Dubai, September 12, 2009: The "Arab Women in Science And Technology" conference with the theme "empowerment for the development of the Arab world" being held between September 28-30 under the patronage of Her royal Highness Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, wife of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler Of Dubai, will shed light on the achievements of Arab women in the field of science and technology. It will reflect on the ways on how she was able in a short period of time to break into this field with high capabilities in order to further her development in new and different fields. The conference also discusses the challenges that face Arab women in some Arab countries and the support provided for her to excel in this field.

Prof. Fathi Gherbal, Professor of mechanical engineering and material science and bioengineering, Rice University, USA, and the chairman of many companies working in robotics said: "The Arab Women in Science and Technology conference which is scheduled to be held between 28-30 September 2009 in Dubai will give the opportunity to know about the Arab woman's journey in the field of science and technology, since the conference discusses various topics and a number of issues that highlight Arab women's achievements and her role in this important field, as well as considering the challenges she has faced in the past years and the support provided to her to prove her capabilities in it.

"I support the desire of Arab countries to catch up with technology in general and information technology in particular which has witnessed great developments in the developed world. Some Arab countries have supported their citizens and set up establishments to follow this enormous development in order to keep abreast of new developments following the technological revolution so as to benefit from it for using it in improving the living conditions of Arab societies. Arab women were not in isolation from this scenario, but yet she was able to prove her ability in this field, together with her excellences in many other fields," Prof Gherbal added.

The conference is organized by the Arab Science & Technology Foundation (ASTF) in participation with the Dubai Business Women Council (DBWC), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO), and in coordination with Etisal Event Management Company. More than 300 ladies from all sections of society such as women scientists, scholars, business women and women who occupy important public positions are expected to attend the meeting.

The conference will discuss topics like: the effort of Arab countries in strengthening the role of women in science and technology; the initiative for the empowerment of Arab women in science and technology for the socio-economic development of the Arab world; women's role in science and technology and the desired development of the Arab world; private and public efforts in supporting women working in the science and technology sector in the Arab world, among other topics.

The conference will also present some case studies of successful women working in the science and technology field. It will also touch upon subjects like S & T and business leadership, the role of the media in assisting women professionals in science and technology, among other important topics.  

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About the Arab Science and Technology Foundation (ASTF) "A vehicle towards a sustainable development of the Arab World": The Arab Science and Technology Foundation (ASTF) is an independent, non-governmental, non-profit regional and international organization. ASTF was formed out of a need expressed by Arab scientists to develop practical means to advance science and technology (S&T) in the Arab region. During the first international symposium on "Scientific Research Outlook in the Arab World and the New Millennium: Science and Technology," which was held at the University of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates in April 2000, 400 Arab scientists from around the world decided to found ASTF as a non-governmental, non-profit Pan-Arab organization. ASTF plays the role of mediator between those who produce, develop and fund scientific research on the one hand and those who benefit from it on the other. In all its activities, ASTF assumes the role of Catalyst, Mediator, and Supporter of innovation in Science and Technology in the Arab world. For further details on the foundation, please visit http://www.astf.net

About the Dubai Business Women Council:
Its mission is to proactively encourage business and professional women in Dubai to participate in a variety of business segments in order to enhance the contribution, productivity and activity of business and professional women locally and internationally.

Its objectives are the following:

1. To represent the DBWC at Arab and international conferences and forums related to business and professional women.

2. To cooperate with local and international institutions to increase awareness about the council and to share and contribute business ideas between the business women and different organizations.

3. To negotiate problems that women face at the workplace and find solutions and recommendations to solve these problems.

4. Providing facilities and introducing business women to the Dubai Chambers of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), its services and activities.

5. Organizing networking opportunities by inviting business women to participate in a variety of events organized by the Dubai Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

For more details, log on to DCCI website at: http://www.dbwc.ae

About ETISAL Event Management:
Etisal Event Management is a leading creative services firm that provides effective, award-winning public relations and events management services to clients seeking to carve out a niche in the competitive world of business. It specializes exclusively in corporate communications, event management, public relations, conferences and exhibitions. For more information, please visit our website at: http://www.etisal.ae

For more information, please contact:
Mrs. Rania 050-1417116
ETISAL Event Management
Address: Radisson SAS Plaza Hotel, Deira, Dubai
Phone: 04 222 54 25
Fax: 04 224 06 56
E-mail: etisal@eim.ae
Website: www.etisal.ae

© Press Release 2009