UAE, Abu Dhabi, 29-2-2012 - Under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Supreme Chairperson of the Family Development Foundation, Chairperson of UAE Women's Federation and Chairperson of Arab Women Organization, Zayed University hosts the 4th Women as Global Leaders Conference. The three-day conference will be held on the 13th-15th of March at the new Zayed University campus in Abu Dhabi.  The Conference’s sole Partner and main sponsor is Abu Dhabi National Energy Company PJSC (TAQA). Other sponsors for the conference are Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, CNN Media Partner and ATIC Advanced Technology Investment Company.  

Dr. Sulaiman Al Jassim, Vice President of Zayed University announced during the press conference held at Zayed University campus in Abu Dhabi that “more than 1000 attendees are expected at this year's conference, which will include UAE students and scholars, international students and scholars, educational specialists representing major educational institutions and various business sectors from 40 different countries" . Joining Dr.Al Jassim were Dr. Larry Wilson, Provost of Zayed University, and Dr. Courtney Stryker, Chair of the Women As Global Leaders Conference.

Dr. Al Jassim said, "This year’s conference attracts a number of women who have proven to be leaders such as H.R.H. Princess Lolowah Al Faisal, Vice Chair and General Supervisor of Board of Trustees at Effat University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; H.H. Sheikha Sheikha Saif Bint Saif Mohammed Al Nahayan, Chair of UAE Make a Wish Foundation and Emirates Thalassemia Society and Board Member of the International Thalassemia Federation; Raja Easa Al Gurg, Managing Director of the Easa Al Gurg Group; Zeinab Badawi, Anchor, BBC World News Today; Dr. Isobel Coleman, Foreign Policy Coordinator and Author; Hala Gorani, CNN Anchor and Correspondent; Soraya Salti, Regional Director of INJAZ al-Arab; and Sigourney Weaver, Award-Winning Actress, Environmentalist and Humanitarian."

Representing the Conference’s sole Partner Sponsor and main supporter, Mr. Carl Sheldon, CEO of TAQA, said: “TAQA is committed to supporting the Abu Dhabi Government's initiative to bring talented UAE national employees into the workforce and we applaud Zayed University’s leadership for placing an emphasis on these efforts. Together with Zayed University we aim to give students opportunities to graduate with practical skills and become leading professionals in the energy sector.”

Dr. Larry Wilson, Provost of Zayed University, said, “This conference presents a unique dialogue, communication and an exchange of ideas among young students. Our faculty are keen on providing a high standard of education through our academic programs by using up-to-date teaching tools. During the previous conferences in 2005, 2006 and 2008 we had more than 1800 students, professionals and thought leaders from many countries worldwide to learn from each other, build friendships, interact with some of the most prominent women leaders in the world today, and work together for the advancement of women’s leadership.”

Dr. Courtney Stryker, Chair of the Women As Global Leaders Conference said “The evaluation committee reviewed more than 300 proposals for papers, panels, workshops, and roundtable sessions and more than 170 speakers from undergraduate students, academics, and professionals, which will be presented during the three day conference. Presentations will be organized into four topical strands: social, economic, cultural, and environmental sustainability.  In 2012, the Women as Global Leaders Conference will be at Zayed University’s new state-of-the-art campus in Abu Dhabi. This conference reiterates the University’s commitment to leadership education, and the development and promotion of women’s leadership. The 2012 conference promises to be an unforgettable event that will be both inspiring and enlightening for each of the over 1,000 conference participants,” Dr. Stryker added.