Sustaining Educational Equity and Empowering Women in Higher Education: A Case Study of ESLSCA University, Egypt

Sustaining Educational Equity and Empowering Women in Higher Education: A Case Study of ESLSCA University, Egypt Author’s Details: Medhat Eid¹, Sara Samir¹, Dalia Eissa¹¹School of Business, ESLSCA University, Egypt Abstractthis article analyzes the institutional and social-cultural determinants that influence female enrolment in postgraduate business studies at ESLSCA University Egypt which is a graduate branch of the Multinational Paris based ESLSCA Business School. Using institutional enrollment data, qualitative interviews with top university administrators, and analysis of pertinent literature, the study determines a strong gender disparity at postgraduate level in spite of the almost equal (undergraduate) admissions. Analysis indicates that widely held cultural expectations about gender roles, financial limitations that hit women disproportionately, and a lack of trust in the professional pay off of higher education combo prevent women from advancing to postgraduate education. To counter this, this paper will critically analyze the current gender equity programs and recommend a multi-layered institutional construct containing flexible program delivery, strategic financial aid, key corporate affiliations, and sustained awareness drives. The implications of the findings extend beyond ESLSCA University to the private higher education colleges located in Egypt that could want to be in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, namely SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality and Women Empowerment). Keywords: gender equity, postgraduate enrollment, women in higher education, Egypt, business education, educational sustainability, SDGs