KUALA LUMPUR – The Open University Malaysia (OUM) has invited Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Hajah Fauziah binti Mohd Sanusi to attend the launch of its We Lead 2026 women’s empowerment programme, scheduled to take place in Kuching this November.
The invitation was presented during a courtesy visit by OUM President and Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dato’ Dr. Ahmad Ezanee Awang to Sarawak State President Tun Pehin Sri Dr. Haji Wan Junaidi bin Tuanku Jaafar and Toh Puan Fauziah at the latter’s official residence in Kuala Lumpur on 16 October.
The meeting provided an opportunity for the university delegation to outline the objectives of We Lead 2026, which focuses on women’s empowerment through leadership, empathy, awareness and development. The programme is intended to address areas including emotional well-being, empathetic leadership and the development of stronger community support networks.
Also attending the meeting were OUM Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities Dean Prof. Dr. Hamidah binti Mat and Dr. Amiraa binti Ali Mansor, the university’s Psychology Programme Director and We Lead Programme Leader.
Prof. Ahmad Ezanee formally presented Toh Puan Fauziah with an invitation to attend the programme’s launch ceremony. The initiative is expected to place particular emphasis on Psychological First Aid (PFA) training, which equips participants with basic approaches to supporting people experiencing distress and responding to emotional needs.
Psychological First Aid generally focuses on offering practical assistance, listening without judgement, identifying immediate needs and connecting individuals with appropriate support. Within community settings, such approaches can help strengthen early responses to distress, although they do not replace professional mental health assessment or treatment when these are required.
The programme’s emphasis on empathetic leadership and community networks also reflects the importance of creating supportive environments in which women can contribute to family, workplace and community life. Its planned November event in Kuching will provide a platform for advancing these objectives in Sarawak, although further details on the programme schedule and participation arrangements were not specified in the announcement.
During the same meeting, the OUM delegation also briefed the Sarawak State President and Toh Puan on the university’s 31st convocation ceremony, scheduled for 17 October at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur.
Hajah Sharifah Nong-Jasima, the daughter of Tun Wan Junaidi and Toh Puan Fauziah, is among the graduates expected to receive her degree at the ceremony. The convocation will mark an academic milestone for graduating students and their families.
Discussions also covered the broader role of higher education in supporting lifelong learning and professional development. Tun Wan Junaidi highlighted the contribution of institutions such as OUM in widening access to education through flexible learning opportunities, particularly for adult learners, civil servants and working individuals seeking to improve their academic qualifications and professional skills while maintaining their employment commitments.
Flexible learning arrangements can help people balance study with work and family responsibilities, allowing them to pursue further education without necessarily stepping away from their existing careers. Lifelong learning is also relevant to workforce development, as individuals seek to update their knowledge and adapt to changing professional requirements.
Tun Wan Junaidi said access to continuing education was an important element in developing knowledgeable, skilled and competitive human capital, in line with the needs of society and the country’s development priorities. His remarks underscored the importance of making educational opportunities accessible to people at different stages of their working lives.
Both Tun Wan Junaidi and Toh Puan Fauziah welcomed the planned We Lead 2026 programme, recognising its focus on women’s leadership, emotional well-being and community development. They also expressed appreciation to Prof. Ahmad Ezanee and his delegation for the visit and acknowledged OUM’s continuing efforts to expand access to quality education across different segments of society.
Tun Wan Junaidi expressed hope that the programme in Kuching would achieve its objectives by helping more women develop resilience, confidence and the capacity to make positive contributions to their families and communities. The initiative’s progress will depend on how its training and support activities are delivered and how effectively participants can apply the skills gained in their daily lives. – Sarawak Daily
