Women empowerment and mentoring programme ends

PESHAWAR: The Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University (SBBWU) has concluded the Women Empowerment and Mentoring Programme.

A communication said it was a collaborative initiative with the National Academy of Higher Education (NAHE) and the Higher Education Commission (HEC).The closing ceremony was held on the university campus and was attended by guests, faculty members, and participants of the programme. NAHE Managing Director Noor Amna Malik praised the organizers and participants for their dedication and commitment.

She informed the audience that the programme had been initiated in 19 women’s universities across the country. “It has been especially tailored, keeping in view the mental health of the employees and allowing them to focus on areas they need to strengthen, including personal growth, self-confidence, problem-solving skills, and positive thinking,” the managing director added.

Noor Amna Malik said that the initiation of the same project was under consideration for other universities as well.“The Women Empowerment and Mentoring Programme aimed to build capacity, enhance leadership skills, and provide mentorship opportunities for women in academia. Its successful execution marks a promising step forward in promoting gender equity and professional development in Pakistan’s higher education landscape,” she added.

Dr Qibla Ayaz, who was present on the occasion, congratulated the university and all stakeholders on the successful completion of the initiative. He emphasized the importance of such programmes in fostering leadership and academic excellence among women in higher education.

Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Safia Ahmed said that the programme had provided structured mentorship and guidance through its five comprehensive modules.“It engaged 13 mentors and provided mentorship to 67 individuals through individual sessions and five combined module sessions led by renowned academicians. Over the past three months, the mentees participated in six impactful meetings with their mentors,” she explained.

Dr Safia Ahmed said the training had highlighted the importance of mentoring, its benefits, and the challenges faced by women employees in higher education, including those related to personal, academic, and professional development, as well as work-life balance.