On the occasion of International Women’s Day, Brainfeed took the opportunity to recognize the efforts of twenty exceptional women leaders in the field of education. We featured them in our cover story “Women Edupreneurs” of March 2023 edition of the Brainfeed Magazine. These women leaders focused and strived for creating a positive ecosystem at their workplace that helped other women in contributing to their fullest and ushering in the much needed change. Each one of these women educational entrepreneurs shared what it took them to successfully complete their entrepreneurial journey during which they have explored and found new identities for themselves and other women working with them.
If women are to play an important part in the education sector, it is not enough to create the first line of leadership but also next levels of leadership. In India, women play a crucial role as heads of institutions. They bring diversity, inclusiveness and different perspectives to the table, which can lead to better decision-making and improved outcomes for students and faculty as well. It is notable that research has shown having a more diverse leadership leads to a more positive and productive work environment.
Navigating a male-dominated education sector can be challenging for women, but there are strategies in terms of building networks, staying informed of the latest trends and developments and seeking mentorship. Presently, there is an increase in the number of women leaders making it less dominated by men in both leadership positions and among team representatives, compared to other sectors.
The G Pulla Reddy Group of Institutions is dedicated to providing excellent education to their students. Among our institutions, the G Narayanamma Institute of Technology and Sciences (GNITS) in Hyderabad is especially notable. Established in 1997, GNITS was one of the first colleges exclusively for women, ahead of the trend in promoting women’s education. Despite initial scepticism, GNITS has now graduated over 15,000 women in technology. The institute’s commitment to providing equal education opportunities to women continues to make a positive impact in promoting gender diversity and equality in the workforce.
There should be various opportunities available for women who aspire to become leaders in their chosen fields. The School of Innovation and Management (SoIM), which was recently established will continue the vision of GNITS and offer advanced courses for women in management. The goal of SoIM is to create an engaging environment for young women professionals who have the ambition to succeed in the corporate world. It’s time to challenge the notion that women are only suitable for specific roles.
It is important to keep abreast with current advancements in academia and industry to equip students with job-related skills. Both SoIM and GNITS are dedicated to collaborating with government institutions and industry for the well-rounded development of their students, particularly in terms of increasing women’s participation in the workforce. The institutions strive to align their policies with Sustainable Development Goals 4 and 8 that focus on quality education and decent work and economic growth, respectively, to ensure a brighter future for their students.
Women need to be confident and build our self-esteem in leadership positions, especially in male-dominated workspaces. One of the critical challenges that women face is navigating change management and the resistance to it from traditional structures. While it is important to be dynamic and implement new-age policies within the education system, we often tend to face resistance from stakeholders who are comfortable with the status quo. But our leadership quality also lies in how we move forward with the stakeholders in such complex situations.
G Narayanamma Institute of Technology and Sciences (GNITS) established in 1997 in Hyderabad was one of the first colleges exclusively for women, ahead of the trend in promoting women’s education.
