2012 Women as Global Leaders Conference to be Held Under the Patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima, Supreme Chairperson of the Family Development Foundation and Chairperson of the UAE Women’s Federation
Abu Dhabi-UAE: 11 March, 2012 – Representatives from Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, will drive discussions on strategies to inspire the next generation of young women at the 2012 Women as Global Leaders Conference in Abu Dhabi.
Members of a panel titled ‘Clean Energy Education and Empowerment (C3E) Women’s Initiative Roundtable Discussion’ will also focus on professional and academic challenges faced by women, as well as factors that impact women in renewable energy industry during the fourth edition of the conference.
The event is organized under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Supreme Chairperson of the Family Development Foundation and Chairperson of the UAE Women’s Federation.
The 2012 Women as Global Leaders Conference will be held from 13-15 March at the Convention Center of Zayed University new campus in Abu Dhabi. Participants from over 40 countries across a variety of sectors including education, government and non-governmental organizations will gather for the conference.
His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, UAE Minister for Higher Education & Scientific Research and President of Zayed University, will offer the welcome address. The conference is themed “Creating a Sustainable Future for the World” and will gather internationally and regionally-renowned women leaders to share ideas; and engage in debates.
In addition to Dr. Noura Al Kaabi, Assistant Professor of Construction Engineering and Management at UAEU, and Noor Ghazal Aswad, Junior Programme Officer-Policy Advisory Services and Capacity Building Directorate, IRENA, the representatives from Masdar Institute including Dr. Inas Khayal, Assistant Professor, Dr. Amal Al Ghaferi, Assistant Professor, Ms. Reem Ketail, Research Assistant, and Dr Ken Volk, Head of Outreach Program, will participate in a panel titled ‘Clean Energy Education and Empowerment (C3E) Women’s Initiative Roundtable Discussion’.
Dr. Amal Al Ghaferi said: “Arab women have consistently registered progress as leading professionals and successful entrepreneurs across the social and economic landscape. While we need to highlight the achievements, it is equally essential to identify ways to inspire the next generation of women leaders.
“Masdar Institute remains in the forefront not only in launching and implementing cutting-edge research projects but in also providing women with the right opportunities to chart their professional and academic career. We are confident the Women as Global Leaders Conference will generate new ideas to strengthen women’s progress and we thank the country’s wise leadership for their continuous support to this cause.”
Dr. Noura Al Kaabi continues to be a key supporter of all Masdar Institute women’s initatives since May 2010. Her academic and industrial experience as a member of the GCC Green Building Committee within the Emirates Authority for Standardization & Metrology (ESMA), and as Projects Director at the National Rehabilitation Center in Abu Dhabi, is expected to enrich the panel discussions.
The panelists will share their professional and personal development in their respective fields and how they are paving the way to a clean energy future. The audience will be invited to be actively involved in questioning and contributing to the topics discussed.
Established as an ongoing collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Masdar Institute integrates theory and practice to incubate a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, working to develop the critical thinkers and leaders of tomorrow. With its world-class faculty and top-tier students, the Institute is committed to finding solutions to the challenges of clean energy and climate change through education and research.
