Participants Emphasize the Role of Women in Space and Future Sciences and Their Sustainability

Participants in the Forum on “Effects of Future Science on Women’s Participation in Sustainable Development” emphasized the active role of women in space sciences and future sciences, and they presented a set of achievements made by women in the fields of space and future sciences and the importance of their sustainability.

Under the patronage of the Minister of Communications, Eng. Kamal bin Mohammed, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Space Science Authority (NSSA), the Forum was organized by the University of Bahrain (UOB), in cooperation with NSSA on Wednesday (4 December 2019) at the University’s headquarters, in which participants discussed the most important capabilities and components that contribute to supporting women in various future fields.

Also, the Forum hosted Sheikha Al-Maskari from the Emirates Space Agency, to talk about “A Space of Sustainability”, where she reviewed the role of Emirati women in space projects, referring to the active role of women in the stages of working to achieve the future vision of the UAE in getting to the planet Mars. Furthermore, she talked about the progress made by the UAE in the field of space science, stressing that the “Hope Orbiter” was made with Emirati expertise and women had a role in this great achievement, and adding, that “It is expected that it will be launched after eight months from an island in Japan.”

The Head of the Computer Engineering Department at the College of Information Technology at UOB, Dr. Aisha Bushager, discussed the “Ability of Bahraini Women to Keep Pace with Modern Sciences” citing a number of the achievements of female students in the scientific field at the global and regional levels, and the achievements of the academic, researcher and administrative women at UOB.

Also, the Forum hosted Hayam Al-Balushi from the Emirates Space Agency, who spoke about “The Role of Women in Reaching Mars.”, explaining the space program, the goals that the Emirates Space Agency seeks to achieve, and the most important innovations resulting from space inventions. Furthermore, she presented the percentage of women in the Emirates, confirming that there are nine ministerial portfolios assumed by women from a total of 31 ministries, and that women make up 50% of the Federal National Council, 66% of workers in the public sector, 30% of leadership roles, 32% of the space sector employees in the UAE, and she clarified the role of women in the Hope Orbiter project, stressing that women constitute 30% of the working team.

While Dr. Amani Al-Hajri from the Ministry of Health highlighted “The Active Role of Women in the National Genome Project to Achieve Sustainable Development Goals in the Kingdom Of Bahrain.” As she confirmed that the percentage of women working in the Department of Genetic Diseases at the National Genome Center reaches 100%, and that the percentage of working women in the Department of Genomic Laboratories constitutes 60% of the total number of workers.

Amal Al-Binali from NSSA in the Kingdom of Bahrain explained the role of the Authority, its objectives, tasks, and the impact that the Authority has on the environment and health through conducting studies and research.

Also, Noora Al-Balushi from Bahrain Polytechnic College spoke about data science, reviewing her personal experience in the field of study.

The Forum on the Effects of Future Science on Women’s Participation in Sustainable Development included two dialogue sessions. The session on “Bahraini Women and Future Sciences” was moderated by the Head of the Physics Department at the College of Science at UOB, Assistant Professor at Department of Physics at the College of Science at UOB, Dr. Hanan Mubarak Al-Buflasa, while the session on “Women in Space Sciences” was moderated by the Academic at the Department of Social Sciences and History at the College of Arts at UOB, Buthaina Khalifa Qassim.