Sharjah 24: Under the patronage of Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and President of the University of Sharjah (UOS), and coinciding with Emirati Women's Day, the University of Sharjah has announced the details of the Fifth Forum for Women in Research, under the slogan “QUWA: Together Innovating to Shape the Future,” which will be held next February.
The forum aims to support women in research at the local, regional, and international levels and inspire the next generation of female researchers to contribute their knowledge and skills to solving real-world research challenges.
The press conference was held at the University of Sharjah, where His Excellency Prof. Hamid M.K. Al Naimiy, Chancellor of UOS, expressed his thanks to Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and President of the University of Sharjah for his continuous support of the university. He emphasised that organising the forum reflects the university's commitment to strengthening the role of women in various research fields by providing the necessary support and highlighting their contributions to society. He also noted that this year's forum features participants from various international universities and serves as a platform for researchers to network, exchange ideas, and inspire future generations of innovative researchers.
Prof. Ali Hilal Alnaqbi, Chancellor of the University of Khorfakkan, pointed out that hosting the Fifth Forum for Women in Research highlights the University of Khorfakkan’s commitment to advancing the role of women in research and innovation by providing the resources necessary to empower women in these fields. Prof. Ali emphasised the importance of the forum in fostering dialogue and collaboration among female researchers, ultimately benefiting the entire community.
Prof. Maamar Bettayeb, Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Studies, commended the achievements of female researchers at the University of Sharjah in various research fields. He pointed out that the university has a strong research infrastructure, providing faculty members and students with an ideal environment to work with 86 research groups on advanced projects in fields that contribute to community service and foster innovation. He emphasised the university’s commitment to developing its research facilities, including scientific centers, institutes, and laboratories, and equipping them with the latest tools and equipment.
Her Excellency Mariam Al Hammadi, Vice Chair of the Executive Committee, NAMA Women Advancement, stated that NAMA, through its Jawaher Fund for the Advancement of Women’s Education, takes pride in contributing to advancing research, which plays a crucial role in supporting the nation's plans and aspirations for the next fifty years. She added, "NAMA is committed to the ongoing success of women and is developing future plans to address challenges related to women's empowerment and their advancement in new sectors. This is achieved by solidifying the status of women as a valuable resource, within the framework of strategic partnership and gender diversity, and by encouraging policies that support women, enabling them to fulfill their roles.
Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), said: “EGA has focused on promoting gender diversity and driving innovation for decades, with particular focus on supporting women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. As a UAE industrial champion, our contribution to NAMA’s Jawaher Fund for the Advancement of Women’s Education is a part of our active role in the development of the UAE’s industries and the growth of our knowledge-based economy. I look forward to groundbreaking research by the talented women of University of Sharjah and across the globe, which will support EGA’s vision.
Maitha Albaroud, an Energy Engineer in the Research and Studies Department at the Sharjah Electricity, Water, and Gas Authority (SEWA), stated that SEWA is keen to support scientific research and the empowerment of women in this field, in addition to enhancing collaboration with academic institutions, including the University of Sharjah. SEWA has participated in numerous joint research projects aimed at developing infrastructure and improving efficiency. She emphasised that the authority is also dedicated to providing essential support to students in scientific and research fields, whether through scholarships or practical training opportunities. This forum represents a crucial opportunity to highlight the vital role women play in research, exchange ideas, experiences, and open new horizons in various fields. It also reflects the importance of collaboration across different sectors to support women in research and innovation.
Dr. Nadine Tarcha, Gulf Medical Director at Pfizer, emphasised the importance of participating in the Fifth Forum for Women in Research, which highlights the significant contributions of women in the scientific community and aligns with Pfizer's commitment to fostering an environment where innovation and diversity thrive. She added that Pfizer is dedicated to advancing medical research and improving patient outcomes through this forum, which provides an excellent platform to share experiences, learn from others, and continue the mission of delivering breakthroughs that change patients' lives. Supporting and empowering women in research will contribute to driving meaningful progress and making a lasting impact on global health.
Saud Al Dhawyani, Group Chief Platform Officer at Emirates NBD, said: “We are delighted to sponsor the Fifth Forum for Women in Research and are proud to be part of this initiative, which empowers women in research and promotes their contributions to the technology landscape. We are pleased to learn that our contributions have advanced the cause through an increase in research grants, providing greater visibility and recognition for the significant achievements of women researchers. This, in turn, inspires and encourages future generations of women to pursue careers in this field, fostering new opportunities for innovation and progress.”
"At TII, we believe that empowering women in research is not just a mission but a responsibility. Our commitment is to foster an environment where female researchers can thrive, innovate, and lead the way to groundbreaking discoveries," said Shamma Alblooshi, Associate Researcher at the Technology Innovation Institute (TII).
"At Sheraa, we believe in the transformative power of women in science and entrepreneurship. By providing essential platforms and personalised mentorship, we enable women to turn innovative research into successful ventures, paving the way for their leadership and lasting impact," said Mishal Tassadaq, Head of Strategy at the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center, Sheraa.
Dr. Amina Al-Marzouqi, Vice Chancellor for Students Affairs, Dr. Noura Alkarbi, Chair of Research Outreach Department, and Dr. Manar Abu Talib, Co-Chair of the forum, provided an overview of the forum, including the achievements made in previous editions and the increase in the number of scientific research submissions.
It is worth noting that the forum in its fifth edition will be supported by NAMA Women Advancement (strategic partner), Emirates Global Aluminium (industry partner), University of Khorfakkan (academic partner), Sharjah Electricity, Water, and Gas Authority, Emirates NBD Group, and Technology Innovation Institute (golden partners), Pfizer (medical partner), and Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center “Sheraa” (entrepreneurship partner). The forum will feature the participation of over 150 community partners, 144 members of the Women in Research Committee, 130 members of the judging committee, and over 40 grants for winning researchers in the fields of health sciences, digital health, pharmacy, dentistry, bioinformatics, biomedical engineering, sciences, computing and information technology, law, Sharia and Islamic studies, fine arts and design, literature, humanities, social sciences, communication, and business administration.
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