UKDW Biotechnology Lecturer Participates in Women’s Leadership in Asia 2026, Strengthening Women’s Leadership on the Global Stage
Universitas Kristen Duta Wacana (UKDW) continues to demonstrate its commitment to advancing women’s leadership through the participation of Catarina Aprilia Ariestanti, S.T.P., M.Sc., a lecturer from the Faculty of Biotechnology, in the international Women’s Leadership in Asia (WoLA) 2026 program.
Held under the theme “Breaking Barriers, Building Futures,” the program took place online from May 11–21, 2026. It was organized by the United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia (UB-CHEA) in collaboration with Ewha Womans University, South Korea.
Catarina participated in the program through a scholarship scheme alongside 40 participants representing 28 institutions across 13 countries. The forum explored a wide range of issues related to women’s leadership and gender equality in education and society.
The program featured discussions on topics such as feminist leadership, gender and artificial intelligence (AI), relational leadership, sustainable resilience, leadership for safety, and transformative leadership. Through these sessions, participants were encouraged to examine the challenges women face amid persistent gender stereotypes and evolving social expectations.
As part of the program, UKDW contributed as a volunteer institution during the session on sustainable resilience. Catarina presented insights on the relationship between resilience and food consumption from the perspective of food technology.
Through an introductory session titled Nourishing Resilience, participants were invited to reflect on the importance of nutrition as a foundation for health and personal resilience. The discussion extended beyond food technology to address broader social issues, including the challenges and stereotypes experienced by women in contemporary society.
Each session featured women leaders from diverse countries and professional backgrounds. In addition to participating in group discussions, attendees completed daily learning journals designed to deepen their understanding and encourage practical reflection.
According to Catarina, the program provided valuable opportunities to broaden perspectives and strengthen awareness of global developments through the lens of women’s experiences.
“Programs such as WoLA help me see the world from a broader perspective as a woman in academia. Through this experience, we shared our stories and supported one another in recognizing that gender inequality remains a real issue that, whether consciously or unconsciously, affects our daily lives. At the same time, women do not walk this journey alone. We must be willing to empower ourselves and make the most of the opportunities around us in order to continue growing and becoming better versions of ourselves,” she said.
On the final day of the program, participants heard from several distinguished women leaders, including Dr. Gisela D.A. Luna of Trinity University of Asia in the Philippines, Dr. J. Princi Merlin of Bishop Heber College in India, and Dr. Sunmee Choi of VinUniversity in Vietnam. They shared personal reflections on the challenges, sacrifices, and efforts required to balance professional responsibilities and family life throughout their leadership journeys.
The program concluded with the development of action plans through collaborative future action groups. UKDW joined the Sustainable Leadership group, which explored the importance of cultivating sustainable leadership while maintaining personal authenticity, including through attention to mental well-being and balance between personal and professional roles.
Participation in Women’s Leadership in Asia 2026 reflects UKDW’s ongoing commitment to fostering inclusivity, empowering women, and supporting the development of its academic community. Through leadership, collaboration, and transformative thinking, the university continues to encourage its faculty and students to engage meaningfully in global conversations and contribute to positive social change.
By FBio.CAA| Ed. (ENG): drr
