Rawalpindi Women University has been acknowledged for its vital role in the PIE project after the initiative received the British Council Going Global Partnerships Award, a recognition that highlights sustained efforts to boost women’s participation in STEM. The PIE project was selected from 105 nominations worldwide for advancing gender equality through international collaboration in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence.
Prof. Dr. Bushra Mirza, Vice Chancellor RWU, was formally recognised at the award ceremony held at the National University of Sciences & Technology, Islamabad, where the partnership’s achievements and impact on Pakistani higher education were celebrated. The award was originally presented in London on 28 October 2025 and later honoured again at NUST Auditorium on 20 January 2026 to spotlight projects supporting UN Sustainable Development Goal 5.
Prof. Dr. Anila Kamal, Founding Vice Chancellor of RWU, was specially invited in recognition of her leadership at the inception of the PIE project and her ongoing support for women-led academic initiatives. RWU also acknowledged the significant contributions of Prof. Dr. Saima Mustafa, Chairperson of the Department of Mathematics, and Dr. Deeba Afzal, the project focal person, whose dedication was critical to the initiative’s success.
The PIE project has empowered more than 300 female students and staff across nine Pakistani higher education institutions, including women-only universities, by providing access to targeted training, mentorship and career-building opportunities in Robotics and AI. Local institutions benefited from curriculum support and capacity building that strengthened practical pathways for women into technology fields.
Special appreciation was extended to Dr. Shadan Khan Khattak of Cardiff Metropolitan University, UK, and Dr. Farkhanda Afzal of NUST for their leadership and tireless efforts in steering the PIE project to international recognition. RWU’s participation underscores the university’s commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for women in Pakistan’s STEM ecosystem through collaborative global partnerships.
