Empowering Women Leaders: Highlights from WANLeads Series 2

The second series of Women as Nation Leaders (WANLeads) program, organized by Unit Pembangunan Wanita & Sosial Negeri Pahang in collaboration with Tun Ghazali Shafie Institute for Strategic Leadership (TGS-ISL), UCYP University took place from September 27 to 28, 2024. The event gathered a diverse group of women leaders, united in their ambition to refine their leadership skills and contribute meaningfully to nation-building. In response to feedback from the first series, WANLeads retained several distinguished speakers, whose expertise continued to enrich the learning experience.

The series kicked off with an opening briefing by Puan Suhaila Hj Mukhtar, Director of TGS-ISL, who highlighted the objectives of WANLeads and set the stage for the modules aimed at empowering women as influential leaders. Following this, participants engaged in an interactive ice-breaking session led by Puan Norhidayah binti Mohd Ibrahim, Counselor at UCYP University where participants engaged in activities and bonded over the program’s theme song, Firework. The session set an inspiring tone for the two-day program, fostering a sense of unity and excitement among the participants.

The program started with a first module, V-inLead (Voice in Innovative Leadership), which was delivered by Ts. Megat Zainurul Anuar bin Megat Johari, President of the Trainers and Coaches Network of Malaysia. This session aimed to enhance the communication skills of participants, encouraging them to adopt strategic and innovative approaches to leadership. The module also emphasized how effective communication is pivotal for building influential networks and achieving leadership success.

In continuation of the program’s mission to cultivate strong women leaders, the R.I.S.E@TGS-ISL module followed, with a session from Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Prof. Dr. Noorul Ainur binti Mohd Nur, Chairman of the UCYP University Board of Governors. Drawing on her vast experience in holding key government positions, she shared insights into the strategies women can employ to overcome leadership challenges and remain resilient in the face of adversity. Her speech served as a powerful reminder of the importance of vision, competitiveness, and perseverance for women leaders in today’s globalized world.

Next, the Style Quest module, presented by Wawa Idris, a professional image consultant, took the participants through the essential elements of personal branding and the art of projecting leadership through appearance. Participants gained practical tips on how to enhance their professional image, which is an important component of establishing confidence and authority as leaders. Activities such as color analysis offered practical guidance on aligning appearance with professional goals, enhancing confidence and authority.

On the second day, participants were introduced to the Fit to Lead module, which underscored the importance of both physical and mental health in leadership. Led by Associate Professor Dr. Ailin Razali from the IIUM Health, Safety, and Environment (IHSEN) Centre, the session included a Fun Fit Challenge designed to promote physical wellness and its connection to leadership energy and resilience. This interactive session helped participants appreciate the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle to succeed as dynamic leaders.

Finally, the Strategic Decision Making via AI module, delivered by Ts. Suriyani binti Sulaiman, Chief Digital Officer at UCYP University, introduced participants to the role of artificial intelligence in making strategic decisions. The session focused on how AI can be used to make more informed, data-driven decisions that will enhance leadership effectiveness in the fast-evolving digital landscape.

As the two-day event concluded, Director TGS-ISL reflected on the achievements of the program, commending the participants for their engagement and enthusiasm throughout the series. The closing remarks were delivered by Professor Dato’ Dr. Muhammad Fauzi bin Mohd Zain, Vice Chancellor of UCYP University, who highlighted the success of WANLeads in contributing to the development of women leaders who will play an instrumental role in shaping the future of the nation.

Insightful briefing by Puan Suhaila Hj Mukhtar, Director of the Tun Ghazali Shafie Institute for Strategic Leadership (TGS-ISL)

Engaging ice-breaking session with second series participants, skillfully led by Puan Norhidayah Ibrahim, Counselor at UCYP University

Insightful sharing by Ts. Megat Zainurul Anuar bin Megat Johari during the first module, V-inLead (Voice in Innovative Leadership)

An inspiring session by Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Prof. Dr. Noorul Ainur binti Mohd Nur, Chairman of the UCYP University Board of Governors, during the R.I.S.E@TGS-ISL segment, empowering participants with strategies for resilience and impactful leadership

Engaging Style Quest module session by Wawa Idris captivated participants, offering valuable insights into personal branding and leadership image enhancement

Fit to Lead module highlighted the role of physical and mental wellness in leadership, led by Associate Professor Dr. Ailin Razali and Puan Suhaila Hj Mukhtar

Ts. Suriyani Sulaiman shared valuable insights on Strategic Decision Making via AI, guiding participants on leveraging digital tools for effective leadership

Closing ceremony of WANLeads Series Two led by Professor Dato’ Dr. Muhammad Fauzi bin Mohd Zain, Vice Chancellor of UCYP University, celebrating the success and future impact of the program