5th Forum for Women in Research
University of Sharjah
5th Forum for Women in Research
"QUWA: Together Innovating to Shape the Future"
February 20 - 22, 2025
at the University of Sharjah & University of Khorfakkan
Coinciding with International Women's Day
In line with the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi Deputy Ruler of the Emirate of Sharjah and President of the University of Sharjah, the University of Sharjah is committed to sharing knowledge and promoting scientific advancement. Its mission is to support the nation's development by aligning with national strategic objectives and collaborating with various public and private institutions. By offering the necessary scientific and practical support, the University aims to assist these entities in successfully implementing their critical strategic initiatives.
Under the patronage of His Highness, Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and president of the University of Sharjah, the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research & Graduate Studies in cooperation with the Research Outreach Department at the University is pleased to announce the Fifth Forum for Women in Research entitled " QUWA: Together Innovating to Shape the Future ".
Speakers
Prof. Hamid Al Naimiy
Chancellor of the University of Sharjah, Honorary Chair
Prof. Hamid Al Naimiy
Chancellor of the University of Sharjah, Honorary Chair
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.
Prof. Maamar Bettayeb
Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Studies, Honorary Co-Chair
Prof. Maamar Bettayeb
Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Studies, Honorary Co-Chair
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, Honorary Co-Chair
Dr. Amina Al Marzouqi
Vice Chancellor for Students and Branches Affairs, Honorary Co-Chair
Dr. Amina Al Marzouqi is a seasoned healthcare professional and academic with over 40 years of experience in the health industry and academia. Holding a PhD in Public Health with a specialization in Healthcare Management, Planning, and Policy, Dr. Al Marzouqi serves as the Vice Chancellor for Students and Branches Affairs and a faculty member in the Health Services Administration Department at the College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah. Throughout her distinguished career, Dr. Al Marzouqi has held key leadership roles, including Professional Midwife and In-charge of Maternal & Child Health Services in Dubai, Director of the Primary Health Care Department at MOHAP, and Dean of the College of Health Sciences at the University of Sharjah. Her research focuses on the UAE health system, particularly in health economics and finance, through active involvement in the Health Care System Research Group. Dr. Al Marzouqi is a member of several national committees, including the National Committee of Mother and Child Health and the National Committee of Nursing & Midwifery. She also contributes to strategic initiatives within the University of Sharjah. Dr. Al Marzouqi’s extensive expertise underscores a career dedicated to advancing healthcare systems, education, and policy development in the UAE.
Dr. Manar Abu Talib
Office of Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Studies College of Computing & Informatics, Chair
Dr. Manar Abu Talib
Office of Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Studies College of Computing & Informatics, Chair
Dr. Abu Talib's research interests span software engineering, with extensive experience in software measurement, software quality, software testing, ISO 27001 for Information Security, blockchain, artificial intelligence, and Open Source Software. She is actively involved in developing ISO standards for measuring the functional size of software and has contributed to the Arabic version of ISO 19761 (COSMIC-FFP measurement method). She has an impressive publication record, including over 100 refereed conferences, journals, manuals, and technical reports.
Dr. Abu Talib has supervised 14 Master theses, 5 PhD theses, and 44 capstone projects. Recognized as a top 2% researcher globally for 2022 and 2023, she has received accolades such as the Best Teacher Award twice, the Exemplary Faculty Award in 2008 and 2010, the Google CS4HS Award in 2014, and scholarships from QCRI ArabWIC and the Anita Borg Institute in 2015. Her achievements also include the Outstanding University & Community Service Award in 2016, the Exemplary Leader Award in WiSTEM 2016, the Exemplary Leader Award in ArabWIC 2019 and IEEE Women in Service Computing Award in 2023.
Beyond her academic roles, Dr. Abu Talib has been engaging in more than 700 professional activities and sponsored research initiatives, has been an active contributor to the community, serving as the Counselor of the IEEE Student Branch at Zayed University in 2012-2013. She is the founder and former CEO of the Emirates Digital Association for Women (EDAW111). She holds leadership positions, including the founder and chair of the Women in Research Forum, ArabWIC VP of Chapters, Google Women Tech Maker Lead, a senior IEEE member, active member in the UAE IEEE Section & Women in Engineering (WIE). She also serves as the Sharjah Google Developer Group Advisor, UoS ACM Club Advisor, GDSC Advisor, the UAE representative for the COSMIC-FPP Education Committee, Co-coordinator of OpenUAE Research & Development Group, Co-coordinator of Aviation Center of Excellence and International Collaborator to the Software Engineering Research Laboratory in Montreal, Canada.
Dr. Bashair Mussa
Office of International Relations College of Medicine, Co-Chair
Dr. Bashair Mussa
Office of International Relations College of Medicine, Co-Chair
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
Research Outreach Department College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, Co-Chair
Dr. Noura Alkarbi
Research Outreach Department College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, Co-Chair
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.
Important Dates
Don't miss out! Stay on track with key deadlines and academic breaks at the University of Sharjah. For all major dates, see our calendar of academic events.
Strategic Partners and Sponsors
NAMA Women Advancement Foundation
Emirates Global Aluminium
Sharjah National oil Corporation
Sharjah Water and Electricity Authority
Emirates National Bank Dubai, UAE
The Technology Innovation Institute (TII)
.svg)
Pfizer
AstraZeneca
HUAWEI
Khorfakkan University
Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center - Sheraa
Community Partners
Ministry of Infrastructure Development, UAE
Sharjah Media City (SHAMS)
Sharjah Municipality
Sharjah Police Headquarters
UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment
Ministry of Health and prevention
Ministry of Education
Abbvie Biopharmaceuticals GmbH Dubai
Customized Drones – Sharjah
Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology
The Cultural and Media Bureau, The Supreme Council for Family Affairs
UAE Space Agency
UNESCO
VMware IT Academy
Fujairah Research Centre
Family Development Department
Authority of Social Contribution – Ma’an
Dubai Euro Group
Emirates Health Services
IBM
.png&w=640&q=75)
Mohammed Bin Rashid University Of Medicine and Health Sciences
Sharjah Media City "Shams"
TDRA
TotalEnergies
Department of Digital Ajman
Dubai Police Scientists' Council
EDF
Emerson
Enerwhere
General Women's Union
Google Developer Group
IEEE WIE
INWES
Innovation Box
Johnson & Johnson
L'École Mohammadia d'Ingénieurs
NAFEES & MASOUD MEDICAL SUPPLIES
Nvidia
OAB Sao Paulo
Oracle
PHRMAG
Rabat IT Center
Roche
Siemens
Teletek Solutions
The Emirates Centre for Strategic Studies and Research
UN Women
Universidade São Judas Tadeu
Women TechMakers
IEEE
transCampus
General Civil Aviation Authority
Microsoft
General Enquiry
Seeking more information? Our dedicated team is ready to address your queries. Connect with us through our general inquiry channels for prompt and insightful assistance.
Stay Connected
5th Forum for Women in Research
