The crucial importance of IT and the flexibility it provides has made it a popular career choice for United Arab Emirates (UAE) women. A large pool of educated women qualified for careers in IT has begun to emerge in the country, with female students outnumbering men at the local universities and colleges.
Official statistics show that 72 percent of students enrolling for higher education in the UAE are women. In addition, women comprise 42 percent of the students at the faculty of Natural Sciences, which includes computer science and engineering. At the Higher Colleges of Technology, the proportion of female students is three times higher than that of men.
The United Arab Emirates is one of the most technologically modern countries and also the most wired state in the Arab world. Recent studies show that Internet penetration in the country is more than 25 percent, which is significantly higher than the figure in the neighboring Gulf States. The UAE was also reportedly the first country in the region to allow cyber cafés, which both men and women can use.
A new initiative launched by the Dubai Quality Group in association with Shell Middle East is set to make the first effort to fill the vacuum through the institution of the Emirates Businesswomen Award. The award, to be given away in April 2003, will follow elaborate screening and judging procedures, based on five basic parameters of visionary leadership, future goals, professional achievements, career achievements and community contribution. — (menareport.com)
© 2003 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
