UOS launches 5th Forum for Women in Research

Sharjah24: Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and President of the University of Sharjah (UOS), the University launched the 5th Forum for Women in Research, themed "QUWA: Together Innovating to Shape the Future." The two-day event was organized by the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Studies, with the support of NAMA Women Advancement as the Strategic Partner, Emirates Global Aluminium as the Industry Partner, and Khorfakkan University as the Academic Partner.

Golden partners include Sharjah Electricity, Water & Gas Authority (SEWA), Emirates NBD Group, and the Technology Innovation Institute (TII). Medical Partners are Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Boehringer Ingelheim, while the Energy Partner is Sharjah National Oil Corporation (SNOC). Technology Partners include Huawei, Intel, and Lenovo, with the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa) as the Entrepreneurship Partner, and the (Media Partners) are Emirates Vision Media Network and Social Media Pioneers Association, with over 150 community partners.

Recognising Research Excellence

Her Excellency Dr. Maitha bint Salem Al Shamsi, Minister of State, Advisor to Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, expressed her pride in this forum, which highlights women’s role and contributions in the field of research. She praised the University of Sharjah's commitment to excellence in research to achieve sustainable development goals, in line with the global vision set by the country for sustainability, which aims to solidify the value of research that serves society.

His Excellency Prof. Hamid M.K. Al Naimiy, Chancellor of the University of Sharjah, expressed his deep gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and President of the University of Sharjah, for his support in advancing the University’s research endeavors. He emphasized the University’s commitment to fostering excellence and empowering women in research and innovation, highlighting that this annual forum serves as a platform to amplify women's voices in research. This initiative enables them to drive meaningful change, shape the future of research, tackle real-world challenges, and inspire the next generation of female scientists and innovators.

He also noted that the University has made tremendous progress in research at the local, regional, and international levels, with women researchers playing a pivotal role in driving these achievements. He emphasized that the University fosters a comprehensive research environment that supports female researchers, both faculty and administrative staff, by helping them develop their skills, expand their contributions across various fields, and enhance their active participation in sustainable development.

Prof. Maamar Bettayeb, Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Studies and Co-chair of the Forum, emphasised that the current edition of the forum witnessed fruitful collaboration with many local and international entities and partnerships. He explained that the University of Sharjah is keen to empower women in research by establishing advanced research groups and modern laboratories to develop joint research, which has contributed to the production of high-quality research. These efforts, in collaboration with international partners, have helped the University improve the quality of higher education, as it is now ranked 56th in the world in research quality. He pointed out that the University’s 2030 future plan focuses on transforming research from mere ideas into tangible products, with an emphasis on innovation and development to serve the community in the UAE and the region. He clarified that many of the innovations and research presented today are ready to be transformed into products that serve the community.

Dr. Amina Al-Marzouqi, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Chair of the Forum, expressed her gratitude to all the partners and supporters of the forum, emphasizing the importance of organizing such events that support women in research. She explained that the forum began as an academic platform and has witnessed significant development over the past years to include local, regional, and international contributions. This reflects the impact of research in driving meaningful change, highlighting that investing in women researchers contributes to a more sustainable and innovative future.

Her Excellency Mariam Al Hammadi, Vice Chairperson of the NAMA Executive Committee emphasized, “As a strategic partner, NAMA Women Advancement is honored to support the 5th Forum for Women in Research, organized by the University of Sharjah. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to advancing innovation, inclusivity, and progress. Together, we aim to empower women in research and academia, paving the way for a more sustainable and equitable future.”

Celebrating Achievements and Future Vision

This year’s forum brought together a diverse group of speakers and researchers from the UAE and beyond, who shared their experiences and expertise through panel discussions and interactive sessions. These sessions highlighted the pivotal role that women play in driving sustainable innovation and shaping policy to build a better future. The sessions also discussed the critical role of scientific research in developing practical solutions to address today’s global challenges.

On the sidelines of the forum, an exhibition was organized to showcase research projects that advanced to the final stage of the competition. This year’s forum received 890 research submissions, with 297 shortlisted, from participants representing 260 universities across 57 countries.

The first day of the event concluded with the announcement of the winners of the Best Research Proposal, along with the recognition of key partners and sponsors for their invaluable contributions.

More than 40 grants were awarded to exceptional female researchers in all fields. These scholarships were granted across four categories that address the most significant topics and top research challenges in different fields, including health sciences, biomedical engineering, technology, law, Islamic studies, fine arts and design, humanities, social sciences, communication, and business administration.

A number of faculty members and researchers at the University of Sharjah were honored for being ranked among the top 2% of scientists worldwide, as identified by Stanford University and Elsevier, in recognition of their exceptional contributions to research and innovation. In addition, several faculty members were recognized for securing external research grants and demonstrating excellence in advancing impactful research.

The second day of the forum took place at the University of Khorfakkan, where the winners briefly presented their research projects and shared their inspiring research stories. In addition, interactive sessions with the winners were held, led by inspiring female leaders, and the day concluded with the honoring of the Committee Members of the 5th Forum for Women in Research.