The UAE TRA hosts sessions to encourage female students to join the ICT workforce

The General Authority for Regulating the Telecommunications Sector (TRA) hosted sessions for female students from schools and universities at its office in Dubai to celebrate ‘International Girls in ICT Day’ on April 23. As part of the sessions, women ambassadors who represent the TRA shared their experience and knowledge in the sector through discussions that aimed to increase the participation of females in the ICT industry in the UAE.

The event was attended by 45 students from Dubai Women's College and the Emirates College of Technology. Representatives from TRA have provided access and key learnings from two divisions including the Center of Digital Innovation (CODI) and the Computer Emergency Response (aeCERT).

‘International Girls in ICT Day’ is a global initiative that empowers and encourages girls and young women to consider careers in the growing field of information and communication technologies. The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) backs the initiative where Member States including the UAE were invited to host events that would encourage girls to pursue ICT related careers.

Commenting on the event, H.E. Hamad Obaid Al Mansouri, TRA Director General said, “Women are underrepresented in high-growth fields like science, technology, and engineering which are key drivers of innovation, connectedness, and competitiveness in global markets. As UAE supports this cause along with the 3,500 events in 140 markets, we hope to increase the number of women working within this ever-growing sector.”

“In the UAE, we have the continuous support from our leadership that provides equal opportunities in the workforce to contribute excel and prove our roles in different sectors. The UAE TRA gives high priority to the efforts of promoting a culture of ICT among college students, due to the growing need for national expertise and capabilities that meet the needs of the next phase which will witness a rapid growth in this area on the state level.” H.E. added

Today, women account for almost half of the national population in the UAE and are at the forefront of the workforce in both the government and private sectors. Therefore, as the ICT industry continues to evolve and grow in the UAE, girl students are being encouraged to gain the necessary qualifications they need to fulfil the future aspirations of the country. The TRA views such initiatives as fundamental to supporting the UAEs future economic diversification through the creation of a knowledge-based society and one of the Authority’s main goals is to support education and empowerment for women in the UAE.