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The University of New Haven announced today that Scandinavian business executive Henrik Nielsen has tripled his original seven-figure commitment to support the establishment of an Afghan Women’s Scholars program. The initiative will now support 42 students, up from the original number of 14, who are from Afghanistan, to enable them to pursue a bachelor’s or master’s degree at the university.

Four graduate students being supported by the program arrived in Connecticut earlier this month and began classes at the start of the Spring semester. The remaining students will arrive in August for the start of the 2025-26 academic year.

"Seeing the tremendous number of applicants and hearing their passion for continuing their education amid a horrific humanitarian crisis has been incredibly inspiring," said Nielsen. "I am happy to help support the University of New Haven’s efforts, which will be life-changing for those in the program."

Since launching the program in September, the University has received close to one thousand applications.

The students selected to be part of the Afghan Women’s Scholars program are receiving full-tuition scholarships for the duration of their time as students, as well as support for room, board, and educational expenses. They will also have access to the many educational and career-related resources that are available to all University of New Haven students.

"We frequently talk at the University of New Haven about being a private university with a public mission – and that mission is global," said President Jens Frederiksen, Ph.D. "Our primary mission, which I believe is the true essence of higher education, is to transform lives. Our focus is on supporting students – locally and across the globe – who have the demonstrated drive and work ethic to use a college degree as the launching pad to a successful and fulfilling life – economically, socially, culturally, and personally. We are very grateful to Mr. Nielsen for his support, and we are excited to see what the students in our Afghan Women’s Scholars program will achieve as Â鶹´«Ã½s."