Teaching and Learning
Empowering Women through Leadership and Knowledge Exchange
In celebration of International Women’s Day, the Equal Opportunities Committee at the University of Bahrain organized a seminar titled “Women’s Brilliance: Leadership and Excellence.” The event brought together prominent female leaders and academics to highlight women’s roles in advancing knowledge, leadership, and sustainable development.
Among the speakers were Dr. Naima Hassan Al-Qaseer, a global expert in health and sustainable development, and Prof. Najla Mohammed Al-Alani from the College of Engineering, who discussed women’s rights, recognition, and representation across different cultural and professional contexts.
The seminar underscored the importance of supportive environments, perseverance, and equal opportunities in nurturing women’s achievements at local, regional, and international levels. Through such initiatives, the University of Bahrain strengthens community engagement and promotes inclusive dialogue that empowers women and enhances their participation in leadership, academia, and sustainability.
Relevant SDG 5 Targets and Indicators (Engagement & Leadership):
Women’s access schemes – promoting mentoring, leadership, and networking opportunities for female students and staff.
Increasing the proportion of senior female academics and women in leadership roles within higher education.
Implementing and reinforcing policies of non-discrimination against women.
Establishing women’s mentoring and leadership schemes that enhance participation and empowerment.
Tracking women’s professional and academic progression to close gender gaps in advancement and recognition.
Advancing Women’s Leadership through International Collaboration
The University of Bahrain (UOB) organized a ceremony honoring participants and speakers in the “She Leads” program, conducted in collaboration with the British Higher Education Academy (Advance HE). The program supported 32 women leaders from the public and private sectors in Bahrain and the GCC, alongside faculty members from several national universities.
Through a series of workshops, seminars, and mentorship sessions, the initiative aimed to strengthen women’s leadership skills and promote their active contribution to institutional and national development.
In his remarks, Dr. Fuad Mohammed Al-Ansari, President of UOB, emphasized the University’s commitment to advancing women’s roles in leadership and sustainable development. Meanwhile, Mr. Kristian Rumble, Head of Global Membership at Advance HE, commended UOB’s proactive approach and its exemplary efforts in promoting gender inclusion and empowerment.
The “She Leads” program reflects the University’s broader mission to create equitable pathways for women’s professional growth, fostering a more inclusive and innovative leadership landscape across Bahrain and the region.
Relevant SDG 5 Targets and Indicators (Leadership & Empowerment):
Women’s access schemes (mentoring, scholarships, or other provision):
The program includes structured mentorship and training sessions designed to empower women leaders in academia, public, and private sectors.
Proportion of senior female academics:
By building leadership skills among female faculty and administrators, the initiative contributes to increasing women’s representation in senior academic and management roles.
Policy of non-discrimination against women:
The collaboration reflects institutional commitment to equity and non-discrimination in leadership development opportunities.
Women’s mentoring schemes:
The “She Leads” initiative directly implements a women’s mentoring and leadership development scheme involving more than 10% of female participants from UOB and partner institutions.
Track women’s graduation rate / career progression:
The program supports career advancement tracking for female leaders through follow-up engagement and alumni monitoring.
