Daffodil International University Chairman Dr. Md. Sabur Khan Chairs Global Panel on “Transformative Female Leadership” at IAUP 60th Anniversary in South Korea

Dr. Md. Sabur Khan, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Daffodil International University (DIU), Bangladesh delivering his presidential address at the high-level panel discussion titled “Transformative Female Leadership” of International Association of University Presidents (IAUP) 60th Anniversary and Semi-Annual Meeting.

Seoul, South Korea | 14 October 2025: Dr. Md. Sabur Khan, Honorable Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Daffodil International University (DIU), Bangladesh, chaired a high-level global panel on “Transformative Female Leadership” during the 60th Anniversary and Semi-Annual Meeting of the International Association of University Presidents (IAUP) held in Seoul, South Korea.

The distinguished session featured global education leaders including Devorah Lieberman, President Emerita, University of La Verne (USA); Yunkeum Chang, President Emeritus, Sookmyung Women’s University (South Korea); Marja-Liisa Kristiinatenhunen, Rector, Dimitrie Cantemir Christian University (Romania); Donna Padilla Taguiba, President, Panpacific University (Philippines); and Karen Cue, Director for International and Local Affairs, Mountain Province State University (Philippines).

The discussion explored the evolving role of women in higher education leadership, emphasizing resilience, mentorship, innovation, and inclusivity as key drivers of institutional transformation. Dr. Khan steered the dialogue around how women leaders are shaping university culture, fostering cross-border collaboration, and balancing technological innovation with human-centered leadership in the era of AI.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Khan stated, “Transformative female leadership is not just about representation—it is about reimagining leadership to be inclusive, compassionate, and future-ready.” He encouraged creating platforms that empower emerging women leaders and promote global solidarity among women in academia.
The session concluded with inspiring reflections from the panelists, who shared strategies for strengthening mentorship networks, advancing gender equity, and driving inclusive institutional growth. The discussion was widely recognized as one of the most engaging and visionary sessions of the IAUP 60th Anniversary Meeting, aligning closely with IAUP’s mission to promote sustainable, inclusive, and globally collaborative higher education leadership.