A three-day international conference organized by Faculty of Education of International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) with collaboration of Higher Education Commission Pakistan (HEC) titled “Less Talk More Action: Changing the Course of Women’s Academic Leadership,” commenced here at Allama Iqbal Auditorium, Faisal Masjid Campus of the university.
The Faculty of Education at the International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) is hosting this international conference as part of the “Shattering the Glass Ceiling: Challenges and Opportunities for Women Academic Leaders in Pakistani Universities” project, funded by Pakistan’s Higher Education Commission.
Prof. Dr. Samina Malik, Rector, IIUI addressing the inauguration ceremony has said that the conference, titled “Less Talk More Action: Changing the Course of Women’s Academic Leadership,” is a significant initiative aimed at addressing the hurdles and possibilities that women leaders encounter in academia. It is pertinent to mention here that the conference chair Prof. Dr. Samina Malik, is also the Principal Investigator of this project.
On this occasion, Dr. Samina lauded significant role of scholars who are presenting their research papers in the significant conference as this conference is an opportunity for the youth as they will witness experts opinion while interacting with them the present challenges being faced by the women academic leaders in our society and globally.
Ms. Noor Amna Malik, Managing Director (MD) National Academy of Higher Education (NAHE) from Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, graced the event with her presence as Chief Guest in the inauguration session of the conference. Addressing the conference participants said that theme of the conference is a commitment to move beyond discussions and rhetoric, focusing on tangible steps to bring about meaningful change in the landscape of women’s academic leadership. Ms. Noor stressed to move forward with a collective approach and not to be gender biased specially in such environments where male and female are together at workplace.
Dr. Asma Mansoor, co-chair and co-principal investigator, briefed the perspective and significant features of the three days conference. She said that the conference is scheduled from October 17th to 19th, 2023, the conference will serve as a platform for scholars, researchers, and professionals to exchange insights and perspectives on the challenges and opportunities faced by women in academic leadership roles. She added that overarching goal is to stimulate discussions and collaborations that contribute to the advancement of gender equity and diversity in higher education institutions.
Over the course of three days, research papers will be presented, providing a comprehensive exploration of the issues at hand. The conference’s structure ensures a thorough examination of the theme, with sessions dedicated to different aspects of women’s academic leadership.
By fostering an environment conducive to knowledge-sharing and collaboration, the conference aims to generate actionable insights that can be implemented to overcome barriers and create more opportunities for women in academic leadership roles. This aligns with the broader goals of the project funded by the Higher Education Commission, which seeks to catalyze positive change and promote gender inclusivity within Pakistani universities.