UniKL introduces CWAL to support women’s empowerment agenda

Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) has introduced a new forward-thinking centre, Centre For Women Advancement and Leadership (CWAL) which is established to meet the agenda of Malaysia in giving access to women in higher education, top management positions and skilled employment in a few main sectors. 

Apart from providing research and courses for the focus area of women’s empowerment, the centre will play its role as an advocacy and advisory body to ministries, government institutions and relevant organisations in ensuring effective women-related programmes and initiatives.

Chairman of Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA), YB Datuk Seri Panglima Hajah Azizah Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Mohd Dun in her officiating speech said that women are among the important pillars of the country and it is not limited to the social and economic aspects. 

“We can see the involvement of many women in both the public and private sectors in every department or unit. This clearly shows that Malaysian women have improved their position in various fields including education, health, security and economy, as well as being highly educated and holding important positions in the professional field.

“CWAL is expected to play a role in guiding women to continue to move forward. For that, I would like to congratulate UniKL on the establishment of CWAL and its women’s empowerment initiative,” said her, while expressing hope that this centre would also strengthen UniKL’s agenda to become a leading university in the world.

In conjunction with the launch of CWAL, 23 Clusters have been introduced which will be under the auspices of the centre. During the launching ceremony, YB Datuk Seri Panglima Hajah Azizah also handed over the appointment certificate to the heads of Clusters which included four academicians and an alumnus from UniKL. 

They were selected based on their wide range of expertise, extensive experience, and those of prominent women who serve in the government, corporate, academic and industrial sectors.

At the same time, they showed a high commitment to the empowerment of women in their respective fields.

Also in attendance during the launching ceremony were MARA Deputy-Director General (Entrepreneurship), YBhg. Dato’ Zulkifri Osman; MARA Council Member, YBhg. Puan Rozainah Awang; MARA Deputy Director-General (Education), YBhg. Encik Razlan Haji Samsuri; Executive Director of MARA Corporation Sdn Bhd, YBhg. Dato’ Suhaili Abdul Rahman; Board Member of MARA Corporation, YBhg. Dr. Resul Sapar; Deputy Director-General of Higher Education (Academic and Development) at Department of Higher Department, YBhg. Prof. Ir. Dr. Robiah Yunus; UniKL Chairman, YBhg. Prof. Emeritus Datuk Dr. Sukiman Sarmani; Fellow of Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, Oxford University and Board Member of UniKL, YBhg. Orang Kaya-Kaya Imam Paduka Tuan Perak Dato’ Dr. Afifi Al-Akiti; and President/Chief Executive Officer of UniKL, Datuk Dr. Roziah Omar.