HUTECH collaborates with UK experts to strengthen women’s leadership capacity in the new era
- 30/06/2025
With the goal of developing leadership and management skills for female staff, lecturers, and employees from educational institutions, the workshop titled “She Leads: The Power of Self-Leadership” took place on June 27 at Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HUTECH).
The event was a key activity under the “Gender Equality Partnership Programme: Addressing Women’s Underrepresentation in Leadership” funded by the British Council. The project focuses on increasing the participation of women in leadership roles within academic and educational settings.
The project centers on increasing women's participation in leadership roles within education
In her opening remarks at the seminar, Ms. Alexandra Smith – British Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City – emphasized the UK Government’s strong commitment to promoting comprehensive gender equality, especially in education. She also expressed appreciation for the support of both men and women in advancing women’s leadership and conveyed her belief that the initiatives introduced at the workshop would help foster positive and sustainable change.
Ms. Alexandra Smith believes the workshop will contribute to positive and lasting change
Dr. Ly Thien Trang – Vice President of HUTECH – shared that the event provided a valuable platform to connect and spread inspiring stories about leadership journeys, especially among women. She expressed hope that building an inclusive and diverse community would create significant value through collective efforts and open dialogue. She encouraged participants to actively share personal experiences and expand their professional networks throughout the workshop.
Dr. Ly Thien Trang encourages participants to share personal experiences and broaden their networks
Representing the Organizing Committee, Dr. Hoang Ngoc Nhung – Deputy Head of the Department of International Relations and Project Management and the project leader in Vietnam – introduced the project and expressed hope that it would help advance gender equality in Vietnam’s education sector
At the workshop, keynote speakers Prof. Dr. Helen Barefoot – Director of the Center for Student Learning and Support, and Prof. Dr. Sarah Flynn – Deputy Director of the Center, University of Hertfordshire (UK), delivered powerful and insightful presentations on women’s leadership roles and capabilities in modern academic environments. Drawing from both expertise and real-world experience, the speakers emphasized that in today’s fast-paced world driven by globalization and digital transformation, leadership is no longer a privilege tied to status but a vital skill that can be empowered, nurtured, and developed through learning, experience, and self-confidence. In particular, modern women are rising not just through knowledge, but also through resilience, innovation, and exceptional adaptability, helping reshape the face of leadership in education.
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Prof. Dr. Helen Barefoot and Prof. Dr. Sarah Flynn shared deep insights into women’s leadership roles and capacities
A key highlight of the workshop was the presentation on the concept of “self-leadership.” This was presented not only as a foundation for personal development but also as an essential condition for women to assert their influence in the often high-pressure and competitive academic environment. Self-leadership includes self-awareness, emotional management, independent thinking, and commitment to pursuing meaningful goals. It is a powerful tool enabling women to rise to management positions, drive positive change, improve organizational performance, and foster a fair academic environment.
The concept of “self-leadership” was emphasized throughout the presentation
Beyond encouraging women to step into leadership, the speakers also clearly outlined the core competencies required in modern academic leadership—from setting long-term vision and strategy, managing finance and human resources, to effective administration, public representation, and crisis management. Leadership was presented not simply as a position but as a set of behaviors that demonstrate the ability to lead, influence, and inspire change. From a practical perspective, the speakers also emphasized the importance of building leadership networks and learning from global female role models—empowering female staff, lecturers, and employees to expand their mindset, develop themselves, and foster mutual support communities.
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Female staff, lecturers, and employees at the workshop demonstrated strong leadership mindsets and dedication to contributing
In the afternoon, the workshop continued with one-on-one consultation sessions, creating opportunities for direct interaction between international experts and female participants. Through in-depth discussions, the experts provided tailored guidance and support to help attendees develop effective personal leadership plans. This practical activity contributed to holistic development and enhanced women’s leadership roles in education.
Following the workshop, project partners including the University of Hertfordshire, HUTECH, Dong A University, and Dong Thap Community College held a meeting to review the project’s progress, share experiences, and align on upcoming activities to continue spreading the project's positive impact throughout Vietnam’s education system.
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Project partners met to review implementation progress and align on upcoming activities
By providing practical knowledge, skills, and networking opportunities, the “She Leads: The Power of Self-Leadership” workshop made meaningful contributions to building a sustainable support network, promoting gender equality, and enhancing women’s roles in educational leadership and management, paving the way toward a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable academic environment.
News: Hồng Loan
Photo: Quốc Đạt
Communication Center
News: Hồng Loan
Photo: Quốc Đạt
Communication Center
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