This International Women’s Day, Taylor’s University highlighted the work of women driving transformative change in climate resilience, mental health and nutrition. Their initiatives demonstrate leadership that blends purpose, empathy and measurable impact.
Dr Praveena Nair Sivasankaran, Director of the Clean Technology Impact Lab, leads climate-focused research that considers human capacity alongside infrastructure.
Her project, Cooling the Heat, Healing the Mind, studies how extreme heat affects mental health and explores wearable cooling solutions for outdoor workers.
“When sustainability is designed around human capacity and dignity, it genuinely improves lives rather than just meeting targets,” she said.
Dr Praveena emphasises the value of women’s voices in climate leadership, designing inclusive engagement processes to ensure women’s perspectives shape decisions.
In the field of eldercare, Professor Dr Rozainee Khairudin applies research to promote cognitive wellness through creative interventions.
Her project, ArtsProud: An Intervention Study Using Artistic Methods to Reduce Cognitive Decline in Normal Elderly and Individuals with Dementia, blends arts-based engagement with evidence-based research to support older adults facing social isolation and cognitive challenges.
She notes that empathy in leadership is a strength and her work aims to empower both older adults and women in research and caregiving roles.
On nutrition and food security, Professor Ts. Dr Chong Li Choo has pioneered sustainable food initiatives, including Nourish-U, which provides practical guidance for schools, caregivers and communities to plan healthy, balanced meals.
She highlights the importance of education and mentorship, particularly for young female talents, in addressing food security, nutrition sustainability and broader societal challenges.
Through these initiatives, Taylor’s University showcases women leaders whose work spans applied research, advocacy and community engagement, demonstrating that meaningful change requires combining technical expertise with compassion and inclusivity.
