An Emirati expert participates in International Consortium on Women and ICT

The conference was also organized by Women in Global Science and Technology (WIGSAT), and the European Association for Women in Science, Engineering and Technology (WiTEC). Dr. Al Yousuf was the only participant from the Gulf region and one of 50 global leaders and practitioners in women education in Engineering and Technology from around the world to participate in this conference. She attended the consortium from November 12th to 14th at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France.

The invited participants were assigned to create synergy in efforts to increase women's full participation in Information Communication Technology (ICT) from engineering and software, to access and use, to literacy and leadership. The network is to promote communication and information exchange; increase sharing of research, knowledge and resources; develop a series of collaborative activities; and promote recommendations for policy and programming. The consortium aims at ensuring that the participation of women in engineering, education and employment in ICT globally is measurably and significantly increased within five years.

The consortium succeeded at establishing task forces of 35 women in advancement of women in Engineering and ICT to work on three themes: The role of education in promoting women in the field, employment opportunities and sustainability of women in this area, and entrepreneurship prospects for women in Engineering and ICT.

Commenting on the Consortium's proceedings, Dr. Al Yousuf, who is an expert resource in education through and with ICTs, noted that, "The task forces succeeded at establishing clear objectives and timelines for future cooperation and progress. The collaboration and discussion are to be carried on using electronic means towards a formal face to face meeting in a year's time."