Kuwait Times

Published Date: February 02, 2010
By Velina Nacheva

KUWAIT: Integrating women from underprivileged backgrounds into the mainstream socio-economic avenue by mentoring them to become leaders and change their environment is one of the pivotal missions of the Asian University for Women, Chittagong. The university, which is the outcome of a collaboration between prominent international universities, charities and local community organizations. It hosted an event in Kuwait that gathered Kuwaiti and international supporters, patrons, AUW students and guests. Th
e event was held in Arraya Ballroom, Sharq on Sunday evening.

Former British prime minister Tony Blair, whose spouse Cherie Blair is a patron of AUW, also attended the event. He explained that he and his wife share one thing in common, "The great belief in education - a belief in education as a liberator of the human mind and also as a liberator of the human spirit.

In his words, attending the university will allow young women from across Asia to get the education that "they need and deserve." He asserted that the university will tell young people that "no matter what your circumstances or how many challenges your country has, we are going to stand by you," he added, "There is no more precious gift that you can give someone than to give them the chance to education.

Cherie Blair, who is also a Founder of the Cherie Blair Foundation and an advocate for human rights, addressed the event explaining that she has personal reasons to support educational initiatives. "I, too, was the first person in my family to go to the university," she said.

Blair, who earlier last year launched the Cherie Blair Fellowships at AUW, said that the new campus is fantastic in its vision; the staff is so committed to teaching and transmitting their knowledge to the girls; the students are enthusiastic and talented and eager to grasp the opportunity for themselves and for their societies. She asserted, that the university brings together two major things, "the importance of education and the need to support women to play their full role in our societies.

In the global economy, the people are important for success and they are the driving force of the global economy, Blair said. The key to success for nations now and in the future will be the ability to harness the talents and potential of all its citizens. And that means women as well as men, she added.

AUW, an institution of higher education that currently provides brighter opportunities to over 300 women from 12 countries across Asia and the Middle East, is the tool that can provide better future women who come from challenged backgrounds. Located in Chittagong (Bangladesh), AUW educates young, meritorious women who hail from diverse backgrounds with the spirit of entrepreneurship and leadership.

AUW aims to graduate women who are to become innovative professionals, service-oriented leaders in the businesses and communities in which they live. AUW which reshapes the understanding of liberal arts in Asia, also aims to mentor promoters of intercultural understanding and sustainable human and economic development worldwide.

Quoting statistics about the high illiteracy levels for women in some Middle Eastern and Asian countries Lulwa Al-Mulla, Member of International Council of Advisors for the AUW, stated that "the grim state of affairs is undeniably dragging our communities behind." She further argued that illiteracy is the major culprit of the instability in the region. "The road to eradicating underdevelopment begins with promotion of high quality education," Al-Mulla said.

Al-Mulla who herself visited the AUW two months ago recalled her visit saying, " I witnessed a vibrant academic body driven by the desire for academic excellence, personal growth and independence." On his part, Kamal Ahmad, Founder and CEO of the Asian University for Women Support Foundation, a US-based NGO that handles AUW's fund-raising initiatives, introduced the idea of the university, provided a glimpse of the academic programs, campus establishment plans and the plans for the future. He explained th
at 25 percent of the students will be drawn from Bangladesh and the remainder will be from across Asia.

Farida Royesh, an Afghan student at the AUW Access Academy narrated her story and explained how joining AUW changed her life. Royesh who is currently involved in communication and creative work clubs wants to become an advocate for women's rights and to work in the parliament in Afghanistan. Born in what she calls "mujahedeen-controlled" village, she was only four when the family was forced to migrate to Pakistan because her father was a writer. "Honestly, I didn't have a childhood, " she said at the start
of her story. Today, after becoming one of the selected girls to continue her education in AUW, she eagerly addresses the issue of how can a girl bring change to her future and to the future of women overall.

Having developed a strong interest in anthropology, democracy and human rights, Royesh aspires to embrace one of the university's goal - to become a role model and a leader for women in her native Afghanistan. She shared her first impressions, her conviction to pursue higher education, and her dreams as part of AUW. "Thanks to AUW my dreams are now alive and attainable," she said elaborating that she is obligated to serve her country and the community.
For more information about AUW visit: www.asian-university.org.