UNESCO-UNEVOC Appoints NSU Academics as Global Champions for Gender Equality in TVET

In a significant international recognition of Pakistan’s higher education and technical training sector, the UNESCO-UNEVOC International Center for TVET has formally appointed two academics from the National Skills University, Islamabad, Pakistan, as Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Focal Points in the global UNEVOC Network.

 The appointments follow the successful completion of the prestigious Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Program 2026, an initiative designed to strengthen inclusive practices across Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions worldwide.

 The newly designated GESI Focal Points are:

• Dr. Maryam Subhani
• Mr. Muhammad Bin Qasim

Their selection reflects growing international confidence in Pakistan’s contributions to equitable and inclusive education systems, particularly in the rapidly evolving field of technical and vocational education.

 In its official communication, UNESCO-UNEVOC noted that the appointments recognize the representatives’ successful participation in the program and position them as “key drivers of gender equality and social inclusion” within their institution and the broader UNEVOC Network.

 The role is strategically important at a time when global education systems face mounting pressure to address barriers to gender equality, accessibility, social equity, and participation in skills-based education. As GESI Focal Points, the two academics will help integrate inclusion principles into institutional policies, academic programs, and training practices, and contribute to international collaboration and peer learning initiatives across member institutions.

 Their responsibilities will include promoting GESI-centered reforms in TVET systems, serving as institutional points of contact for inclusion-related initiatives, supporting collaborative research and knowledge exchange, and overseeing the implementation of pilot projects to strengthen equitable access to skills education.

 The recognition also highlights the National Skills University Islamabad's growing international engagement in advancing modern educational priorities aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to quality education, gender equality, and reduced inequalities.

Education experts describe such appointments as increasingly influential in shaping future-ready institutions capable of addressing social disparities through skills development and workforce training. By embedding inclusivity in TVET structures, institutions can create broader opportunities for women, marginalized communities, and underrepresented learners across emerging economic sectors.

UNESCO-UNEVOC expressed confidence that the leadership and expertise of the appointed representatives would contribute “meaningfully to strengthening inclusive and equitable TVET systems at national, regional, and global levels.”

The Founding Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Mukhtar, congratulated both the nominees, and the entire NSU community is celebrating this recognition.

The development marks another milestone for Pakistan’s participation in international educational reform initiatives and signals the country’s expanding role in global conversations on inclusive technical education and sustainable human development.