Islamabad, The International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) in partnership with the Higher Education Commission Pakistan (HEC) recently concluded a pivotal three-day international conference titled “Less Talk, More Action: Changing the Course of Women’s Academic Leadership.” The event, seeking to propel women’s roles in academic leadership, witnessed invaluable contributions from academic scholars, international keynote speakers, and various organizations.
According to a news release by International Islamic University Islamabad, the opening ceremony set the stage for collaborative discussions, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity. Dr. Samina Malik, Rector of IIUI, stressed the transformative nature of the conference, highlighting that the event was more than just paper presentations, but a confluence of diverse voices from the academic world, organizations like ILFABET and HRDN Pakistan, and international arenas.
Distinguished international keynote speakers, including Professor Penny Jane Burke from the University of Newcastle and Professor Sara Aiston from Teesside University, addressed the challenges faced by women in academia. Both offered solutions to combat prejudices and biases. Additionally, Ms. Robeela Bangash emphasized training women to recognize and counteract injustices like cyberbullying, while Dr. Samina Amin Qadir advocated for equipping women to take influential action.
Engaging panel and round table discussions delved deep into pressing issues such as the dominance of masculine perspectives in academia and the often passive roles of women. These discussions underscored the importance of merit-based growth, mutual support, and protections against slander and unwarranted accusations.
Adhering to rigorous standards, the conference accepted only 14 of the 42 papers submitted. Asma Aftab’s paper titled “Women’s Voices: At the Crossroads of Academy and Activism” was recognized as the best, shedding light on the synergy between academic pursuits and activism.
A notable outcome of the event was the “Women Empowerment Policy”, prepared by Dr. Asma Mansoor in consultation with Dr. Samina Malik. Peer-reviewed by renowned scholars, this policy envisions strengthening the role of women in academic leadership, emphasizing transparency, justice, and merit. Dr. Malik pledged to advance this policy, seeing it as a critical step in creating safer academic spaces for women.
The closing ceremony was graced by Prof. Dr. Bushra Mirza and Prof. Dr. Haroona Jatoi. Both acknowledged the significant impact of the conference and the potential growth opportunities for IIUI under its first-ever female rector’s leadership. Moreover, they hailed women as the primary drivers of change in academia.
The event concluded on a hopeful note, with a commitment to continue discussions and foster inclusive dialogues in academia, and tokens of appreciation were presented to the distinguished guests.