Like many women, Irene Samy Fahim Gabriel found her calling in the world of science at a young age. “My friends and I would compete over who would get the highest grades, and my favourite topics were math and science,” she tells The National. “Also, in my family, I am surrounded by engineers.”
So when a professor told her about the many benefits of recycling waste in 1998 — back when she was still a student — Gabriel was instantly hooked by the idea. “It just felt like an important topic that I needed to pursue,” she says.
Fast-forward to today, and Gabriel is one of 14 Arab women who were recognised by L'Oreal-Unesco For Women in Science Middle East Regional Young Talents Program.
We have three million tonnes of sugarcane waste that goes unattended in Egypt every year
Irene Samy Fahim Gabriel,
engineer
While the annual awards aren't new, its first physical event in the Middle East took place at the Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo 2020 Dubai on February 9, and awarded young talent — including two women from the UAE — to honour their discoveries in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (the Stem subjects). The ceremony also marked International Day of Women and Girls in Science on February 11.
To be selected was “heart-warming”, says Gabriel, who has applied for the award five times in the past. “I’m so happy, so proud. This proves that hard work and perseverance pay off.”
So what's her award-winning achievement? It is Gabriel's research on practical ways to turn sugarcane waste — called bagasse — into single-use tableware.
“We have three million tonnes of sugarcane waste that goes unattended in Egypt every year,” she says. “The sugar industry usually produces sugar and then burns or leaves the sugarcane waste. It is sometimes used in paper making, but that industry is also in decline as people prefer gadgets to paper.”
The past few years have also seen the rise of another problem: increase in single-use cutlery. “Especially because of Covid-19, there has been demand for disposable cutlery. The industry needs eco-friendly replacements.”
So Gabriel put two and two together and began treating sugarcane waste pulp with oil and water-resistant chemicals that could then be used as eco-friendly disposable tableware.
The idea of recycling bagasse isn’t unheard of. It’s regarded as an eco-alternative to polystyrene in some other parts of the world. However, its use across the Middle East is still novel. For Gabriel, it meant travelling to paper-making companies in Egypt that used sugarcane waste and acquiring the raw material from them.
We need more women to lead by example. This spreads the message that if there’s passion, you can do whatever you want
Irene Samy Fahim Gabriel
“It was challenging to get the raw material. These companies are part of government entities and I had to ensure they knew this was for research purposes. But after I spoke to them about my project, they found it useful as a replacement to paper-making.”
She also found a way to simplify the process by acquiring liquid pulp directly from the companies, treating it using eco-friendly chemicals, and then using a machine to press it into tableware. “My process decreases water used by 50 per cent and saves five kilowatts of electricity per kilogram of bagasse [compared to traditional practices]. It’s a more circular, sustainable model, which is why I’ve applied for a patent for it,” she says.
If granted, this could be a game-changer. Bagasse-made tableware saves on carbon emission and decreases water and fuel needs. It is durable, able to hold both hot and cold foods, is freezer and microwave-friendly, and is degradable. Finally, because it uses waste material, it’s also 20 per cent cheaper than other alternatives.
“You will essentially be able to get a good quality for a low price,” says Gabriel.
A patent could also catapult her from researcher to entrepreneur, but Gabriel is taking that in her stride, especially because she is promoting the all-important green cause.
“I would love to see this product used as a replacement to Styrofoam. I feel like Egypt, with its geographical proximity to so many countries, could be a market leader with this product. So, I’m definitely working on that, and I also have a partner who specialises in this. It’s my biggest dream and I hope to achieve it in the coming years.”
She hopes her efforts will also encourage more women to enter the field. “It’s not as big a problem these days, but there are still some people who think women are not capable of being in fields like engineering and science,” she says.
According to the latest Unesco Science Report published in June 2021, the number of women in scientific careers is increasing, although it is still at just above 33 per cent worldwide. “We need more women to lead by example,” says Gabriel. “This spreads the message that if there’s passion, you can do whatever you want.”
Other Arab women recognised at L’Oreal-Unesco For Women in Science Middle East Award 2022
PhD students:
Arij Yehya, Qatar: For her research on identifying factors that drive the widening of the gender gap in personality traits to further evaluate current and future gender policies.
Halima Alnaqbi, UAE: For her research on enhancing the organ transplantation system to include Arab ethnic groups.
Rachel Njeim, Lebanon: For her research on the contribution of NETosis to the pathogenesis of diabetic kidney disease.
Sama Hassan Ali Rahmatullah, Iraq: For her research on anti-pollution caused by genetic variation of plants associated with soil contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons.
Sarah Abdelkader, Egypt: For her research on on-site sustainable methods for agricultural wastewater treatment to be reused in irrigation.
Post-doctorate researchers:
Dr Ghada Dushaq, UAE: For her research on discovering novel materials and structures across photonics to enhance the speed, capacity and accuracy of conventional technologies.
Dr Hend Alqaderi, Kuwait: For her research on the use of oral fluids as a non-invasive diagnostic tool for early diagnosis and disease management of Covid-19 and other inflammatory diseases.
Dr Nura Adam Mohamed, Qatar: For her research on developing non-conventional, novel therapeutic tools to prevent the development of diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases.
Dr Ingy Ibrahim Abdallah, Egypt: For her research on overcoming receptor mutations in cancer targeted therapy.
Dr Heba Alzaben, Jordan: For her research on the use of thermal remote sensing to monitor ecosystem health.
Dr Hiba N Rajha, Lebanon: For her research on food waste valorisation through incorporation and nanoencapsulation of grape skin polyphenols in various cosmetic products.
Dr Nirmeen Elmadany, Palestine: For her research on targeting immunosuppressive proteins in Glioblastoma Microenvironment for a better tumour response to immunotherapy.
Dr Waad Saftly, Syria: For her research on galaxy evolution through the history of the universe.
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
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TRAP
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue
Director: M Night Shyamalan
Rating: 3/5
Profile box
Company name: baraka
Started: July 2020
Founders: Feras Jalbout and Kunal Taneja
Based: Dubai and Bahrain
Sector: FinTech
Initial investment: $150,000
Current staff: 12
Stage: Pre-seed capital raising of $1 million
Investors: Class 5 Global, FJ Labs, IMO Ventures, The Community Fund, VentureSouq, Fox Ventures, Dr Abdulla Elyas (private investment)
The specs: 2019 Mercedes-Benz C200 Coupe
Price, base: Dh201,153
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Power: 204hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 300Nm @ 1,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.7L / 100km
Libya's Gold
UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves.
The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.
Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
A second stash was said to have been held in Accra, Ghana, inside boxes at the local offices of an international human rights organisation based in France.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Torbal Rayeh Wa Jayeh
Starring: Ali El Ghoureir, Khalil El Roumeithy, Mostafa Abo Seria
Stars: 3
What is the Supreme Petroleum Council?
The Abu Dhabi Supreme Petroleum Council was established in 1988 and is the highest governing body in Abu Dhabi’s oil and gas industry. The council formulates, oversees and executes the emirate’s petroleum-related policies. It also approves the allocation of capital spending across state-owned Adnoc’s upstream, downstream and midstream operations and functions as the company’s board of directors. The SPC’s mandate is also required for auctioning oil and gas concessions in Abu Dhabi and for awarding blocks to international oil companies. The council is chaired by Sheikh Khalifa, the President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi while Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, is the vice chairman.
Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
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How Apple's credit card works
The Apple Card looks different from a traditional credit card — there's no number on the front and the users' name is etched in metal. The card expands the company's digital Apple Pay services, marrying the physical card to a virtual one and integrating both with the iPhone. Its attributes include quick sign-up, elimination of most fees, strong security protections and cash back.
What does it cost?
Apple says there are no fees associated with the card. That means no late fee, no annual fee, no international fee and no over-the-limit fees. It also said it aims to have among the lowest interest rates in the industry. Users must have an iPhone to use the card, which comes at a cost. But they will earn cash back on their purchases — 3 per cent on Apple purchases, 2 per cent on those with the virtual card and 1 per cent with the physical card. Apple says it is the only card to provide those rewards in real time, so that cash earned can be used immediately.
What will the interest rate be?
The card doesn't come out until summer but Apple has said that as of March, the variable annual percentage rate on the card could be anywhere from 13.24 per cent to 24.24 per cent based on creditworthiness. That's in line with the rest of the market, according to analysts
What about security?
The physical card has no numbers so purchases are made with the embedded chip and the digital version lives in your Apple Wallet on your phone, where it's protected by fingerprints or facial recognition. That means that even if someone steals your phone, they won't be able to use the card to buy things.
Is it easy to use?
Apple says users will be able to sign up for the card in the Wallet app on their iPhone and begin using it almost immediately. It also tracks spending on the phone in a more user-friendly format, eliminating some of the gibberish that fills a traditional credit card statement. Plus it includes some budgeting tools, such as tracking spending and providing estimates of how much interest could be charged on a purchase to help people make an informed decision.
* Associated Press
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
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.”
UNSC Elections 2022-23
Seats open:
- Two for Africa Group
- One for Asia-Pacific Group (traditionally Arab state or Tunisia)
- One for Latin America and Caribbean Group
- One for Eastern Europe Group
Countries so far running:
The biog
Favourite book: Men are from Mars Women are from Venus
Favourite travel destination: Ooty, a hill station in South India
Hobbies: Cooking. Biryani, pepper crab are her signature dishes
Favourite place in UAE: Marjan Island
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
