Prof. Hamid M.K. Al Naimiy

Chancellor, University of Sharjah
President, Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences
Honorary Co-Chair of the Women in Research Committee

Professor Hamid M.K. Al Naimiy is a renowned scientist and researcher in the fields of astronomy and space sciences and a prominent leader in education. He is the Chancellor of the University of Sharjah (UOS), Director General and Founder of the Sharjah Academy for Astronomy, Space Sciences, and Technology (SAASST), and President of the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences (AUASS). He received a BSc in Physics from the University of Baghdad, followed by an MS in Astronomy and a PhD in Astrophysics from the University of Manchester in the U.K. He is the founder of seven (7) observatories and space centers in various countries, such as Iraq, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates, including SAASST, which he founded in 2015. In addition to his current positions, he has held numerous senior-level administrative positions, such as UOS Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Dean of the Institute of Astronomy and Space Science at Al al-Bayt University (IASS) in Jordan, and Chairman of the Physics Department at UAE University (UAEU).

He is widely recognized on a global scale for his significant contributions to the fields of applied physics, astronomy, and space sciences. He has imparted extensive knowledge by teaching a variety of undergraduate and graduate courses and supervising over 50 MSc and PhD theses. He has conducted groundbreaking research into the correlation between Quranic verses and scientific discoveries in the fields of astronomy and space sciences. He has authored more than 35 books in the fields of astronomy, space sciences, and education, published over 800 scientific articles in newspapers, magazines, and journals, and refereed over 130 publications in high tier journals. He has served as the chief/associate editor for over 10 journals and edited numerous books. Additionally, he has delivered keynote speeches at more than 250 national and international conferences, symposia, and workshops, including the esteemed International Astronomical Union (IAU) conference. He has also played a significant role in organizing more than 100 conferences and workshops at the national, regional, and international levels. Professor Al Naimiy’s exceptional contributions to the field of higher education, astronomy, and space sciences have earned him numerous prestigious awards, such as the NASA Plaque for Coordinator of the International Heliophysical Year (IHY 2007), the Khalifa Award for Education 2009/2010, and the 2009 IAU/UNESCO Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Success of the International Year of Astronomy.

Her Excellency Dr. Maitha bint Salem Al Shamsi

Minister of State, Advisor to Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak

Prof. Maamar Bettayeb

Vice Chancellor of Research and Graduate Studies, University of Sharjah
Honorary Chair of the Women in Research Committee

Professor Maamar Bettayeb received the B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in Electrical Engineering from University of Southern California, Los Angeles, in 1976, 1978 and 1981, respectively.

He worked as a Research Scientist at the Bellaire Research Center at Shell Oil Development Company, Houston, Texas, USA. From 1982 to 1988, He directed the Instrumentation and Control Laboratory of High Commission for Research in Algeria.

In 1988, He joined the Electrical Engineering Department at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.

He has been Professor at University of Sharjah UAE since August 2000. He is the Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Studies at University of Sharjah, starting September 2014.

He has published over 400 journal and conference papers in the fields of control, optimization, energy and signal processing. He has also supervised over 50 M. Sc. and Ph. D. students.

He contributed to the design and development of several curricula for Universities in the Gulf countries, Asia and Africa.

His recent research interest is in process control, fractional dynamics and control, soft computing, renewable energies and engineering education.

Dr. Amina Al Marzouqi

Vice Chancellor for Students and Branches Affairs, University of Sharjah Chair of the Women in Research Committee

Dr. Manar Abu Talib

Research Operations Coordinator
Associate Professor, College of Computing and Informatics, University of Sharjah
Co-Chair of the Women in Research Committee

Dr. Bashair Mussa

Associate Professor at the College of Medicine, University of Sharjah
Co-Chair of the Women in Research Committee

Dr. Bashair Mussa is an associate professor of neurophysiology at the College of Medicine, University of Sharjah (UOS-UAE). She received her undergraduate degree and Ph.D. degree in neurophysiology from the University of Melbourne (Australia). She has extensive experience in research with several publications in international peer-reviewed journals and attracted research grants of almost 1 million AED. Currently, she is the Co-Chair of the 5th Forum for Women in Research, Head of the Global Engagement Department, and Acting Director of the International Mobility Department at the Office of International Relations (UOS-UAE). In addition, Dr. Mussa is the Deputy Director of the UOS Diabetes Center and Coordinator of the MSc in Diabetes Management (UOS-UAE).

Dr. Noura Alkarbi

Chair of Research Outreach Department
Assistant Professor, College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, University of Sharjah
Co-Chair of the Women in Research Committee

Head of the Department of Community Relations for Scientific Research at the Office of the Vice Rector for Scientific Research and Postgraduate Studies at the University of Sharjah, and university professor in the Department of Sociology at the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Sharjah since 2022 until present.

Founder and president of the Gulf Studies Group at the Institute of Research in Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Sharjah from 2022 until present.

Obtained a Doctorate degree in Religious Sciences from the Complutense University of Madrid, Spain, in 2021, with the support of the Scholarship Office of the Presidential Diwan of the Government of the United Arab Emirates.

Obtained a Master's and Bachelor's degree with honors in Sociology from the University of Sharjah. Has experience as a tenured professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of Sharjah since 2022 until present.

She as previous experience as a researcher in the Research Department of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs for six years, from 2009 to 2014. Has national, Arab and international memberships, such as member of the Board of Directors of the Emirates Researchers Center and member of the Emirates Thinkers of the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research, from 2024 until present, and member of the University of Sharjah platform at the COP28 2023 World Climate Action Summit.

Previously served as the official representative of the UAE on the Arab Youth Council of the Arab League from 2015 to 2020, and as an ambassador of the Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak International Arab Youth Award in its fourth term in 2017. She was also a volunteer member of International Cooperation at the Arab-European Foundation in Granada from 2015 to 2019.

In 2023, her research project titled "The Emirati Woman and Sustainability between Strengthening the Social Role and Confronting Climate Change" was selected and presented. She has several published research and books on tolerance, women, social policies and social issues, published on Google Scholar, Scopus and other research websites.

She has made important cultural and volunteering contributions within and outside the country, including: participating in the "Al-Andalus, Forum of Civilizations and Cultures" initiative, sponsored by His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President and President of the Presidential Court, in 2024; participating in the research scholarship program for Emirati youth at the Institute of Research in Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Sharjah from 2022 until present; participated in the Women's Political Empowerment Program of Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, organized by the General Women's Union and the Ministry of State for Federal National Council Affairs, in 2023; supported the "Million Tolerance Ambassadors" initiative in Spain in 2019; is a member of the "International Zayed Ambassadors" initiative within the Emirati Cultural Days in Spain, in collaboration with the Embassy of the UAE in Madrid, in 2018; participated in the SIEPSA project between Spain and the UAE on the perspectives of the vision of society for the future of energy in 2030; participated in the 2019 World Government Summit in a panel discussion on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, by appointment of the Office of Research Missions of the Presidential Court.

She has received numerous titles and awards, among the most prominent: UAE Humanitarian Work Award 2024, Ambassador of Scholarship Students in Spain by the Al Bayan newspaper on Emirati Women's Day 2018, UAE Youth Award 2018, Sheikh Rashid bin Hamid Award for Culture and Science 2017, Outstanding Scholarship Student Award of the Ministry of Interior, Distinguished Arab Youth Award of the Arab Youth Council 2016, Emirati Young Researchers Award of the Ministry of Higher Education 2014, and Sharjah Volunteer Award twice, the last in the category of Volunteer Ambassadors during the period of studies abroad in 2018.

She has participated in numerous conference committees as chair, researcher, organizer and participant within and outside the country, including: Co-Chair of the Superior Organizing Committee of the Women's Forum in Scientific Research at the University of Sharjah in 2024, Member of the Organizing Committee of the 16th Scientific Research Forum at the University of Sharjah in 2024 under the theme "Utilizing scientific research to serve society", and her project was awarded, among the community research projects, the University Director's Scholarship for Excellence and Innovation in Teaching.

Her Excellency Dr. Sh. May bint Sulaiman Al Otaibi

Founder and Chairperson to the Board of Trustees, Bahrain Bayan School
Vice Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Bahrain Institute for Political Development
Founder of Plus 973
Member of the Board of Governors, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland - Medical University of Bahrain

H.E. Prof. Najwa Al Hosani

Chancellor of University of Kalba (UKB)

Prof. Alhosani is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Sharjah Education Academy, a member of the Board of Trustees of Rabdan Academy, member of The Advisory Council Member of the Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States, a board member of the Rahma Cancer Patient Care Society. She is a founding member of the Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Motherhood and Childhood Research Center, and a founding member of Sheikha Moza bint Suhail for Exceptional Children.

Prof. Alhosani has served as the Acting Dean of the College of Education and as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and Alumni Support at the College of Education. She also served as an advisor in the office of the Director-General of the Abu Dhabi Education Council. She chairs numerous academic and community committees and is a member of several local and international academic committees and organizations.

Prof. Alhosani has made significant contributions to the educational, teaching, and social fields in the UAE. She has conducted and chaired numerous workshops, courses, and seminars in various educational institutions and has participated in many local and international conferences. She has published numerous academic studies and research papers in peer-reviewed scientific journals and has co-authored several books.

Prof. Alhosani has been a guest on many local and regional television programs and has received several awards, including the Entrepreneurship Award from the College of Education at the United Arab Emirates University, the Supreme Chancellor's Medal for Leadership from the United Arab Emirates University, the Excellence in University and Community Service Award from the United Arab Emirates University, the Academic Excellence Award from the UAE Embassy in Washington, USA, and the Rashid Award for Scientific Excellence.

She was part of the UAE Women's Leadership Delegation to meet with American women leaders in President Barack Obama's administration and members of the U.S. Congress.

Ebtesam Al Zaabi

Acting Secretary-General of the UAE National Commission for Education, Culture, and Science

As the Acting Secretary-General of the UAE National Commission for Education, Culture, and Science, Ebtesam Al Zaabi currently oversees partnerships between the National Commission and international organizations such as UNESCO, ALECSO (Arab League Educational, Cultural, and Scientific Organization), and ISESCO (Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization). In addition, she manages relationships with local partners in the UAE who are involved in the work of these organizations.

Ebtesam has contributed to the preparation and supervision of several major projects in collaboration with international organizations. These include the “Revive the Spirit of Mosul” initiative and hosting the International Conference on Education in Culture and Arts in partnership with UNESCO. She also led the team responsible for preparing the UAE's campaigns for membership in various UNESCO committees, resulting in successful elections. Additionally, she has overseen numerous projects that have strengthened the UAE's presence in regional and international organizations.

Previously, Ebtesam held the position of Director of Cultural Policies at the Ministry of Culture and Youth from 2019 to 2021, where she worked on developing and implementing several cultural strategies and policies at the national level. Over the course of her career, she has held various roles within the Ministry of Culture, contributing to numerous significant cultural initiatives and projects that serve diverse segments of the UAE community. She has also represented the UAE in various international forums during this time.

Ebtesam holds a Master's degree in Diplomacy and International Relations from the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy and a Master's degree in Communication from the University of Sharjah. She also has several advanced diplomas in management, leadership, excellence, and public policy.

Prof. Aisha AbuShelaibi

Chancellor of the University of Al Dhaid

Prof. Aisha Ahmed Abushelaibi is a distinguished professor and academic leader with extensive expertise in food safety, food law, and higher education administration. She currently serves as Chancellor of the University of Al Dhaid, UAE, and has held multiple leadership roles, including Executive Director at Higher Colleges of Technology and Dean of the College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine at UAE University. Prof. Abushelaibi earned her Ph.D. in Food Safety and Food Law from Louisiana State University, USA, and has contributed significantly to research, publishing extensively in international journals on topics such as antimicrobial resistance, food contamination, and innovative food technologies. A dedicated mentor, she has supervised graduate research in her field and played a pivotal role in establishing advanced laboratories for food and agricultural sciences. Recognized for her leadership and commitment to education, Prof. Abushelaibi continues to contribute to national and international academic and scientific communities through her memberships, projects, and volunteer work.

Her Excellency Mariam Al Hammadi,

Director General of The Big Heart Foundation (TBHF) and Vice Chairperson of the Executive Committee at NAMA Women Advancement

Her Excellency Mariam Al Hammadi, is a distinguished leader in humanitarian and development work. Since joining TBHF in 2012, she has played a pivotal role in expanding its impact, leading initiatives that have supported over 4 million people across more than 25 countries. Under her leadership, TBHF has championed sustainable projects in education, healthcare, and emergency relief, ensuring long-term positive change in vulnerable communities. Mariam is also a strong advocate for women’s empowerment, reinforcing its role in social and economic progress through strategic collaborations between TBHF and NAMA. Her commitment to transformative change continues to drive impactful programs that uplift communities and foster sustainable development on a global scale.

Eng. Abdalla Alzarooni

Vice President of Technology Development and Transfer at Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA)

Abdalla Alzarooni serves as the Vice President of Technology Development and Transfer at Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), leading a team of 76 technologists and engineers. Since joining EGA in 2001, he has played a pivotal role in the development and implementation of EGA’s reduction technologies, which are recognized for their efficiency in the global aluminium industry. Abdalla successfully managed the transfer of EGA’s DX+ Ultra technology to Aluminium Bahrain for its Potline 6 expansion. Abdalla also oversees EGA’s Bauxite Residue Research and Development programme, Smelting Decarbonization project, EX technology project, and EGA’s Centre of Excellence for research activities in collaboration with universities. 
Abdalla holds a Bachelor’s degree from United Arab Emirates University and a Master’s degree in Chemical and Materials Engineering from the University of Auckland, New Zealand. 

 Saud Al Dhawyani

Group Chief Platforms Officer IT, Emirates NBD

Saud Al Dhawyani is a seasoned technology leader currently serving as the Group Chief Platforms Officer of Emirates NBD, one of the largest banks in the MENAT region. 
He is at the helm of Emirates NBD’s business platforms encompassing core banking, payments, trade finance, treasury, and enterprise systems – the backbone running the bank’s customer-centric applications and business operations.
Previously as the Chief Technology Officer of Emirates NBD, Saud was instrumental in driving the bank’s technological evolution. He led more than 1000 engineers in executing one of the largest digital transformations of its kind in the financial industry.
As a proud UAE National, Saud’s distinguished career spans both the private and public sectors. He previously held technology and leadership roles at esteemed institutions including Dubai Courts, NASDAQ Dubai and Commercial Bank of Dubai.
Accumulating over two decades of experience, Saud’s expertise ranges from architectural and Agile operating model transformations to cloud computing, DevOps, and data. Academically, Saud holds an Executive MBA and a master’s degree in information systems management with distinction

Maryam Al Redha

Group Head of IT Governance Emirates NBD

A driving force behind Emirates NBD’s largest technology transformation, Maryam has spearheaded major initiatives to improve the bank’s internal IT operating models and mature its governance. This transformation  involved  adopting  agile  portfolio  and  program  management,  optimizing  service levels, and managing cultural changes — all of which have underscored IT’s role as a strategic enabler for the bank.
Her efforts in establishing technology business management and capacity management, along with advancing governance automation, have further strengthened the bank’s technology capabilities and operational efficiency. Under her leadership, Emirates NBD’s IT Portfolio Management Office has gained global recognition for setting new benchmarks in project governance.
As  a  proud  UAE  national,  Maryam  is committed to driving  innovation  and  inspiring  the  next generation of women in technology and banking.

Dr. Najwa Aaraj

Chief Executive Officer, Technology Innovation Institute

Dr. Najwa Aaraj is the CEO of the Technology Innovation Institute (TII), the applied research arm of Abu Dhabi’s Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC). Previously, she was Chief Researcher at TII’s Cryptography and Autonomous Robotics Research Centers.

She holds a PhD in Applied Cryptography and Embedded Systems Security from Princeton University and has 18+ years of experience in cybersecurity, cryptography, trusted platforms, and autonomous systems. Before TII, she was SVP of Products & Cryptography at DarkMatter and held research roles at IBM, Intel, and NEC Laboratories.

Dr. Aaraj has published extensively in IEEE, ACM, and other journals, holds multiple patents, and serves as an adviser to cybersecurity and AI startups. She is also a board member of Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB) and Adjunct Professor at MBZUAI. Among her accolades, she received the Arab Woman Award (2021) and Princeton’s Wu Prize for Research Excellence.

Dr. Sana Amairi-Pyka

Lead Scientist
Quantum Research Center, Technology Innovation Institute (TII)

Dr. Sana Amairi-Pyka is the Lead Scientist for Quantum Communications at the Technology Innovation Institute (TII) in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Since 2021 she has been leading the Abu Dhabi Quantum Optical Ground Station (ADQOGS) project, aiming to position the UAE as a pioneer in space-based quantum communication technologies and ensure the global availability of secure free-space optical communication networks.
Sana earned her Ph.D. in Quantum Optical Metrology in 2014 from the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt in Germany. During her five-year postdoctoral research position at Humboldt University of Berlin, she developed and tested novel laser sources for space missions, including the European Space Agency’s Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA). In 2017, her scientific accomplishments were recognized with substantial funding from the Berlin Senate Administration BCP, and she was named an ambassadress for the “Brain City Berlin” campaign. Transitioning to industry in 2020, she worked as a Project Leader at the European Photonics Industry Consortium (EPIC), enhancing the European ecosystem in photonics, quantum, and space industries. She has been an external expert for the European Commission since 2017.

Nadine Tarcha,

MD. MSc, Country Medical Director for the Gulf region, Pfizer Inc.

Nadine Tarcha, MD. MSc, is the Country Medical Director for the Gulf region, Pfizer Inc. She serves as the medical affairs lead for the region, providing medical leadership across all clinical categories.

She is responsible for developing and executing the Medical Affairs strategy and leading the Medical Affairs Team in the Gulf to foster important partnerships with Patient Organization, Medical Societies, and other government Healthcare entities.  Nadine has long standing interest in medical writing and outcome research and has co-authored several publications.
Nadine holds a Medical Doctor degree from the Balamand University and a Master degree in Molecular Biology from the Lebanese American University in Lebanon.

 Pei-Chieh Fong  

Vice President, International Medical, AstraZeneca

Pei-Chieh currently leads AstraZeneca Medical Affairs in more than 80 countries within Asia, Middle East & Africa and Latin America. Medical Affairs in  AstraZeneca International has a strong focus on maximizing impact leveraging on new technologies and partnerships to address barriers to best patient care. Previously, she has been the Medical Director for Taiwan and Asia Area as well as leading AstraZeneca International Oncology team. She has more than 10 years of solid experience in Medical Affairs prior to AstraZeneca through her roles in Roche, Pfizer and Novartis. She is educated as a clinical pharmacist with a Pharm.D. degree from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF).

Eva Turgonyi

Medical Director,
Gulf Countries Cluster & Pakistan,
AstraZeneca

Alaa Bawab

General Manager META
Lenovo Infrastructure Solution Group

Alaa Bawab is the General Manager for the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa at Lenovo Infrastructure Solutions Group (ISG), leading strategy, market growth, and business expansion across the region. With over 25 years of experience, he is recognized for driving high-performing teams and executing transformative business strategies. Before Lenovo, he held leadership roles at Huawei, Cisco, EMC, and HP, achieving significant regional growth. Committed to customer-centric innovation, Alaa plays a key role in advancing Lenovo’s vision of Smarter Technology for All. He holds an honors degree in Electrical Engineering from Marquette University and is based in Dubai, UAE.

H.E. Prof. Ali Hilal Al Naqbi

Chancellor of the University of Khorfakkan and a Board of Trustees’ Member

H.E. Prof. Ali Hilal Al Naqbi is the Chancellor of the University of Khorfakkan and a Board of Trustees member. Previously, as Director of Abu Dhabi Polytechnic, he played a key role in advancing quality education and achieving a 96% graduate employment rate. A research fellow at Harvard Medical School and a postdoctoral fellow at BWH, he holds engineering degrees and a Distinction Executive MBA from Suffolk University. He has published over 60 research papers, registered five US patents in bioartificial liver devices, and secured over $3 million in research funding. He is also a member of the Dubai Future Council for Medicine, the Emirates Scientific Council, and has served on various private and government boards. Recognized for his contributions to science and education, he was honored with the UAE First 43 Emirati Pioneers Award by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid.

Dr. Tahani Nouri Alterkait

The Secretary's General Advisor for Research and Studies at the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf - Riyadh.

Since January 2023, Dr. Alterkait is an Honorary Research Fellow at the School of Government and International Affairs - Durham University - UK.
Before joining the GCC, Dr. Alterkait was teaching politics and international relations at the American University of Kuwait - Department of International Relations.
She earned her PhD in politics and International Affairs from Durham University-UK. She defended her thesis in 2017 titled: 'The Conceptual and Constitutional Underpinnings of Kuwait's System of Government'.
She is also a member at the London based Centre of international Studies and Diplomacy (CISD) where she received her master's degree in International Studies and Diplomacy from School of Oriental and African Studies - University of London.
Before pursuing her higher education, Dr. Alterkait worked for Kuwait's public sector for 15 years serving her country as a diplomat, researcher and consultant in International relations and public diplomacy. The hallmark of her career was when she served Kuwait as the first female Press attaché at the Information Office of the Embassy of Kuwait in Washington DC (2001-2007).
Both her academic and professional experiences have shaped her research interests in politics and society with special focus on the Gulf region and the Arab World. Her published work covered areas in democracy, political and constitutional reforms in Kuwait and the Arab World and gender politics.
Through her current position at the GCC, Dr. Alterkait is aiming to promote the joint Gulf action by focusing on research, culture, women issues and environment. She profoundly believes that investing in youth, education and research are the pillars for a thriving, prosperous future for all.

Dr. Alanoud Alhaj

Acting Assistant Undersecretary for the Green Development and Climate Change Sector at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment in the United Arab Emirates.

Dr. Alhaj's career spans between research and policy-making in the science, social, and economic sectors. Prior to joining the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, Dr. Alhaj held various positions in the government sector.

Dr. Alhaj was the Deputy Head of the National Greening Education Committee. She was the Director of the Education Policies Department at the Ministry of Education, and prior to that, the Director of Research and Public Policy at the Federal Demographic Council. Prior to joining the government sector, Dr. Alhaj held various positions in the private sector in the UAE where she lead various initiatives related to strategy, research, and policy-making.

During her study tenure at The George Washington University, Dr. Alhaj engaged in a number of research studies related to genomics and proteomics, and accomplished a number of publication in scientific journals. Dr. Alhaj holds a Bachelor of Sciences in Biological Sciences and a Master of Science in Genomics and Bioinformatics from The George Washington University, a Master of Business Administration from the American University of Sharjah, and Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration from The British University in Dubai.

H.E. Mrs. Amna Bint Ahmed Al Rumaihi

Minister of Housing and Urban Planning

Currently serving as the Minister of Housing and Urban Planning, H.E. Mrs. Amna Bint Ahmed AlRumaihi brings extensive experience in Bahrain's economic governance. In 2021, she was appointed Undersecretary of National Economy at the Ministry of Finance and National Economy, having previously served as Assistant Undersecretary for Competitiveness and Economic Indicators. In this role, she led initiatives to monitor economic indicators and oversaw the Fiscal and Economic Stimulus Packages for the Kingdom of Bahrain.

In 2013, she joined the First Deputy Prime Minister's Office, where she established the Projects Unit. One of its key achievements was launching the National Suggestion & Complaint System, “Tawasul,” which has been instrumental in shaping new government initiatives and policies. Earlier, in 2009, she worked at the Economic Development Board, contributing to the National Economic Strategy aligned with Bahrain's Economic Vision 2030. Recognized for her contributions, H.E. Al Rumaihi was honored with His Majesty the King's Proficiency Medal in 2017. She also serves as Chairperson of Eskan Bank and Deputy Chairperson of the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA)

Prof. Marriane Azer

Board Member Financial Regulatory Authority, Egypt
National Council for Women, Chair of the Research, Technology, and Cybersecurity Committee
Former Member of The Egyptian Parliament, Egypt
Former Advisor to the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, Egypt
Professor at the National Telecommunication Institute, Nile University, and New Giza University, Egypt.

• Ranked among the Top 10 Public Speakers in Egypt in 2010, and invited as a keynote speaker in many international events such as International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA), World Bank, and Rotary International Convention.
• Areas of Research include but are not limited to: Security (Internet and all types of networks), Privacy, Cloud Computing, Wireless Networks, Governance, Policies, Ethics and Legal Issues, Incident Handling, and Disaster Recovery.
• Member of the Parliamentarians network for Global Health UNITE (2023-Present).
• Member of the Consultation Board for the Arab Federation for Digital Economy (2024-Present).
• Member of the National Committee on Governance within the African Peer Review Mechanism (2017-Present).
• Member of the Scientific Research & Foreign Affairs Committees, National Council for Women (2016-Present).
• Vice President of Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA) board in Egypt (2020-2022).
• President of Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA) board in Egypt (2018-2020).
• Member of the Global Advisory Board on Emerging Technologies (ISACA) (2020-2021).
• Member of the Global Advisory Board for Facebook Community Leadership Program (2018-2019).
• More than 100 scientific publications worldwide in the field of Communications and Information Technology and Cyber Security.
• Member of the International Parliament for Tolerance and Peace (IPTP) (2018-2021).
• Chair of the Women and Youth Committee in the International Parliament for Tolerance and Peace (2018-2021).
• Member of the Parliamentary Assembly Union for the Mediterranean (PA-UFM) (2016-2021).
• Dr. Azer obtained her BSc in Electronics and Communications Engineering, MSc, and PhD in Electronics and Communications Engineering specializing in Cyber Security. She has more than 20 years of experience in Communications and Information Technology and specializes in Cyber Security.
• Throughout her career, she held several academic and managerial positions in various universities and organizations, including the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, the National Telecommunication Institute, Nile University, Cairo University, the American University in Cairo, the French University, the Arab Academy for Science and Technology and Maritime Transport, and New Giza University.
• In her teaching capacity, she has delivered numerous courses on network security, Security in Wireless Ad Hoc Networks, Incident Response and Disaster Recovery, Security Governance, Information Security Policies, Ethics, and Legal Issues.
• Holds multiple certificates from the USA in Human and Career Development.
• Member of numerous international and national organizations across diverse fields such as Telecommunications, Politics, Women, Science, Technology, Culture, Angel Investment, Gender, and Governance.

Prof. Nancy R. Mead

Fellow (ret.) at the Software Engineering Institute (SEI)
Adjunct Professor of Software Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University

Nancy R. Mead is a Fellow (ret.) at the Software Engineering Institute (SEI) and an Adjunct Professor of Software Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University. She is known for her work in software and security requirements engineering and the development of software engineering and software assurance curricula. She also served as Director of Software Engineering Education for the SEI from 1991 to 1994. Her research interests are in the areas of software requirements engineering, and software assurance.

Prior to joining the SEI, Mead was a Senior Technical Staff Member at IBM Federal Systems, where she spent most of her career in the development and management of large real-time software systems. She also worked in IBM's software engineering technology area and managed IBM Federal Systems' Software Engineering Education department. She has developed and taught numerous courses on software engineering and software assurance topics, both at universities and in professional education courses.

Mead has authored more than 200 publications and keynote/invited presentations. Her awards and honors include: IEEE Fellow, IEEE Fellow Oral History 2024, Distinguished Member of the ACM, IEEE TCSE Distinguished Educator, Parnas Fellow at Lero the Irish Software Research Center, IEEE WISC (Women in Services Computing) Award, IEEE Distinguished Visitor Program. She is currently Executive Vice Chair of the IEEE TCSE Executive Board and Treasurer for the IEEE Savannah Section. The Nancy Mead Award for Excellence in Software Engineering Education is named for her.

Mead received her BA, MS, and PhD in Mathematics from New York University.

Prof. Nadia Caidi

Faculty of Information, University of Toronto

Dr. Nadia Caidi is a Professor at the Faculty of Information, University of Toronto. Trained in Linguistics and Communications, she also holds an MLIS and a Ph.D. in Information Studies from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA). Dr. Caidi was the 2011 President of the Canadian Association for Information Science (CAIS) and the 2016 President of the International Association for Information Science & Technology (ASIS&T). She sat on the Executive Board of the DC-based Council of Scientific Society Presidents (CSSP), and has extensively consulted on information and media practices for a range of governmental agencies and foundations. Dr. Caidi has published extensively in the areas of human information behaviour, global migration and digital diasporas, as well as (mis)information in times of crisis. She sits on several journal editorial boards and has has been recognized with numerous research grants and awards. In 2019, the Association of LIS Education awarded her the Pratt-Severn Faculty Innovation Award. With a practical orientation toward knowledge translation and mobilization, Dr. Caidi is committed to community-engaged research and has been academic lead on a range of studies, including Workfinding and Immigrant Women's Prosperity in STEM (with partner TechGirls Canada).

Prof. Evina Katsou

Chair Professor at Imperial College London

Prof. Evina Katsou is a leading expert in Water and Environmental Engineering and is Chair Professor at Imperial College London. She leads the Resilience & Sustainability group, consisting of 25 postdoctoral researchers and PhD students, integrating advanced digital tools, AI, and data-driven models to pioneer sustainable and resilient solutions across water, wastewater, and other industrial sectors. With a focus on AI-based water and environmental solutions, Prof. Katsou has led over 40 R&D projects, coordinating and acting as Principal Investigator for 27 of them. These projects, such as SMART-Plant, DEEP-Purple H2020, HYDROUSA H2020, SAFELOOP Horizon Europe (HEU), INBLANC HEU, STREAMS HEU, BLOW HEU, C-FOOT-CTRL H2020, INTCATCH H2020, BL2F H2020, i-WAYS H2020, WATERMINING H2020, RESILEX HEU, SYMBIOREM HEU, R3VOLUTION HEU, CSSBOOST HEU, THESEUS HEU, BIORECER HEU, CRONUS HEU, ACCELERATE HEU address challenges in wastewater treatment, resource recovery, renewable energy, and the development of decision-making tools across various industries. Prof. Katsou has authored over 120 peer-reviewed publications, contributed to 12 book chapters, and delivered more than 150 presentations at international conferences. Her work significantly advances circular economy frameworks, greenhouse gases monitoring and mitigation strategies, and sustainability and resilience methodologies. Prof. Katsou co-leads the Action Group on Intelligent and Smart Systems within the ICT4Water Cluster, chairs two working groups in Cost Actions, serves as co-chair of the IWA Small Water & Wastewater Systems Specialist Group, and is a key member of the drafting team for the new ISO standards on Circular Economy (ISO 59020). Her interdisciplinary work bridges sustainability, circularity, and resilience assessment methods, advancing pathways to net-zero emissions and supporting data-driven decision-making models across multiple sectors.

Dr. Fatheya Al Awadi

• Consultant Endocrinologist & the Head of the Endocrine Department at Dubai Hospital.
• President of the Emirates Diabetes & Endocrine Society.
• Chairperson of the Diabetes Combat and Control Committee – Dubai Health.
• Member of the National Diabetes Committee.
• Clinical Professor of Medicine at Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU).
• Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor at Sharjah University.
• Federation Lead for the Royal College PACES in Dubai & Sharjah.
• Chief Editor of the Dubai Diabetes & Endocrine Journal (DDEJ) – DHA.
• Actively involved in various studies in diabetes and endocrinology, with several publications in the field.

Ms. Alia Alkhaled

Kuwaiti Social & Political Activist.
Researcher in National Development.

Ms Alia Al-Khaled is a Kuwaiti political ac tivist advocating for women's rights and community health. She was elected to Kuwait's 2022 National Assembly, being only one of the two women to take office as a parliamentarian. In her capacity as a lawmaker, she sat on two committees involving education and special needs. Alia's professional profile lies in journalism and the health sector. She worked at local media outlets such as Al-Anbaa and Al-Qabas, after serving as a General Manager at Al-Omooma Hospital. She has a Master's degree in in Business Administration, with a focus on sustainability, from Hult International Business School in the UAE.

Dr. Karla Harada

Coordinator of Environmental Education at CPMA/OAB-SP.
Professor at São Judas University.
Postdoctoral fellow at USP.

Researcher, Professor. and Lawyer. Postdoctoral fellow at the University of São Paulo - USP/ESALQ. PhD in Law from the Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo (PUC-SP). Master's degree in Law from PUC-SP. Specialist in Environmental Law and Strategic Sustainability Management from COGEAE/PUC-SP. Bachelor of Law from the University Center of Pará (CESUPA). Bachelor of Music, with a specialization in Cello, from the State University of Pará (UEPA). Coordinator of Environmental Education and Member of the Permanent Commission on Environment of the São Paulo Section of the Brazilian Bar Association (OAB-SP). Researcher at the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq). Guest Professor at COEAE/PUC-SP. Professor at São Judas Tadeu University (USJT). Member of ISWA and founding member of ISWA YPG Brazil. Visiting Researcher at the "IUS GENTIUM CONIMBRIGAE" (IGC - Center for Human Rights) at the Faculty of Law of the University of Coimbra.

Shaikha Alnaqbi

VC for Financial and Administrative Affairs

Shaikha Al Naqbi is a distinguished leader in higher education, currently serving as the Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration at the University of Khorfakkan. With an illustrious career spanning 24 years, Shaikha has dedicated herself to advancing the education sector in the UAE. Before her current role, she was the HR Director at the University of Sharjah for 23 years, where she played a pivotal role in shaping the institution's human resources strategies. Her extensive experience in managing university operations and human resources underscores her commitment to excellence and innovation in education administration. Shaikha holds a master's degree in leadership in Higher Education, which has fueled her passion for leadership, gender equality, and public policies. Her work consistently reflects her dedication to fostering inclusive and equitable educational environments. As a prominent figure in academia, Shaikha Al Naqbi continues to champion progressive initiatives and inspire future leaders in the region.

Dr. Roqaya Alamiry

Marine Science & Aquatic Biology, UKF

Dr. Roqaya Alamiry obtained her bachelor's in biotechnology from Sharjah University and continued her academic journey with a Master's and Ph.D. in Water and Environmental Engineering at Masdar Institute. Her research focuses on anti-biofouling membranes for water purification and the socio-political dynamics of desalination plants. Alongside her work in membrane technology, she is actively involved in investigating microplastics in marine water, emphasizing her dedication to environmental research and sustainability. Currently serving as an Assistant Professor at the University of Khorfakkan, she also oversees the university's Central Labs. In her leisure time, she enjoys reading and writing to maintain a balanced lifestyle.