The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) has offered scholarships to four female students from Afghanistan.

The AIT awarded them on the occasion of International Women's Day on Tuesday.

"Afghanistan is part of AIT's extensive family since we have long had excellent students from this country," said AIT president Eden Woon.

"When we heard [last year] that female students [from Afghanistan] were facing difficulties in getting higher education in their country, AIT wanted to help them come to AIT. And we were fortunate to immediately find like-minded donors for scholarships," said Mr Woon.

The Thai Pipe Industry, Osotspa Public Co and the CEO of Christiani & Nielsen Energy Solutions agreed to sponsor the scholarships with the institute.

AIT and its partners believe this project can encourage more women to contribute to sustainable development, he said, adding AIT believes in gender equality.

The recipients were drawn from applicants hoping to study this spring semester at AIT. They were selected based on their academic records and determination to pave the way for other women in Afghanistan to actively participate in their society.

Dr Yanyong Phataralaoha, executive director of Thai Pipe Industry, said they will be role models and mentors to women in the fields, both in their home country and elsewhere.

"Granting scholarships empowers people to enhance their life -- the life of the scholarship recipients, the lives of the people in their families, and eventually to enhance the lives of other people in society," said Nukit Chonlacoop, chief manufacturing officer of Osotspa.