NSU Alumna Manoshi Sarkar’s Journey from Bangladesh to Mrs. Universe Canada

North South University alumna Manoshi Sarkar (English Literature, Class of 2021) has been
named Runner-Up for Mrs. Universe Canada 2025, marking yet another inspiring milestone in
her multifaceted journey across continents, careers, and causes.
Born in rural Bangladesh, Manoshi was deeply influenced by her parents’ belief in education and
resilience. Her academic journey took her to Canada, where she earned a Master’s in English
Literature from the University of Ottawa while working as a teaching assistant. Alongside
academia, she built a successful career in arts and events, and currently works at the Ottawa Art
Gallery.
Manoshi’s story is not just one of professional achievement but of personal transformation. After
facing PMDD, body dysmorphia, and depression, she turned to therapy, weight training, and
storytelling as paths to healing. Her advocacy for mental health, particularly within BIPOC
communities, has been central to her platform.
She earned her Bachelor's degree in English Literature from North South University, graduating
cum laude. During her undergraduate years, Manoshi actively collaborated with renowned
national brands such as Aarong and Grameenphone through modelling and creative campaigns.
She also engaged in various extracurricular activities within the Department of English and
Modern Languages, nurturing her passion for storytelling and public engagement.
Before Mrs. Universe Canada, she was a Top 20 finalist at Miss World Bangladesh (2017) and
2nd Runner-Up at Face of Asia Bangladesh (2019). Her 2020 photo-essay book, The Roles We
Play, paid tribute to the resilience of Bangladeshi women and has been lauded for its heartfelt
exploration of gender roles and identity.
Today, as a runner-up in one of Canada’s most empowering pageants, Manoshi continues to
advocate for mental health awareness, champion women’s empowerment, and celebrate the
beauty of vulnerability, proving that courage is not the absence of struggle, but the choice to
grow through it. Looking ahead, she hopes to participate in more pageants, using the platform to
support and empower Canada’s immigrant community.