Effective from 1 February 2024, Dr. Jo Huiqing Zhou will become the chairperson for the Gender, Diversity and Inclusion committee (GenDI). Currently an Associate Professor of Molecular Developmental Biology at RIMLS-Science, Dr. Zhou succeeds Professor Herma Cuppen who led GenDI for the past four years.
Cuppen played a pivotal role in laying the groundwork for GenDI, offering advice on faculty policies in hiring and selection procedures, and promoting an environment where the diverse staff and students feel welcome and valued. The committee expresses its sincere gratitude to Cuppen for her fundamental contributions to GenDI. GenDI would also like to thank Dr. Colin Logie and Dr. Cristina Galea for taking on the role as interim chairs for the last few months.
With Zhou as the new chair, GenDI will continue its commitment to addressing challenges in gender equality, diversity, and inclusion in the faculty and in the university. The focus will remain on cultivating a tolerant environment where all voices are heard. This commitment will be realised through a variety of initiatives, including the ongoing enhancement of policies to attract and retain diverse talents, as well as the promotion of mentorship and peer support groups.
The GenDI committee looks forward to working collaboratively with all staff and students to further these objectives. Together, we strive to build a community that embraces the richness of our differences.