Global Leaders Convene in Kuala Lumpur to Champion Women’s Leadership in Higher Education
Kuala Lumpur, 27–28 January : The Empowering Women in Global Higher Education Leadership Symposium 2026 concluded successfully at the Berjaya Times Square Hotel, marking a significant milestone in global efforts to advance women’s leadership in academia.
The two-day symposium brought together distinguished educators, policymakers, researchers, and industry experts from around the world to exchange ideas and strategies aimed at strengthening women’s roles in higher education leadership. Through a series of high-level plenary sessions, Action Labs, and interactive discussions, participants explored practical approaches to promoting gender equity, inclusive governance, and sustainable leadership pathways within academic institutions.
The closing plenary session was delivered by YB Datuk Seri Dr. Noraini Ahmad, Malaysia’s Minister of Plantation and Commodities, who underscored the critical role of inclusive leadership and cross-sector collaboration in shaping the future of global higher education. She highlighted that empowering women leaders is not only a matter of equity, but also a strategic imperative for innovation, resilience, and institutional excellence
symposium also featured strong participation from Women in Future Technologies (WiFT), Malaysia Robotics, AI and Automation Association (MYRAS) led by Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. Jessica Ong FCILT, Chairperson and team, Ms Noor Fathiah Othman CMILT and Mdm Azila Ayub CMILT contributed as speakers and Action Lab facilitators. WiFT shared forward-looking perspectives and practical frameworks on nurturing women leaders, particularly at the intersection of education, technology, and innovation.
Participants described the symposium as a dynamic platform for meaningful dialogue, knowledge exchange, and network-building. The event concluded with a renewed collective commitment to advancing women’s leadership and accelerating gender equality across higher education systems worldwide.