UCEM research team attends gender equality workshops in Vietnam and Thailand
Posted on: 5 November, 2024
Two members of UCEM’s academic research team recently attended gender equality events in Asia, as part of the institution’s ongoing contribution to research in this area.
On October 24, Prof Angela Lee and Dr Muhammad Rana travelled to Vietnam to deliver a workshop for the CAREER: Cultivating Awareness, Resources, and Equality for Educators in Vietnam project.
The CAREER project, which is funded by the British Council, aims to positively impact both economic development and social welfare in Vietnam by specifically focusing on education.
This was the sixth gender equality award from the British Council that UCEM has received in two years, and follows similar involvement in workshops this year in Pakistan and Brazil.
At Can Tho University, Can Tho, Prof Lee and Dr Rana co-hosted a workshop. As Prof Lee commented:
“Educators are the cornerstone of sustainable education reform, responsible for shaping the skills, values, and critical thinking of future generations. Supporting them with resources and equal opportunities leads to a more equitable and prosperous society. By focusing on awareness, resources, and equality, CAREER will directly enhance educators’ capacity to foster inclusive, quality education, which is foundational for broader social and economic advancements. Supporting educators not only benefits their professional growth but also empowers students, communities, and ultimately, national development.”
Dr Rana was subsequently invited to attend the Transformative Leadership Workshop on 24-25 October in Bangkok, Thailand. Held at the Hotel Novotel Bangkok, this event was organised by the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organisation (SEAMEO), Regional Institute for Higher Education Development (RIHED), alongside the British Council.
This workshop consisted of over 40 university leaders/representatives from 11 countries of Southeast Asia. At the event, Dr Rana gave a 10-minute presentation, covering the work he has undertaken in Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (GEDI) and his concept idea for potential research collaborations on this topic with leaders from Southeast Asian Higher Education institutions.
As Dr Rana commented:
“It was an honour to be invited to participate in such an impactful event, underscoring UCEM’s growing commitment and leadership in advancing gender equality in Southeast Asia – and globally. By fostering inclusive discussions and championing progressive change, UCEM continues to set a powerful example in empowering all genders across the region.”
