2nd Women’s Leadership Forum 2025: Empowering Women in the Digital Age Through Leadership and Innovation
The 2nd Women’s Leadership Forum (WLF) at Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB) was held at the School of Applied Sciences and Mathematics Building, focusing on the evolving roles of women in the context of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Co-organized with the Brunei Affiliate of the Society of Women Engineers, this two-day forum, titled “Leading with Intelligence: Women Shaping the Artificial Intelligence Revolution,” aimed to empower women leaders as catalysts for innovation and sustainability within the digital economy.
Gathering of Women Leaders
The event gathered 50 early and mid-level women leaders from various sectors, including government and private industry, showcasing their contributions as innovators and decision-makers within Brunei Darussalam’s technology landscape. The forum commenced with the Recital of Surah Al-Fatihah, followed by opening remarks from Dr. Syazana Abdullah Lim, Chairperson of the forum, who highlighted the importance of equipping women with essential digital leadership skills.
Keynote Address
A keynote address was presented by Mr. Chern Y. Loo, Co-Founder and Manager of Springhill Farm and ORCA AI Solutions. His address centered on leveraging AI-driven innovation to enhance women’s engagement and leadership across multiple sectors. This was succeeded by a panel discussion titled “Unlocking Women’s Potential in the Digital Age – The Power of Innovation,” featuring prominent industry representatives, including Yang Mulia Hajah Sofiah Haji Umar and Yang Mulia Dr. Abdullah Ismail. The discussion focused on strategies to improve women’s representation and influence in technology-centric industries.
Interactive Workshop
In the afternoon, participants engaged in an interactive workshop named “Artificial Intelligence for Impact – Tools and Practical Applications for Women Leaders,” which addressed fundamental AI concepts and their application in leadership practices. This workshop, facilitated by Yang Mulia Professor Sang Nam from George Mason University, aimed to provide participants with skills to effectively utilize AI.
Future Sessions
The workshop will be conducted over six sessions, with additional sessions planned for the third day of UTB-STE Connect 2025. These sessions will concentrate on the practical usage of AI tools to enhance leadership effectiveness and support organizational transformation.
Significance of the Forum
This forum signifies a vital initiative to recognize and elevate the contributions of women leaders in shaping the future landscape of technology and innovation.
(Source: Universiti Teknologi Brunei News)
