Muhammad Saleem

Skill-based learning plays a vital role in empowering women, helping them not only in the workplace but also in becoming entrepreneurs, Beenish Israr, Director of the Institute of Home Sciences at the University of Agriculture (UAF), Faisalabad, told WealthPK.

She said the university has devised a strategy to provide practical training to women. Recently, a two-day hands-on training workshop was organized by the Institute of Home Sciences in collaboration with the Women Industrial Homes, where the participants were trained in various baking techniques.

“We must equip women with professional skills to help them cope with the economic challenges. In today’s rapidly evolving world, it has become the need of the hour to support women in joining the economic activities,” she emphasized. She further noted that hands-on training is a productive step toward building confidence among aspiring women entrepreneurs.

Yamena Zafar, a student at a private university, told WealthPK that the global scenario is changing rapidly, with universities playing an increasingly important role in promoting women entrepreneurs. Following the emerging challenges, she said Pakistan urgently needs more gender-inclusive policies and support systems.

“It’s the responsibility of policy-makers and universities to equip women with modern knowledge, confidence, and the required training to run their businesses effectively. This is a ripe time to open more doors – not just for startups but also for gender equality,” she suggested.

Yamena stressed the need to polish the business skills of women so they can become job providers rather than job seekers in the future. The universities, she said, must actively encourage entrepreneurship and support female students in launching small startups with minimal investment.

“Entrepreneurship programs impart real-world skills to the students, such as problem-solving, teamwork, and leadership. With the help of such programs, women can change their lives and contribute to strengthening the economy. These programs create safe spaces where young women can explore ideas, learn business tools, and build confidence. Many women don’t come from business families, so university is often their first exposure to entrepreneurship,” Yamena said.

Faiza Ahmed, a graduate of Government College University, Faisalabad, and now running her own online business, told WealthPK that university training programs could be a great help for women who want to start online or brick-and-mortar businesses. She said before launching her online jewellery business, she was not even aware of the basic principles of running a business.

“I had to struggle a lot to understand the e-commerce business. I had no clue about how to price my products or manage orders timely. After more than six months of hectic efforts, I finally managed to launch my online store. Universities can easily train students in how to launch a business effectively,” she said.

She urged universities to organize networking events that connect students with mentors and potential customers who are eager to invest in their ventures. Without such support, she added, many aspiring women entrepreneurs might hesitate to launch their business.

Credit: INP-WealthPk