In the third webinar in the "Global Perspectives on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion" series, panelists from Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia shared their perspectives on how issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion are being discussed around the world. They also addressed gender as one specific aspect of diversity, explaining how the interpretation of gender has impacted women's roles and responsibilities in Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia and how that has translated to their personal experiences outside their home countries.

Panelists

Rawan Algahtani
UMN Undergraduate Student, Human Resources Management and Comparative and International Development Education
Saudi Arabia

Rawan Ibrahim Algahtani is an undergraduate student studying Human Resources Development in the Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development (OLPD) and Global Studies in the department of Institute for Global Studies (IGS) at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. Rawan has been involved with many organizations and programs to enhance the representation of international students within the University community. For example, Rawan served as a mentor and marketing communicator for the International Buddy Program in International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS), which seeks to build connections between current students and new international students as they transition to campus. Rawan is committed to listening to the concerns of international students, serving as a facilitator for the International Student Advisory Board. Rawan has facilitated ISSS’s cross-cultural discussion groups where domestic and international students come together for conversations about their experiences. Rawan has also helped departments include the voices of Middle Eastern students through media productions and materials.

Dr. Aliya Kuzhabekova
Assistant Professor, University of Calgary, Canada
Kazakhstan

Dr. Aliya Kuzhabekova is an assistant professor in Leadership, Policy, and Governance specialization in the Werklund School of Education. Dr. Kuzhabekova has extensive experience as a faculty member, administrator, and scholar in international and Canadian contexts. She holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education Policy and Administration from the University of Minnesota.