Asian University for Women

Located in Chittagong, Bangladesh, the Asian University for Women (AUW) is a regional center of excellence with a mission of educating a new generation of ethical, innovative, and service-oriented leaders in Asia. AUW opened its doors in 2008 and now educates approximately 900 students from 20 countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Palestine, Philippines, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Syria, Thailand, Timor Leste, Vietnam, and Yemen.

AUW is rooted in the belief that background does not indicate potential, and therefore is committed to admitting any student who shows talent and drive—regardless of their ability to pay tuition. Almost 85% of its student body is on scholarship. AUW students are refugees, former garment factory workers, and daughters of micro-finance borrowers; they have survived life under the Taliban, civil wars, and natural disasters; they are almost always the first in their family to attend university.