UCEP Bangladesh, established in 1972 by New Zealand philanthropist Lindsay Allan Cheyne, is a premier non-governmental organization dedicated to uplifting the nations socio-economically disadvantaged children and youth. Operating under the guiding motto Help to Learn, Skills to Earn, the organization has built a robust, integrated educational pipeline that seamlessly transitions marginalized learners, including school dropouts, women, persons with disabilities, and ethnic minorities, from accelerated general education into market-driven Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and advanced Diploma-in-Engineering programs. With a massive nationwide footprint spanning eight regions, UCEPs infrastructure includes 33 Technical Schools, 10 TVET Institutes, and multiple Polytechnic Institutes, directly benefiting tens of thousands of learners annually; more than 200,000 people have improved their lives through these programs. Beyond the classroom, UCEP acts as a vital bridge to economic independence by maintaining strong industry linkages with over 200 community-based organizations and major corporate partners to facilitate job placements, apprenticeships, and entrepreneurship development. This comprehensive approach recently yielded a remarkable 78% employment rate for its TVET graduates and even facilitated overseas employment for hundreds of skilled youths. By deeply aligning its inclusive, future-ready training model with the Government of Bangladesh’s national vision and key UN Sustainable Development Goals (such as Quality Education, Gender Equality, and Decent Work), UCEP Bangladesh continues to transform vulnerable populations into a highly skilled, self-reliant workforce.
Milestones of UCEP Bangladesh
1972
Established UCEP
Mr. Lindsay Allan Cheyne, a New Zealander, established
UCEP as an int’l NGO
1973
First school
First school started with 60 students in Institute of Social Welfare and Research, University of Dhaka
1974
Hostel Established
A hostel established for 100 working children
1978
Educational Programs
Underprivileged Children’s Educational Programs (UCEP) Nepal was established in 1978 and run as an extension of UCEP-Bangladesh under the umbrella organisation UCEP-International till 1992.
1980
General Schools
Two General Schools opened in Chattogram with 350 students
1981
UCEP Khulna
A General School in Khulna opened with 300 students
1982
UCEP Nepal
UCEP ‘Torch of Knowledge’ relayed from Dhaka to open UCEP Nepal
1983
Technical School
A Technical School opened in Dhaka
1984
UCEP Chattogram
Co-education program for General School started in Chattogram
1985
Integrated General and Vocational Schools
Integrated General and Vocational Schools opened in Dhaka, Khulna and Chattogram
1986
Founder of UCEP Bangladesh
Mr. Lindsay Allan Cheyne, the Founder of UCEP Bangladesh passed away.
1988
Transformed into a National NGO
Transformed into a National NGO through the Voluntary Social Welfare Ordinance Head Office transferred to Mirpur, Dhaka
1989
Staff Established
A cell for in-service training for staff established
1991
Job Placement
Job Placement for Technical School graduates started
1992
Chattogram Technical School
A Technical School in Chattogram opened
1993
20th Anniversary
Observed 20th Anniversary Technical School opened in Khulna
1994
UCEP Rajshahi
General Education program extended to Rajshahi
1995
Basic Skills Training
Para-Trade (Basic Skills Training) Program started in Dhaka and Chattogram
1996
ESCAP HRD Award
Received Runnersup ESCAP HRD Award for 1995
1997
New Projects Initiated
New Projects Initiated- 1. Hard-To-Reach Children (HTRC) 2. Skills Training Program for Dismissed Garment Industry Child Workers
1998
Basic Skills Training
Basic Skills Training for children with psychological and physical disabilities started Received Runners up ESCAP HRD Award for 1997
1999
BSTP in Rajshahi
Basic Skills Training Program in Rajshahi
2000
IGVS Started
Integrated General and Vocational Schools (IGVS) started
2001
A Computer Training Center
A Computer Training Center and a showroom for training products opened at Dhaka Technical School
2002
Pre-Technical Curriculum Started
Pre-Technical curriculum started alongside General Education Donor Consortium formed to create M&E processes
2003
Overseas job placement
Overseas job placement through Employment Support Services
2005
SSC Vocational and General programmes
SSC Vocational and SSC General programmes started
2006
UCEP Cheyne Tower
Construction work for UCEP Cheyne Tower started in Shegun Bagicha
2007
Opened Barishal Region
Two General Schools opened in Barishal Region
2008
Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET)
4 General Schools, 1 Technical School and BMET opened in Sylhet Barishal Outreach Centre opened 5 Integrated General and Vocational Schools in Gazipur
2009
Jatrabari School
A Technical School opened in Jatrabari
2010
Rangpur Region
Rangpur Region started operating
2012
ISO 9001:2008
Received certification of ISO 9001:2008 BMET closed
2013
UTI opened in Sylhet
Business Development Department created UCEP Training Institute (UTI) opened in Sylhet
2014
CWRA program started
Child & Woman Rights Advocacy (CWRA) program started UCEP Training Institute (UTI) opened in Dhaka
2015
UIST opened
UCEP Institute of Science and Technology (UIST) opened to offer Diploma-inEngineering Degree
2016
Dhaka South Region started
UCEP Dhaka South Region started operation 9 General Schools closed
2017
Fee-based school started
Groundwork for a fee-based general school completed 12 General Schools closed
2018
Member of NCLWC
Became member of National Child Labour Welfare Council (NCLWC)
2019
Registered under NSDA
Registered under National Skills Development Authority (NSDA)
2021
The 5th NAMI Award 2021 has been awarded to Late Mr. Lindsay Allan Cheyne, Founder, UCEP Bangladesh.
Asian Centre for Inclusive Education (ACIE), Bangladesh
2021
3rd Position under the NGO section for Best Corporate Awards 2021
2nd Position under the NGO section for Best Corporate Awards 2021
2022
3rd Position under the NGO section for Best Corporate Awards 2021
The Institute of Cost Management Accountants of Bangladesh (ICMAB)
2023
2nd Position under the NGO category for Best Corporate Awards 2022
The Institute of Cost Management Accountants of Bangladesh (ICMAB)
2023
Certificate of Merit under the NGO category for Best Presented Annual Reports 2022
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh (ICAB)