Sharjah: Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and President of the University of Sharjah (UoS), the university launched the 5th Forum for Women in Research, themed "QUWA: Together Innovating to Shape the Future."
According to Emirates News Agency, Dr. Maitha bint Salem Al Shamsi, Minister of State and Advisor to H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, expressed her pride in this forum that highlights women's role and contributions in the field of research. She praised the University of Sharjah's commitment to research excellence, aligning with the country's global vision for sustainability, which aims to emphasize research serving society.
Prof. Hamid M.K. Al Naimiy, Chancellor of the University of Sharjah, expressed gratitude to H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi for supporting the University's research endeavors. He emphasized the University's dedication to fostering excellence and empowering women in research and innovation, noting that the annual forum serves as a platform to amplify women's voices in research. This initiative enables women to drive meaningful change, shape the future of research, tackle real-world challenges, and inspire future female scientists and innovators.
Prof. Maamar Bettayeb, Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Studies and Co-chair of the Forum, highlighted the fruitful collaboration with local and international entities in the current edition. He explained that the University empowers women in research by establishing advanced research groups and modern laboratories, contributing to high-quality research. These efforts, in collaboration with international partners, have improved the quality of higher education, earning the University a ranking of 56th in the world for research quality. The University's 2030 future plan emphasizes transforming research from ideas into products, focusing on innovation and development to serve the community in the UAE and the region.
The two-day forum brought together speakers and researchers from the UAE and beyond, sharing experiences and expertise through panel discussions and interactive sessions. These sessions highlighted the pivotal role of women in driving sustainable innovation and shaping policy for a better future. They also discussed the critical role of scientific research in developing practical solutions for today's global challenges.
An exhibition on the sidelines showcased research projects advancing to the final stage of a competition. The forum received 890 research submissions, with 297 shortlisted, from participants representing 260 universities across 57 countries. The event concluded with the announcement of winners for the Best Research Proposal and recognition of key partners and sponsors.
Over 40 grants were awarded to exceptional female researchers across various fields, including health sciences, biomedical engineering, technology, law, Islamic studies, fine arts and design, humanities, social sciences, communication, and business administration.