On Emirati Women’s Day, celebrated annually on August 28, the UAE takes pride in its strides towards empowering women, particularly in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (Stem).
Established in 2015 by Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, wife of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE’s Founding Father, Emirati Women's Day honours the achievements and contributions of the nation's female population.
One milestone to celebrate this year is that 61 per cent of Stem graduates in the UAE are women, a notable contrast to the 57 per cent average across the Arab world, according to Unesco.
This statistic underscores the UAE’s aspirations to close the gender gap in Stem education, setting a global example for other nations to follow.
In 2023, the worldwide gender gap in Stem remains stark, with women comprising only 28 per cent of the workforce. Even in technologically advanced regions, the numbers are concerning: only 24 per cent in the US, 17 per cent in the EU, 16 per cent in Japan and a mere 14 per cent in India, according to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Yet the UAE stands out for its success in advancing women in the study of these fields.
A UAE first
The UAE has made significant strides in empowering women to excel in Stem,, with stories of trailblazers, innovative educational initiatives, and collaborations between academic institutions and industries leading the way.
One such trailblazer is Marwa Al Mamari, the UAE’s first Emirati woman aerospace engineer. During her final year of school, Ms Al Mamari sought a career that would push her beyond her comfort zone.
"Aerospace engineering, with its blend of advanced technology, complex problem-solving and innovation potential stood out to me as the ideal field to pursue these goals," she told The National.
Her achievement is not merely a personal milestone but a reflection of the UAE's growing support for women in Stem fields. Ms Al Mamari's story embodies the nation’s commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion, especially in areas traditionally dominated by men. “Women bring unique perspectives and problem-solving approaches essential for scientific and technological advancements,” she added.
Ms Al Mamari was also chosen to participate in Dyson’s latest campaign, The FIRSTS, which champions pioneering women from the region who are redefining success and innovation.
An educational push
Supporting girls in entering Stem fields involves a multifaceted effort with educational institutions, organisations, and the broader community.
Nargish Khambatta, principal of Gems Modern Academy in Dubai, said Gems Education has been at the forefront of promoting Stem teaching for more than a decade.
"Stem programmes were introduced at The Cambridge High School – Abu Dhabi in the early 2010s, starting with basic robotic kits and scientific experiments," Ms Khambatta told The National.
She added that Stem standards have been integrated into Gems schools’ curriculums, providing pupils with cutting-edge technology, hands-on experience, after-school coding clubs, robotics teamwork and scientific research projects.
These drives have led to a noticeable increase in female pupils pursuing Stem subjects. For example, Cambridge High School – Abu Dhabi has seen more females actively participating in Stem-related courses and competitions, showcasing their talents and gaining confidence.
Education and business for girls
Collaborative projects between educational institutions and industries are vital in nurturing the next generation of female Stem professionals.
Help AG, a cybersecurity company, and the University of Wollongong in Dubai organised a Steam camp for young girls from grades six to 10. By incorporating Steam learning – with the A standing for art – the girls were exposed to a holistic approach to education in the hope of encouraging them towards a career in an associated field of work.
The plan was to ignite their passion for Stem learning through hands-on experiences and exposure to real-world applications.
Soumya Prajna, senior director of innovation and growth initiatives at Help AG, reflected on the importance of such initiatives.
"By providing young girls with hands-on experience, we hoped to ignite their passion for these fields and show them that they have a place in this industry," she said. "Our aim was not only to inspire these girls but also to set an example for other organisations in the region to take similar initiatives."
The camp was deemed a great success, with participants displaying impressive creativity, innovation and problem-solving abilities.
“These young girls, who were once hesitant about entering Stem fields due to societal stereotypes and a lack of representation, left the camp with newfound confidence and enthusiasm for pursuing careers in science and technology,” Ms Prajna added.
As the UAE continues to celebrate the achievements of Emirati women, the focus on Stem education remains critical to their progress.
By nurturing young girls' interest in Stem, providing them with the necessary resources and showcasing role models such as Ms Al Mamari, the UAE is paving the way for a future where women play an even more significant role in shaping technological and scientific advancements.
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
The specs: 2017 Lotus Evora Sport 410
Price, base / as tested Dh395,000 / Dh420,000
Engine 3.5L V6
Transmission Six-speed manual
Power 410hp @ 7,000rpm
Torque 420Nm @ 3,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined 9.7L / 100km
Red Sparrow
Dir: Francis Lawrence
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Joel Egerton, Charlotte Rampling, Jeremy Irons
Three stars
How being social media savvy can improve your well being
Next time when procastinating online remember that you can save thousands on paying for a personal trainer and a gym membership simply by watching YouTube videos and keeping up with the latest health tips and trends.
As social media apps are becoming more and more consumed by health experts and nutritionists who are using it to awareness and encourage patients to engage in physical activity.
Elizabeth Watson, a personal trainer from Stay Fit gym in Abu Dhabi suggests that “individuals can use social media as a means of keeping fit, there are a lot of great exercises you can do and train from experts at home just by watching videos on YouTube”.
Norlyn Torrena, a clinical nutritionist from Burjeel Hospital advises her clients to be more technologically active “most of my clients are so engaged with their phones that I advise them to download applications that offer health related services”.
Torrena said that “most people believe that dieting and keeping fit is boring”.
However, by using social media apps keeping fit means that people are “modern and are kept up to date with the latest heath tips and trends”.
“It can be a guide to a healthy lifestyle and exercise if used in the correct way, so I really encourage my clients to download health applications” said Mrs Torrena.
People can also connect with each other and exchange “tips and notes, it’s extremely healthy and fun”.
MATCH INFO
Syria v Australia
2018 World Cup qualifying: Asia fourth round play-off first leg
Venue: Hang Jebat Stadium (Malacca, Malayisa)
Kick-off: Thursday, 4.30pm (UAE)
Watch: beIN Sports HD
* Second leg in Australia scheduled for October 10
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
The Limehouse Golem
Director: Juan Carlos Medina
Cast: Olivia Cooke, Bill Nighy, Douglas Booth
Three stars
UAE squad
Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
No Shame
Lily Allen
(Parlophone)
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
Countries offering golden visas
UK
Innovator Founder Visa is aimed at those who can demonstrate relevant experience in business and sufficient investment funds to set up and scale up a new business in the UK. It offers permanent residence after three years.
Germany
Investing or establishing a business in Germany offers you a residence permit, which eventually leads to citizenship. The investment must meet an economic need and you have to have lived in Germany for five years to become a citizen.
Italy
The scheme is designed for foreign investors committed to making a significant contribution to the economy. Requires a minimum investment of €250,000 which can rise to €2 million.
Switzerland
Residence Programme offers residence to applicants and their families through economic contributions. The applicant must agree to pay an annual lump sum in tax.
Canada
Start-Up Visa Programme allows foreign entrepreneurs the opportunity to create a business in Canada and apply for permanent residence.
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
