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This paper describes the history, purposes, philosophy, and programs of the Ahfad University for Women, a private, non-sectarian university in Omdurman, Sudan. Since 1907. The Ahfad Schools, beginning with the equivalent of first grade and ultimately through high school, and now the Ahfad University for Women, has steadfastly pioneered in providing quality education for women, in strengthening the roles of women in rural and national development, and in seeking equity for women in all facets of Sudanese society. Under its African Fellowships Program, Ahfad now is extending its mission to reach women from all African countries.
History
The history of the Ahfad University for Women reaches back to 1907 when Sheikh Babiker Badri established Sudan's first private secular school for girls. Even more remarkable than its establishment at that time was the fact that the school was for girls only. The class was composed of nine of his daughters and eight girls from neighbouring families. It was most likely the first private school for girls in the whole of Africa. From then on, Sheikh Babiker (1860-1954) and his son, Yusuf (1912 - 1995), expanded private education for both boys and girls, culminating in the establishment of the Ahfad University College for Women by Professor Yusuf in 1990. In 1995, full university status was granted by the Sudan National Council of Higher Education.
Since 1907, the Ahfad Schools and now the Ahfad University for Women have steadfastly pioneered in providing quality education for women, in strengthening the roles of women in national and rural development, in seeking equity for women in all facets of the Sudanese society, and reaching out to African societies to empower women as change agents.
Changes occur in every society, some of choice, others by the forces of the culture, and still others by global events. Women are as much affected by change as men and both need to understand changes, benefit from changes, contribute to them, and have some control over the nature and direction of the changes. Ahfad University for Women teaches women how to analyse changes and to benefit from and to contribute to change in Sudan and Africa.
The Ahfad University for Women in Omdurman, Sudan, in fact, was established on a premise of women as change...