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Roya MahboobAfghan entrepreneur and head of Citadel
Country:
 Afghanistan |
Content:
- Biography of Roya Mahboob
- Education and Career
- Afghan Citadel Software Company
- Projects and Recognition
Biography of Roya Mahboob
Roya Mahboob is an Afghan entrepreneur and the CEO of the company "Citadel". Born in Herat, Afghanistan, she left the country with her family due to the Soviet invasion. She lived in Iran and returned to her homeland in 2003.
Education and Career
Mahboob studied English and enrolled in information and communication technology courses for women as part of a UN program. She earned a Bachelor's degree in computer science from Herat University in 2005. In 2009, she became the IT director at the university and later coordinated projects at the Ministry of Higher Education's IT department, where she continues to work closely with the International and Intercultural Communication Center at the Berlin Technical University.
In May 2011, Mahboob obtained a Master's degree in Business Administration with a focus on information technology from Malaysia. She was also one of seven Afghan entrepreneurs enrolled in the Herat Information Technology Program, a branch of the Business and Operations Stabilization Task Force in Afghanistan, founded by Paul Brinkley, former Deputy Minister of Defense.
Afghan Citadel Software Company
In 2010, Mahboob, along with two classmates from Herat University, founded the Afghan Citadel Software Company (ACSC) and invested around $20,000. The goal of the company was to provide employment opportunities for university graduates, especially women, in the growing Afghan technology market. ACSC develops software according to specific client requirements, including various ministries, universities, and international organizations. The company also creates standalone or integrated applications for computers and mobile phones, considering market needs and its own capabilities.
Projects and Recognition
In 2012, Mahboob was involved in the 'Citadel of New York' project, which aimed to develop and promote "Examer," an interactive and educational social network with a micro-scholarship payment system. Another project, 'Women's Annex', focused on helping Afghan women pursue careers as filmmakers.
In 2014, Mahboob joined the Advisory Board of the Global Thinkers Forum. She received recognition for becoming a high-ranking executive in Afghanistan, a country where women are not typically employed outside the home. When she started her business, she faced threats and criticism for hiring women, driving a car, and interacting with foreigners. However, Mahboob stated that she wanted to show everyone that men and women are equal and that women are capable of achieving great things if given the chance.
On November 18, 2013, Senator John Kerry wrote an essay for 'Politico' detailing his meeting with Roya Mahboob, the current CEO of Citadel. Reflecting on Afghan women, particularly Mahboob, Kerry wrote that they are not only changing Afghanistan but also global society. He compared Mahboob's work to a significant step towards building a lasting peace and prosperity, stating, "Afghan women do not stop. They march forward, and we must all follow them."
