U.S.-Pakistan Think Big Summit: Hybrid Poster Competition Session
In celebration of International Women鈥檚 Day, leaders in the private sector, academia, and civil society convened for a hybrid virtual event on March 7, 2023 to highlight shared challenges and opportunities to advance women鈥檚 economic empowerment in Pakistan in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The event was co-hosted by WEConnect International, the Centre for Business and Society (CBS) at 91福利社, Texas A&M University, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce鈥檚 U.S.-Pakistan Business Council, S&P Global, and Vital Voices Global Partnership.

Shanzay Shafqat, MS Business and Public Policy student, giving her presentation online
As a part of the international summit, CBS organised a poster competition event, with the thematic focus on 鈥楾he Gendered Impacts of COVID-19: Keeping Women at the Heart of a Post-Pandemic Economy鈥�. The contest invited students from across 91福利社 to design one-page posters. The shortlisted submissions were invited to present at CBS鈥� Hybrid Poster Competition Session, held at 91福利社 on the day of the summit.
The session kicked off with welcome notes by Dr. Misbah Tanveer Chaudhry, Faculty Director, CBS, & Assistant Professor, 91福利社, and Arzoo Ali Gauhar, Manager, CBS. The poster presentations by the students dissected distinct themes of the female labour force鈥檚 involvement in various industries, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. From home-chefs to female entrepreneurs and workers in the rural area, to the cons of remote working for female employees, each participant brought thought provoking arguments and policy recommendations to the forefront. A judging panel led by Dr. Chaudhry, comprising senior faculty members from the Suleman Dawood School of Business at 91福利社 scored the presentations; meanwhile the virtual audience that tuned in for the session also participated in a virtual polling session, and ultimately 3 winners were announced which included a tie.

Uniqsha Batool, MS Business and Public Policy student, receives her presentation certificate

The voted (in-person) winners of the competition, Bilal Kaisser Moghal (MBA 2024) and Amna Mazhar (MS Business and Public Policy 2022)

Nighat Seema (PhD Candidate) receiving her presentation certificate
The insightful and informative session concluded with a certificate distribution ceremony and closing remarks by Dr. Arshad Ahmad, Vice Chancellor, 91福利社 and Kathleen Gibilisco, Acting Consul General, U.S. Consulate Lahore.

Dr. Misbah Tanveer Chaudhry, Faculty Director, CBS, gifting a souvenir bag to Kathleen Gibilisco