Al Hosn University holds UAE's 'First Annual Women in Engineering Event'

Organized by Al Hosn's Women in Engineering Club, the inaugural event's theme was "The Role of Women in Civil Engineering".

The event's distinguished guest speakers included H.E. Fatima Obaid Al Jaber, Chief Operating Officer, Al Jaber Group; Dr. Khaled Alloush, UN Resident Coordinator/UN Development Programme (UNDP) Resident representative, UNDP UAE; and Dr. Reem Sabouni, Assistant Professor, Al Hosn University. The gathering marked the first time that experts, students and professionals gathered to specifically discuss the participation of women in the engineering field.

Dr. Reem Sabouni, Assistant Professor, Al Hosn University, said:

"Women in the UAE and across the region have advanced significantly in the engineering fields as well as other key industries. We can observe greater confidence in a woman's ability to lead, innovate and inspire. It is important that we continue to encourage women to strive to achieve their full potential. This inaugural meeting finally gives a voice to women engineers who continue to contribute greatly to the Emirates' growth."

Twenty one academic advisors from several schools were invited to learn of women's successful experiences in engineering and the different tools that they could acquire to improve personal, community and national growth. The speakers outlined the various opportunities open to women in the engineering profession and how misconceptions about the entry of women into the field are rapidly changing. They also discussed the vital role of women engineers, especially those involved in civil engineering, in developing the UAE's industries and society as a whole.

"Many female students still do not realize that they can actually enjoy a good career in engineering. Al Hosn University's purpose for establishing its Women in Engineering Club was to enlighten students on the possibilities and expose them to activities and events that prove that women can excel in engineering. Our academic programs and faculty profile also show how we fully support our future women engineers and respect their potential in this specialty, particularly in civil engineering which is essential to national development," added Dr. Ammar Yahia, Assistant Professor & Chairman, Civil Engineering Department.

Al Hosn University has been implementing several measures to encourage the entry of its female students into its engineering and other technical courses, among them being the recruitment of women professors. While there was no female in the engineering faculty in 2005, today the school employs five women doctors and three teaching assistants in its Faculty of Engineering.

Al Hosn recently launched four new graduate engineering programs, namely, Master in Buildings Engineering, Master in Engineering Management, Graduate Certificate in Buildings Engineering, and Graduate Certificate in Engineering Management. The University currently offers 11 undergraduate and 7 graduate accredited programs in three faculties, with a significant emphasis on engineering. All of Al Hosn's programs are accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in the UAE.