Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women Program in Afghanistan

The American University of Afghanistan, in partnership with Thunderbird School of Global Management in Glendale, Arizona, is administering the third year of a highly competitive business training and support program for Afghan women. The program is part of the worldwide 10,000 Women initiative sponsored by Goldman Sachs and the Goldman Sachs Foundation that supports business education for women around the world.

Between November 2010 and April 2011, the third year of the business women’s training program will be administered at the American University of Afghanistan in Kabul. The program will provide in-class training to 75 business women over this timeframe and all classes will be conducted in Dari/Farsi. In addition, all graduates from the program will be offered opportunities to participate in intensive mentoring activities and networking events with the 104 graduates from years one and two of the program and leading business support agencies in Afghanistan.

The curriculum for the training program was developed by faculty at the Thunderbird School of Global Management, ranked by the Financial Times as the number one school in International Management, and localized by Afghan professionals. The curriculum is focused on entrepreneurial skills, such as the marketing, finance, and the production of a viable business plan. Thunderbird is also working closely with AUAF to increase capacity at the university.

In addition to training in business and entrepreneurship, the participants of the program have access to a resource center on AUAF’s campus, where there are computers, books, and meeting space available for use during the course and after they have completed their training.

As a result of this training, participants will be equipped to start or grow viable businesses within 6 months after their graduation from the program, which will give Afghan women higher levels of financial self-sustainability and allow them to further contribute to the development of the Afghan economy.

To apply for the program, please complete the forms attached in this post and send to the indicated address. There are forms in both English and Dari.

If you have any questions, please email
10kwomen@auaf.edu.af or call +93 (0) 796398613.