LJMU joins UK delegation to champion women's leadership in the Gulf region

Liverpool John Moores University has been represented on a high‑level UK delegation focused on advancing women’s leadership across the Gulf region, as part of a series of official visits to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

UK Special Envoy for Women and Girls

LJMU’s Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor, International Relations, Dr Julia Wang, joined former deputy leader of the Labour Party, and current UK Special Envoy for Women and Girls, Baroness Harriet Harman, and Chair of the Women’s Business Council, Mary Macleod, on the delegation visit to Riyadh, Doha and Dubai, to engage directly with women leaders across government, business, education and civil society. 

The delegation visit was highly successful with attendees receiving briefings from colleagues in the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), and panel discussions hosted by the British Embassy, providing opportunities for engagement with women from across different sectors.

During the UK Special Envoy’s visit,  Baroness Harman publicly acknowledged Dr Julia Wang and Mary Macleod, as two women she personally invited to be a part of the delegation.

She also emphasised the importance of these visits moving beyond discussion and towards tangible outcomes. Proposals including leadership networks, forums and shadowing opportunities were all discussed to continue creating meaningful collaboration for women in leadership and future women and girls. 

“It has been extremely valuable for LJMU to be included in these high-level discussions on women’s leadership, and to be seen as an institution not only contributing to the dialogue but also leading and delivering practical initiatives.”

Dr Julia Wang, Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor, International Relations

LJMU initiatives across the Gulf region for women and girls

As part of the visit Dr Julia Wang outlined several institutional led initiatives ongoing at LJMU with partners across the region, to support women in leadership, including a proposed Science Symposium in Riyadh, delivered in collaboration with the Saudi Ministry and partner universities. 

Plans to deliver LJMU’s first Qatari Alumni Association event in partnership with British Council Qatar, following the Association’s official launch last year, were also discussed during the visit.

Dr Julia Wang, Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor, International Relations said:  

“I was delighted to have been invited to be part of this delegation of the UK Special Envoy for Women and Girls and I am immensely proud that we are seen as a leader in international collaboration, specifically in the gulf region. 

“It has been extremely valuable for LJMU to be included in these high-level discussions on women’s leadership, and to be seen as an institution not only contributing to the dialogue but also leading and delivering practical initiatives.”

International partnership and collaboration at LJMU 

LJMU is fifth in the UK for numbers of students studying with us through our Global Partner Network with more than 24,000 students studying at our 17 global partner institutions. 

Find out more about LJMU’s international partnerships and international plan.