Dr. Sweeta Akbari, IIE Scholar Rescue Fund Fellow

Empowering Afghan Women in STEM: Dr. Sweeta Akbari’s Journey from Exile to Innovation in Biomedical Research

Sweeta Akbari, Ph.D.—a distinguished chemical engineer, postdoctoral researcher, and IIE Scholar Rescue Fund fellow—is advancing the frontiers of biomedical science while mentoring Afghan girls with aspirations in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). With more than 25 peer-reviewed publications and numerous international speaking engagements, Dr. Akbari is a globally respected advocate for women in STEM and scientific education

In a recent milestone, Dr. Akbari contributed to the development of a novel biomaterial designed for bone repair and cartilage regeneration, a promising advancement in regenerative medicine. Her work is helping shape the future of biomedical engineering and tissue repair technologies. But for much of her career, Dr. Akbari has been in exile from her home country of Afghanistan.

Since 2021, Afghan women and girls have been banned from secondary and higher education, leaving more than 1.4 million girls without access to learning, according to UNESCO. As the population of refugees balloons to 1 out of 67 individuals worldwide, Afghan people continue to constitute one of the largest populations among them. Scholars, women and girls, and people with suspected connections to the West, face increasing threats under the current regime.

Dr. Akbari found hope through the IIE Scholar Rescue Fund (IIE-SRF), a global initiative that provides academic fellowships for threatened scholars. With support from IIE-SRF and the Finnish National Agency for Education (EDUFI), she was placed at Tampere University in Finland, where she continues her research in a safe and collaborative environment. “The support of IIE-SRF is a life-changing opportunity,” she says. “A safe workplace is essential for better productivity, allowing a scholar like me to strengthen her expertise in her field and bring about a positive change in her community and globally.” 

Through the fellowship—funded by both the IIE-SRF and the Finnish National Agency for Education (EDUFI)—Dr. Akbari was placed at Tampere University in Finland, where she conducts research in a safe and supportive environment. Here, Dr. Akbari has unlocked new opportunities to network, attend international conferences, and tend to her family: “Having a family in Finland has been a very beautiful part of my life. It’s home to one of the greatest education systems in the world. My kids enjoy the schools they attend.”

Beyond her research, Dr. Akbari leads Scholars in STEM, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering Afghan women and girls through STEM education. The organization offers online learning and mentorship, professional development, support for fellowship applications, and networking with STEM professionals. She aims to help to prepare the next generations to make positive contributions for the future of Afghanistan. “It is a very difficult time for women and girls in Afghanistan,” says Dr. Akbari. “But even from home, you can still contribute and stay active in your field.”

IIE-SRF has supported nearly 70 Afghan scholars since August 2021. From campuses across 10 countries, they are rebuilding their lives and careers while advancing scholarship in their disciplines, enriching their host campus communities, and acquiring knowledge and networks to ultimately contribute to Afghanistan.

Learn more about the Scholar Rescue Fund and how it is enabling scholars like Dr. Sweeta Akbari to pursue their academic work in safety and to continue to share their knowledge with students, colleagues, and the community.

Support scholars like Dr. Akbari with a gift to IIE and the Scholar Rescue Fund.