RBTC Charts Visionary Roadmap for Muslim Women Multiversity at Lucknow Session
You are Here: Tweet, Like, Share, Comment, Subscribe…be the Voice of Free Press!
The India Observer, TIO: The Rising Beyond The Ceiling (RBTC) collective hosted a thought-provoking session titled Promoting Women’s Education in the Modern Context in Lucknow this morning, uniting respected philanthropists, educationists, and community leaders to reimagine pathways for empowering women across Uttar Pradesh.
Presided over by Sabiha Ahmad, RBTC UP President and Member, UP State Sunni Waqf Board, the session featured an engaging presentation by Dr. Faiza Abbasi, Director, UGC Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Centre (HRDC) at Aligarh Muslim University and a leading advocate for community-driven education. Dr Abbasi was introduced by Maham Abbasi, an educationist, social worker, and post-graduate from York University, Canada and Advanced Centre for Women’s Studies, AMU, who highlighted her trailblazing work before opening the floor.
The session also welcomed Prof. Sabra Habib, former Professor of Russian Language at Lucknow University with an extensive global teaching career, and former Chairperson of NCMERT under the HRD Ministry. Farah Sarosh, Founder and CEO of Nurture Life, an international organisation advancing mental health and emotional intelligence, also shared key perspectives. Faryal Fatima, social activist and entrepreneur associated with the United Nations Population Fund, added insights on linking education and grassroots impact. Other notable voices included Reshmeen Akhtar, Dr.Huma Mustafa and Hina Talib, who shared ideas for collective action.
Central to the day’s discussion was the concept of establishing a Muslim Women Multiversity – a forward-looking, flexible learning ecosystem designed to bridge the persistent gap between educational access and meaningful economic participation for Muslim women in North India.
Why a Multiversity?
Dr. Abbasi pointed out that while India has over 1,200 universities, only a handful genuinely address the unique socio-cultural realities of Muslim women. “In 150 years, we have built only one minority university. It’s time to build further on this legacy,” she noted. Although colleges for Muslim girls exist in districts like Amroha, there remains a striking disconnect between academic qualifications and the skills needed for sustainable livelihoods.
What Sets This Vision Apart?
Unlike conventional institutions that rely heavily on state support or rigid corporate structures, the envisioned Multiversity would:
- Operate with full financial autonomy and community ownership
- Prioritise skill development, entrepreneurship, and innovation
- Offer multi-disciplinary, holistic learning that balances modern knowledge with Islamic knowledge traditions
- Recognise Urdu and other mother tongues to make learning accessible
- Align strongly with constitutional values, ensuring inclusivity and community relevance
The group also reflected on how today’s fast-evolving economy demands education that directly translates into market-ready skills. Dr Abbasi reminded the gathering about the recent words of the Zerodha Founder – “The days of the four-year degree alone are over. Adaptability is the defining skill of the 21st century.”
A Broader, Grounded Vision
RBTC’s gathering carried a clear message: true empowerment must reach far beyond classrooms. It means equipping young women with the confidence, independence, and practical skills to launch businesses, lead teams, and build ventures that uplift entire communities. As Farah Sarosh aptly summed up, “to fix the present, we need to look back to the roots and address what holds us back, so growth becomes lasting.” The collective spirit in the room was just as clear: “We need to do more.”
At its core, this project recognises that for modern India to grow equitably, it must bridge the gap between traditional education and real economic independence for women – empowering them not just with degrees, but with skills, confidence and opportunities to lead.
The session concluded with a shared resolve to translate this vision into real steps forward, taking inspiration from the Aligarh Movement and Sir Syed Ahmad Khan’s enduring call to move with the times.
Meeting Minutes (MOM):
The session began with context setting by Sabiha Ahmad, gratitude remarks by key philanthropists, introduction by Maham Abbasi, and Dr. Faiza Abbasi’s presentation. It progressed into a vibrant exchange on challenges and solutions, and closed with a group photograph, high tea and lunch.
About RBTC:
Rising Beyond The Ceiling (RBTC) is an inspiring community platform that shines a light on Indian Muslim women’s achievements and voices, building networks of support to advance education, leadership, and social impact.
As per the Press Release
Curated by Humra Kidwai
Nice article. A must read