Women in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) have made remarkable strides in education, but they remain grossly underrepresented in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). These women face numerous obstacles that continue to limit their ability to study or work in these fields.
This event sought to identify and address the structural and cultural barriers preventing the entry and advancement of women in STEM professions in the MENA region. It also aimed to promote a dialogue between stakeholders from academia, policymaking and industry to determine successful approaches to increasing the representation of women in STEM disciplines.
The event was sponsored by the Baker Institute Women's Rights in the Middle East Program and the University of Houston.
Join the conversation online with #BakerSTEM.
To view the entire conference, please click below:
Panel I
Luncheon Keynote
Panel II
Featured Speakers
Her Excellency Sheikha Lubna Bint Khalid Al Qasimi
Minister of International Cooperation and Development, United Arab Emirates
Sherif Foda
President, Production Group, Schlumberger
Agenda
8:30 am
Breakfast
9:15 am
Welcome Remarks
Allen J. Matusow, Ph.D.
Associate Director of Academic Affairs, Baker Institute
Ramanan Krishnamoorti, Ph.D.
Interim Vice Chancellor and Interim Vice President, Research and Technology Transfer, and Chief Energy Officer, University of Houston
Introductory Remarks Recorded for the Conference
Her Excellency Sheikha Lubna Bint Khalid Al Qasimi
Minister of International Cooperation and Development, United Arab Emirates
Panel I – Barriers to Women's Access to STEM Fields
Moderator: Kirstin R.W. Matthews, Ph.D., Fellow in Science and Technology Policy, Baker Institute
Nadia Al Hasani, Ph.D.
Professor of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Dean of Student Life and Director, Women in Science and Engineering Program, Petroleum Institute, United Arab Emirates
Yasmine El Baggari
Founder, Voyaj Inc.
Catherine Hill, Ph.D.
Vice President for Research, American Association for University Women
Jessica Obeid
Project Coordinator, United Nations Development Programs; Founder and Program Manager, MentorSHE
Luncheon Keynote Address Sponsored by Schlumberger
Sherif Foda
President, Production Group, Schlumberger
Panel II – STEM Employment and Retention
Moderator: Susan Rasmussen, Ph.D., Professor of Anthropology, Department of Comparative Cultural Studies, University of Houston
Sukaina Al-Nasrawi
Associate Statistician, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia
Nagwa El-Badri, M.D., Ph.D.
Founding Chair, Biomedical Sciences Program, and Director, Center of Excellence for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Zewail City of Science and Technology
Randa Fahmy, J.D.
President, Fahmy Hudome International; Former U.S. Associate Deputy Secretary of Energy
Maysoun Ibrahim
Acting Director General, Information and Communications Technology, Office of the Palestinian President
Closing Remarks
Marwa Shalaby, Ph.D.
Fellow for the Middle East and Director, Women's Rights in the Middle East, Baker Insitute
Networking Reception and Espresso Bar