The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FBCCI) will award scholarships to 30 female students per year for higher education giving them an opportunity to study at the Asian University for Women (AUW).
The apex trade body of the country on Saturday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the AUW, reports UNB.
FBCCI President Md Jashim Uddin and AUW Vice-Chancellor Dr Rubana Huq signed the MoU on behalf of their respective organizations.
The MoU will remain effective for five years initially, said the FBCCI.
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.
The FBCCI came forward to enable underprivileged women to access higher study as part of their responsibility to society, the FBCCI chief said while speaking at the signing ceremony.
This initiative will improve women empowerment and participation in the country's development process, the President noted.
Jashim said other countries maintain an intimate relationship between academia and industry and Bangladesh also needs to enhance the collaboration. "Therefore, FBCCI has established linkages with BUET and North South University."
AUW Vice-Chancellor Rubana Huq said underprivileged women have to struggle with many hurdles in accessing higher studies.
"Her university aims at inclusiveness to ensure that no women are left behind. Currently, 1300 female students from 19 countries are studying in Asian University for Women," she informed.
FBCCI Senior Vice President Mostofa Azad Chowdhury Babu remembered the significant contributions of the former president late Annisul Huq to the development of trade and commerce and the construction of different chambers' infrastructure.
The founder and CEO of Asian University for Women Kamal Ahmed said that no country can move forward leaving half of the population behind.
He also called for ensuring quality education and the universal right to higher education.
Among others, FBCCI Vice President Md. Amin Helaly, Salahuddin Alamgir, Md. Habib Ullah Dawn, MA Razzak Khan Raj, Directors and Secretary General Mohammad Mahfuzul Hoque were also present at the signing ceremony.