Asian University for Women

Asian University for Women (AUW) is an independent, international university in Chittagong, Bangladesh.

The seed of AUW was planted in the mind of Kamal Ahmad, a young Bangladeshi student at Harvard, long before it blossomed into a thriving university. The 1980s saw a surge in awareness of educational disparities faced by women in Asia, which he channeled into a vision for a regional institution dedicated to their empowerment. This dream gained momentum through the World Bank/UNESCO Task Force on Higher Education & Society, finding fertile ground in Bangladesh.

In 2005, the Parliament of Bangladesh granted AUW its charter, paving the way for its official launch in 2008. The doors opened to a diverse cohort of over 100 women from six countries, symbolizing the university's commitment to inclusivity. From this humble beginning, AUW has steadily grown, welcoming students from across Asia.

A landmark initiative in 2016, "Pathways for Promise," extended the AUW experience to women from vulnerable backgrounds, including garment factory workers. This program solidified the university's mission of not just educating, but transforming lives. Today, AUW stands tall as a testament to the transformative power of education, nurturing generations of women leaders who are shaping a brighter future for Asia.