COP28 Highlights: Empowering Future Women Leaders in STEM

Wednesday, 31 January, 2024

As part of COP28, Dr Zeenath Reza Khan, Associate Professor at the University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD), led a session focused on empowering women in STEM. Held on the final day of the conference at the Erth – Legacy from the Land of Zayed Pavilion, this session was a collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Greening Education Hub.

Titled "The other 50% - bringing women and girls into climate action dialogue," the session addressed the underrepresentation of women in STEM and IT sectors, where they currently make up less than a third of the workforce. Dr Khan introduced a unique 'human library' format for the session, allowing participants to share personal stories, thus shedding light on the specific challenges and barriers faced by women and girls in STEM education and careers, and highlighting the importance of creating supportive environments to boost their involvement in these fields.

Participants in the 'human library' brought a range of perspectives:

• Vineetha Mathew: ESG strategist with 20 years of experience in the GCC, specializing in risk/opportunity mapping, stakeholder engagement, and policy development. 
• Muhammad Hamad: Service Performance Manager at Help AG, the region's largest cybersecurity service provider, and a UOWD graduate. 
• Akshita Bhatia: Third-year Computer Science-Big Data student at the UOWD, showcasing leadership and problem-solving skills. 
• Tasneem Nawab: Founder of Zaish, a fashion brand focusing on ethical practices and supporting artisans during the COVID-19 pandemic, and a UOWD graduate. 
• Rema Menon V: Founder and Director of Counselling Point Training and Development, with over three decades of experience in education and career counseling. 
• Dr. Heba AbouKhousa Ghanim: PhD in BioOrganic Chemistry, educator, and industry expert with a focus on environmental issues, currently at Mohammad Bin Zayed University for Humanities. 
• Somya Mehta: UAE-based journalist, published author, and award recipient from the Mohammed bin Rashid Library.

These stories illuminated the journey and challenges in STEM for women and girls, the impact of limited female representation in decision-making, and the societal biases affecting girls from STEM fields. This was followed by a panel discussion on how the education sector can tackle these challenges, joined by:

• Maryam Zia: AI Analyst and President of the Student Council, dedicated to making a positive global impact through technology, UOWD graduate. 
• Lalitha Suresh: Principal of GEMS Our Own Indian School, with 35 years of experience in education and a passion for enhancing teacher capacities. 
• Professor Hind Zantout: Member of the British Computer Society, fluent in English, Arabic, and German, with expertise in teaching and learning, big data, and knowledge management, at Herriot Watt University Dubai. 
• Prof Nadir Kheir: Professor at Ajman University, Manager of its Student Success Centre, and Honorary Academic with the University of Auckland.

The session highlighted the decline in women's enrolment in STEM education globally, a trend underscored by World Bank data, and emphasized the need for more equitable access to STEM education and careers. 

Reflecting on her experiences, Dr Khan shared, "I am rare but lucky. As a woman in STEM, I represent the underrepresented, yet I am fortunate to have had a support system that empowered me. It is my responsibility to use my position to create safe spaces for girls and women, encouraging them to contribute their unique perspectives to the world of STEM and IT. I invite more women who are successful in STEM and working in this space to come forward and support such initiatives and become role models for the young girls who aspire to be great researchers fighting against climate change in the future."

This effort aligns with UOWD's ongoing initiatives, such as the tech-G STEM camp for girls launched by Dr Khan in 2017. Additionally, during COP28, one of UOWD's student representatives, Mustafa Mohammad, showcased the university's sustainability efforts, emphasizing the integration of sustainability into the curriculum, green campus initiatives, and the role of professors in fostering student sustainability. Another significant initiative during COP28 was Dr Zeenath's panel discussion on the essential role of academic integrity, highlighting the importance of ethical values in addressing global challenges. These combined efforts reflect UOWD's dedication to empowering future leaders and addressing global challenges, making a significant impact in promoting gender diversity, sustainability, and academic integrity.