Global Women’s Breakfast Sparks Dialogue on Gender Diversity

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JOHOR BAHRU, 29 Feb. – The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) Global Women’s Breakfast (GWB) 2024 coincided with the United Nations Day of Women and Girls in Science, serving as a flagship event for the International Year of Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development. Designed to unite participants from diverse scientific backgrounds, this year’s theme, “Catalyzing Diversity in Science,” marked a significant milestone. For the first time, on the 27^th of February 2024, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) hosted a physical GWB event, spearheaded by the Faculty of Science and Faculty of Chemical & Energy Engineering, with sponsorship from Institut Kimia Malaysia (IKM).

*Introduction and presentation by ChM. Dr. Sheela Chandren and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hasrinah Hasbullah*

Drawing 31 participants from various academic and professional spheres, including faculty members and office staff, the one-hour event commenced with introductory remarks and a presentation by ChM. Dr. Sheela Chandren and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hasrinah Hasbullah, the event’s primary organizers. Attendees were engaged in insightful discussions on gender equality in the workplace, contextualized within the UTM setting, while enjoying breakfast. To ensure inclusivity and gather diverse perspectives, a Padlet platform facilitated the documentation of participants’ opinions.

*Padlet used to allow participants to give their opinions*

The program concluded with remarks from the organizers, followed by group photos to commemorate this inaugural event at UTM. Participants lauded the event for its enlightening discussions on diversity in science, particularly within professional environments. Emphasizing the importance of promoting women in science leadership roles, the event underscored that gender diversity is not only preferable but imperative for scientific advancement. Encouragingly, strides toward inclusivity are evident, but sustained efforts are crucial to effect real and lasting change. As such, ongoing initiatives are vital to empower women in science leadership and foster a more diverse scientific community.

Looking ahead, there is optimism that the GWB event at UTM will become an annual tradition, with expanded outreach and enriched content to engage a broader audience in the years to come.