Within the framework of the project “Empowering Women’s Leadership in Vietnamese HEIs: Navigating Retirement-Age Reforms and Cultural Barriers”, funded by the British Council and jointly implemented by the University of York, United Kingdom, and the UEH Sustainable Finance Institute, the UEH Sustainable Finance Institute organized the workshop “Empowering Women’s Leadership in Vietnamese HEIs” / “Tăng cường năng lực lãnh đạo nữ trong các tổ chức giáo dục đại học Việt Nam” on 15 June 2026 at UEH Campus B. The workshop brought together many lecturers from universities across Vietnam, the majority of whom were female scholars.
One week earlier, also at UEH Campus B, the Sustainable Finance Institute organized a seminar to introduce the project in detail and share its preliminary research findings. This workshop was a follow-up activity of the project, but with a different focus. Instead of concentrating on research findings or theoretical discussions, the workshop featured experienced female leaders in higher education from various institutions.Through their authentic career stories, the female speakers offered diverse perspectives on their professional journeys and leadership roles in academic environments. They shared the opportunities that helped them grow, the challenges related to gender stereotypes, family responsibilities, and professional pressure, as well as strategies for strengthening professional capacity, expanding networks, and affirming their leadership positions.
In addition to the sharing sessions, the workshop also provided ample time for open discussion between the speakers and participants. Delegates exchanged views on current issues in higher education, including promotion opportunities for female scholars, work-life balance, the role of gender equality support policies within universities, and the factors that enable women to develop their leadership potential in academic settings.
The lively discussions at the workshop showed the growing need for spaces where female scholars and educational managers can engage in dialogue and learn from one another. More than an opportunity to share experiences, the workshop also helped strengthen connections, inspire participants, and build confidence among future generations of female leaders.
Through this workshop, the research team hopes to continue disseminating the project’s outcomes in a way that more closely connects research with practice. The workshop also contributes to broader efforts to promote gender equality and develop female leadership within Vietnam’s higher education system.
