Inspirational Emirati Women in STEM

As the UAE becomes a knowledge-based economy, jobs will soon be linked to an even greater extent to careers focused on science, technology, engineering and mathematics, the so-called Stem subjects. Amazingly, Emirati female engineers are playing a pivotal role across the Stem sector and taking up roles in a field traditionally dominated by men.

The UAE government foresaw the importance of providing females with opportunities to explore their talent and continued to nurture and prepare them to pursue careers in Stem subjects. Gender equality at the workplace is a sign that the UAE’s focus on promoting women in Stem is beginning to pay off.

According to a 2018 Times Higher Education report, the number of female students in the country enrolling in Stem subjects (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) is far higher than in many other countries, such as the UK, Canada, Germany and France.

The government, education providers and major employers such as the Mubadala Investment Company are increasingly encouraging females to remain engaged in science and technology and to continue embracing innovative thinking.

Although huge progress has been made in the past decade, things were a bit different when Mariam Al Hosani, 32, an Emirati from Khor Fakkan, embarked on her career. Her parents initially wanted her to study medicine. But she had harboured a desire to become an engineer since she was a child, after noticing everything around her was created by them.

Clearly, inventing with purpose leads young Emirati females to dream big. The UAE, for instance, is preparing to send the first female Arab astronaut to space. This is a perfect example of how moving the needle isn’t simply about reaching historical milestones but opening the doors for anyone to achieve their dreams.