Who we are
The purpose of the Nabila BERKANE, ASFAA endowment fund is to carry out all philanthropic and educational actions in the public interest, in particular by providing aid, assistance and material support for women, particularly women of African and Arab origin, whose access to education and employment is made difficult by their social, cultural or geographical isolation or lack of financial means.
Our missions
Throughout the world, women continue to suffer discrimination in access to education and employment, particularly those of African and Arab origin. Their situation is precarious not only because of a lack of financial resources, but also because of the exclusion they suffer.
The Nabila BERKANE, ASFAA endowment fund, either directly or in partnership with associations operating in France and abroad, supports projects for access to education, vocational training and the development of personal or collective actions that promote theeconomic autonomy of women in difficulty.
A word from the President
The Nabila BERKANE, ASFAA endowment fund was created in memory of my father.
My father saw women's education as a pillar of development for African and Arab societies.
He made sure that my sisters and I had every opportunity to succeed. He encouraged us, passed on the values of sharing, hard work and resilience, and left us free to make our own choices. Our successes and those of his granddaughters were a joy and a source of pride for him. He wanted us to be free, independent women.
This fund is an extension of these principles, and aims to offer other women a chance to realize their full potential and emancipate themselves.
Nabila Berkane
The eldest of 7 siblings, I was born and grew up in Algeria.
I came to France to study engineering at Supelec and to do a PhD in telecommunications engineering.
Back in Algeria, I worked for 4 years at the Ministry of Telecommunications.
I returned to France to launch a software development company. To accelerate its development, it merged with another company to create a major French software publisher.
The adventure lasted three years before the company ran into difficulties.
Together with a group of engineers, I decided to take over the company's activities.
We created Profil Technology, a company specializing in software development, publishing and distribution. I managed and developed Profil Technology for 30 years. As a woman, in an environment of male managers, I had to prove my ability to maintain and grow the company.
The strategies, principles and values I put in place enabled the company to achieve strong growth and become a "success maker". Its reputation spread beyond France, attracting American and European publishers looking for a reliable partner to develop business in French-speaking countries.
Profil Technology is approached by several companies with a view to a merger or acquisition. In 2016, shareholders accept a takeover offer from a European group.
I then decided to create the Nabila BERKANE endowment fund to help and support women, particularly women of African and Arab origin, to enable them to emancipate themselves and defend their rights.