LCE Marks Successful Conclusion of Women Leadership Programme with Closing Ceremony
The LUMS Centre for Entrepreneurship (LCE) hosted the closing ceremony of the Women Leadership Programme (WLP), supported by GIZ Pakistan and funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), celebrating the successful completion of an initiative dedicated to strengthening women's leadership within Pakistan's textile industry.
Implemented across Lahore, Karachi, Faisalabad, Multan, and Sialkot, the programme equipped 216 women professionals from Pakistan's leading textile clusters with practical leadership and management skills, including communication, strategic thinking, conflict management, negotiation, and team building. Beyond developing individual capabilities, the programme sought to strengthen women's representation in leadership positions while fostering greater collaboration between academia and industry.
The ceremony commenced with a welcome address by Jazib Zahir, Director of the LUMS Centre for Entrepreneurship, who emphasised the importance of cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset and building stronger linkages between academia and industry to create meaningful opportunities for professional growth.
This was followed by remarks from Muhammad Ubaid, Project Head at GIZ Pakistan, who highlighted GIZ's continued commitment to advancing women's empowerment through collaborative partnerships and stakeholder engagement, followed by a presentation by Saba Shahid, Manager Projects and Partnerships at LCE, who gave an overview of the programmes achievements and key milestones.
Attendees also had the opportunity to hear from Amal Zulfiqar, Business Development Manager at BLAGLE and a programme participant, who shared a heartwarming reflection on her WLP experience and talked about how the programme strengthened her confidence and leadership capabilities.
The second portion of the event featured a %panel discussion on ‘Emerging Trends in Textile,’ moderated by Amna Awan, Head of Operations at LCE. Bringing together voices from academia and industry, the panel included Nadia Shamim, Assistant Director Students Affairs at the National Textile University, Faisalabad; Dr. Fatima Whyne, Manager, Business Development at MG Apparel; Saqib Shahzad, General Manager Sustainability at Diamond Fabrics Limited (Sapphire Group); and Iqra Asghar Inam, Head of Sustainability at Sapphire Textiles.
The discussion explored evolving sustainability requirements, global market expectations, and the importance of stronger collaboration between academic institutions and industry. Panelists also underscored the need for continued investment in women's professional development and inclusive workplace practices to strengthen Pakistan's textile sector.
The programme's impact extended well beyond the classroom. Post-programme assessments indicated notable improvements in participants' leadership competencies, particularly in communication, strategic thinking, negotiation, and decision-making. Many participants also reported greater workplace visibility, increased responsibilities, new leadership opportunities, and involvement in organisational initiatives. Notably, 97% of respondents shared that they had gone on to mentor or support other women after completing the programme, demonstrating its multiplier effect within the industry.
To ensure continued engagement beyond the formal training period, LCE also established city-wise peer support groups, creating sustainable spaces for networking, mentorship, and knowledge sharing among participants.
As the Women Leadership Programme concludes, its impact continues through the community of women leaders it has empowered and the partnerships it has strengthened. By bringing together industry, academia, and development partners, the initiative has contributed to building a stronger pipeline of women leaders equipped to shape the future of Pakistan's textile industry.
