Following the recent establishment of its Women in Academia Committee (WiAC), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) delivered its inaugural Forum for Women in Academia at Education City’s Minaretein Building.
Faculty members, postdoctoral researchers and students from across Qatar Foundation (QF) joined the Forum to discuss topics shaping the diverse roles women play in academia. These included career advancement, building an inclusive academic landscape, and the importance of celebrating female academic achievements. The Forum provided an opportunity for networking and professional development, and collaboration on research projects, etc.
The participants could sign up for the Women in Academia Network, which was created to build a community for female academics across Education City and Qatar based on existing and newly-established relations.
Dr. Luluwah Al-Fagih, WiAC Chair and Associate Professor, College of Science and Engineering, provided an overview of the WiAC after the opening remarks by Dr. Ahmad M. Hasnah, President, HBKU. This was followed by Lora Gailly, Associate Project Officer, Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Section, UNESCO, who discussed the importance of closing the gender gap in science. Thereafter, a series of speeches, workshops, and panel discussions were delivered by academics from across HBKU’s six colleges.
Dr. Al-Fagih said: “This event was the first of its kind in Qatar dedicated specifically to women in academia. It comes at a time when female representation in academic positions remains at a low level within universities around the world. The WiAC seeks to increase the participation of women by facilitating sustainable career and development opportunities for female academics. Today’s Forum complemented this objective by highlighting how individuals and institutions alike can create a more equitable, diverse, and innovative academic environment.”
WiAC aims to advance the participation of women in academia by offering numerous programs, including mentoring, leadership training, and the Women in Academia Network.
