Women in Engineering, Science and Technology Forum starts today in Dubai

H.E. Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, inaugurated the "Women in Engineering, Science and Technology” Forum under the banner of “A Better Planet” at Raffles Dubai Hotel under the auspices of H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. 

H.E. Al Qasimi highly praised the efforts and role of organizers of the event considering it a robust and perfect step on the way of empowering woman in Arab societies. 

H.E. Al Qasimi said: “Despite our extensive heritage and technology, we women have historically been under-represented in the IT and other scientific and technical fields. Fortunately for us, this situation has been changing rapidly over the past few decades through a growing global appreciation of our contributions to society.  We have also benefitted from our enhanced access to educational and employment opportunities, support from government and the help of professional societies such as IEEE that encourage women to join technical fields. I would thus like to take this opportunity to advocate a larger role for women in the IT domain particularly the development of E-government”. 

“A supportive society and visionary leadership are key drivers for the empowerment of women. I am proud to say that here in the UAE with both. Our constitution grantees equality between men and women, and the Emirates continues to be involved in many international treaties upholding the right of women. None other than founding father of the Emirates, H.H. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, constantly emphasized the need for women to occupy an equal place in our nation’s growth.  In the 2010 UN Human development Report , we ranked 1st regionally and 45th globally among 138 countries in terms of reducing gender gaps in reproductive health empowerment and employment, thus fulfilling our father Zayed’s vision” added Al Qasimi. 

This Forum is an initiative of "Gulf Engineering Conference" to be held tomorrow ”Sunday“ at Grand Hayatt Dubai entitled “Towards Comprehensive and Sustainable Technology”. 

Dr. Eesa Bastaki, conference chair and president of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers "IEEE", UAE section, gave a speech on the inauguration of the event. Dr. Boutheina Telili, chair of the Forum made the speech of the "Women in Engineering, Science and Technology” Forum. 

Many world spokesmen took part in the Forum. In their speeches, they discussed the mechanisms of supporting the women working in Engineering, Science and Technology as well as the means of enhancing joint world woman cooperation in addition to praising woman leaders working on this field to be an example for all women to follow. 

Dr. Bastaki said: “This Forum plays an important role in stressing woman’s leading role in the technological, economic and social development in our civilized world. It also enriches the participations of women working in Engineering, Science and Technology to let their organizations in particular and their society in general make use of their contribution and participation.” 

Dr. Telili said: “This Forum is an important event as we look for the best ways to encourage and inspire girls who aspire to effective participations in developing the society and who are eager to play outstanding roles in finding the best solutions for the challenges of human development in this field within our societies.” 

“The Forum is a platform providing the perfect environment for sharing knowledge and experience among all participants in a serious attempt to discuss the key issues of concern to the whole world including sustainable development, constructive discussion of the best possible means to overcome the obstacles facing woman effective participation in this field.” She also added.

The Forum is sponsored by the American University in Dubai, Abu Dhabi Company for Onshore Oil Operation “ADCO” and Areej Al Amirat Company.