Final Speech – She Leads Conference | Liwa University

 

Final Speech – She Leads Conference | Liwa University

Good morning everyone,
Distinguished guests, respected colleagues, inspiring women leaders, and dear students,

It is truly an honor and a pleasure to be with you today at the She Leads Conference.
I would like to begin by sincerely thanking Liwa University for the generous invitation and for selecting me to be among this distinguished group of remarkable women. I am also honored to share the panel with such inspiring leaders, and I deeply appreciate the warm welcome.

Today, I would like to share my professional journey—a journey shaped by education, social responsibility, culture, and a strong belief that education should always have meaning, impact, and purpose.

My journey began in academia. After joining Cairo University, I was determined that my role as an academic would go beyond traditional teaching. I believed—and still believe—that education should not be conventional or static.
I focused on interactive learning, student participation, and empowering students to co-create knowledge rather than merely receive it. My teaching philosophy has always been about preparing students for real life and the labor market, not just exams.

As Head of the Educational Media Department at Cairo University, and through my work in academic development and quality assurance, I worked extensively on linking education to community engagement and social responsibility, particularly through Arab academic councils and regional networks concerned with university rankings and accreditation.

I have also been honored to work with UNESCO as a Higher Education Expert in the Arab Region, contributing to regional discussions on quality assurance, educational reform, sustainability, and the future of universities in our societies.

The second major chapter of my professional life was my work in public service and social development. I had the honor of serving as an advisor to the Minister of Social Solidarity in Egypt.
Our core mission was community empowerment and development through education, under the vision of Education for Quality Life.

I worked on national programs supporting poor and vulnerable families, especially early childhood development—from birth to two years under the Ministry of Social Solidarity, and from two to four years in cooperation with the Ministry of Education.

In 2014, I was honored to be appointed to the Presidential Advisory Council for Community Development under His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. Through this role, I contributed to shaping national strategies to support imprisoned and indebted women, developing social protection policies, strengthening women’s participation in public life, diplomacy, and education, and working on the formulation and institutional framework of the National Council for Women.

One of the most meaningful aspects of this journey was my work on women’s empowerment, including reviving traditional crafts to support Egyptian women economically and socially.

The third phase of my journey was serving twice as a Cultural Attaché, representing Egypt abroad.

My first mission was in Qatar during a politically sensitive period, where culture and education played a vital role in maintaining dialogue and understanding.

My second mission was in Central Asia—as a resident Cultural Attaché in Kazakhstan, and non-resident in Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.
There, I focused on using soft power—education, culture, media, tourism exchange, and international students—as strategic tools to strengthen Egypt’s presence and influence.

These experiences reinforced my belief that education and culture are among the strongest diplomatic languages in the world.

Alongside all these roles, writing and research have always been central to my journey.
I authored several important works in education, including The Impact of Theatre Education on the Future of Learning, academic writings on African and American educational models, My Days in Kazakhstan and My Time in Doha, My Papers in Social Solidarity, and most recently, a book on the role of social responsibility of Arab universities in global ranking and accreditation.

I am also honored to be the Founder and Executive Director of the Arab University Knowledge Network for Climate Change and Carbon Footprint (AUKNCCF), hosted by Liwa University—an initiative that reflects my belief in linking higher education to sustainability and global responsibility.

My journey also extends deeply into civil society work. I have contributed to and supported several impactful organizations, including Ahl Masr Foundation for Burn Victims and other humanitarian initiatives.

Recently, I was honored to be selected among the G100 – Global Women Leaders 2026, serving as a Country Advisory Council Member for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises under All Ladies League. I also previously served on advisory boards in 2016 and 2020.

I am also proud to be the Founder of the Arab Women Award for Social Responsibility, held under the patronage of the Arab League, a regional initiative recognizing outstanding Arab women leaders who transform social responsibility into sustainable development across our communities.

Throughout this entire journey, one principle has guided me:
Education must never be disconnected from life, society, or the future of work.

We need more women in leadership—rectors, deans, policymakers, and innovators—because women do not just participate in change; they sustain it.

Let us work together to build a higher education system that is innovative, inclusive, socially responsible, and future-ready.

Thank you for listening.
Thank you for believing in women’s leadership.
And thank you for allowing me to share my journey with you.