UQ delivers Australia Awards courses to the next generation of global leaders on behalf of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Short courses are offered to emerging leaders from developing countries, who return home to contribute to their nation’s development, prosperity and resilience.
Educator Saima Mazhar was part of a cohort of 18 Pakistani women who participated in the Australia Awards South Asia and Mongolia Short Course, Women in Executive Leadership Development (WELD) Pakistan from February to March 2024. Competitively selected, each participant brought a project to refine during the course, with delivery to follow.
Saima had a vision for a series of books that would balance children’s agency with the necessary tools to ensure their safety. Initially her idea came from the desire to give her daughter the ability to navigate the world with confidence and resilience. Less than a year since she completed the WELD Pakistan course, she has written one book in the series of 12 books. They were delivered digitally in October 2024, launched at the Pakistan Learning Festival, Islamabad in November 2024, and are now available in hard copy.
“It was crucial for me to empower my daughter,” said Saima, National Early Childhood Development Coordinator and Professional Development Manager at Aga Khan Education Service, Pakistan.
“I wanted her to be aware of potential risks without instilling fear or hindering her natural curiosity and desire for exploration. Now, through the books, this guidance is offered to children throughout Pakistan.”
Currently the books are available in Urdu language, but they will be translated into other major languages in Pakistan – including Sindhi, Sarayaki, Pushto and Punjabi.
“I'm immensely proud to have transformed this vision into tangible books. I hope they help young readers with the life skills and awareness needed to thrive in a complex and ever-changing world,” said Saima.
The back cover teaser for Saima's book reads, “Join a brave little girl Roja on a thrilling solo adventure to the park with her younger brother! Can she overcome challenges and keep them safe? Discover the magic in Baagh main akaylay."
An important learning for Saima embedded within the Australia Awards WELD course was the importance of seeking assistance and leveraging available resources.
“Growing up in a culture that often discouraged seeking help and emphasised individual problem-solving, I was accustomed to tackling my challenges independently. The WELD program broadened my perspective, highlighting the assets available, including professional networks, potential collaborators, state-of-the-art facilities, resources, and the support of like-minded individuals. I might not have appreciated these elements without the program's insights,” she said.
Connections within the group also guided Saima’s project. Fellow participants Azra Naseem, Aga Khan University and Zara Awan, The Citizen Foundation Pakistan gave her valuable feedback. “Connecting to these super ladies was a highlight of the program.”
The Australia Awards WELD course develops leadership capabilities for female leaders, and supports them to create strategies designed to address barriers faced by women in political and executive leadership roles in Pakistan.
Facilitator Dr Jo’Anne Langham used an immersion technique to build relationships and confidence within the cohort.
“After we got to know them, we learnt when to push, when to call them out, and this ensured appropriate behaviour was practised,” Jo’Anne said.
“Each participant had Gender Equity Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) issues, and we worked with every individual to establish new norms that they could take back into their workplaces and countries.”
For Dr Langham, the WELD group is remarkable for its ability to bridge gaps, between continents, hearts, and souls.
“The connections built between participants were important. The course was transformative, creating change from instructional leadership to adaptive leadership. It included programs and partnerships to enhance further learnings, sharing, impacts – and engagement – for long term outcomes.”
Learn more about Global Development at UQ
