The project is seeking to examine the reasons behind the underrepresentation of women in leadership within the higher education system in Vietnam.
The event offered an excellent opportunity for knowledge exchange, as the participants were able to meet some of the most inspiring female leaders in higher education in Vietnam, including People's Teacher, Professor Nguyen Thi Canh, and Meritorious Teacher, Associate Professor Phan Thi Bich Nguyet. People's Teacher is the highest title awarded to individuals by the State of Vietnam, while Meritorious Teacher is a title given to those who have made significant contributions to the education system.
The Sheffield contingent included Dr Kim Nguyen, Dr. Eleni Stathopoulou, Dr. Emily J. Whitehouse and Dr. Gurleen Popli. Mentees came from 19 universities across Vietnam, and mentors came from nine universities in Vietnam and two universities in the UK. The mentors included two Chairwomen of University Councils, one Rector (Chancellor), three Vice Rectors (Vice Chancellors), one Deputy Director of a university campus, six Heads of Departments, four Deputy Heads of Department and distinguished lecturers.
The initiative will have a positive impact on the professional development of young female lecturers in Vietnam and make a contribution to addressing gender inequality in the country’s higher education sector.
The next step will be an experimental study conducted with university staff in Vietnam to examine the reasons behind the underrepresentation of women in leadership within the country’s higher education system. Two research seminars on women's leadership will be organised at Ho Chi Minh University of Banking and the School of Economics, University of Sheffield.
Information about the workshop and mentorship has been published on the Ho Chi Minh University of Banking website: