The ?Women in Technology? forum, organised by the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Complex in cooperation with the ?Women In Tech? foundation, has been launched in the presence of Sheikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi, chairperson of Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq)
Other officials present during the launch include Sheikh Fahim bin Sultan Al Qasimi, head of the governmental relations department in Sharjah; Sheikha Dr Lubna Bint Khalid Al Qasimi, first female ministerial post in the UAE and Najla Al Midfa, executive director of the Sharjah Entrepreneur Center (Sheraa).
This forum, the first event of its kind in the region, focuses on women's leadership in scientific research and technological innovation. The forum plays a significant role in various areas of life and contributes to the leadership of society, embracing the number of global issues that highlight the role of women and their accomplishments. The Forum aims to highlight the role of women in technology and innovation, enhancing their impact at the global level, and maximising their contributions to social and economic development, as well as inspiring future generations of women to participate actively in building the country.
The forum started with the presentation of a film on the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Complex that included its vision, goals and current projects, in addition to its future plans.
In an opening speech, His Excellency Hussain Al Mahmoudi, CEO of SRTIP, spoke about the vision of the complex, which aims to provide an appropriate environment for creativity and innovation to raise the status of the Emirate of Sharjah as an International Destination of research and technology.
Al Mahmoudi said, ?As the academy works with many local and international partners on determining more economic empowerment opportunities for women in the region via the positioning of women as leaders of, beneficiaries from, and contributors to STIs. This is consistent with the outcome of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, by opening new job opportunities for women as well as transforming their challenges into opportunities.?
?Furthermore, the impact of automation has led to the creation new jobs for women, which were previously reserved to men, since the demand on digital skills will increase by 55 per cent by 2030,? Al Mahmoudi added.
?An innovative package for women? initiative
SRTIP has announced the launch of ?an innovative package for women? initiative to encourage women's engagement and investment in technology and innovation by introducing a special package for innovative businesswomen to establish companies in various technology sectors. Such a package empowers women to obtain a business license, which enables them to carry out investment activities and enter the world of technical business for a nominal fee.
Ayumi Moore Aoki, founder and president of the Women in Tech Foundation, spoke about the activities of the Foundation at the global level and the progress that women have achieved in the field of technology.
During the five sessions, in which leading figures of the public and private sectors represented a number of creative women who work in various technology and research sectors, summarised the main subjects of the forum such as gender equality and women empowerment, technology work centres at the regional level, exploring the scene of women?s leadership in the Middle East, women in innovation in the emirates and the Middle East, important women entrepreneurs in the direction of innovation in the latest startups.
