Tazeen Akhtar
The Higher Education Commission of Pakistan launched Women Empowerment Mentoring programme (WEMP) on 12 Nov 2024 to facilitate women faculty and employees serving in the higher education sector/ universities across country,for women empowerment and gender mainstreaming.
Designated mentors with globally recognized best practices and coursework materials will offer expert mentorship and trainings to improve communications and manage work related conflicts and challenges more effectively.
Chairman HEC shared that the programme rolled out by National Academy of Higher Education (NAHE), HEC under the Higher Education Development in Pakistan (HEDP) project will offer growth opportunities to the women employees in the education sector while empowering them to achieve their goals in their personal and professional lives.
Chairman Prime Minister Youth Programme (PMYP) Rana Mashood Ahmed Khan was the chief guest. The key speakers included: Chairman HEC Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Ms Inga Afanasieva as guest of honour from WorldBank, Executive Director HEC Dr. Zia Ul-Qayyum, Managing Director NAHE Ms. Noor Amna Malik, Ms. Saima Hamid ex Vice Chancelker FJWU , Ms. Afshan Tehseen former chairperson NCRC and Currently CEO Human Capital Pakistan.
The participants included notable international partners, key officials from World Bank, USAID, leadership of British Council Pakistan, Vice Chancellors, senior, management of HEC and local higher education institutions and officials from several public universities.
The speakers shared that the programme will not only bridge the gender parity and trigger their horizontal and vertical growth in leadership roles but also benefit their students and institutions at large.
Addressing the ceremony, Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan commended HEC and NAHE for the initiative, which aims to promote female representation, capacity building, and leadership in academia. He praised the recent appointments of female Vice Chancellors in Punjab as a positive step towards gender equity in higher education.
Expressing his hope for the success of the programme, Chairman HEC Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed said Islam advocates for gender equity in responsibilities, accountability, and rewards, underscoring that Pakistan has a legacy of prominent women figures in politics, education, judiciary, and the economy, demonstrating the nation’s belief in equality. He reiterated that HEC is committed to initiatives that promote equitable participation of women in higher education through measures such as establishing sub-campuses in various regions for increased accessibility and setting aside a women’s quota in scholarship programmes.
World Bank representative Ms. Inga Afanasieva described the World Bank-supported WEMP as a comprehensive training initiative that has the potential to highlight the diverse perspectives and innovative contributions women bring to the higher education sector. She emphasised that the programme aims to amplify women’s voices through community support and empowerment, enabling them to make a greater impact in academia.
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Dr. Zia Ul-Qayyum reiterated that HEC, with the support of the Government of Pakistan, is committed to reducing the gender divide within the higher education sector. He highlighted that 48% of students enrolled in higher education are now female, a source of pride for HEC. He underscored that programmes like WEMP are designed to ensure equitable resources and support for career advancement in higher academia. He affirmed HEC’s continued commitment to enhancing female representation and engagement in the sector.
Ms. Noor Amna Malik highlighted the programme as a strategic initiative to promote gender mainstreaming. She announced that the programme’s first phase will be launched in 18 universities, where Vice Chancellors will establish WEMP committees to match mentees with trained mentors. She explained that in partnership with HEDP and with support from the World Bank, WEMP aims to foster gender equality by empowering female faculty and staff within higher education institutions.
She said the initiative focuses on mentoring female faculty and staff, providing them with opportunities to advance into leadership roles and senior positions. The mentoring process will include one-on-one sessions available in person, online, or in a hybrid format, supported by tailored toolkits and modules for participants.
Former Chairperson National Commission on Rights of Child NCRC , Ms Afshan Tehseen Bajwa appreciated the leadership and management of HEC to conceptualize and materialize this initiative. At the launch event, while sharing her views, she said, “This landmark intervention would significantly contribute and technically support and equip the female professionals with one to one mentoring, training and coaching in personal and professional development.”
Pakistan in the World – October 2024
