ISLAMABAD: The International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) organized the “Less Talk, More Action: Changing the Course of Women’s Academic Leadership” international conference in Islamabad on Monday.
The transformative 3-day event, held in collaboration with the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan, brought together a diverse assembly of academic luminaries, shedding light on the path to advancing the academic leadership of women.
Dr. Samina Malik, the Rector of IIUI, stressed the significance of inclusivity and collaborative discussions, which were the cornerstone of the event.
The conference went beyond mere paper presentations, incorporating voices from diverse backgrounds, including academics, organizations such as HRDN Pakistan and ILFABET, and international keynote speakers.
The event featured international keynote speakers who brought invaluable insights to the table.
The University of Newcastle’s Professor Penny Jane Burke’s address resonated with the praxis of justice in academic spaces.
Professor Sara Aiston, a Professor in Public Policy at Teesside University, highlighted the insidious ways of silencing in academia and the need to empower females to overcome unjust treatment.
Robeela Bangash, in her keynote address, emphasized the significance of training that equips women to identify and combat both micro and macro inequities, including problems like cyberbullying.
Dr. Samina Amin Qadir underlined the necessity of not only imparting skills to females but also enabling them to be influential and implement their decisions effectively.
Panel, Roundtable Discussions in Conference
The event also featured panel and round table discussions that foregrounded important issues, such as masculinization in academia and the passivity of females, while emphasizing the need to overcome perceived vulnerabilities.
The speakers underscored the significance of mutual support among women, debunking negative lobbying stereotypes and promoting inclusivity and transparency.