2014 AUW Admission Prospectus (PDF) - Asian University for Women

EDUCATING 

THE LEADERS OF TOMORROW 

TODAY 

2013-2014

The Asian University for Women seeks 

to graduate women who will be skilled and innovative 

professionals, service-oriented leaders in the businesses 

and communities in which they will work and live, 

and promoters of intercultural understanding 

and sustainable human and economic development 

in Asia and throughout the world. 

Front Cover: Left to Right 

Fayeka Zabeen Siddiqua Mingzhu Ha Gangodawilage Nimanthi 

Undergraduate Year 4 Undergraduate Year 3 Undergraduate Year 2 

Major: Asian Studies Major: Environmental Sciences Major: Environmental Sciences 

Country: Bangladesh Country: China Country: Sri Lanka

AUW 

1 

Table of Contents 

Extraordinary Women & Their Voices 6 

Academic Programs 10 

Collaborative Programs, Summer Research 

And Co-Curricular Activities 14 

Admissions, Scholarships & Financial Assistance 20 

Career Development Center 22 

Deans 26 

Faculty 27 

Access Academy 32 

Residential Life 36 

Campus Resources 38 

Student Activities 40

Dr. Fahima Aziz 

Vice Chancellor 

Greetings from the Asian University for Women (AUW). At AUW, you will not only receive 

world-class academic instruction; there will be opportunities for internships, independent 

projects, building relationships with mentors, study abroad programs, extra-curricular 

activities, and much more. But perhaps most importantly, at AUW you will find a diverse 

community of young women who share your passions and dreams. 

Your extraordinary peers will inspire you, challenge you and support you throughout your 

educational journey. They come from twelve countries and aspire to be teachers, doctors, 

scientists, government officials, social activists, diplomats, politicians, and prime ministers. 

They seek to erode the narrow identities that engender conflict and violence, and replace 

them with an ethos of tolerance and peace. Masooma Maqsoodi, a second-year 

undergraduate student from Afghanistan, wrote of her experience: “Life at AUW teaches us 

to grow reverence for each other’s values and concern for each other’s problems. We will 

become leaders and educators of tomorrow and we will take these messages with us to our 

communities and to the outside world”. 

Our dedicated professors come from world-renowned institutions to share their expertise 

and experiences, and guide our students as they embark on their exciting educational 

journeys. From environmental science to literary theory, AUW’s curriculum is based on the 

solid foundation of a broad liberal arts education that empowers students to think 

independently and develop the skills that they will need to be leaders in their fields and be 

engaged citizens in their communities. Our innovative Access Academy program allows us 

to serve women whose educational backgrounds have not prepared them for the rigorous 

university-level work at AUW, but who have demonstrated talent and promise. In the Access 

Academy, they receive intensive instruction in English, mathematics, global history, 

technology skills, and physical education for 11 months before going on to our four-year 

undergraduate program. These are the kinds of incredible young women who will make up 

your community at AUW, women determined to succeed and women whose voices 

demand to be heard. 

Our students have worked at the World Bank, Democracy International, Starbucks, the 

Afghan Ministry of Counter Narcotics, and the The Daily Star. They have received 

scholarships to study abroad at Philips Exeter Academy and Stanford University in the 

United States, the Paris Institute of Political Studies in France, and the University of Trento 

in Italy. And they have participated in leadership trainings with world-renowned scholars 

and political activists. As we look forward to the graduation of our first class in May 2013, we 

are confident that they will fulfill their dreams of changing their communities for the better. 

We believe that by accepting this opportunity at AUW, the region's most talented, promising 

young women, women like you, can impact the lives of many others. We invite you to join 

our community of tomorrow’s leaders.


3 

Rehana Alam Khan 

Director of Admissions 

and Student Recruitment 

Education is the bedrock of social and economic development. Today's college students 

want an educational system which goes beyond the mere acquisition of bookish 

knowledge, one which develops self-discipline and leadership skills, provides courage and 

confidence to take on challenges, develops an analytical and inquiring approach to 

problems and above all makes a good human being. 

The Asian University for Women (AUW) seeks to graduate women who will be skilled and 

innovative professionals, service-oriented leaders in the businesses and communities in 

which they will work and live, and promoters of intercultural understanding and sustainable 

human and economic development in Asia and throughout the world. 

At AUW, we prepare our students for their roles as global citizens by offering an intellectually 

challenging liberal arts undergraduate curriculum leading to Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor 

of Science degrees. Our undergraduate program blends the best of liberal arts education 

into a curriculum that speaks to Asia and beyond. We aim to prepare competent leaders for 

the future. We provide an education that extends beyond the parameters of the classroom 

curriculum, and the opportunity to hone leadership skills through engagements in 

societies, clubs and Student Government. 

As a student at AUW, you will live and attend classes with young women from twelve 

countries and from varied cultural and religious backgrounds. Your professors come from 

the best universities in the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia and Asia. Women 

leaders like Anuradha Koirala and Dr. Kiran Bedi visit the university to speak and interact with 

our students as part of our Extraordinary Women & Their Voices seminar series. We provide 

opportunities for you to spend your summers engaged in research projects, internships and 

academic programs around the world. And we prepare you for graduate school, for careers 

and for leadership roles at the local, national and international level. 

This book will give you a glimpse into student life on our campus and thus help you make 

your decision. As you read about each of these young women, I hope you will see our 

University’s unique character reflected in our students’ extraordinary voices, profiles and 

goals. You can explore options in terms of different majors, our admissions requirements, 

financial aid options, residential life and hopefully provide all other information that will 

assist you in making the decision to study at AUW. 

This is the time to spread your wings, to widen your social circle and nurture friendships 

bolstered by an education that will last a life time.

Afghanistan 

ENTRY YEAR 

Access Academy, 2010 

CURRENT YEAR 

Undergraduate Year 2 

AUW GRADUATION YEAR 

2015 

MAJOR 

Politics, Philosophy, and Economics 

2011–2012 COURSES 

World Literature, Writer As Activist, Social and Political 

Thought I and II, Anthropology of Religion, Religion and 

Identity, Pre-calculus, Calculus I 

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES 

Co-founder of Afghan Youth Reading Association 

(AYRA), Member of CLAP Foundation, Environment in 

Action Club 

2012 SUMMER RESEARCH PROJECT 

Translated the Infant and Child Nutrition Manual for 

Parents into Dari with the help of a group of Afghan 

students at AUW and working to get this manual 

published and distributed in Afghanistan 

2012 SUMMER ACADEMIC PROGRAM 

AUW’s Women in Public Service Project (WPSP) 

Summer Institute, 2012 

GRADUATE SCHOOL 

Sociology or International Relations 

Masooma Maqsoodi 

“I believe it is through high quality education that we can promote peace, raise awareness 

about social challenges, advocate religious or ethnic tolerance, eliminate poverty, and 

eradicate all kinds of discrimination, especially gender discrimination in human societies. I 

have chosen AUW to enjoy being empowered by such educational quality. AUW is where we 

are equipped with the skills, knowledge and insight that will prepare us, both as dedicated 

leaders and responsible citizens, to tackle regional and global challenges of our time.”


5 

Bangladesh 

ENTRY YEAR 


CURRENT YEAR 



2013 

MAJOR 

Asian Studies 

2011–2012 COURSES 

Cultural Psychology, Religion and Violence in Asia, 

Consumption, Culture and Politics in Asia 


President and Founder of Center for Leadership 

Assistance & Promotion (CLAP) Foundation, 

Member of Youth Council of the U.S. Ambassador 

to Bangladesh, Mentor at AUW & University of 

Toronto Cyber-Mentorship Program 


Gender Glitch: Promoting Gender Equality through 

Securing Civil Liberties for Hijra in Bangladesh, 

Comparative Analysis of Child Labor and 

Protection of Children’s Rights in Bangladesh 


Advance Study in Social Work or Development 

Studies 

Mowmita Basak 

“At AUW I had the chance to grow in a multi-cultural educational atmosphere, which has 

changed my life and with this education I hope to change the lives of others. My AUW 

education not only equipped me with good academic proficiency but also reshaped my 

values, thoughts and perceptions. In my second year of the Undergraduate Program, I initiated 

a non-profit social welfare organization of youths called Center for Leadership Assistance & 

Promotion (CLAP) Foundation. CLAP Foundation aims to encourage leadership in our 

members while working on different social issues in Bangladesh. AUW has been a life-changing 

entity for me, where I was encouraged to dream big and to be the leader of Tomorrow.”

EXTRAORDINARY WOMEN & THEIR VOICES 

In April 2011, Dr. Kiran Bedi of India, the first and highest ranking 

woman officer in the Indian Police Service and winner of the Ramon 

Magsaysay Award, visited the AUW for two days and spoke to the 

students about being agents for positive change in the world. She 

encouraged them to visualize themselves as extraordinary, to craft 

their journeys, to stay on course, to constantly prepare for tomorrow, 

and to always give extra in everything they do. As part of their 

summer reading, each of our students went home with a copy of 

Kiran Bedi’s autobiography called, I DARE. 

DR. KIRAN BEDI 

The first AUW Women in Public Service Summer Institute was held at the 

Asian University for Women in Chittagong, Bangladesh, from August 1 – 

August 15, 2012. The Summer Institute was led by Dr. Rangita de Silva de 

Alwis (S.J.D.), Director of the Women in Public Service Project (WPSP)’s 

inaugural institute at Wellesley College. She will be heading the Global 

Women’s Leadership Initiative at the Woodrow Wilson Center for 

International Scholars where she will direct the WPSP and the Council of 

Women World Leaders – a network of current and former women heads 

of state. Dr. De Silva and 43 exceptional AUW students, representing 12 

countries across Asia explored traditional gender roles, the impact of 

mentoring, women’s leadership as smart economics, and female social 

entrepreneurship. 

DR. RANGITA DE SILVA


7 

I slept and dreamt 

that life was joy. 

I awoke and saw 

that life was service. 

I acted and behold, 

service was joy. 

RABINDRANATH TAGORE

Pakistan 

ENTRY YEAR 


CURRENT YEAR 



2014 

MAJOR 


2011–2012 COURSES 

Migration, Gender in Asia, Cultural Psychology, Religion 

and Violence in Asia 


Member of Communication and Coordination Committee 

of Hareep Pakistan, Working with Aga Khan Council as 

a member of Communication and Coordination Committee 

in Chittagong and Dhaka, Member of CLAP Foundation, 

Country Representative of Pakistan at AUW, Business 

Entrepreneur Club 


Research based on “Pakistani Migrants In Arab countries” 

2012 SUMMER INTERNSHIP 

Agility Logistics, Islamabad Pakistan 

Shakila Bano 

“I strongly feel the injustice happening around me. I have seen discrimination in the name of 

religion, culture, caste, language and gender which can also be addressed as structural 

violence especially in Asia. It is really important to take these issues seriously and come up 

with solutions. I strongly believe that liberal education can play a vital role in order to bring 

harmony and peace among different ideologies. My goal in life is to eliminate structural 

violence and create peace through providing liberal education to the people and promoting 

awareness about art and culture so that people come closer to each other and understand 

differences.”


9 

Sri Lanka 

ENTRY YEAR 


CURRENT YEAR 



2013 

MAJOR 


2011–2012 COURSES 

Econometrics, Labor Economics, Global Justice, Civil Society and 

Social Movements, Humanitarianism and Politics, Urban 

Challenge & Poverty, Politics in South Asia, Principles of 

Macro-economics, Violence and Ethics, The State of Nature and 

The Nature of the State 


Member of AUW UN Youth and Student Association of 

Bangladesh (UNYSAB): AUW Chapter, Science Club, Debate Club, 

Model UN Club 


AUW’s Women in Public Service Project (WPSP) Summer 

Institute, 2012. As a follow-up action plan, currently working on 

establishing leadership chapters named ‘Daughters of Nation’ in 

girls’ schools in Sri Lanka 


Toshiba and Dentsu, Japan 


Ph.D. in Public Policy 

Ganga Silva Gunarathne 

“Dreams are the roots of making the Impossible possible. Hence, I dream for a change, a 

change that will make us see the world in open eyes beyond the meaningless differences, 

make us discover the social impediments that inhibit humankind as a whole, make us take 

initiative to unveil the obstructive stereotypical customs and traditions in our own 

societies, and finally make us fight to achieve both the individual and collective rights of 

women and children so that they can stand and walk freely with pride and dignity.”

ACADEMIC PROGRAMS 

The undergraduate program offered at Asian University for Women seeks to blend the best of liberal arts 

educational traditions into a curriculum that speaks to Asia. Through our curriculum and course offerings we seek 

to develop – in each student – creativity of thought and vision, critical thinking and reasoning skills, exceptional 

writing and speaking skills, and love of learning. We also aim to prepare students for graduate study, careers, and 

leadership roles at the local, national, and international levels. 

UNDERGRADUATE CURRICULUM 

The undergraduate curriculum consists of four years of study and offers students an exceptional liberal arts and 

sciences education. The integration of both abstract and applied studies encourages students to link theoretical 

understanding with contemporary issues and challenges facing Asia and the world. 

The key components of the curriculum are as follows: 

• Humanities and natural and social sciences establish a broad base of inquiry (14 courses in the core curriculum), 

• Disciplinary studies provide depth (16 courses in a major), and 

• Electives provide choice for students to explore their interests, write a senior thesis, and/or take courses to 

prepare for graduate study (minimum of 2 courses). 

The core curriculum follows a “modes of thought and reasoning” model and requires students to take two courses 

in social analysis, two courses in ethical reasoning, three courses in literature, civilization studies, and the arts, three 

courses in science and mathematics, one course on regional challenges in Asia, and two writing and rhetoric 

intensive seminars. In each of these categories, a student may choose from among four to nine different courses. 

We offrer five majors leading to either a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree. These are: 

• Asian Studies (B.A.) 

• Biological Sciences (B.S.) 

• Environmental Sciences (B.S.) 

• Politics, Philosophy, and Economics (B.A.) 

• Public Health Studies (B.S.) 

Examples of courses are shown on the facing page.


11 

SUMMER RESEARCH PROJECTS, 

ACADEMIC STUDY, AND INTERNSHIPS 

AUW offers opportunities for students to 

participate in applied research projects and 

study programs during the summer. A typical 

sequence of summers might include an applied 

research project during the first summer, an 

international study program and/or an 

internship during the second summer, and an 

internship during the third summer. 

Subsequent pages provide examples of 

research projects and internships opportunities. 

GRADUATE PROGRAMS 

We prepare our students to compete for 

admittance and scholarships to the best 

graduate programs around the world in public 

health, biology, environmental engineering and 

sustainable development, economics, politics, 

philosophy, public policy, international relations, 

law, and journalism to name just a few. We have 

the Career Development Center that helps 

students become aware of their options for 

graduate school and assists them throughout 

the application process. 

CORE CURRICULUM 

Social Analysis 

Mind and Behavior 

Social Inquiry 

Social & Political Thought I, II 

Literature, Civilization 

Studies & the Arts 

World Literature I, II 

History of Modern Asia 

Introduction to Asian Religions 

World History I, II 

Photography 

History of South Asia I, II 

Southeast Asian History 

Arabian Nights in Literature 

and Culture 

Asian Dramatic Culture 

Ethical Reasoning 

Introduction to Ethics 

Ethics of Humanitarian Intervention 

Ethics and International Relations 

Introduction to Bioethics 

Global Health Ethics 

Science & Mathematics 

Calculus I, II 

Differential Equations 

Probability & Statistics 

Linear Algebra 

Biology I, II 

General Chemistry I, II 

Organic Chemistry 

Physics I, II 

Writing & Rhetoric Seminars 

These writing and rhetoric intensive 

seminars are built around literary, 

philosophical, historical, artistic, 

political, and social themes. 

Examples include: 

Banned Books 

Human Rights 

Art of the Personal Essay 

Regional Challenges 

Urban Challenges and Poverty 

Environmental Challenges in Asia 

Public Health Challenges in Asia 

Law and Human Rights in Asia 

MAJORS 

Asian Studies (AS) 

Asian Literature & the Arts 

World & Asian History 

Asian Religions and Philosophy 

Asian Politics and 

International Relations 

Development Studies in Asia 

Chinese Language 

Biological Sciences (BS) 

Cell & Developmental Biology 

Genetics & Genomics 

Biochemistry 

Microbiology 

Anatomy & Physiology 

Environmental Sciences (ES) 

Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology 

Earth Science 

Ecology 

Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences 

Energy & Environment 

Natural Disasters 

Hydrology 

Environmental Hydraulics 

Microbiology 

Numerical Methods & Computer Programming 

Politics, Philosophy, & Economics (PPE) 

Microeconomics 

Intermediate Microeconomics 

Macroeconomics 

Intermediate Macroeconomics 

Econometrics 

Microeconomics of Development 

Labor Economics 

Comparative Politics 


Advanced International Relations 

Civil Society and Social Movements 

Government and Politics in South Asia 

Humanitarianism and Politics 

Politics of Development 

International Political Economy 

State of Nature and the Nature of the State 

Global Justice 

Public Health Studies (PH) 

Biostatistics 

Epidemiology 

Nutrition 

Public Health 

Health Policy & Management 

ELECTIVES 

Psychology 

Sociology 

Anthropology

Cambodia 

ENTRY YEAR 


CURRENT YEAR 



2013 

MAJOR 

Public Health Studies 

2011–2012 COURSES 

Human Anatomy, Public Health Challenge in Asia, 

Principles of Macroeconomics, Global Science Global 

Politics 


Public Health Leadership Club, Yoga 


Writing up the project paper about Education in 

Cambodia for a conference 


UNHCR, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh 

Sorya Seang 

“I believe education is the best way to explore the best qualities in one’s self. When I find my 

qualities, I believe I can fly. I try to understand what I do not know; I try to be the best of what 

I am good at. I know what my future is because I always have a dream. I dare to dream and to 

fly because of this Education.”


13 

China 

ENTRY YEAR 


CURRENT YEAR 



2016 

INTENDED MAJOR 


2011–2012 COURSES 

English Grammar, Composition, Reading 

and Writing, Pre-calculus, PE., Geography 

and World History 


Member of CLAP Foundation, Poetry 

Club, Basketball 


A short cultural documentation funded 

by the Firebird Foundation (Australia) 

2012 SUMMER ACADEMIC PROGRAMS 

Building A Better Chittagong (providing 

street baggers with job trainings) 

Yina 

“Everything is possible when you dare to give a try. I’ve accomplished my own cultural 

documentation name Warm Your Hands with Moonlight in English when I studied English 

only for two years. It seemed totally unachievable for me at the beginning, but it was my 

courage and persistence adhered to it. Let’s try for the things that you are scared or have 

no confidence of.”

COLLABORATIVE PROGRAMS, SUMMER RESEARCH 

AND CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES 

AUW offers opportunities for students to participate in collaborative programs, applied research 

projects and co-curricular activities at home and abroad, which are meant to bridge the gap 

between classroom knowledge and local practice. These projects are typically carried out during 

the summer after the first undergraduate year, and may be continued during the academic year 

and into the following summer, whereas co-curricular activities are carried out throughout the year. 

Canada 

Journalism Workshop 

France 

Collaborative Program in Paris Institute of Political Studies 

Nepal 

Summer Projects: 

Translation of a Lay Infant and Child Nutrition Manual 

Girl Dropouts In Rural Nepal 

Menstruation, Nutrition, and Sanitation in Rural Parts of Nepal 

AUW Basketball Summer Projet Proposal: Sports Shaping 

Young Girls as Future Leaders 

Improving Infant Feeding and Young Child Growth in Nepal 

United States 

Summer Program at Stanford University 

Summer Program at Philips Exeter Academy 

Exchange Program at St. Catherine University 

Leadership Program 

Conference 

Bangladesh 


Conducting Participatory Research on Occupations of Street Children 

Usefulness of Biogas in Managing Organic Waste 

Bangladeshi Peacekeeping Forces 

Handicraft Artisans in Bangladesh: Economic and Skill Development 

Living and Working in Bangladesh from Non-Bangladeshi Perspectives 

Population Status of the Endangered Bostami Turtle 

(Aspideretes nigricans) in Chittagong 

Traditional Use of Zootherapeutics in Bangladesh 

Baseline Infant and Young Child Feeding and Undernutrition Survey 

in Raozan, Bangladesh 

Comparison of Attitudes Towards Corruption in Bangladesh and India 

Translation of a Lay Infant and Child Nutrition Manual 

U.A.E. 

Conference 

Qatar 

Conference


15 

United Kingdom 

Conference 

Afghanistan 


Lightening in the Shadows 

Women's Political Participation in Parliament 

in Afghanistan 

China 

Summer Project: 

Volunteer Teaching in a Primary 

School in Yunnan Province 

Bhutan 


Understanding Teenage 

Pregnancy in Merak Bhutan 

Kuwait 

Conference 

Vietnam 


Oral History: The Political and Social 

Changes after the Vietnam War 

Philippines 

Debate Competition 

India 


Comparison of Attitudes Towards 

Corruption in Bangladesh and India 

Sri Lanka 


Moving Beyond Conflict 

Cambodia 

New Zealand 

Debate Competition 


Translation of a Lay Infant and Child 

Nutrition Manual

SUMMER PROJECT 

Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) and Growth in Nepal 

A group of seven Nepalese students conducted a pilot caregiver behavior change intervention from June to 

August 2012 in their own localities. This project aimed to educate 138 mothers and caregivers to feed their 

infants and young children nutritious food and change inappropriate feeding behaviors by promoting 

responsive feeding. 

The intervention involved two surveys, one before and one after the intervention. First, each student 

interviewed mothers or caregivers of 11 to 13 months old infants about the mother’s pregnancy, lactation, 

and feeding behaviors, and measured the height and weight of the infants. This interview was followed by 

suggestions to the caregivers on how to improve their feeding behaviors for healthy brain and body growth. 

The second phase of survey, which took place after an interval of one month, focused on reporting the 

changes in the feeding behaviors of the mothers and caregivers, as well as measuring the height and weight 

of the infants again. 

Through these surveys, the students observed a positive impact on most of the mothers’ feeding behaviors. 

The mothers seemed to realize that their children need nutritious food—instead of packaged/commercial 

sweet or nutrient-poor food—for proper growth and development. Most of the mothers did not include a 

variety of foods in their children’s diet because of a lack of information about complementary feeding, 

poverty, and unavailability of food in their locality. These data continue to be analyzed for pre/post feeding 

and growth differences using SPSS software. This kind of intervention is especially necessary in developing 

countries, such as Nepal, which have high rates of growth faltering. Such countries need to focus on proper 

infant growth as they will need healthy, smart manpower for national development.


25 

ENTRY YEAR 


CURRENT YEAR 




MAJOR 


2011–2012 COURSES 

Arabian Nights, Ethics and Violence, Calculus I, 

Photography 


Member of CLAP Foundation 


Korea Palestine Center, Palestine 

GRADUATION SCHOOL 


Bayan Salaiimeh 

“Education is better than quotation because education does the work but quotation just 

states the work.”

DEANS 

Dr. Jinnie Garrett 

Dean of Sciences 

As Dean of Sciences, Dr. Jinnie Garrett oversees AUW’s undergraduate programmes in 

Biological Sciences, Environmental Sciences, and in Public Health. She will also plan and 

direct the development of the laboratories and other learning and research resources in 

support of the teaching programmes in biological sciences and public health. Dr. Garrett 

received an M.Sc. in Chemistry from Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario in Canada 

and a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Biophysics from Texas A & M University, College Station, 

Texas in the United States. After completing post-doctoral research in molecular 

genetics at the California Institute of Technology, in Pasadena, California, USA, she 

moved to Hamilton College in New York where she has served as a member of the 

Department of Biology since 1986. She conducts research in yeast molecular genetics 

and also studies the microbial composition of samples from distinct environments using 

metagenomics. 

Dr. Kathleen Hewett-Smith 

Dean of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences 

Professor Kathleen Hewett-Smith is the Dean of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences at 

the AUW. With research and teaching interests in both Asian and Medieval English 

Literatures and Cultures, Kathleen brings an accomplished and diverse academic and 

administrative background to AUW. She earned her B.A. with Honors from the University 

of Colorado, Boulder, and her M.A. and Ph. D. in Literature and Literary Theory from the 

University of California, Irvine. Kathleen is the author of a book of essays on medieval 

poet William Langland as well as numerous papers and articles on topics ranging from 

medieval mysticism to globalization and mega-cities in Asia. The recipient of both 

teaching and research awards, Kathleen is presently developing a book-length study of 

the long post-colonial novel, with an emphasis on the literature in English of South Asia 

and Africa. 

Fatema Haque 

Dean of Students 

Fatema Haque is the Dean of Students at AUW. She joined AUW in 2009 as an Access 

Academy teacher, and later began her role as Dean of Students in 2011. She is 

originally from Sylhet, Bangladesh. She studied Classical Civilization and Asian 

Languages & Cultures at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

FACULTY 


27 

Access Academy 

Ara Arzoumani, B.Sc., University of Toronto, Psychology 

Meeraal Shafaat Bokharee, B.A., Mount Holyoke College, Politics 

and History 

Diana Davies, B.A., Agnes Scott College, Women’s Studies 

Aliza Khan, B.Sc., Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, 

Chemical Engineering 

Noman Uddin, M.Sc., Chittagong University, Applied Mathematics 

Undergraduate Program 

Meherun Ahmed, Assistant Professor 

Ph.D., University of Washington, United States 

Discipline: Economics 

Amina Akhter, Lecturer 

M.S., Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand 

Discipline: Computer Science 

Sara Nuzhat Amin, Assistant Professor 

Ph.D., McGill University, Canada 

Discipline: Sociology 

Qamar Banu, Professor 

D.Phil, Oxford University, England 

Discipline: Biology 

Simon R. Clarke, Associate Professor 

Ph.D., Oxford University, England 

Discipline: Politics 

Jennifer Alia Cronly, Assistant Professor 

Ph.D., Trinity College, Dublin 

Discipline: Psychology 

Samiran Das, Assistant Professor 

Ph.D., National University of Ireland Galway (NUIGalway), Galway, Ireland 

Discipline: Hydrology 

Anjan Debnath, Lecturer 

M.S., Bangladesh University of Engineering & Technology (BUET), 

Bangladesh 

Discipline: Physics 

Jana Fedtke, Assistant Professor 

Ph.D., University of South Carolina, United States 

Discipline: Asian Studies and Literature 

Sharon M. Flicker, Associate Professor 

Ph.D., University of New Mexico, United States 


Genevieve Gamache, Assistant Professor 

Ph.D., University of Victoria, Canada 

Discipline: Asian Studies and Sociology 

Varuni K. Ganepola, Associate Professor 

Ph.D., University of Wales Swansea, England 


Christian Girard, Assistant Professor 

Ph.D., University of Montreal, Canada 

Discipline: Urban Planning and International Development 

Jiang Song Gong, Lecturer 

M.A., University of Montana, United States 

Discipline: Applied Linguistics 

Georgia S. Guldan, Professor 

Ph.D., Tufts University, United States 

Discipline: Public Health 

Jason M. Homer, Assistant Professor 

Ph.D. (ABD), University of California, San Diego 

Discipline: American Literature 

A. K. M. Mahtab Hossain, Assistant Professor 

Ph.D., National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore 


Mohammad Hossain, Assistant Professor 

Ph.D., University of Saskatchewan, Canada 

Discipline: Chemistry 

Faheem Hussain, Assistant Professor 

Ph.D., Carnegie Mellon University, United States 


ANM Moinul Islam, Assistant Professor 

Ph.D., Southern Illinois University, United States 

Discipline: Economics 

Talat Islam, Associate Professor 

Ph.D., University of Southern California 

Discipline: Epidemiology 

Ibrahim Khan, Associate Professor 

Ph.D., Dalhousie University, Canada 

Discipline: Environmental Sciences 

Bidisha Majumdar, Assistant Professor 

Ph.D., Jadavpur University, India 

Discipline: Environmental Chemistry 

AKM Moniruzzaman Mollah, Associate Professor 

Ph.D., University of Notre Dame, United States 

Discipline: Life Sciences 

Tomomi Naka, Assistant Professor 

Ph.D., University of Iowa, United States 

Discipline: Anthropology 

Andrea D. Phillott, Associate Professor 

Ph.D., Central Queensland University, Australia 

Discipline: Biology 

Md. Rubayet Rahman, Lecturer 

M.S., University of Chittagong, Bangladesh 

Discipline: Mathematics 

Sangita Rayamajhi, Professor 

Ph.D., Tribhuvan University, Nepal 

Discipline: Literature 

Kara Santokie, Assistant Professor 

Ph.D., University of Toronto, Canada 

Discipline: Social Policy 

Cleonicki Saroca, Associate Professor 

Ph.D., University of Newcastle, Australia 

Discipline: Asian Studies and Sociology 

John W. Schroeder, Associate Professor 

Ph.D., University of Oregon, United States 

Discipline: Asian Studies 

Sarah Shehabuddin, Assistant Professor 

Ph.D., Harvard University, United States 

Discipline: Politics 

Writing Center 

Malgorzata (Margaret) Kruszewska, Ph.D. (candidate), School of Oriental 

and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, Study of Religion 

Jameson Van Maren Studwell, B.A., Middlebury College, Biochemistry 

and English Literature 

AUW Fellows 

Thomas Fryer, B.A., Cambridge University, Natural Sciences 

Charlotte Jeffries, M.A., Oxford University, Women's Studies 

Madeline Smith, B.A., Barnard College, French Literature 

WorldTeach 

Kassira Absar, B.A., University of Maryland, College Park, Government 

and Politics/Spanish Language and Literature 

Amy Bauer, B.A., The College of William and Mary, Women's Studies 

Megan Daniel, B.A., Providence College, Women's Studies/Sociology 

Jennifer Glinksi, LLM, University of Essex, International Human Rights Law 

Kathara Green, B.A., Georgetown University, Culture and Politics 

Alexandra Haugh, B.A., Vanderbilt University, Chemistry and English 

Kathrine Moore, B.A., Western Washington University, Human Rights 

Helen Moser, B.A., University of Southern California, Print Journalism 

and Political Science 

Rebecca Rysinski, B.A., Penn State University, English 

Anina Tweed, B.A., University of California, Berkeley, Peace and Conflict 

Studies

FACULTY 

Meherun Ahmed 

Megan Daniel 

Amina Akhter 

Genevieve Gamache 

Sara Nuzhat Amin 

Sangita Rayamajhi 

Qamar Banu 

Simon R. Clarke 

Anjan Debnath 

Sharon M. Flicker 

Jennifer Alia Cronly 

Jennifer Glinksi 

Sarah Shehabuddin 

Jana Fedtke 

Anina Tweed 

Aliza Khan 

Mohammad Hossain 

John W. Schroeder 

Kassira Absar 

Diana Davies 

Ibrahim Khan 

Rebecca Rysinski 

Meeraal Shafaat Bokharee 

Noman Uddin 

Charlotte Jeffries


29 

Varuni K. Ganepola 

Ara Arzoumani 

Christian Girard 

Faheem Hussain 

Talat Islam 

Alexandra Haugh 

Kara Santokie 

Jiang Song Gong 

Madeline Smith 

Georgia S. Guldan 

ANM Moinul Islam 

Andrea D. Phillott 

Cleonicki Saroca 

Kathrine Moore 

Bidisha Majumdar 

AKM Moniruzzaman Mollah 

Md. Rubayet Rahman 

Samiran Das 

Jason M. Homer 

Thomas Fryer 

Jameson Van Maren Studwell 

Helen Moser 

Tomomi Naka 

Amy Bauer 

AKM Mahtab Hossain 

Malgorzata Kruszewska 

Kathara Green

India 

ENTRY YEAR 


CURRENT YEAR 



2013 

MAJOR 


2011–2012 COURSES 

Econometrics, Intermediate Macroeconomics, Labor 

Economics, Game Theory, Introduction to Planning 

Theory and Practices, Urban Challenges and Poverty, 

The State of Nature and The Nature of the State, 

Probability and Statistics, Differential Equations, 

Advanced Algebra, Physical Education 


House Captain, Environmentalism in Action Club, 

Debate Club, Photography Club, Mediation and 

Conflict Resolution Trainee, Kathak Dance, Martial Arts, 

Volleyball 


Starbucks Coffee Company, U.S.A. 

Jyothi Nair 

“Cultural diversity and liberal arts curriculum are the highlights of my AUW education, for 

they have helped me to view the world from different dimensions.”


31 

Nepal 

ENTRY YEAR 


CURRENT YEAR 



2013 

MAJOR 

Environmental Sciences 

2011–2012 COURSES 

Ecology, Global Climate Change, Numerical 

Methods and Computer Programming, Ethics in 

Science, Technology and Policy, Physics II, The 

Scientific Process, Environmental Chemistry And 

Toxicology, Geology, Environmental Microbiology, 

Principles of Microeconomics 


Public Speaking Plus Club, Nep-Aasha Club, 

Country Representative of Nepal, AUW Students 

Government 


Robi Axiata Limited, Dhaka, Bangladesh 


Environmental Science courses specifically 

on Water Resources, Energy and Environment, 

Global Climate Change and Environmental Policy 

Neeru Ghale 

“AUW prepares students in a way they can take every challenge and still pass with flying 

colors. With every class, lecture, conference, guest speaker, my perception towards 

education and its role in an individual’s life – his/her family, society and nation has 

changed. I was literate when I came to AUW, but qualities such as critical thinking and 

development of tolerance towards different culture and tradition have empowered me to 

think outside the box and look for the greater good. Today, I can proudly say that we have 

not just been trained to be educated individuals but ethical citizens of our country. ”

ACCESS ACADEMY 

The Access Academy is an intensive, year-long, pre-undergraduate program that prepares talented 

students for a rigorous American-style liberal arts university education. The Access Academy develops 

students academically, socially, and culturally for success in an international, undergraduate, residential 

college environment. The Access curriculum also develops and strengthens students’ skills in leadership, 

youth mentorship, technology, and physical education. Through these comprehensive efforts the Access 

Academy trains young women to be assertive, confident, and culturally sensitive critical thinkers, writers, 

students, and citizens of a global community. 

The AUW-PEA Exchange Program 

This summer two Access Academy students had the opportunity to study and spend five wonderful weeks 

in Phillips Exeter Academy, USA. After reviewing applications from nearly all of the students, two brilliant 

young women were selected: Rezaun Naher Mercy from Bangladesh, and Kritika Kumary from India. 

Kritika Kumary 

“Six weeks in Exeter were like expanding the Horizon of what I can imagine, what I can believe in and what 

I can dream of. Meeting people from diverse cultures, faith and aspirations, relentlessly enforced in me – 

Life has many faces, it depends how one sees it. Summer School in Exeter was full of challenges, failures, 

success, but each experience made sure that I was better than the previous day and I will continue to 

evolve.” 

Rezaun Naher Mercy 

“Not only did I live and spend a wonderful time in USA, but I also learned how to improve my society by 

observing and interacting with the students from 48 different countries. Now I know what changes I need 

to bring to my society.” 

Mercy & Kritika


33 

CURRICULUM 

Language and Composition 

This one-year course focuses on the formal construction 

of academic essays, building skills in grammar, rhetoric, 

organization, and style so that students understand that 

clarity of thought and argument in their written essays is as 

important as the ideas they are trying to express. 

Interpreting Texts 

Chista Thorpe 

Director of the Access Academy 

Christa Thorpe is the Director of the Access 

Academy, and has been teaching Access 

Academy core English courses since 2010. 

Ms. Thorpe received her M.A. in Teaching 

English to Speakers of Other Languages 

from Wheaton College, Illinois, where she 

also completed her B.A. in Anthropology with 

a minor in Music. She taught ESL literacy to 

adult refugees through a non-profit 

organization in the Chicago suburbs. 

This one-year course emphasizes reading and analysis of 

various genres of academic texts. The course content 

ranges from vocabulary building to writing accurate 

summaries, to recognizing fallacies in argumentative 

writing, to developing and writing a good thesis and 

argument. 

World Civilizations 

This one-year course will serve as an introduction to World 

History and Geography with focus on regional cultural 

geography (including language, religion, history, politics, 

the arts, current events, and population studies). 

Introduction to Computers 

This two-semester course is designed to teach students 

the necessary skills needed to operate a Windows-based 

computer in an academic and professional setting. An 

important component of this course within this context of 

university preparation is building students’ skills in 

computer-based academic research. Additionally, 

students will be trained in computer workstation 

ergonomics. 

Pre-calculus or Calculus I 

The Access Academy seeks to provide the most 

appropriate math preparation to its students with diverse 

math backgrounds. All Access Academy students will 

graduate having completed math through the level of 

Pre-calculus, and advanced students will complete 

Calculus I. 

Physical Fitness: Karate

Bhutan 

ENTRY YEAR 


CURRENT YEAR 




MAJOR 

Public Health Studies 

2011–2012 COURSES 

Biology I and II, Calculus I and II, Public Health 

Challenges in Asia, Cultural Heritage, Introduction to 

Asian Religions, Bioethics 


AUW Community Teaching 


Group Project; Understanding and Bringing up a Better 

Community in Bhutan 


Gewog Office in Bhutan 

Yangdon 

“Everything is possible if you are determined.”


35 

Vietnam 

ENTRY YEAR 


CURRENT YEAR 



2016 

INTENDED MAJOR 

Asian Studies or Politics, Philosophy, and Economics 


Guitar Club, Public Speaking Club, Helping Children 

Program 


AUW’s Women in Public Service Project (WPSP) Summer 

Institute, 2012 

Bich Thi Ngoc Tran 

“If you want, you can win…If you want to change the world you should start with grass-root 

level and nothing is more effective and indeed important than education. Studying in AUW 

gives me a chance to challenge myself and push myself to the limit. In a diverse cultural 

environment, a normal person can be trained to be a great changer which is exactly what 

AUW brings to young generations.”

RESIDENTIAL LIFE 

An AUW education encompasses academics, extra-curricular activities, and the residential experience. All 

three of these experiences are important to each student’s development as a future leader for Asia. 

There is a wonderful energy and excitement—a special magic really—that permeates AUW daily life and 

learning that comes from blending the best aspects of the liberal arts educational tradition into a 

curriculum that speaks to Asia, a talented and dedicated group of international faculty and staff, and 

intelligent and determined students from across Asia who both live and attend classes together. Evening 

film sessions, seminars by visitors, faculty, and students, club activities, celebrations marking special 

holidays, cultural events, movie nights, and international menu nights in our dining halls with recipes 

provided by our students are all part of AUW’s vibrant residential experience. AUW’s mission of educating 

leaders and its diversity contribute to a unique residential campus experience. 

HOUSE SYSTEM 

Our students live in Residential Houses named: Wisdom, Truth, Justice, Courage, Imagination, Joy and 

Service. These houses serve as a framework for programming and intramural sports. On any given day, 

you might find Wisdom competing against Justice in a debate tournament or Joy playing Imagination in a 

cricket match. Our current students chose these names when asked to identify the qualities that they 

hope will come to be recognized as hallmarks of AUW graduates in the future. 

Student House Captains (residential advisors) are selected through an application and interview process 

for each of the Houses; these Captains receive training prior to service as House Captains.


37 

JOY 

I slept and dreamt 

that life was joy. 

I awoke and saw that 

life was service. 

I acted and behold, 

service was joy. 

Tagore 

WISDOM 

Know well what leads 

you forward and what 

holds you back, and 

choose the path that 

leads to wisdom. 

Buddha 

TRUTH 

Tell the truth, 

even if it offends. 

Confucius 

COURAGE 

Let us not pray to be 

sheltered from 

dangers, but to be 

fearless when facing 

them. 

Tagore 

JUSTICE 

Justice in the life and 

conduct of the State 

is possible only if first 

it resides in the hearts 

and souls of the 

citizens. 

Plato 

SERVICE 

The best way to find 

yourself is to lose yourself 

in the service of others. 

Gandhi 

IMAGINATION 

If you want to build 

a ship, don’t drum up 

the people to gather 

wood, divide the 

work, and give orders. 

Instead, teach them 

to yearn for the vast 

and endless sea. 

Antoine de Saint-Exupery

CAMPUS RESOURCES 

LIBRARY 

The AUW library features both physical and online collections and a knowledgeable staff of five librarians who are eager 

to help students access and use the library’s resources. Remote access to the library’s online resources is available 

through any AUW computer lab or through AUW’s wireless network. Students will receive all of their textbooks from the 

library and then return them to the library at the end of each term. 

WRITING CENTER 

The Writing Center supports students, faculty and staff in all phases of academic, creative and business communication 

writing projects. Several instructional formats are available including one-on-one sessions, special workshops, in-class 

presentations and group tutorials based on specific topics and academic disciplines. Our professional Writing Center 

staff members are trained to guide students through the entire process of writing from generating ideas through 

multiple revisions, with a goal of strengthening overall English language writing skills. 

SCIENCE LABORATORIES 

Our biology and chemistry wet labs are equipped with modern equipment and staffed by experienced laboratory 

technicians. 

COMPUTER/INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY LABS 

Our six computer labs are open from 8 a.m. until midnight for much of each term and until 2 a.m. during exam periods. 

IT technicians and student IT supervisors are available to provide assistance. About one-third of our students bring their 

own laptops. The entire campus is served by a wireless network.


39 

GYM/ATHLETIC CENTER 

We have a wonderful gym for karate, yoga, and other floor exercise. Our gym also offers treadmills, cycling machines, 

free weights, and other exercise equipment. Nearby facilities allow students to pursue other sports, such as basketball 

and swimming. 

RESIDENTIAL LIFE/SECURITY 

You will live in one of our seven residential houses along with students from all of our countries. Student rooms are 

comfortably furnished. Lounges, conference rooms, and kitchenettes are provided in each residence hall. All of the 

residence halls are located adjacent to the academic buildings. Our campus is gated and security, medical, and 

residential staff are available at all times. Our Director of Residential Life lives on campus. 

HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER 

The health clinic is staffed by doctors, nurses, and psychologists who provide routine check-ups and round the clock 

care to students. 

DINING HALLS 

Our two dining halls are located on the ground floors of two of the student dormitories. Meals are drawn from recipes 

and menus from all of our students’ countries. Our students look forward to afternoon tea as a time to take a break and 

catch up with classmates.

STUDENT ACTIVITIES 

OFFICE OF STUDENT AFFAIRS 

Our Office of Student Affairs offers services in support of student-led programs and extra-curricular 

activities. We offer a wide variety of student extracurricular activities and clubs, including student 

government, debate, creative writing, entrepreneurship and basketball to name just a few. Clubs are 

initiated and formed by students, and advised by faculty, Access Academy teachers or WorldTeach 

volunteers. Elected club officers gain experience in leading and managing clubs and organizations. They 

also learn to write proposals, organize events, and manage budgets. 

STUDENT EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM 

The AUW Student Employment Program provides an opportunity for students to gain work experience, 

earn pocket money, or save for travel home during the summer. A wide range of paid, part-time jobs are 

available to students including course assistant, research assistant, IT lab supervisor, and library assistant, 

to name just a few. The Office of Student Affairs, the Dean of Students, and many other offices also hire 

student employees. Students may work up to eight hours a week. Two-thirds of our students choose to 

participate in this program. 

ATHLETICS 

We have a rapidly growing athletic program. Access Academy students are required to take karate. 

Undergraduate students are required to take four, semester-long classes in physical education prior to 

graduation and are encouraged to take classes every term. We now offer classes in a wide variety of 

sports, including karate, table tennis, badminton, basketball, yoga, and cricket. In 2012-13 we will have 

competitive teams in karate and basketball.

PHOTOGRAPHER SHOEB FARUQUEE PRINTER

20/G M. M. Ali Road 

Chittagong-4000, Bangladesh 

TEL: +88-031-2854980, FAX: +88-031-2854988 

www.asian-university.org 

Office of Admissions 

TEL: +88-031-2854980 (ext. 125/165) 

TEL: +88-031-2865497 

EMAIL: admissions@auw.edu.bd 

The creative design and the layout of this prospectus was done by Asiatic JWT. Asian University for Women acknowledges Asiatic JWT’s contribution.

2014 AUW Admission Prospectus (PDF) - Asian University for Women

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