Center for Women and Technology in the Arab World Planned


e-Newsletter

Dr. Hessa Al JaberSecretary General during the workshop 
Analyzing business plans, taking care of families, travelling for work meetings, bringing up children: multitasking is a skill many women have mastered and used to the best of their abilities in today's competitive world.

Determined to use these impressive talents to their fullest, a team of dynamic women from across the world are striving to make a difference in the field of technology in the Arab region.

In a workshop held hosted by ictQATAR on April 15-16, 2009 titled "Advancing Arab Women in Technology: Strategy Made Reality", the blueprint for the establishment of the Center for Women and Technology for the Arab Region (CWTAR) was discussed and formulated. The key concept behind CWTAR is the promotion of women at the helm of ICT projects, not only initiating, but also leading them to carve out a niche for themselves as active technology enablers.

The 'Women in Technology' workshop brought together more than 40 experts on women and technology from the Arab world and the Unites States, from both private and public sectors, the educational sector, as well as non governmental organizations such as Multinational Development of Women in Technology (MDWIT), Dubai Women's College (DWC), UNESCO, The World Bank, ESCWA, and Arab Women Organization. It served as a follow-up to the Inaugural Women in Technology Summit in November 2008 in Dubai with the goal of taking concrete steps towards establishing CWTAR and thereby leveraging women's participation in the knowledge society.

"If we look at the Arab landscape, many changes have taken place rapidly in technology and the role of women in this field. Our idea is to first understand these changes, then see how we can tap into the existing best practices, and use them effectively by optimizing what we have rather than reinventing the wheel. That is the driving force behind establishing the Center." says Dr Behjat Yousef, Associate Director, Dubai Women's College.

The pooled expertise of stalwarts in the field of technology and science was channeled productively during the two-day workshop as the team brainstormed on topics such as international collaborations, implementation strategies, and technology best practices towards furthering the objective of establishing CWTAR. The workshop began with updates from the four working groups created for meeting the Center's objectives and went on to exam the next steps for strategy mapping and action.

ictQATAR hosted the forum as part of its vision to connect all people to the technologies that will enrich their lives. "Information and Communication Technologies serve as undeniable equalizers for women and can empower them to take control of their future," expressed Dr. Hessa Al Jaber, ictQATAR's Secretary General in her opening speech at the workshop.

"We want women to lead and drive technology," Dr Yousef affirmed, "the challenge is to evolve as contributors of technology rather than mere receivers." She cited most women in the Gulf as savvy, smart, and equipped with leadership capabilities. "Every manager is not necessarily a leader," she observed. "A good leader comes with a vision and a way of inspiring people to believe in the vision and contributing to it. How you motivate people to achieve, how you appreciate people, how you strategize to decide which approach works best, these are all critical, and this is what young women leaders must be aware of.""

Claudia Morrell, Founder & CEO of MDWIT shared the sentiment about the power of women in the Arab world. "It's not just about general entrepreneurship, but women as innovators of technology. Women all over the world could be technology entrepreneurs," she said. While commending the young computer scientists and women researchers she met in Doha during her trip, she was unequivocal about the opportunity for women in the Arab region to drive innovation and spur economic development.

According to Morrell, the trend for most entrepreneurship programs is to focus on general entrepreneurship; technology entrepreneurship is a unique area of study. She emphasized the need to highlight successful women technology entrepreneurs, not only as role models but as teachers as well.

Digital literacy doesn't stop at just having the ability and skills to use a computer or the internet - it has always been valuable in terms of how it can be practically applied into people's daily lives. With a center that brings women closer to technology and its applications, women in the Arab world will be realizing the "power of e" everyday.






Add Comments