Asian University for Women raises nearly $500,000 at gala dinner

Nearly $500,000 has been raised for the Asian University for Women (AUW) in Chittagong after a gala dinner in Hong Kong.

News Deskbdnews24.com
Published : 22 June 2017, 08:11 AM
Updated : 22 June 2017, 08:53 AM

Over 300 guests attended ‘In Honour of Daughters: Empowering Women on a Mission’ at the JW Marriott in Hong Kong on Jun 13 and heard stories of overcoming adversity and hard-won success from AUW faculty, alumni and a variety of speakers.

The money raised at the event will fund 31 scholarships for the most promising young women from ‘traditionally marginalised communities around the region’ to attend the university for a year.

AUW Chancellor Cherie Blair, who was the first member of her family to attend university, spoke of the value of AUW as a symbol.

“I was told that what Asia needed was a visual representation of why educating girls is important, a place where girls can go, learn from each other and have the chance of an excellent standard of education. That is exactly what AUW offers -- it is a beacon of hope."

"One single opportunity can transform a life completely," said Mowmita Basak, a member of Bangladesh’s Hindu minority who completed a degree in Asian Studies at AUW and is pursuing her master’s degree at the University of Oxford.

Sweta Kumari, who overcame poverty, assault and mental illness to graduate from AUW and aims to reform higher education in India told the audience: “AUW made possible what was totally, totally impossible.”

Founding Co-chair AUW Japan Support Foundation Kathy Matsui, author, academic and AUW Support Foundation Board Member Sheena Iyengar, former Dutch parliamentarian and academic Kathleen Ferrier; AUW Vice Chancellor Nirmala Rao and Executive Vice Chairman of South China Media Group, Jessica Ng also spoke of their journeys at the event.

The Asian University for Women seeks to recruit high-potential young women from communities in Asia and the Middle East with few opportunities for advancement and provides them with academic, professional and financial support to complete their undergraduate degrees and take on change-making roles.

Over 550 women in five classes have graduated from the university since it opened its doors in 2008. About 80 percent of the graduates begin work in their home countries following their graduation. The remaining 20 percent pursue higher education at graduate school.