The Women in STEM Summit 2024, organized by Women in STEM Pakistan, was successfully held on December 7, 2024, at Crescent Model School Girls Section, Shadman, Lahore.
This inspirational event aimed to foster inclusivity, diversity, and equity among Pakistani women while accelerating entrepreneurship and leadership opportunities. It brought together a remarkable gathering of scientists, mathematicians, and dignitaries from academia, engineering, and industry, advocating for women’s empowerment in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
Engr. Anum Tariq Khan, Founder of Women in STEM Pakistan, shared her vision and tireless efforts spanning over a decade:
“It is truly inspiring to see women from different walks of life breaking barriers, sharing success stories, and creating opportunities for the next generation of innovators and leaders. Women in STEM 2024 is not just an event; it is a movement to foster a more inclusive and equitable future in Pakistan, where women lead boldly in STEM and beyond.”
The summit commenced with the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran, setting a spiritual and graceful tone. A performance of the National Anthem by the Crescent School Girls Choir, led by Mr. Shakeel John, mesmerized the audience with renewed patriotic fervor.
Asma Basharat, Co-Founder of Women in STEM Pakistan, warmly welcomed the guests and dignitaries, highlighting the gender disparity in Pakistan’s STEM workforce. She presented alarming statistics, with women’s representation in STEM being less than 10%, one of the lowest globally, emphasizing the urgent need to bridge this gap.
Ms. Sofia Qadir Khan, Principal of Crescent Model School Girls Campus, and Ms. Ayesha Muiz, Secretary Girls, Crescent Alumni Association, shared their efforts in elevating education to global standards while promoting gender equity. They emphasized how the Crescent School administration is actively creating programs and activities to foster inclusivity.
Mian Altaf M. Saleem, Secretary of the Crescent Educational Trust, highlighted the importance of women’s education and their equal representation in technical fields. He appreciated the efforts of Women in STEM Pakistan and deemed them as the need of the hour to improve the economic and social growth of Pakistan.
The event featured two compelling panel discussions:
1. Breaking Barriers and Building Legacies, moderated by Dr. Maryam Ayub, a leading psychiatrist, brought together:
- Dr. Somia Iqtadar (Associate Professor, King Edward Medical University and Secretary General Pakistan Society of Internal Medicine)
- Fatima Tuz Zahra (Clinical Psychologist)
- Dr. Fariha Tariq (Associate Professor, King Edward Medical University)
- Dr. Saman Shahid (Director, Environment & Health Data Science Lab, FAST)
- Capt. Qadar Sarfraz (Pilot, Women in Aviation)
- Anum Mir (Director CSR & Employee Welfare, T.M. Group of Companies)
The discussion delved into overcoming obstacles and leaving impactful legacies.
2. Promoting Pakistani Women in STEM: Accelerating Entrepreneurship and Leadership, moderated by Sanam Khan, Co-Founder of Women in STEM Pakistan, featured prominent speakers:
- Dr. Sadia Murawwat (Chairperson, Department of Electrical Engineering, LCWU)
- Ms. Rabia Najam (Principal, Crescent Model School Boys Campus)
- Dr. Sidra Zafar (Head, Department of Computer Science, Kinnaird College)
- Ms. Rabia Sirhindi (Content Architect Lead, Educative)
- Dr. Farah Nadeem (Assistant Professor, LUMS, Director, Office of Accessibility and Inclusion)
- Ms. Noor Azhar (Head of Academics & Counseling, Nearpeer)
The speakers shared invaluable insights into mentorship, networking, and policymaking to foster an inclusive environment for women.
Keynote talks by Ms. Sidra Ijaz (HackerNoon) on “How to Build Your Personal Brand in the World of Technology” and Ms. Rahmeen Ahmed (Amazon) on “Financial Independence – Learn to Make Money Online” captivated the audience with actionable advice.
MEP Solutions Pvt. Ltd, platinum sponsors of the event, reaffirmed their commitment to empowering women through impactful initiatives. Mr. Usman Farooq, Director of MEP Solutions Pvt. Ltd, was our distinguished guest, who emphasized his strong support for female empowerment and expressed encouragement for Women in STEM initiatives.
A highlight of the summit was the announcement of a dedicated space for Women in STEM Pakistan at the PEC office by Dr. Suhail Aftab Qureshi (Vice Chairman PEC Punjab).
The Chief Guest, Dr. Shehla Javed Akram, Founder President of the Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (WCCI), delivered a compelling keynote address, commending Women in STEM Pakistan for hosting such a groundbreaking event.
In alignment with the event’s sustainability focus, plants were distributed to guests, symbolizing growth, hope, and environmental responsibility. This initiative was generously sponsored by Mian Muizzuddin Mahmood, President of the Crescent Alumni Association.
The Women in STEM Summit 2024 concluded as a resounding success, leaving a lasting impact on attendees. It was a day of inspiration, collaboration, and empowerment, reinforcing the pivotal role of women in shaping the future of STEM in Pakistan.
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Mr. Umar J. Qureshi (CEO of Folklore Magazine) and Mr. Jamil Lilla (Growth Professional of Izhar Group) among other tech professionals were among the Guest of Honors.
