Gulf Engineering Conference to be launched Saturday in Dubai

Under the auspices of H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) will organize the Sixth Gulf Engineering Conference “GEC”, entitled "Towards Comprehensive and Sustainable Technology" and "Woman in Engineering, Science and Technology Forum” stemming from the GEC under the banner of “For a Better Planet” from 19^th to 22^nd February, 2011. 

H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum will inaugurate the first day of the GEC on Sunday, 20^th February, 2011 at Grand Hayatt Dubai Hotel, while Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Minister of Foreign Trade, will inaugurate the "Woman in Engineering, Science and Technology Forum” on Saturday 19 February, 2011 at Raffles Dubai Hotel. 

Dr. Essa Bastaki, Chair of IEEE Emirates branch said: “This event has a highly reputable position at the global level. It was held for the first time in the UAE because of the high capabilities and elements in science, technology, communications and engineering. We spare no effort now to host similar great events in the coming years". 

“The event will last for four consecutive days and will discuss more than 174 work papers submitted by researches from forty three countries around the world.” Bastaki added. 

UAE researchers are 131, which the greatest level of participation in the event as they will submit around one third of the work papers. Iranian researchers are 47, Indian researchers are 30, Egyptian researchers are 25, Saudi Arabian researchers are 23, Omani researchers are 17, Pakistani researchers are 15, USA researchers are 14, UK researchers are 10, Kuwaiti researchers are 9, Malaysian researchers are 9 and five researchers from other GCC states and the rest of the world including France, Canada and other European countries. 

Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi will deliver a speech at the event. She will talk about woman contributions in science and technology career and its leading role in achieving sustainable development. Key women figures, specialists and researchers from GCC sates as well as experts from various parts of the world representing world renowned universities, global companies and a great number of civil society organizations will attend the event. 

The event will tackle primary areas including energy, electrical power, industrial and technological applications, communications science, information technology, electronics sector, electronic control systems, digital signals processing and machine learning. 

The event is sponsored by (Etisalat) as the corporate sponsor, Dubai Aluminum Company Ltd. (Dubal) as the premier sponsor, Huawei Company Ltd as the platinum sponsor, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), Dubai Cable Company Pvt. (DUCAB) and Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research share the golden sponsorship. Abu Dhabi Company for Onshore Oil Operations (ADCO) and AMD Company share the golden sponsorship. Megger Co. and Projacs are participating sponsors. United Arab Emirates University, Petroleum Institute – Abu Dhabi, American University in Dubai, Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research participate as supporting universities. Dubai Quality Group (DQG) and IEEE participate as supporting organizations. Woman Forum is sponsored by the American University in Dubai, ADCO and Areej Al Amira Co. 

Through sponsoring this event, Etisalat aspires to express its continued support for the efforts made at the sustainable development level. Etisalat focuses attention on implementing technologies and support modern innovations and services that may enhance efforts of sustainable development in the country in addition to the awareness campaigns in which Etisalat takes part. 

Etisalat is one of the largest national organizations supporting women in engineering, science and technology. The number of female employees in Etisalat is estimated at 1500 occupying different positions, of which UAE national female employees form 70% which reflects the great attention paid by the organization to the woman and its leading and vital role in various fields. 

It’s worth mentioning that Etisalat is the official sponsor of IEEE events as it sponsored the first conference for processing signals and communications held by the IEEE.