Asian University for Women’s leadership crisis

Kamal Ahmed

David Bergman’s 3-part investigation of Asian University for Women (AUW)

Part 1: University ‘unlawfully governed’ for years
Part 2: Univ’s vision in question as founder criticised
Part 3: Acting VC Kamal Ahmed dismissed from ADB

But no matter how much I elaborate, never have I really felt able to convey what is happening at the Asian University for Women under Kamal Ahmad and Ashok Keshari. For there is a violence within words, one that can only be felt and absorbed, that narratives can’t expose. One that facts and documents carefully skirt… Before you write off the second as (stereo)typical of the way South Asian men address South Asian women who dare to speak up, consider that Kamal Ahmad was educated at Exeter and Harvard. Consider that he attracts donors from all over the world — including, potentially, perhaps imminently, tens of millions of dollars from the World Bank — by claiming that the school he founded empowers Asian women to become leaders. Consider that the kind of violence enfolded in his words is by no means unique to South Asia.

Amy McDaniel: “an International Fiasco”

The university has had three female vice chancellors since 2008. Mr. Kamal fired the last one, Mary Sansalone, in July 2011 and has filled the role himself since then despite lacking an academic background, the New Age said. The newspaper claimed several members of the U.S. foundation’s board resigned following her dismissal.

Wall Street Journal: Asian University For Women Faces Problems and Flak