Justice and Human Rights Bangladesh Project #27988

Educating Asia's Women, One Scholarship At A Time

by Asian University for Women Support Foundation

Educating Asia's Women, One Scholarship At A Time

Project Report | Aug 20, 2020
AUW Mentorship Program

By Christy Bae | Event and Outreach Coordinator

Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the Asian University for Women (AUW) Virtual Mentorship Program has experienced tremendous success over the past few months. The AUW Mentorship Program provides upper class students and alumnae with the valuable opportunity to connect virtually with an industry leader who can help them reach their professional and personal goals.

AUW is often the first place where students have the freedom to study and think about what they hope to accomplish beyond what they’ve seen in their communities. Fariah* is one of many AUW students who have signed up for the mentorship program. Like many AUW students, Fariah has many interests as AUW’s liberal arts education encourages students to pursue their passions and gain diverse experiences. But as she was approaching her final year at AUW, Fariah felt uncertain about not having a plan. Though Fariah describes herself as an optimistic person, she knew she wanted to come up with solid plan to help her realize what was in and out of her control. She also knew she had limited exposure to working outside of school, and wanted guidance from someone with experience who could advise her on how to focus her energy and efforts.

Fariah started her mentorship journey in a group mentorship session, where she learned the importance of setting short term goals as well as different styles of leadership. In a private session with her individual mentor, Fariah shared her personal aspirations and struggles. It was her dream to become a UN ambassador someday, but she had no idea where to begin. It was her mentor who reassured her she could achieve her dream, and told her to take a step back and break down her dream into smaller goals. Fariah’s mentor advised her to look for internships and job opportunities, and secure some degree of financial stability before applying to graduate school.

As many AUW students are the first in their families to attend university, the AUW Mentorship Program is a valuable resource for students who may not have had access to professional role models in their own communities. Since its inception, the program has matched 137 students to individual professional mentors from organizations such as Bloomberg, Goldman Sachs, Google, UNICEF USA, and more. Most recently, the mentorship program has expanded to include AUW alumnae, who can now sign up as mentees.

*Fariah is an alias.

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May 27, 2020
Strengthening Our Community in Uncertain Times

By Lauren Chan | Communications Coordinator

AUW Strong Webinar Series

To respond to the global COVID-19 pandemic, Asian University for Women (AUW) entered a precautionary response period on 11 March 2020. Over this period, the campus closed to all but vital workers. Online provision of teaching was swiftly implemented and administrative support was enhanced to ensure the health and safety of our residential students and frontline staff. We have seen new community spirit emerging amidst the confusion as students, faculty, and support staff adjust to living in a rapidly evolving context. Currently, more than 100 students have made the informed decision to remain on campus, while all others have been supported in returning to their home countries.

To bring together our international community, AUW has been hosting a series of virtual panels in its 'AUW Strong' series, featuring the particular experiences of our diverse community in the wake of COVID-19. The first in this webinar series was moderated by AUW Chancellor Cherie Blair and was joined by both current students from the Rohingya community as well as AUW alumnae who are working with UN agencies and others at the forefront of the Rohingya refugee crisis in Bangladesh.

The second webinar in the AUW Strong series featured Dr. Maryam Qudrat, AUW Trustee and Lecturer at California State University Long Beach, in conversation with AUW alumnae from Afghanistan. This panel brought color to the ways that individuals in conflict-affected countries, like Afghanistan, address and adapt to the threats of COVID-19. AUW alumnae shared their perspectives, work experiences, and hopes for the future.

In the third panel, stakeholders from across the apparel industry came together to discuss how the boom in the readymade garments industry brought jobs and opportunities to millions of women in Bangladesh, including the ability to enroll in Asian University for Women's Pathways for Promise program for entry into undergraduate education. Our panelists shed light on how the global pandemic has disrupted the industry in Bangladesh and discussed how – and in what new form – the industry might emerge in its aftermath.

AUW will continue to host webinars in the coming month. We hope you will tune in!

We are grateful to members of the international AUW community for their support during the COVID-19 emergency. Though the world is in peril, we are stronger together.

Links:

AUW's COVID-19 Response

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Feb 4, 2020
Physical Education for Pathways Students

By Amy Harlowe | Program Associate

Students take part in a dance class

At the Asian University for Women, students who start through the Pathways for Promise program receive an enriching educational experience that allows students from particularly underserved communities to prepare for entrance into higher education. To best equip students for their upcoming undergraduate studies, they take extensive English language courses in addition to reviewing basic mathematics and computer skills before entering into a second year of preparatory academic work.

Physical education courses have also become a critical feature of the Pathways program and overall AUW curriculum. Through classes in martial arts and classical dance, and extracurricular athletic activities, students discover new talents and improve physical wellbeing, while also gaining confidence and feelings of personal success.

Pathways for Promise students take courses in Karate, where they learn physical and mental discipline as well as self-defense skills. After Pathways, students can join the Karate team, which competes under the leadership of the first woman blackbelt in Chittagong. Just this past summer, several students competed in an international Karate competition in Kolkata, India where they brought home a number of medals.

Recently, classical dance classes have also been introduced as part of the curriculum. Taught in the Indian tradition, these courses include five courses on Kathak Dance and two courses on Bharatnatyam Dance. To expand the options for the students, a number of skilled dance instructors have begun teaching these courses. These dance courses are mandatory for all Pathways for Promise students and are a cornerstone of this diverse group of students’ education at AUW, and serve as outlets of expression and connection. The courses challenge students to develop as dancers, to support their classmates in developing their talents, and to use dance as a medium by which to communicate issues of importance to them individually and collectively. Although many students have little background in dance, they actively participate and are making progress. AUW is excited to continue to offer these classes, as well as additional advanced classes, into the current Spring Semester.

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