Abu Dhabi University Hosts The Seventh Women In Engineering Forum 2025 To Empower Female Engineers

Abu Dhabi University's (ADU) College of Engineering, in partnership with the International Federation of Structural Concrete UAE (fib-UAE) and other collaborators, hosted the seventh Women in Engineering Forum 2025 on 6th May at ADU’s Main Campus. This hybrid event brought together local and international experts to empower women engineers and highlight their contributions to AI, sustainability, and inclusive innovation—key elements of the UAE's development goals.

The forum, themed "Empowering Women Engineers: Navigating Challenges and Leading Sustainable Innovations in the AI Era," attracted 300 participants, including engineers, academics, students, and industry leaders. Dr. Reem Sabouni, Associate Professor at ADU and Chair of Women Engineers fib-UAE, chaired the event. Sheikha Dr. Nahla Alqassimi delivered opening remarks as Vice President of the Board of Governance at the UAE Society of Engineers.

Prominent figures such as Dr. Eng. Suaad Al Shamsi, the UAE’s first female aircraft engineer, and Dr. Lourdes Souza from Brazil's Pontifical Catholic University delivered keynote speeches. A high-level panel discussion included international presidents from leading engineering organisations like the American Society of Civil Engineers and others, showcasing the forum's global reach.

Sheikha Dr. Nahla Alqassimi expressed her pleasure in participating in this inspiring forum. She stated it was a platform for dialogue and collaboration that emphasised how professional organisations can drive inclusion and innovation. "Women engineers are transforming the field," she noted, highlighting their role in achieving sustainability goals.

The event aligned with COP28 outcomes and the UAE’s Year of Sustainability by addressing themes like closing the gender gap in STEM fields and ethical AI integration. Experts shared insights on AI's impact across sectors such as energy, finance, cybersecurity, wastewater treatment, and infrastructure.

Dr. Reem Sabouni highlighted women's leadership roles amid rapid technological progress. She remarked that empowering women in engineering is crucial for fostering innovation that drives economic growth. "As AI continues to redefine industries," she said, "women engineers must lead in creating smart solutions."

Supporting Future Female Engineers

The forum also featured the second edition of the ‘Empowering Women in Engineering Innovative Sustainability Poster Competition.’ This competition allowed ADU’s female engineering students to present their innovative solutions in sustainability and smart technologies to industry leaders.

This year's event was sponsored by Trans Gulf Ready Mix and supported by various strategic organisations like Abu Dhabi City Municipality and Mott MacDonald. Esteemed engineering societies such as the American Society of Civil Engineers also provided additional support.

The exhibitions held during the event offered students valuable exposure to industry leaders through poster presentations. These interactions provided career development opportunities for aspiring female engineers.

The commitment shown by ADU through initiatives like this forum contributes significantly to a knowledge-driven economy where diversity powers technological advancement.

With inputs from WAM