AUW 12th Convocation Honors 235 Graduates from 11 Countries

By: WE Staff | Monday, 12 January 2026

• The 12th AUW-commemorated graduation ceremony had attendees totaling 235 women from 11 countries.
• Seven international leaders were conferred honorary doctorates in recognition of their contribution to education, welfare, and peace.

Asian University for Women (AUW) has recently completed its 12th commencement program. Apart from graduating 235 female students from 11 different countries, it also awarded honor degrees of doctorate to seven prominent personalities.

Organized in association with the mission of AUW to deliver quality education to women from all walks of life in Asia and the world, this event took place in a hotel in the city of Chattogram.

Seven persons are honored with honorary doctorates by AUW for their extensive commitment to the cause of human welfare, education, and peace. They are Dr Irene Tracey, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford, UK, who is conferred an honorary doctorate in Science; Mrs Akie Abe, the Japanese First Lady, conferred an honorary doctorate in Human Letters; The Baroness Janet Royall, the former Principal of Somerville College, Oxford, who's conferred an honorary doctorate in Arts; Prof. M Osman Farruk, the former Education Minister of Bangladesh, conferred an honorary doctorate in Science; Prof. Teruo Fujii, the President of the University of Tokyo, an honorary doctorate in Science; Mr. Naoki Ito, the former Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh, conferred an honorary doctorate in Arts; and Mr. Matiur Rahman, Editor and Publisher, Prothom Alo, an honorary doctorate in Creative, Responsible, and Courageous Journalism.

Of the total number of graduates, Bangladeshes were 152 and Afghans were 51. Other countries represented in the class include India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Timor-Leste, Vietnam, and Yemen.

In her speech, AUW's Chancellor, Cherie Blair, cautioned the graduates to maintain the leadership momentum during the time of rapid technological changes. "Because of your education here, the qualities and attributes that you possess far exceed the technical skills," she told the graduates, who will be entering a world of technological development that aims for social justice and human rights.

AUW Vice-Chancellor Dr. Rubana Huq welcomed the guests and mentioned the uniqueness of the university, pointing out that among the graduates there are Afghan woman, Rohingya refugees, and former garment workers. "We are more than a university," she urged the graduates to take the step towards ethical leadership that comes with compassion.