Women in Learning & Leadership Teacher’s Training – Rawalpindi Women University

One-day WILL (Women in Learning and Leadership) teacher’s training under the project “Fostering Critical Thinking Skills for Gender-Inclusive Socio-Economic Development” was held at Rawalpindi Women University. The training is a Shaoor Foundation for Education and Awareness (SFEA) project in collaboration with Rawalpindi Women University to socio-economically empower its students and teachers.
Mr. Javed Awan (Additional Director – External Linkages at Rawalpindi Women University) and Dr. Asma Zahoor (Associate Professor at the Department of Management & Business at Rawalpindi Women University) welcomed team SFEA at RWU. Ms. Sabohi Ali (Senior Program Manager at SFEA) and Ms. Wardah Iftikhar (Project Manager at SFEA) explained the FCTEW project, its objectives, needs, and the impact this project has created so far in its first phase. Trainers Dr. Munazza Yaqoob (Associate Professor at the Department of English at International Islamic University Islamabad and Founder of the Critical Thinking Forum at IIUI), Dr. Sofia Hussain, and Dr. Sonia Irum emphasized the importance of critical thinking in academia. They shared their ideas of how teachers can include gender inclusiveness in their classrooms and encourage the participation of female students in civil society, political parties, trade unions, and other voluntary public activities. They also led a group activity with teachers in which they wrote on paper charts what strategies they can adopt to enhance the skills and knowledge of their students so they can serve in leadership capacities. The day ended with an interactive Q&A session and Dr. Asma appreciating the efforts of SFEA in establishing networks and promoting linkages of women faculty, researchers, and students with the private sector and civil society.