News and Pictures from LESTARI UKM

BANGI, 2 December 2019 – Institute for Environment and Development (LESTARI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), has organized a Public talk by Vice-Chancellor of Asian University for Women (AUW), Bangladesh, Prof. Nirmala Rao, in emphasized on substantial training for Asian women to create the next generation leader, recently.

She has extensive experience of public service and served as an advisor to a range of bodies including the UK Audit Commission and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM).

In her talk, she said she said the goal of AUW is to identifying talent in places where women’s potential is ignored, providing a platform for women of uncommon ability and leadership potential to acquire a world-class education and creating and sustaining international networks of women leaders and their supporters.

AUW is the first of its kind: an independent, regional institution dedicated to excellence, women’s education and leadership development – global in outlook, but rooted in the contexts and aspirations of the people of Asia.

AUW students represent almost 20 countries across Asia and the Middle East. Diverse in background, AUW students are united in their passions to innovate the economic, social, and political landscapes of their communities.

AUW endeavors to educate women from all corners of the region, including refugees, industry workers, indigenous peoples, and more. To increase access to higher education, AUW offers flexible pre-university programs.

During her visit, Prof. Nirmala also meet Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ir. Dr. Mohd Hamdi Abd Shukor; Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research and Innovation, Prof. Dato’ Ir. Dr. Abdul Wahab Mohammad; Director of LESTARI, Director of IKMAS, Director of Tun Fatimah Hashim’s Women’s Leadership Centre, Fellow of LESTARI, Deputy Director General of Department of Environment Malaysia and Chairperson of Centre for Cancer Research of Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman.

In their meeting, they exchanged their views and knowledge on empowering the Asian women. They also discussed about the possible collaboration in terms of research, publication, student exchange program, training, faculty mobility and international research funding.

Prof. Nirmala showed her sincere gratitude to the organizing committee regarding her visit to UKM.

“I have had the tremendous pleasure of meeting with exceptional people from across departments, Institutes and the senior management.  I have marvelled at much of what I have learned: there are an outstanding research culture and a good deal of commitment to nurturing relevant and meaningful international partnerships.

“Every member of the academic community I spoke with took pride in the University’s strong position in the global rankings, while remaining resolute in their purpose – to sustain UKM’s role as a regional champion, a national asset, and a global leader.  It was, for me, quite a remarkable experience,” she said.

Prof. Nirmala was elected Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences in 2003 and awarded an OBE for services to scholarship in 2011. She was recently elected Honorary Fellow of Lucy Cavendish College, University of Cambridge, UK.