Associate Professor at HBKU’s College of Science and Engineering and Chair of the Women in Academia Committee, Dr. Luluwah Al Fagih
Doha, Qatar: Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), a member of Qatar Foundation (QF), has made significant strides toward advancing gender inclusivity in academia with the creation of its Women in Academia Committee (WiAC). This important initiative, the first-of-its-kind in Qatar and the region, has recently been recognised by Unesco.
The WiAC aims to cultivate an inclusive academic environment by addressing barriers and enhancing opportunities for women in higher education and research. The initiative operates within a framework that is sensitive to the socio-cultural and religious values that are integral to the society.
Associate Professor at HBKU’s College of Science and Engineering and Chair of the Women in Academia Committee, Dr. Luluwah Al Fagih shared her insights on the importance of the initiative in an interview with The Peninsula.
“We are pleased with Unesco’s recognition of the pioneering role Qatar’s academic institutions, including HBKU, have played in advancing women’s participation in various scientific fields throughout the Arab world,” Dr. Al Fagih said.
“This achievement would not have been possible without the continuous support of H H Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation. We are committed to further strengthening and sustaining an inclusive academic environment that provides the best opportunities for women to thrive and excel in academia.”
HBKU is in a unique position to lead this initiative, ahead of other institutions in the region. With its strong commitment to advancing the participation of women, the university is set to become a regional leader in promoting best practices for women in academia.
The committee’s overarching goal is to foster an inclusive approach to recruitment and professional development for female students and academic staff. In doing so, it aims to elevate professionalism across the board for the benefit of students, staff, and the broader academic community. These efforts will contribute to an environment that promotes belonging, respect, and equality for women, as well as the entire HBKU community.
Dr. Al Fagih added, “HBKU is doing exceptionally well in student enrolment. Admissions by gender are almost equally distributed across programmes and levels.
In some cases, we even have more females than males, giving us higher performance than global averages, especially in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. This is certainly something to celebrate.”
However, despite this progress, there remains a challenge known as the ‘leaking pipeline,’ where women’s representation diminishes as academic careers progress. In European universities, this decline is observed between middle and senior academic levels, despite women outnumbering men at the junior level. A similar trend, though more pronounced, is visible at HBKU.
Establishing WiAC is a crucial step towards implementing practical measures to increase women’s participation in academia at all levels, not just among students.
The establishment of the WiAC was a result of a data collection exercise that raised awareness about the challenges women face in academia. According to Dr. Al Fagih, the process brought these issues to the forefront of the university’s agenda, prompting more internal decisions that support women’s career advancement. However, she acknowledged that embedding gender equity within an institution is a long-term, iterative process, and its impact may take time to fully measure and document.
As WiAC enters its third phase, Dr. Al Fagih highlighted the long-term, sustainable practices being embedded into HBKU’s culture to empower women in academia.
“Research indicates that women significantly benefit from mentorship schemes,” she said. “The WiAC will establish mentorship programmes and provide leadership training for female staff and students, offering them encouragement, support, and advice from established academics and leaders to help them realise their potential and fulfil their academic career aspirations.”
In addition to mentorship, WiAC is implementing a variety of strategies to promote gender equity. WiAC aims to recognise and celebrate the contributions of women academics at HBKU and improve gender balance on key committees.
