HARPSWELL ANNUAL ASEAN WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP SUMMIT

BUILDING WOMEN LEADERS IN ASEAN THROUGH MENTORING AND SCHOLARSHIP: KANITA – HARPSWELL ASEAN PROGRAM

Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), through its Centre for Research on Women and Gender (KANITA), has consistently demonstrated its commitment to advancing women’s empowerment and leadership in the ASEAN region. A flagship initiative reflecting this commitment is the collaboration with the Harpswell Foundation to host the annual Harpswell ASEAN Program in Women’s Leadership, which significantly contributes to Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality. This partnership establishes inclusive access schemes for women across Southeast Asia, based on the principle that a community of educated women leaders fosters social and economic advancement.

The program is specifically designed for young professional women aged 25–30 from ASEAN countries. Its objective is to provide a platform for women to enhance their leadership capacity, build confidence, and engage in meaningful mentoring experiences. Organized by KANITA USM, the program fosters a supportive community that brings together participants from diverse backgrounds with a shared aspiration to inspire and initiate social change within Southeast Asia. This initiative reflects USM’s vision of empowering women not only through education but also through access schemes that integrate mentorship, scholarships, and leadership support. A key component of the program is its mentoring framework, wherein participants receive guidance from accomplished leaders to support their personal and professional growth. This capacity-building approach enhances not only technical and leadership skills but also promotes ethical, inclusive, and resilient leadership practices.

The Harpswell summit in 2024 was hosted in Penang from June 3 to June 13. This ten-day summit gathered women leaders and professionals from ASEAN to exchange ideas and reflect on the challenges and opportunities for women in leadership. In her opening address, USM Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International) Professor Dato’ Gs. Dr. Narimah Samat emphasized that as a public university, USM has a crucial responsibility to contribute to sustainable development, particularly in promoting gender equality in higher education and leadership.

The summit was further enriched by the presence of regional and international partners, including Tan Sri Dr. Koh Tsu Koon, Professor Alan Lightman (Founder of the Harpswell Foundation), and Professor Dr. Saidatulakmal Mohamad, Director of KANITA USM. Their participation underscored the global and regional recognition of the program as a vital platform for mentoring, capacity building, and cross-cultural collaboration.

By combining leadership summits, mentoring opportunities, and scholarships, USM not only strengthens women’s capacity to lead but also ensures equitable access to education and professional growth. Such programs reinforce USM’s role as a regional leader in promoting gender equality and demonstrate its long-term commitment to enabling women and girls to thrive, lead, and make meaningful contributions to society. Ultimately, this initiative illustrates how inclusive access schemes for women contribute to both institutional commitments and regional progress toward gender equality and sustainable development.