“Women’s Hopes and Dreams” was the theme of the three-day Women’s Education Worldwide (WEW) conference held at Dubai Women’s College (DWC) and sponsored by the City of Arabia.
The international Conference, brought together leaders and administrators from renowned women’s colleges and universities from all around the world including Australia, Kenya, the United States, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Italy, Pakistan, India and the Philippines. Conference delegates discussed the role of women-centered education and how effective collaborations can be developed that promote women as leaders in science, government, business and politics, areas which are still dominated by men.
This was the second international WEW Conference to be held, with the first taking place at Smith and Mt. Holyoke Colleges in the United States in June 2004. “Dubai Women’s College is honored to host this important global conference that focuses on women’s education and the development of young female leaders in the fields of science, engineering and technology,” stated Dr. Howard Reed, DWC Director. “It is essential to have this global dialogue with these thought leaders in women’s education to ensure continued advancement of women and share best practices.”
The keynote speaker on the inaugural day of the event, was Ms Lubna Olean, CEO of Olean Financing Company of Saudi Arabia, who was titled by Forbes magazine as one of The 100 Most Powerful Women of 2005. She addressed conference participants about “Dreams and Leadership”.
Ms. Hafsa Al Ulama, Assistant Undersecretary of Planning and Statistics for the UAE Ministry of Economy and Planning, was the keynote speaker on the second day of the conference. She addressed the conference about Women Entrepreneurs.
The platinum sponsor of the Conference was the City of Arabia, a multibillion project which is being developed by the Ilyas & Mustafa Galadari Group as part of Dubailand. Ilyas Galadari, Chairman, commented, “The UAE Government is committed to promoting the pivotal role of women in the economic, social and political development of UAE society and we are pleased therefore to support this notable international conference at Dubai Women’s College”.
About DWC
Dubai Women’s College, with more than 2,300 students, is a part of the Higher Colleges of Technology. The HCT is one of the leading higher education institutions in the UAE with 12 campuses located throughout the country delivering a wide range of quality programs to over 14,500 students.
About WEW
Women's Education Worldwide is an alliance of institutions of higher education committed to advancing the cause of educating women around the globe.
This international initiative was founded in 2003 by Mount Holyoke and Smith Colleges, two of the original "Seven Sisters" of U.S. higher education--a group that itself has long benefited from collaboration at the national level.
About Ilyas and Mustafa Galadari Group
The Ilyas and Mustafa Galadari Group is a dynamic young company which was founded in 1998 and already owns a diversified range of companies in Dubai. The most important of these is the Ilyas and Mustafa Galadari Management Investment and Development Company, which is developing the key downtown area of Dubailand, the City of Arabia. This will be a new suburb of Dubai with around 40,000 inhabitants, which is situated on Emirates Road next to the Global Village. It will include the Mall of Arabia; the Restless Planet dinosaur theme-park; the Elite Towers, which consist of 34 high-rise buildings for mixed commercial and residential use; and the Wadi Walk, a series of low-rise apartments alongside a flowing waterway, served by small electric water-taxis.
The Ilyas and Mustafa Galadari Group also own Metro Taxi, one of the largest vehicle fleets in Dubai, and an associated driving school and workshops. There are the exclusive distributors of Sunseeker Yachts in the Gulf Region. The Group also owns food distribution, jewelry, kitchen equipment and upholstery companies.
