Bangladesh Open University hosts first online workshop on gender equality

Bangladesh Open University (BOU), a proud partner of the EU-funded MAGENDA (MAintain Gender Equality in Academia) initiative, successfully hosted the first of four online workshops today, focusing on "Gender Equality in Academic Governance at Bangladesh Open University." 

The event, held virtually via Zoom from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM BST, marked a significant milestone in BOU's commitment to advancing inclusive academic governance. Professor Dr Sabina Yeasmin, Project Manager of MAGENDA at BOU, inaugurated the session and emphasised the importance of embedding gender sensitivity in institutional leadership.

 The event was skillfully moderated by Dr Serazul Islam, Director of IQAC, BOU, and Researcher of MAGENDA Project. It featured a keynote speech by Dr Mizanoor Rahman, Deputy Project Manager of MAGENDA and faculty member of BOU.

 In his keynote, Dr Rahman provided a comprehensive overview of national and institutional progress on gender equality, spotlighting the Bangladesh Open University's crucial role in expanding access to education for marginalised women.

 He also addressed key gaps and offered policy-level recommendations for institutional reform, including gender audits and capacity building. Participants, including faculty, gender focal persons, researchers, and administrators from Bangladesh and Nepal, engaged in dynamic case-sharing and discussion sessions. 

Topics ranged from gender disparities in academic leadership to institutional support mechanisms for women. The event concluded with a Vote of Thanks from the BOU organising team on behalf of Dr A B M Obaidul Islam, MAGENDA Team Leader and Vice-Chancellor, reaffirming the university's dedication to promoting gender equality in higher education through evidence-based practices and inclusive policy frameworks. 

The workshop aligns with MAGENDA's broader mission to foster sustainable gender equality in academia across Asia.