{"id":1910,"date":"2025-03-03T11:43:21","date_gmt":"2025-03-03T11:43:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.manchester.ac.uk\/edi\/?p=1910"},"modified":"2025-03-03T11:55:58","modified_gmt":"2025-03-03T11:55:58","slug":"dr-sayema-rahman-khan-dr-lei-zeng-aurora-a-journey-to-empowering-women-breaking-barriers-and-opening-doors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.manchester.ac.uk\/edi\/2025\/03\/03\/dr-sayema-rahman-khan-dr-lei-zeng-aurora-a-journey-to-empowering-women-breaking-barriers-and-opening-doors\/","title":{"rendered":"Dr Sayema Rahman Khan & Dr Lei Zeng: AURORA: A Journey to Empowering Women, Breaking Barriers and Opening Doors"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” fullwidth=”on” next_background_color=”#000000″ global_module=”322″][et_pb_fullwidth_menu global_parent=”322″ _builder_version=”3.0.106″ menu_id=”7″ submenu_direction=”downwards” fullwidth_menu=”off” background_layout=”dark” module_class=”main-navigation” \/][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”off” specialty=”on” prev_background_color=”#000000″ next_background_color=”#1d1d1d”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ specialty_columns=”2″][et_pb_row_inner locked=”off”][et_pb_column_inner type=”4_4″ saved_specialty_column_type=”2_3″][et_pb_post_title _builder_version=”3.17.6″ featured_placement=”above” locked=”on” parent_locked=”off” date_format=”j M Y” \/][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.17.6″ background_layout=”light” parent_locked=”off”]<\/p>\n

International<\/span> Women\u2019s<\/span> Day<\/span> is<\/span> a<\/span> time<\/span> to<\/span> celebrate<\/span> \u2018<\/span>women<\/span><\/b>\u2019,<\/span> and<\/span> what<\/span> better<\/span> way<\/span> than<\/span> to<\/span> acknowledge<\/span> women\u2019s<\/span> progress<\/span> as<\/span> capable<\/span> leaders<\/span> of<\/span> our<\/span> society<\/span> despite<\/span> professional<\/span> and<\/span> societal<\/span> barriers.<\/span> Imagine<\/span> the<\/span> great<\/span> powers<\/span> women<\/span> could<\/span> achieve<\/span> if<\/span> we<\/span> worked<\/span> by<\/span> helping<\/span> each<\/span> other<\/span> rise – working<\/span> as<\/span> a<\/span> sisterhood!<\/span> Both<\/span> Dr.<\/span> Sayema<\/span> Rahman<\/span> Khan<\/span> and<\/span> Dr.<\/span> Lei<\/span> Zeng<\/span> work<\/span> at<\/span> The<\/span> University<\/span> of<\/span> Manchester –<\/span>\u00a0one<\/span> in<\/span> professional<\/span> services<\/span> and<\/span> the<\/span> other<\/span> in<\/span> academia – both<\/span> with<\/span> a<\/span> passion<\/span> for<\/span> women<\/span> empowerment<\/span> and<\/span> connected<\/span> through<\/span> Aurora<\/span><\/a>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The<\/span> Aurora<\/span> Women\u2019s<\/span> Leadership<\/span> program,<\/span> offering<\/span> structured<\/span> training<\/span> and<\/span> coaching<\/span> to<\/span> help<\/span> develop<\/span> leadership<\/span> skills,<\/span> spans<\/span> 6<\/span> months. It includes<\/span> monthly<\/span> sessions<\/span> focusing<\/span> on<\/span> different<\/span> aspects<\/span> of<\/span> leadership,<\/span> supporting<\/span> women<\/span> with<\/span> little<\/span> or<\/span> no<\/span> experience<\/span> of<\/span> formal<\/span> leadership,<\/span> and<\/span> bringing<\/span> together<\/span> colleagues<\/span> from<\/span> professional<\/span> and<\/span> academic<\/span> backgrounds.<\/span> Coupled<\/span> with<\/span> support<\/span> offered<\/span> by<\/span> senior<\/span> mentorship,<\/span> Aurora<\/span> is<\/span> more<\/span> than<\/span> just<\/span> a<\/span> program – it<\/span> is<\/span> a<\/span> transformational<\/span> experience,<\/span> creating<\/span> a<\/span> space<\/span> for<\/span> women<\/span> to<\/span> build<\/span> confidence,<\/span> explore<\/span> leadership<\/span> styles,<\/span> and<\/span> overcome<\/span> obstacles<\/span> to<\/span> success.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As<\/span> current<\/span> Aurora<\/span> delegates<\/span> of<\/span> the<\/span> 2025<\/span> cohort,<\/span> Sayema<\/span> and<\/span> Lei<\/span> are<\/span> excited<\/span> to<\/span> share<\/span> their<\/span> journey,<\/span> as<\/span> well<\/span> as<\/span> their<\/span> experiences<\/span> and<\/span> expectations<\/span> from<\/span> the<\/span> Aurora<\/span> program.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr.<\/span><\/b> Sayema<\/span><\/b> Rahman<\/span><\/b> Khan<\/span><\/b><\/a>:<\/span><\/b> Research<\/span><\/b> Project<\/span><\/b> Officer,<\/span><\/b> Centre<\/span><\/b> for<\/span><\/b> Applied<\/span><\/b> Pharmacokinetics<\/span><\/b> Research<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

My<\/span> journey<\/span> at<\/span> The<\/span> University<\/span> of<\/span> Manchester<\/span> began<\/span> as<\/span> an<\/span> international<\/span> MSc<\/span> student,<\/span> followed<\/span> by<\/span> over<\/span> a<\/span> decade<\/span> as<\/span> professional<\/span> staff.<\/span> I<\/span> completed<\/span> my<\/span> PhD<\/span> part\u2212time,<\/span> balancing<\/span> work,<\/span> studies,<\/span> and<\/span> motherhood – a<\/span> demanding<\/span> journey<\/span> driven<\/span> by<\/span> resilience,<\/span> ambition,<\/span> and<\/span> a<\/span> deep<\/span> commitment<\/span> to<\/span> self-<\/span>empowerment.<\/span> It<\/span> is<\/span> a<\/span> challenge<\/span> that<\/span> most<\/span> women<\/span> face<\/span> as<\/span> they<\/span> shoulder<\/span> primary<\/span> caregiving<\/span> responsibilities<\/span> while<\/span> pursuing<\/span> professional<\/span> goals.<\/span><\/p>\n

Transitioning<\/span> into<\/span> research<\/span> project<\/span> management<\/span> recently<\/span> with<\/span> a<\/span> fantastic<\/span> team,<\/span> and<\/span> the<\/span> kids<\/span> at<\/span> school,<\/span> inspired<\/span> me<\/span> to<\/span> focus<\/span> on<\/span> career<\/span> growth<\/span> and<\/span> connect<\/span> with<\/span> other<\/span> like\u2212minded<\/span> women.<\/span> The<\/span> Aurora<\/span> call<\/span> came<\/span> at<\/span> the<\/span> perfect<\/span> time,<\/span> and<\/span> I<\/span> am<\/span> privileged<\/span> to<\/span> be<\/span> selected<\/span> in<\/span> this<\/span> year\u2019s<\/span> cohort.<\/span> Having<\/span> completed<\/span> the<\/span> first<\/span> session<\/span> \u2018Identity,<\/span> Impact,<\/span> and<\/span> Voice\u2019,<\/span> I<\/span> reflect<\/span> on<\/span> the<\/span> leadership<\/span> qualities<\/span> that<\/span> resonate<\/span> the<\/span> most<\/span> with<\/span> me –\u00a0<\/span>kindness, respect,<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span>and empathy<\/span><\/i>.<\/span> Leadership<\/span> isn\u2019t<\/span> just<\/span> about<\/span> authority<\/span> alone<\/span> as<\/span> we<\/span> usually<\/span> see<\/span> it;<\/span> it<\/span> is<\/span> the<\/span> power<\/span> to<\/span> make<\/span> a<\/span> difference<\/span> to<\/span> others<\/span> \u2212<\/span> to open doors for others<\/span><\/i>.<\/span> The<\/span> session<\/span> also<\/span> explored<\/span> building<\/span> rapport,<\/span> speaking<\/span> with<\/span> influence,<\/span> and<\/span> using<\/span> energy<\/span> effectively – critical<\/span> tools<\/span> to<\/span> amplify<\/span> our<\/span> voices<\/span> as<\/span> women<\/span> leaders.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Through<\/span> Aurora,<\/span> and<\/span> supported<\/span> by<\/span> inspiring<\/span> women<\/span> mentors,<\/span> I<\/span> am<\/span> embracing<\/span> my<\/span> authentic<\/span> leadership<\/span> style,<\/span> learning<\/span> to<\/span> navigate<\/span> barriers<\/span>, <\/span>stereotypes,<\/span> and<\/span> challenge<\/span> my<\/span> limiting<\/span> beliefs.<\/span> More<\/span> importantly,<\/span> it<\/span> is<\/span> encouraging<\/span> me<\/span> to<\/span> see<\/span> myself<\/span> as<\/span> a<\/span> leader – not<\/span> only<\/span> for<\/span> myself<\/span> but<\/span> for<\/span> others<\/span> who,<\/span> like<\/span> me,<\/span> lack<\/span> ethnic<\/span> minority<\/span> women<\/span> leaders<\/span> as<\/span> role<\/span> models.<\/span> But<\/span> my<\/span> vision<\/span> extends<\/span> beyond<\/span> my<\/span> own<\/span> career- as<\/span> women<\/span> leaders<\/span> we<\/span> need<\/span> to<\/span> champion<\/span> pathways<\/span> for<\/span> other<\/span> women,<\/span> especially<\/span> those who are <\/span>BAME,<\/span> marginalised<\/span> and<\/span> underrepresented<\/span> in<\/span> higher<\/span> education.<\/span> This<\/span> International<\/span> Women\u2019s<\/span> Day,<\/span> I<\/span> celebrate<\/span> the<\/span> power<\/span> of<\/span> fixing<\/span> crowns,<\/span> opening<\/span> doors,<\/span> and<\/span> lifting<\/span> others<\/span> as<\/span> we<\/span> rise!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Dr<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Dr<\/span><\/b> Lei<\/span><\/b> Zeng:<\/span><\/b><\/a> Lecturer<\/span><\/b> in<\/span><\/b> Fashion<\/span><\/b> Technology,<\/span><\/b> Department<\/span><\/b> of<\/span><\/b> Materials<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As<\/span> an<\/span> international<\/span> staff<\/span> member,<\/span> a<\/span> working<\/span> woman,<\/span> and<\/span> a<\/span> woman<\/span> in<\/span> engineering,<\/span> I<\/span> know<\/span> first-hand<\/span> how<\/span> challenging<\/span> it<\/span> can<\/span> be<\/span> to<\/span> build<\/span> confidence<\/span> and<\/span> step<\/span> into<\/span> leadership<\/span> in<\/span> a<\/span> male\u2212<\/span> dominated<\/span> field.<\/span> The<\/span> lack<\/span> of<\/span> visible<\/span> female<\/span> role<\/span> models<\/span> can<\/span> make<\/span> it<\/span> easy<\/span> to<\/span> feel<\/span> isolated<\/span> or<\/span> question<\/span> whether<\/span> you<\/span> truly<\/span> belong.<\/span><\/p>\n

Being<\/span> part<\/span> of<\/span> the<\/span> Aurora<\/span> Cohort<\/span> has<\/span> been<\/span> an<\/span> incredible<\/span> opportunity<\/span> to<\/span> connect<\/span> with<\/span> inspiring<\/span> women<\/span> who<\/span> encourage<\/span> me<\/span> to<\/span> shape<\/span> the<\/span> future<\/span> of<\/span> higher<\/span> education.<\/span> One<\/span> of<\/span> the<\/span> most<\/span> powerful<\/span> takeaways<\/span> from<\/span> the<\/span> first<\/span> session<\/span> was<\/span> a<\/span> quote<\/span> from<\/span> Prof.<\/span> Sally<\/span> Jackson:<\/span> “If<\/span> you<\/span> don\u2019t<\/span> believe<\/span> in<\/span> yourself,<\/span> who<\/span> else<\/span> can?”<\/span> This<\/span> simple<\/span> yet<\/span> profound<\/span> statement<\/span> reminded<\/span> me<\/span> that<\/span> confidence<\/span> starts<\/span> from<\/span> within.<\/span> Another<\/span> key<\/span> lesson<\/span> is<\/span> embracing<\/span> a<\/span> growth<\/span> mindset – the<\/span> belief<\/span> that<\/span> abilities<\/span> develop<\/span> through<\/span> effort<\/span> and<\/span> perseverance.<\/span> Women<\/span> in<\/span> leadership<\/span> often<\/span> face\u00a0<\/span>systemic<\/span> biases<\/span> and<\/span> self\u2212doubt,<\/span> but<\/span> we<\/span> must<\/span> not<\/span> give<\/span> up.<\/span> Challenges<\/span> should<\/span> be<\/span> seen<\/span> as<\/span> opportunities<\/span> to<\/span> grow<\/span> and<\/span> strengthen<\/span> our<\/span> leadership<\/span> skills.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As<\/span> women<\/span> in<\/span> Higher<\/span> Education,<\/span> we<\/span> each<\/span> face<\/span> unique<\/span> yet<\/span> overlapping<\/span> challenges.<\/span> Aurora<\/span> links<\/span> us<\/span> together,<\/span> just<\/span> like<\/span> how<\/span> I<\/span> connected<\/span> with<\/span> Sayema.<\/span> It<\/span> empowers<\/span> us<\/span> by<\/span> building<\/span> confidence,<\/span> equipping<\/span> participants<\/span> with<\/span> skills,<\/span> and<\/span> expanding<\/span> professional<\/span> networks. As<\/span> Mother<\/span> Teresa<\/span> put<\/span> it,<\/span> \u201cI<\/span> alone<\/span> cannot<\/span> change<\/span> the<\/span> world,<\/span> but<\/span> I<\/span> can<\/span> cast<\/span> a<\/span> stone<\/span> across<\/span> the<\/span> water<\/span> to<\/span> create<\/span> many<\/span> ripples.\u201d<\/span> Real<\/span> change<\/span> happens<\/span> when<\/span> we<\/span> lift<\/span> each<\/span> other<\/span> up.<\/span> By<\/span> fostering<\/span> a<\/span> culture<\/span> of<\/span> inclusion<\/span> and<\/span> mentorship,<\/span> we<\/span> can<\/span> create<\/span> those<\/span> ripples – shaping<\/span> a<\/span> future<\/span> where<\/span> gender<\/span> equity<\/span> isn\u2019t<\/span> just<\/span> an<\/span> aspiration<\/span> but<\/span> a<\/span> reality.<\/span> International<\/span> Women\u2019s<\/span> Day<\/span> is<\/span> a<\/span> time<\/span> to<\/span> celebrate<\/span> progress,<\/span> acknowledge<\/span> challenges,<\/span> and<\/span> reaffirm<\/span> our<\/span> commitment<\/span> to<\/span> gender<\/span> equity.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Dr<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

You<\/span> can<\/span> take<\/span> a<\/span> look<\/span> at<\/span> the<\/span> links<\/span> below<\/span> for<\/span> future<\/span> Aurora<\/span> cohorts<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n