The Asian University for Women is just like any other college in many ways. "You go in there at 2 a.m. and the computer room is packed, the library is full, and people are rehearsing for some dance or music show," says Kamal Ahmad, chief executive of the foundation that funds the Chittagong, Bangladesh, university. But aside from the typical roster of overscheduled undergrads, the school has a different take on education for women in South Asia and, eventually, the Middle East--regions where few girls go to college.

The liberal arts program is unusual in a region where rote learning is common, says Jack Meyer, chief executive at hedge fund Convexity Capital, who's donated $6 million to the school and chairs the school's board. "The focus of AUW's [curriculum] is critical reasoning, problem solving and leadership," says Meyer, who also used to manage Harvard's endowment.

Founded five years ago, the school currently has 128 students from underprivileged backgrounds in six countries: Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Cambodia. They're all getting a full ride, thanks to $40 million the foundation has raised so far, including $8 million from the Gates Foundation.

"We're emphasizing first-generation university students, as it increases the likelihood that they will give back," says board member Kathy Matsui, the chief Japan strategist at Goldman Sachs ( GS - news - people ) in Tokyo, who has raised $2 million from donors in Japan.

More . . .

"