The Maldives National University (MNU) advanced discussions on gender equality, inclusive innovation and women’s economic empowerment through a post-conference workshop titled “Beyond Inclusion: Empowering Female Students with Disabilities to Lead Digital Entrepreneurship,” held on 21 August 2025 as part of the Theveli International Conference 2025.
Facilitated by Associate Professor Dr. Nurazzura Mohamad Diah, a keynote speaker at Theveli 2025 from the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), the workshop brought together 10 female participants to explore how education and digital innovation can create greater opportunities for women with disabilities to emerge as leaders and entrepreneurs.
Moving beyond traditional approaches to inclusion, the workshop examined how classrooms and educational institutions can become empowering environments that actively nurture female students with disabilities as innovators and leaders in the digital economy. Drawing on personal journeys and experiences of advocacy, the session highlighted the challenges, achievements and efforts of women with disabilities in pursuing inclusive and equitable opportunities in digital spaces. Particular emphasis was placed on the potential of digital platforms not merely as business tools, but as avenues for creativity, self-expression and economic empowerment.
A key component of the workshop was the introduction of the 4X Model—Expertise, Experience, Excitement and Expectation, a framework designed to support and uplift female students with disabilities in digital entrepreneurship. The model provided a foundation for discussing how individual strengths, lived experiences, motivation and aspirations can be recognised and nurtured to encourage greater participation in the digital economy.
The workshop formed part of a series of post-conference sessions following Theveli International Conference 2025, held from 18 to 20 August 2025. Other sessions explored important contemporary issues through discussions on “Global Ocean Politics: How Can We Connect Security, Economic, Environmental, and Justice Agendas?”, “Remote Courts and Their Ability to Deliver Justice”, and “Brainstorming in Reverse – Greening Campus, Curriculum, and Student Learning”. Collectively, these sessions extended the conference’s academic discussions to practical challenges relating to social inclusion, governance, access to justice and environmental sustainability.
The initiative aligned closely with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5 – Gender Equality, particularly its emphasis on empowering women and ensuring their full and effective participation in leadership and economic opportunities. By addressing the intersecting barriers of gender and disability, the workshop also supported SDG 4 – Quality Education, SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth, and SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities. The participation of international academics and participants further reflected SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals, highlighting the value of international knowledge exchange in advancing inclusive and equitable development.
Through the Theveli International Conference and its associated workshops, MNU continues to provide a platform for academic dialogue on pressing societal challenges, reinforcing the importance of inclusive educational opportunities and women’s participation in emerging fields such as digital entrepreneurship.
