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OWSD Pakistan: Women in Leadership: A Summit for Excellence

December 24, 2024

On December 21, 2024, the OWSD Pakistan National Chapter hosted the inspiring "Women in Leadership: A Summit for Excellence" in collaboration with Dr. A. Q. Khan Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (KIBGE), University of Karachi and the Pakistan Academy of Sciences.

The summit celebrated women’s contributions to leadership and provided a platform for impactful discussions on overcoming challenges. Highlights included motivational talks by:

  • Prof. Ahsana Dar Farooq on navigating career shifts and success
  • Prof. Huma Baqai on academic leadership and career turning points
  • Dr. Julie Sinclair on work-life balance and women empowerment
  • Ms. Masarrat Misbah on her journey as a single mother and her work with acid burn survivors

A powerful panel discussion, "My Journey: Stories of Strength, Struggles, and Success," featured eight accomplished women leaders:

  • Prof. Bina S. Siddiqui (S.I., T.I.) – President of OWSD PNC and HEC Distinguished National Professor
  • Prof. Ahsana Dar Farooq – Director, Centre of Excellence for International Collaboration, Hamdard University
  • Ms. Syeda Shehla Raza – Member of the National Assembly of Pakistan
  • Prof. Erum Khan – Chairperson, Dept. of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Aga Khan University Hospital
  • Prof. Shaista Tabassum – Dean, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, University of Karachi
  • Prof. Najma Patel – Pediatric Cardiologist and Adult Congenital Heart Diseases Specialist, Ziauddin University Hospital
  • Dr. Nosheen Raza – Assistant Professor, Dept. of Sociology, and Students’ Advisor, University of Karachi

Each panelist shared their personal journeys, candidly addressing systemic gender biases, societal expectations, and the challenges of balancing professional and personal lives. Their stories of perseverance and triumph inspired the audience.

The event also included engaging poster presentations, remarks by Chief Guest Ms. Syeda Shehla Raza, and concluded with an address by Prof. Khalid Iraqi, Vice Chancellor of UoK. Shields and certificates were distributed to honor participants and organizers.

This summit was the grand finale of six successful events across Pakistan, celebrating women’s empowerment and leadership in STEM and beyond.

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