In efforts to pay rich tribute to the achievements scored by Emirati women, Zayed University has organized a one-day event to honor and recognize their influential participation and enormous contributions in Dubai campus on Sunday.

The Student Life Department at Zayed University has organized an open day discussion to highlight several topics such as, women empowerment in the UAE, the political role that Emirati women play and their positive participation in the Federal National Council 2015 elections, employment preparation and future career opportunities.

The one-day event was attended by Professor Reyadh AlMehaideb, Vice President of Zayed University, faculty members from different colleges, administrative staff and students.

During the event, Professor Reyadh thanked H.H Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union (GWU), Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation (FDF) and President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, for dedicating the first Emirati Women’s Day, observed on 28th of August, to honor mothers of the martyrs and the women working in the armed forces.

“Today, we celebrate with pride the exceptional role, which Emirati women have played in all fields and resulted in the growth and success of our country in addition to the challenges they faced and overcame thanks to their willpower and determination with the support of the UAE wise leadership,” Professor Reyadh said.

The event witnessed a panel discussion led by successful Emirati women, who narrated their stories of success to serve as role models for younger generations.

Fathiya Al Khamiri, Director of Student Life at Zayed University in Dubai campus, was one of the very first Emirati women, who were part of an academic scholarship to Baghdad, Iraq in order to complete her undergraduate studies.

“I had to leave my family to pursue my higher studies. I was afraid to leave the responsibilities towards my parents; however, I was not able to sacrifice my dreams. Life was not easy like nowadays. We didn’t have phones or emails to communicate and we had to write letters and sometimes they did not get delivered to our families,” Fathiya told students, who were present at the event.

The event also highlighted another story of success of Fatma Al Qassimi, who despite her suffer with polio, has worked hard to prove that she can do what able-bodied people can do just as well, if not better.

Fatma, Manager of Accessibility Office at Zayed University, who contracted polio when she was only three years old, said: “ I believe that ambition has no roof and with determination everything can be possible and doable. My disability did not hinder me from achieving my goals. I have worked at the Ministry of Education before and currently working for Zayed University, where I established the Accessibility Office, which serves around 200 special needs students in both campuses and provides them with an easy access to education just like their counterparts. ”

“Also, I have recently become a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach following the successful completion of an in depth eight month program that included hands-on coaching, ongoing group work and one-on-one supervision of actual coaching sessions,” she added.

The event has also witnessed the presence of Salha Al Kas, Career Development Coordinator at the Students Affairs Department in Dubai campus.

During the event, Salha advised female students to engage in social networks, learn from each other’s experience, and ensure that education is their number one priority.

The discussion also saw an influential contribution from Shamsa Al Taie, Director of Student Life Department in Abu Dhabi campus, Dr. Makiya Al Hajiri, Instructor at the Institute of Islamic World Studies, Dr. Noorah Mohammed, Assistant Professor at the Institute for Islamic World Studies, Dr. Hind Alrustamani, Senior Student Counselor at the Student Affairs Department in Dubai campus and Dr. Khadija Humaid, Assistant Professor at the Institute for Arabic Language.

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