Women are playing a significant role in the devel-opment of Pakistan, as a large number of women are rendering services in their respective capacities in different important institutions and sectors.
Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training Shafqat Mahmood made these remarks at the launch ceremony of a six-day five-module train-ing under the Women Leadership Programme 2021.
In his remarks, Shafqat Mahmood highlighted the importance of NAHE efforts for developing and training the future academic leadership in the coun-try.
He noted that developing administrative skills in the academic leadership is very crucial as academic excellence does not necessarily mean adeptness in administration and management.
He stressed the need for identifying academic administrative talent at an early age so as that this talent could be horned through training and exposure.
Amid the financial hardships facing the universities, the university heads need to know how to handle finances, he stated while emphasizing on the role of university leadership.
He emphasized that the gov-ernment does not believe in gender discrimination in making appointments and selections.
The Minister advised the universities to promote skill-based education, as the future belongs to those who have skills.
He emphasized that the universities need to ensure quality and relevance of education. “It is important to have a huge number of universi-ties in the country, however, this should not be at the cost of quality.”
In her welcome address, Executive Director Higher Education Commission Dr. Shaista Sohail under-scored that women have a great role in the national uplift. “We need to utilize their talent and acknowl-edge their stake in the country’s progress,” she stated.
She noted that leaders are not born, but a person can become a leader through struggle, de-termination, will-power and vision.
Shedding light on the Women Leadership Pro-gramme, the Executive Director said that capacity building of women in leadership roles is one of the ways to give equal opportunities to women. She remarked that equity, diversity and inclusivity in any sector play a central role in its progress.
