A Sharjah lecturer on a mission to boost breast cancer survival rates and an Abu Dhabi researcher out to save the planet were among the winners of a prestigious regional award celebrating the achievements of women in science.
The L’Oréal-Unesco For Women in Science Middle East Regional Young Talents Programme recognises enterprising females making a crucial contribution in vital fields such as health care, the environment and space exploration each year.
The scheme, organised in partnership with Abu Dhabi's Khalifa University of Science and Technology, has delivered more than Dh3 million of funding to 51 Arab women since it was launched in 2014.
Post doctorate winners receive grants of €20,000 (Dh78,627), with PhD researchers securing €8,000 to support their work in sciences and maths.
Follow what you’re passionate about. You will reach it one day
Noha Mousaad Elemam
This year's 11 beneficiaries were honoured at a ceremony held at The St Regis Dubai, The Palm.
Advancing cancer research
Noha Mousaad Elemam, a senior lecturer in immunology at the University of Sharjah, said the accolade gave her belief she was on the "right track" in her efforts to boost understanding of breast cancer.
Ms Elemam, 33, is working to develop biomarkers, which will help to detect the disease earlier in the hope of saving more lives.
The funds will allow her to broaden her research.
“I had to read the message [informing her of her win] three times to make sure it was really true," she said.
"It is a blessing that came at the right time. It was also very unexpected. But at the same time, it felt like a message that I was on the right track and to continue in what I was doing."
Her message to others hoping to make a difference in the world is simple.
“Follow what you’re passionate about. You will reach it one day.”
Ms Elemam said she was compelled to take action during the Covid-19 pandemic, when cases of breast cancer exceeded those of lung cancer for the first time.
“I’ve had personal experiences where I’ve seen members of the family suffer from other diseases, where actually their immune system plays a role," she said.
"So whether it was viral infections or other disorders, this was one of the things that triggered me throughout my childhood – that I want to understand the immune system, I want to know how it can control all these diseases and how just a small malfunction can change the whole system.
"The prize money will help pursue further research."
Addressing climate change
Sara Ishaq Alkhoori, 28, a PhD research student at Khalifa University, is exploring how biofuel production can be used to mitigate carbon emissions and safeguard the environment.
"My research involves producing and using biofuels from a renewable source like palm oil to create safe and clean transport fuel that can alleviate negative effects on the climate," she said.
“This aligns perfectly with the UAE Year of Sustainability and Cop28's global climate goals."
The young mother said her family's support has helped her to pursue her ambitions.
“Today I know that the support system that I had – my husband first and then my family, my academic adviser – they all really stood by my side and supported me in everything," she said.
"That was really a critical for me to continue in the field of science. And I think this would be a challenge for some young scientists but it shouldn’t stop from chasing their dreams or following their passion – that shouldn’t be the case.”
She sent out an inspiring message to other women with high aspirations.
“Embrace your passion, believe in your abilities and never let anything hold you back. Keep pushing boundaries, breaking stereotypes and inspiring future generations of women in science. We have the power to make a difference," she said.
UAE minister hails female 'game-changers'
The annual programme is supported by another trailblazer, Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of State for Public Education and Advanced Technology, and Chairwoman of the UAE Space Agency.
“The extraordinary accomplishments and dedication of women scientists in the region has paved the way for progress in various fields, influencing everything from health care and technology to environment sustainability and space exploration,” she said.
“Initiatives like the one by the Foundation L’Oréal and Unesco has been empowering female game-changers, encouraging more women into Stem [Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics] careers, and paving the way towards diversity. Such programmes create a necessary foundation in our pursuit for scientific progress, innovation and a more inclusive society.”
Ms Al Amiri was included on the 2022 Time100 Impact Awards list, which honoured global leaders who are effecting change.
She was also part of the BBC's 100 Women 2020, recognising the most influential women of the year.
Laurent Duffier, managing director of L’Oréal Middle East, said the awards scheme aimed to inspire future generations of women scientists.
"When these remarkable researchers are celebrated and their achievements spotlighted, it serves as a catalyst for other women, compelling them to embrace and pursue careers in Stem," said Mr Duffier.
"We invested a total of Dh3.4 million in endowments to propel their research aspirations. This financial support has done more than just fund projects. It provided the young female scientists the means to convert their scientific visions into tangible discoveries to broaden the impact they can bring to the scientific community and beyond, as well as to enrich lives on a grand scale."
Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League, Group B
Barcelona v Inter Milan
Camp Nou, Barcelona
Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)
Results
5pm: Al Maha Stables – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m; Winner: Reem Baynounah, Fernando Jara (jockey), Mohamed Daggash (trainer)
5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: AF Afham, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6pm: Emirates Fillies Classic – Prestige (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Ghallieah, Sebastien Martino, Jean-Claude Pecout
6.30pm: Emirates Colts Classic – Prestige (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Yas Xmnsor, Saif Al Balushi, Khalifa Al Neyadi
7pm: The President’s Cup – Group 1 (PA) Dh2,500,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Somoud, Adrie de Vries, Jean de Roualle
7.30pm: The President’s Cup – Listed (TB) Dh380,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Haqeeqy, Dane O’Neill, John Hyde.
The specs
Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 217hp at 5,750rpm
Torque: 300Nm at 1,900rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh130,000
On sale: now
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More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
'Top Gun: Maverick'
Rating: 4/5
Directed by: Joseph Kosinski
Starring: Tom Cruise, Val Kilmer, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, Miles Teller, Glen Powell, Ed Harris
On Instagram: @WithHopeUAE
Although social media can be harmful to our mental health, paradoxically, one of the antidotes comes with the many social-media accounts devoted to normalising mental-health struggles. With Hope UAE is one of them.
The group, which has about 3,600 followers, was started three years ago by five Emirati women to address the stigma surrounding the subject. Via Instagram, the group recently began featuring personal accounts by Emiratis. The posts are written under the hashtag #mymindmatters, along with a black-and-white photo of the subject holding the group’s signature red balloon.
“Depression is ugly,” says one of the users, Amani. “It paints everything around me and everything in me.”
Saaed, meanwhile, faces the daunting task of caring for four family members with psychological disorders. “I’ve had no support and no resources here to help me,” he says. “It has been, and still is, a one-man battle against the demons of fractured minds.”
In addition to With Hope UAE’s frank social-media presence, the group holds talks and workshops in Dubai. “Change takes time,” Reem Al Ali, vice chairman and a founding member of With Hope UAE, told The National earlier this year. “It won’t happen overnight, and it will take persistent and passionate people to bring about this change.”
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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If you go
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Funchal via Lisbon, with a connecting flight with Air Portugal. Economy class returns cost from Dh3,845 return including taxes.
The trip
The WalkMe app can be downloaded from the usual sources. If you don’t fancy doing the trip yourself, then Explore offers an eight-day levada trails tour from Dh3,050, not including flights.
The hotel
There isn’t another hotel anywhere in Madeira that matches the history and luxury of the Belmond Reid's Palace in Funchal. Doubles from Dh1,400 per night including taxes.
Pad Man
Dir: R Balki
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Sonam Kapoor, Radhika Apte
Three-and-a-half stars
