Partnership to Offer Three Post-doctoral Researchers and Three PhD Students Fellowships

Khalifa University of Science and Technology and L’Oréal Middle East, the number one leader in the beauty industry, today announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to partner on the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women In Science Middle East Program.

The aim of this partnership is to strengthen the program and reach new heights in promoting the outstanding research done by Arab women based in the region. As per this agreement, L’Oréal will offer three fellowships worth €20,000 each for Post-doctoral Researchers and three fellowships worth €8,000 each for PhD Students.

The MoU was signed by Dr Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Executive Vice-President, Khalifa University, and Remi Chadapaux, Managing Director, L’Oréal Middle East, during a ceremony held at the Khalifa University Main Campus.
Dr Arif Sultan Al Hammadi said: “The MoU with L’Oréal Middle East for the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women In Science Middle East Program illustrates our commitment to encouraging female participation in STEM areas as directed by the UAE leadership. The UAE already prides itself in offering equal opportunities to women while creating the right environment for their intellectual potential to be tapped in science, engineering, technology and math fields.

“Similarly, Khalifa University places huge importance to developing future women leaders as can be gauged by the current number of female students, which stands at over 58% of the total student body. We believe the MoU with L’Oréal Middle East will help us to further expand our role in developing female talent across the science and technology spectrum,” Dr Al Hammadi added.
“We are thrilled about partnering up with Khalifa University, as it is one of the most reputable universities in the region; with leadership in the advancement of learning and world-class recognition in research. Together we hope to achieve new levels of excellence and highlight the importance of gender diversity in research” said Remi Chadapaux, Managing Director, L’Oréal
Middle East. “Since the launch of the program in the GCC, we have empowered 23 outstanding Arab female scientists and recognized the importance of their research for the betterment of our local societies, and the global scientific communities at large,” added Chadapaux.

The L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Middle East program rewards talented young female scientists in Life Sciences including biology, biochemistry, biophysics, genetics,physiology, neurosciences, biotechnologies, ecology and ethology, as well as Physical Sciences
such as physics, chemistry, petroleum engineering, mathematics, engineering sciences,information sciences, earth and universe sciences.

The L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science was launched 21 years ago by the L’Oréal Foundation. Since the launch of the program, it has recognized and honored over 3,100 women, including 107 laureates and granted 3000 doctoral and post-doctoral fellowships in 117 countries.

News Writer
16 April 2019

The post Khalifa University and L’Oréal Middle East Sign MoU to Partner on L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women In Science Middle East Program appeared first on Khalifa University.

Dr Nazek El Atab’s Work on Nanomaterials-Based Memory Devices Selected to be Among Portraits of 23 Significant Women Contributors

The research works of Dr Nazek El-Atab, an alumni of Khalifa University’s Masdar Institute, is being featured at the 2019 UNESCO Remarkable Women in Technology Exhibition along with 22 other leading women contributors and innovators.

From quantum physicists to artificial intelligence experts, the exhibition celebrates 23 women in a wide range of technological fields, divided into three groups – pioneers, leaders and influencers. The portrait of Dr El-Atab’s work on nanomaterials-based memory devices was selected in the ‘Leaders’ group, and is being showcased in Paris until 31 March.

In its citation, UNESCO said the exhibition presents the portraits of 23 women who “have made significant contributions to one of the most impactful sectors of our time and made their mark in a field in which women are typically under-represented. Their career paths are an inspiration to women and girls all over the world to take the leap into impactful technology careers and use their skills for sustainable development.”

Dr El-Atab said she felt extremely honored to have been selected for the 2019 UNESCO ‘Remarkable Women in Technology Exhibition. She said: “It is absolutely delightful to receive recognition for my work. Also, by shedding more light on my research and profile in this exhibition, I hope that more women and girls will be motivated to work in STEM fields in which women are usually under-represented.”

She added: “Khalifa University’s Masdar Institute paved the way for my success by providing me with access to state-of-the-art laboratories and cleanroom facilities in addition to a  providing me with a strong technical background. Also, this would not have been possible without the support and guidance from my PhD advisor, Dr. Ammar Nayfeh.

Dr El-Atab’s faculty advisor Dr Ammar Nayfeh, Associate Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, said: “I would like to congratulate Dr Nazek El-Atab on being selected for the UNESCO Remarkable Women in Technology Exhibition. She did remarkable research as a PhD student at Masdar Institute, now part of Khalifa University.  She has distinguished herself with scientific research and publication, and is a great ambassador for women in science. We are all proud of Dr El-Atab’s achievements.”

International honor is not new to Dr El-Atab, who was selected for the 2017 L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science (FWIS) Rising Talent Award for the African and Arab region. She was among 15 international female researchers to have won the award, when she received €15,000 (AED58,700) for her research that focused on fabricating non-volatile, low-power memory devices with enhanced performance. The women were awarded for their contribution to quantum physics, physical sciences and astrophysics.

That year, His Excellency Michel Aoun, President of Lebanon, and His Excellency Saad Hariri, Prime Minister of Lebanon, honored Dr. El-Atab, for winning the 2017 L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science (FWIS) Rising Talent Award for the African and Arab region.

Earlier Dr El-Atab was also one of the four recipients of the 2015 L’Oreal-UNESCO For Women in Science (FWIS) Middle East Fellowships, which included a €20,000 (AED78,500) grant towards her research. She had used part of the fellowship money to present her research at the IEEE Nanotechnology Conference in Japan in 2016. Dr El-Atab also used the monetary award to conduct research at Stanford University, US.

Dr El-Atab is looking forward to become a successful faculty, working on impactful research projects related to futuristic electronics, contributing to the society, while inspiring and encouraging more women to pursue careers in STEM areas.

News Writer

18 March 2019

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