On December 13, 2024, Dr. Sana Aejaz, Head, Department of Mathematics & Dr. Gazala Shaireen, Assistant, Dean, Student Welfare had the privilege of attending the Women's Leadership Program held at Dogra Hall, IIT Delhi, organized by the University Grants Commission (UGC). Representing KBN University, these 2 ladies were among the 724 women leaders from various academic institutions across the country. The program aimed at empowering women in leadership roles and fostering discussions on the unique challenges they face in academia
Objectives of the Program
The primary objectives of the event included:
Empowerment: To equip women leaders with the necessary skills and confidence to take on leadership roles in their respective fields.
Networking: To create a supportive network for women in academia, facilitating collaboration and mentorship.
Awareness: To raise awareness about the importance of women's representation in leadership positions and the need for policies that support gender equity.
Key Sessions and Discussions
Throughout the day, various sessions were conducted, featuring esteemed speakers and thought leaders in the field of education. Some key highlights included:
Leadership Skills Development: Workshops focused on enhancing leadership skills, including effective communication, decision-making, and conflict resolution.
Panel Discussions: A series of panel discussions featured successful women leaders sharing their experiences, challenges, and strategies for overcoming obstacles. Their insights were inspiring and provided a realistic perspective on navigating the academic landscape.
Interactive Networking: The program facilitated networking opportunities, allowing participants to connect and share experiences.
Personal Reflections
As an invitee representing KBN University, our facultyfound the program to be immensely beneficial. The discussions not only reinforced the understanding of the challenges women face in leadership but also inspired them to take proactive steps in my career. Engaging with other women leaders helped them realize the importance of collaboration and support in advancing the collective goals.
They were fortunate to meet many women leaders like Dr. Shamika Ravi (Member, Economic Advisory Council to the PM), Prof. Preeti Aghalayam (First women Director of IIT),Prof. Neelima Gupta (VC, Hari Gaur University, MP), Dr. Rajalakshmi Menon (Director General-Aeronautical systems, DRDO), Dr. Sonal Mansingh (Padma Vibushan Awardee & Hon’ble Former member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha), Mrs. Geeta Rathore (Director General, National sample Survey, Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI)), Mrs. Vandana Bhatnagar (Member, Board of Governors at IIM, Jammu) and Mrs. Lakshmi Iyer (Joint General Manager, Larsen & Toubro).
Also they got an opportunity to meet Prof. Mamidala Jagadeesh Kumar, Chairman, University Grants Commission (UGC), Dr. Sukanta Majumdar (Hon’ble Minister of State for Education), Shri Dharmendra Pradhan ( Hon’ble Education Minister of India), Mr. Sanjiv Mehta (Advisor & Head Program development of IBM), Prof. Deepak Kumar Srivastava (Vice-Chairman, UGC) and Mr. Sanjay Kumar (Secretary, Higher Education).
Conclusion
The Women's Leadership Program: Shaping Academic Excellence for Viksit Bharat Abhiyaan 2047 at Dogra Hall, IIT Delhi was a remarkable initiative that successfully brought together women leaders from across the country.
On a Personal Note:
Dr. Sana Aejaz & Dr. Gazala Shaireen: It served as a platform for empowerment, networking, and knowledge sharing. They left the program feeling motivated and equipped with new insights to further my journey in academia. We are grateful for the opportunity to represent KBN University at such a significant event and look forward to applying what we have learned to foster leadership among women in our institution and beyond..
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