Fereshteh Forough

Fereshteh Forough is a remarkable individual who has made significant contributions to technology education and women's empowerment, particularly in Afghanistan. Here's a comprehensive overview of her background and achievements:

Professional Experience

Fereshteh Forough currently serves as an Advisory Board member at Unity Global Education, a position she has held since February 2019.1 In this role, she contributes her expertise alongside other industry and academic leaders to guide strategic decisions in interactive design and development education.1

Her most notable achievement is founding Code to Inspire (CTI) in January 2015, where she continues to serve as the Executive Director.1 CTI is a non-profit organization that opened the first coding school for girls in Herat, Afghanistan, in November 2015.1 The school provides a safe educational environment for female students aged 15-25, aiming to empower Afghan women through technology education and create pathways to financial independence.1

Educational Background

Forough holds a Master's degree in Engineering of Database Management Systems from the Technische Universität Berlin (Technical University of Berlin), which she completed between 2008 and 2010.1

Early Life and Career

Born as a refugee, Fereshteh Forough faced numerous challenges and limited resources throughout her life.1 Before founding CTI, she worked as a Professor at Herat University's Computer Science Faculty from March 2010 to September 2012.1

Awards and Recognition

Forough's work has earned her numerous accolades, including:

• Young Women's Honors by Marie Claire (November 2016)1
• Girl Hero by Girl Up - United Nations Foundation (October 2015)1
• Google Rise Awards (April 2016)1
• CITRIS Athena Awards for Women in Technology (September 2016)1
• Sustainia Community Award (February 2017)1
• Vogue Australia Game Changers (May 2018)1
• Global Gaming Citizen by The Game Awards (December 2019)1

Advocacy and Impact

Fereshteh Forough is a strong advocate for gender equality and women's empowerment in developing countries.4 Through her work with Code to Inspire, she focuses on providing digital literacy, education, and pathways to financial independence for women in Afghanistan.3 Her efforts have not only impacted individual lives but have also contributed to changing perceptions about women in technology in a challenging environment.2

Fereshteh Forough's journey from being born a refugee to becoming a influential figure in technology education and women's empowerment is truly inspiring. Her work continues to make a significant impact on the lives of young women in Afghanistan and serves as a model for similar initiatives worldwide.