kids Research Institute to advance children’s health research.
Beyond Australia, VAAUS extended its compassion globally by partnering with the AIM Initiative Foundation in Bangladesh, supporting education and infrastructure development for underprivileged children—building a bridge of kindness between homeland and diaspora.
Changing the Story: A New Chapter for 2025
On November 9, 2025, over 1,000 guests—including 350 Viqarunnisa alumni from across Australia—will gather at Lantana Venues, Sydney, for the VAAUS Grand Reunion 2025. The event will launch their most ambitious campaign yet: “CHANGE THE STORY.”
This initiative focuses on ending domestic and gender-based violence through awareness, empathy, and engagement. VAAUS believes that change begins when silence turns into conversation and men become allies in creating safer, more inclusive communities.
This year’s campaign will support ALO Enlightened Women and Cultural Diversity Network Inc. (CDNI)—two organizations empowering women from diverse and migrant backgrounds.
Guests from Bangladesh will also attend, including Viqarunnisa alumni from Dhaka, turning the reunion into a global celebration of the Viqi spirit.
Amid the excitement, Mazeda Begum, Acting Principal of Viqarunnisa Noon School & College, shared her pride:
“It makes me so proud to see our daughters carrying forward the torch of service wherever they go. This shows that when education is joined with compassion, it can cross all borders and bring real change. VAAUS has truly been a beacon of hope, touching many lives through its charitable work across Australia.”
The “Change the Story” campaign is supported by AIS Marine Investments as Title Sponsor, whose commitment to community development and sustainability aligns perfectly with VAAUS’s mission.
A Legacy of Empathy Without Borders
What makes VAAUS remarkable is not just what it does—but what it stands for: sisterhood, compassion, and purpose.
From helping a mother in crisis during the pandemic to supporting women and families nationwide, VAAUS has proven that the bonds formed in a Dhaka classroom can inspire change across continents. As it prepares to expand its domestic violence awareness and mentorship programs, VAAUS continues to embody the Viqarunnisa legacy—a legacy of empathy, service, and action without borders.
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