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Afghan women entrepreneurs to lead OSU panel |
August 31, 2007—Five women entrepreneurs from Afghanistan will participate in a panel presentation in the Wes Watkins Center auditorium at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater on Wednesday, Sept. 5, from 3:30-5 p.m. The panel discussion is open to students and the public and will be followed by a free reception.
The women are participating in a five-week business basics program that matches them with women business owners in Oklahoma who serve as their mentors.
“We’re excited to host these talented entrepreneurs and look forward to hearing their stories,” said Sara Freedman, dean, Spears School of Business. “I’m certain the students will benefit from their insights on the challenges of developing businesses in Afghanistan.”
"Experiencing OSU’s spirit and interacting with students on campus will provide a wealth of information about Oklahoma's higher education system for these Afghan women," said Terry Neese, president and CEO of Women Impacting Public Policy Institute, co-sponsor for the Afghan women.
The five women come from various fields of interest. Qandi Amaki, 36, is head of a social organization for women in various business fields such as handicrafts, tailoring embroidery and carpet weaving. She works with the Ministry of Justice for Afghanistan. Farishtah Bakhteri,26, would like to start a business and learn about the steps and processes that are part of creating a successful business. She would like to serve people and participate in social and economic issues. Habiba Mohammad Ibraham is Chief of the Afghan Woman Engineering Design Foundation. She has a construction business. Hasina Rasuli’s, 29, goal is to open a “personnel service” for women. The past three years, Hasina has taught women in health education and has been a proponent of women’s rights. The fifth entrepreneur is Amir Taj Sirat, 27, who has a football and volleyball manufacturing business. She has 90 women employees and would like to expand her business by exporting to markets abroad.
This panel presentation is sponsored by the Spears School of Business, and the School of International Studies at OSU as well as the Women Impacting Public Policy Institute.
Dr. Jeretta Nord, professor of management information systems (MSIS), at the Spears School, currently teaches an entrepreneurship class to 148 undergraduate and graduate students and will participate as the facilitator of the panel. An interpreter will also be present at the panel presentation.
The non-profit Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) Institute is working in partnership with the U. S. State Department and the U.S. Afghan Women’s Council to bring these women business owners to the United States. The purpose of this partnership is to allow education and mentorship to occur with the long-term goal that both countries will gain from these interactions. The program is designed to share ideas and provide more instruction about entrepreneurship and democracy to the participants. WIPP is dedicated to the education for economic empowerment of women globally.
For more information on the panel discussion, call Danny Darnell, Wes Watkins Center, 405-744-6606 or the OSU Center for Executive and Professional Development at 405-744-5208.
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Backgrounders:
William S. Spears School of Business. The Spears School of Business is a dynamic business school containing the departments of Accounting, Economics and Legal Studies in Business, Finance, Management, Management Information Systems and Marketing. The Spears School is named after William S. Spears, an entrepreneur and a 1962 OSU graduate, who began his own business in energy conservation. The Spears School has had a focus in the past in entrepreneurship as is currently conducting an international search for a Chair in Entrepreneurship. The Center for Executive and Professional Development is helping to coordinate this panel discussion.
School of International Studies at OSU. The mission of the School of International Studies is to provide a university-wide focus to expand international opportunities in instruction, research, and outreach for individuals and organizations seeking a greater understanding and involvement in international affairs. The School is part of the International Education and Outreach unit, which helps carry out the University’s mission of providing educational programs and services beyond traditional campus boundaries.
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