The International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) hosted the “Less Talk, More Action: Changing the Course of Women’s Academic Leadership” international conference. This transformative three-day event, held in collaboration with the Higher Education Commission Pakistan (HEC), brought together a diverse assembly of academic luminaries, shedding light on the path to advancing women’s academic leadership.
Academic luminaries gathered for the opening ceremony of the international conference, setting the tone for what would be a transformative event. Dr. Samina Malik, the Rector of IIUI, emphasized the importance of inclusivity and collaborative discussions, which were the cornerstone of the conference. The event went beyond mere paper presentations, incorporating voices from diverse backgrounds, including academics, organizations such as ILFABET and HRDN Pakistan, and international keynote speakers.
The conference featured international keynote speakers who brought invaluable insights to the table. The University of Newcastle’s Professor Penny Jane Burke, Director of the Centre of Excellence for Equity in Higher Education and the Global Innovation Chair of Equity, took the stage. Her address resonated with the praxis of justice in academic spaces.
Professor Sara Aiston, Professor in Public Policy at Teesside University, uncovered the insidious ways of silencing in academia and the need to empower women to overcome unjust treatment. Ms. RobeelaBangash, in her keynote address, stressed the importance of training that equips women to identify and combat both micro and macro inequities, including issues like cyberbullying. Dr. Samina Amin Qadir highlighted the necessity of not only imparting skills to women but enabling them to be influential and implement their decisions effectively.
