On Emirati Women’s Day, celebrated annually on August 28, the UAE takes pride in its strides towards empowering women, particularly in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (Stem).
Established in 2015 by Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, wife of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE’s Founding Father, Emirati Women's Day honours the achievements and contributions of the nation's female population.
One milestone to celebrate this year is that 61 per cent of Stem graduates in the UAE are women, a notable contrast to the 57 per cent average across the Arab world, according to Unesco.
This statistic underscores the UAE’s aspirations to close the gender gap in Stem education, setting a global example for other nations to follow.
In 2023, the worldwide gender gap in Stem remains stark, with women comprising only 28 per cent of the workforce. Even in technologically advanced regions, the numbers are concerning: only 24 per cent in the US, 17 per cent in the EU, 16 per cent in Japan and a mere 14 per cent in India, according to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Yet the UAE stands out for its success in advancing women in the study of these fields.
A UAE first
The UAE has made significant strides in empowering women to excel in Stem,, with stories of trailblazers, innovative educational initiatives, and collaborations between academic institutions and industries leading the way.
One such trailblazer is Marwa Al Mamari, the UAE’s first Emirati woman aerospace engineer. During her final year of school, Ms Al Mamari sought a career that would push her beyond her comfort zone.
"Aerospace engineering, with its blend of advanced technology, complex problem-solving and innovation potential stood out to me as the ideal field to pursue these goals," she told The National.
Her achievement is not merely a personal milestone but a reflection of the UAE's growing support for women in Stem fields. Ms Al Mamari's story embodies the nation’s commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion, especially in areas traditionally dominated by men. “Women bring unique perspectives and problem-solving approaches essential for scientific and technological advancements,” she added.
Ms Al Mamari was also chosen to participate in Dyson’s latest campaign, The FIRSTS, which champions pioneering women from the region who are redefining success and innovation.
An educational push
Supporting girls in entering Stem fields involves a multifaceted effort with educational institutions, organisations, and the broader community.
Nargish Khambatta, principal of Gems Modern Academy in Dubai, said Gems Education has been at the forefront of promoting Stem teaching for more than a decade.
"Stem programmes were introduced at The Cambridge High School – Abu Dhabi in the early 2010s, starting with basic robotic kits and scientific experiments," Ms Khambatta told The National.
She added that Stem standards have been integrated into Gems schools’ curriculums, providing pupils with cutting-edge technology, hands-on experience, after-school coding clubs, robotics teamwork and scientific research projects.
These drives have led to a noticeable increase in female pupils pursuing Stem subjects. For example, Cambridge High School – Abu Dhabi has seen more females actively participating in Stem-related courses and competitions, showcasing their talents and gaining confidence.
Education and business for girls
Collaborative projects between educational institutions and industries are vital in nurturing the next generation of female Stem professionals.
Help AG, a cybersecurity company, and the University of Wollongong in Dubai organised a Steam camp for young girls from grades six to 10. By incorporating Steam learning – with the A standing for art – the girls were exposed to a holistic approach to education in the hope of encouraging them towards a career in an associated field of work.
The plan was to ignite their passion for Stem learning through hands-on experiences and exposure to real-world applications.
Soumya Prajna, senior director of innovation and growth initiatives at Help AG, reflected on the importance of such initiatives.
"By providing young girls with hands-on experience, we hoped to ignite their passion for these fields and show them that they have a place in this industry," she said. "Our aim was not only to inspire these girls but also to set an example for other organisations in the region to take similar initiatives."
The camp was deemed a great success, with participants displaying impressive creativity, innovation and problem-solving abilities.
“These young girls, who were once hesitant about entering Stem fields due to societal stereotypes and a lack of representation, left the camp with newfound confidence and enthusiasm for pursuing careers in science and technology,” Ms Prajna added.
As the UAE continues to celebrate the achievements of Emirati women, the focus on Stem education remains critical to their progress.
By nurturing young girls' interest in Stem, providing them with the necessary resources and showcasing role models such as Ms Al Mamari, the UAE is paving the way for a future where women play an even more significant role in shaping technological and scientific advancements.
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A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide
Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content
Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
BABYLON
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Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor Cricket World Cup – Sep 16-20, Insportz, Dubai
16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side
8 There are eight players per team
9 There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.
5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls
4 Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership
Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.
Zones
A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs
B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run
C Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs
D Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full
DUBAI WORLD CUP CARNIVAL CARD
6.30pm Handicap US$135,000 (Turf) 2,410m
7.05pm UAE 1000 Guineas Listed $250,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.40pm Dubai Dash Listed $175,000 (T) 1,000m
8.15pm Al Bastakiya Trial Conditions $100,000 (D) 1.900m
8.50pm Al Fahidi Fort Group Two $250,000 (T) 1,400m
9.25pm Handicap $135,000 (D) 2,000m
The National selections
6.30pm: Gifts Of Gold
7.05pm Final Song
7.40pm Equilateral
8.15pm Dark Of Night
8.50pm Mythical Magic
9.25pm Franz Kafka
PROFILE OF HALAN
Started: November 2017
Founders: Mounir Nakhla, Ahmed Mohsen and Mohamed Aboulnaga
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport and logistics
Size: 150 employees
Investment: approximately $8 million
Investors include: Singapore’s Battery Road Digital Holdings, Egypt’s Algebra Ventures, Uber co-founder and former CTO Oscar Salazar
The five stages of early child’s play
From Dubai-based clinical psychologist Daniella Salazar:
1. Solitary Play: This is where Infants and toddlers start to play on their own without seeming to notice the people around them. This is the beginning of play.
2. Onlooker play: This occurs where the toddler enjoys watching other people play. There doesn’t necessarily need to be any effort to begin play. They are learning how to imitate behaviours from others. This type of play may also appear in children who are more shy and introverted.
3. Parallel Play: This generally starts when children begin playing side-by-side without any interaction. Even though they aren’t physically interacting they are paying attention to each other. This is the beginning of the desire to be with other children.
4. Associative Play: At around age four or five, children become more interested in each other than in toys and begin to interact more. In this stage children start asking questions and talking about the different activities they are engaging in. They realise they have similar goals in play such as building a tower or playing with cars.
5. Social Play: In this stage children are starting to socialise more. They begin to share ideas and follow certain rules in a game. They slowly learn the definition of teamwork. They get to engage in basic social skills and interests begin to lead social interactions.
Profile box
Company name: baraka
Started: July 2020
Founders: Feras Jalbout and Kunal Taneja
Based: Dubai and Bahrain
Sector: FinTech
Initial investment: $150,000
Current staff: 12
Stage: Pre-seed capital raising of $1 million
Investors: Class 5 Global, FJ Labs, IMO Ventures, The Community Fund, VentureSouq, Fox Ventures, Dr Abdulla Elyas (private investment)
What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
- Tourism industry knowledge.
- Professional ethics.
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Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
Newcastle United 0 Tottenham Hotspur 2
Tottenham (Alli 61'), Davies (70')
Red card Jonjo Shelvey (Newcastle)
What went into the film
25 visual effects (VFX) studios
2,150 VFX shots in a film with 2,500 shots
1,000 VFX artists
3,000 technicians
10 Concept artists, 25 3D designers
New sound technology, named 4D SRL
Dates for the diary
To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:
- September 21 Anyone interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor can sign up for a 250-hour course in Yoga Teacher Training with Jacquelene Sadek. It begins on September 21 and will take place over the course of six weekends.
- October 18 to 21 International yoga instructor, Yogi Nora, will be visiting Bodytree and offering classes.
- October 26 to November 4 International pilates instructor Courtney Miller will be on hand at the studio, offering classes.
- November 9 Bodytree is hosting a party to celebrate turning 10, and everyone is invited. Expect a day full of free classes on the grounds of the studio.
- December 11 Yogeswari, an advanced certified Jivamukti teacher, will be visiting the studio.
- February 2, 2018 Bodytree will host its 4th annual yoga market.
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FIGHT%20CARD
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
BlacKkKlansman
Director: Spike Lee
Starring: John David Washington; Adam Driver
Five stars
Blonde
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WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
Schedule
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How Apple's credit card works
The Apple Card looks different from a traditional credit card — there's no number on the front and the users' name is etched in metal. The card expands the company's digital Apple Pay services, marrying the physical card to a virtual one and integrating both with the iPhone. Its attributes include quick sign-up, elimination of most fees, strong security protections and cash back.
What does it cost?
Apple says there are no fees associated with the card. That means no late fee, no annual fee, no international fee and no over-the-limit fees. It also said it aims to have among the lowest interest rates in the industry. Users must have an iPhone to use the card, which comes at a cost. But they will earn cash back on their purchases — 3 per cent on Apple purchases, 2 per cent on those with the virtual card and 1 per cent with the physical card. Apple says it is the only card to provide those rewards in real time, so that cash earned can be used immediately.
What will the interest rate be?
The card doesn't come out until summer but Apple has said that as of March, the variable annual percentage rate on the card could be anywhere from 13.24 per cent to 24.24 per cent based on creditworthiness. That's in line with the rest of the market, according to analysts
What about security?
The physical card has no numbers so purchases are made with the embedded chip and the digital version lives in your Apple Wallet on your phone, where it's protected by fingerprints or facial recognition. That means that even if someone steals your phone, they won't be able to use the card to buy things.
Is it easy to use?
Apple says users will be able to sign up for the card in the Wallet app on their iPhone and begin using it almost immediately. It also tracks spending on the phone in a more user-friendly format, eliminating some of the gibberish that fills a traditional credit card statement. Plus it includes some budgeting tools, such as tracking spending and providing estimates of how much interest could be charged on a purchase to help people make an informed decision.
* Associated Press
On racial profiling at airports
