The closing ceremony of the capacity development program of the “Academy for Women Entrepreneurs” (AWE) was held at EMK Center in Dhaka on Wednesday.

Forty women who have successfully completed participation in the first Academy for Women Entrepreneurs program in Bangladesh were awarded at the ceremony.

Helen LaFave, Chargé d'affaires of the US Embassy, joined the event as the chief guest along with Afshana Choudhury, joint director, Centre for Entrepreneurship Development (CED) at BRAC University, and Dr Matin Saad Abdullah, professor of Department of Computer Science and Engineering at BRAC University.

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“It is with great pleasure and pride that I stand before you today to congratulate 40 women who have completed participation in the first Academy for Women Entrepreneurs program in Bangladesh," Helen LaFave said,

Elaborating on the history of the program, she mentioned that the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs, or AWE, was born out of the White House's Global Development and Prosperity Initiative to promote women's entrepreneurship worldwide by the millions.

“The mechanics of the program involve women entrepreneurs acquiring the skills and resources to launch and grow their businesses, through a combination of online courses, mentorship, and networking opportunities. President Biden has set the tone in promoting diversity and inclusion in every facet of US government business,” she added.

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“Thus, AWE is open to women from diverse backgrounds, including those with limited access to education and resources, and aims to create an inclusive and supportive community of female entrepreneurs. The program offers a unique opportunity for Bangladeshi women to gain. entrepreneurial skills, connect with mentors and peers, and access resources that can help them succeed in their business ventures,” she said at the event.

BRAC University’s Centre for Entrepreneurship Development (CED), along with programs partners; the Department of State and EMK Centre of the USA have implemented the AWE Program, which marks CED’s decade-long partnership with the Department of State and the US Embassy.

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Thanking the organisers, Helen LaFave said, “I commend the Center for Entrepreneurship Development (CED) at BRAC University and the EMK Centre for implementing the very first Academy for Women Entrepreneurs in Bangladesh with the US Embassy. We look forward to the second chapter which will benefit aspiring entrepreneurs in Chattogram and Sylhet.”

US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas inaugurated the programme on November 20 last year at the capital's EMK Centre.