Nazera is Using Education to Take Charge of Her Future

Nazera grew up in a remote village in the southeast region of Afghanistan. Although she spent much of her childhood working to help support her family, education was always important to her.  

She studied hard and graduated from a local school with excellent grades. Soon after, she was accepted to Kabul Polytechnic University and soon moved to Kabul to begin her classes. Although educational opportunities have always been restricted for girls and women in the Afghan region, Nazera’s access to schooling was totally cut off when the Taliban took control of the government in 2021. She was left with no other choice than to drop out of the university.  

Unwilling to abandon her dreams, she began looking for online universities where she could continue her education in secret. She discovered University of the People and eagerly signed up to complete her degree. Nazera, like all Afghan women who apply, was given a UoPeople scholarship.  

“I have chosen UoPeople because of several reasons,” Nazera says. “First of all, it is an online and free university. Students from all over the world can study there. Secondly, I am not allowed to go to university, but I can study at home.” 

Despite the circumstances of her country, Nazera still has a hopeful outlook.  

“My vision is great for my future because I strongly believe that being a student in such a great university can help me to find the best job in any part of the world,” she says. “My dreams and goals drive me to continue and think positively about my future.” 

Nazera is why we founded UoPeople. We wanted to open the doors of higher education to everyone, regardless of race, class, or gender. UoPeople is honored to provide education to the many Afghan women who are risking their lives to study with us.