The Women’s Affairs Unit at the Faculty of Nursing, University of Baghdad, organized a discussion panel entitled “Female University Students: Challenges and Capacity Building,” presented by Dr. Intisar Muzaffar Oda in the Skills Laboratory, attended by a group of fourth-year students. The session addressed the university stage as a pivotal turning point in a student’s life, combining scientific training with practical character building. The lecture reviewed the most prominent academic, psychological, economic, and social challenges that students may face from their first year until graduation.
The session witnessed extensive interaction from the students, who shared their personal experiences in coping with pressure. Some spoke about the challenge of balancing family responsibilities and caring for parents or spouses and children with academic commitments, while others touched on the economic circumstances that forced them to work alongside their studies, as well as their feelings of anxiety and difficulty adapting to the academic environment and electronic platforms in the early stages. The attendees agreed that overcoming these obstacles came through good time management and belief in their own abilities. The seminar concluded that female university students are leaders and agents of change, and that difficult experiences are essential for shaping their future personalities.
This event reflects the college’s keenness to support its students psychologically and morally, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals, specifically Goal 4 (Quality Education) by providing a supportive learning environment, and Goal 5 (Gender Equality) by empowering women and enhancing their leadership capabilities to overcome societal and academic challenges.
