Associate Professor Najaar selected as Warrior Woman finalist
FINALIST: Associate Professor Kareemah Najaar initiated the matric life science revision project.
Wednesday, 05 November 2025
The Acting Head of the Department of Wellness Sciences, Assoc Prof Kareemah Najaar, has been selected as one of the finalists in Good Hope FM’s Warrior Woman Awards.
The awards honour “South African women who are changing the game, not for applause, but because it’s who they are at their very core”.
Najaar is a finalist in the Education and Research category and is being recognised for the matric Life Science Revision Project.
Launched in 2018 by Najaar, the initiative was designed to support learners in achieving the minimum entry requirements for higher education science programmes.
“I am very honoured and overwhelmed to have been selected as a finalist. This vision to support our matrics from disadvantaged backgrounds is only realised because of the amazing team that I have,” she said.
“Being recognised for our work and passion is extremely humbling and in fact further ignites me to continue striving to redress the current education inequalities and to continue growing our collaborations so that we are able to extend our reach to additional high schools.”
Asked why she started the project, Najaar said: “I believe that high school learners registered in STEM programmes, are in the programmes because they love science, but their socio-economic statuses unfortunately put them at a significant disadvantage”.
“What if we could be the difference for these matrics, provide opportunities for them so that they may qualify for STEM programmes at Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)? By creating a community of practice in which we combine the educational resources from their schools and from the HEIs, would be a powerful collaboration to support the learners.”
The project has grown from strength to strength.
“It has even expanded to include programmes that support our young female learners and to empower women in academia. I feel in many ways it is an extension of myself and an integral part of my academic path. Seeing the positive feedback from the learners and teachers makes me extremely proud to be allowed to support our future generation.”
To vote for Najaar, SMS WWA25, Kareemah Najaar, your name, surname and ID number to 37766.
For more on the awards, click here.
Written by Ilse Fredericks
Email: Frederickskennediji@cput.ac.za
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