A growing number of women in the UAE are graduating with an engineering degree, but many are still struggling to find employment.
The International Women in Engineering Day, which falls each year on June 23, aims to honour women working in engineering fields.
The day was formed by the Women’s Engineering Society, a UK-based charity group established in 1919 to support those who had carved out careers in technical fields during the war years but were preventing from continuing on their path by law changes regarding female employment following the end of the conflict.
In the UAE, 44.5 per cent of engineering undergraduates are females. At the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre, 40 per cent of the staff are women.
With the country’s space and other technical sectors booming, engineering remains a popular choice for students, however this also makes the market competitive.
The National spoke to women engineers about the work experience they have gained through internships and the challenges they face in securing full-time employment.
Mechanical engineer
Ashwaq Saleh, 22, is an Emirati mechanical engineering graduate from Khalifa University and hopes to work in the UAE’s space sector.
She has completed a six-month internship with BAE Systems’ Applied Intelligence Labs, a UK-based firm that mainly works with the European Space Agency to communicate with spacecrafts in deep space and retrieve their data.
She helped design a tracking, telemetry and command processor, as well designed a replacement of the switch matrix unit that is used on it.
“The internship really helped me show what I’m good at. I wasn’t sure how I could contribute to the space sector as a mechanical engineer, but I know that the UAE’s space sector is bright and there’s a place for me,” said Ms Saleh.
“I’m looking for any opportunity to be part of the space sector, but it’s hard to get hold of people.”
Ms Saleh said she has applied to a space organisation in Dubai, but has not heard back. She is now taking online courses on machine learning to make her job applications stand out.
Computer science and engineering
Joanita DSouza, 22, is an Indian engineering student who is set to graduate this year from a Dubai university.
She said she was the only female engineer at a computer science engineering firm in the UAE, where she was interning.
She said she was concerned about the “bias” she might face when she tries to enter the labour market.
“We need to break out of this stereotype that only men are good engineers or that engineering is a field that belongs only to men,” said Ms DSouza.
“In my family I’m the only female engineer and I am so grateful that my parents are open-minded.
“While there are many opportunities that are open to both genders I’ve seen so many that blatantly say we accept only men. At times, even the ones open to both genders, we see male candidates chosen.”
Ms DSouza said her career goal is to develop a unique algorithm that can help in the medical field.
She wants to design a machine that can accurately analyse a patient’s medical history in order to predict the best possible combination of medicines.
Electronics and communications engineer
Maryam Al Nuaimi, 23, also interned at Applied Intelligence Labs in the UK alongside Ms Saleh and is hoping to secure employment in the space sector.
She retrieved and processed data from the Rosetta Mission, which was a deep space mission by the European Space Agency where they landed a probe on a comet.
She was also part of the software team that helped build the MeznSat satellite, a UAE student-built cube sat that will launch into space later this year.
Despite her experience in space engineering, she is yet to secure full-time work.
“Women are equal to men and we are starting to be involved in many different sectors. In the space sector, for example, women have done great things,” she said.
Solar and alternate energy engineer
Dania Saquib, 21, said she feels that her field is still “male-dominated”. The Indian citizen will graduate soon and has some internship experience under her belt.
However, she said she had already started to “feel the bias” even before entering the labour market.
“People are still generally surprised to see women in this industry and it’s not uncommon to be asked why you decided to become an engineer in the first place – which is not a question that would typically be levied at male colleagues,” said Ms Saquib.
“During my course of internship, there were times where I was told ‘you are a woman, I don’t think you would be able to do that’.”
During her internship at a solar-based company, she received experience in project budgeting, designing PV systems according to Dewa regulations and market research and analysis for Middle East’s solar energy industry.
Aerospace engineer
Rameela Davanagere Ramesh, 20 hopes to work for SpaceX, Nasa or the Indian Space Research Organisation.
“The best hands on experience that I have received was from the amazing work that I did on the Amity Dubai Ground Station and Amisat (a cube satellite Amity University students are developing),” she said.
“These projects have allowed me to learn so much more about satellites and their payloads, how satellites work and communicate with the ground station and overall functions.”
She said that aerospace engineers has proven to be “one of the most competitive fields”.
“There is a hidden struggle for women engineers as well. This is a male-dominated field, hence, getting a job as well as equal pay as your male counterpart is really hard. Although times are changing and improving,” said Ms Ramesh.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Barcelona v Liverpool, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE).
Second leg
Liverpool v Barcelona, Tuesday, May 7, 11pm
Games on BeIN Sports
The Limehouse Golem
Director: Juan Carlos Medina
Cast: Olivia Cooke, Bill Nighy, Douglas Booth
Three stars
Brief scores:
Toss: Rajputs, elected to field first
Sindhis 94-6 (10 ov)
Watson 42; Munaf 3-20
Rajputs 96-0 (4 ov)
Shahzad 74 not out
Director: Jon Favreau
Starring: Donald Glover, Seth Rogen, John Oliver
Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
The Details
Kabir Singh
Produced by: Cinestaan Studios, T-Series
Directed by: Sandeep Reddy Vanga
Starring: Shahid Kapoor, Kiara Advani, Suresh Oberoi, Soham Majumdar, Arjun Pahwa
Rating: 2.5/5
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Queen
Nicki Minaj
(Young Money/Cash Money)
The specs: 2018 Opel Mokka X
Price, as tested: Dh84,000
Engine: 1.4L, four-cylinder turbo
Transmission: Six-speed auto
Power: 142hp at 4,900rpm
Torque: 200Nm at 1,850rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L / 100km
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Film: In Syria
Dir: Philippe Van Leeuw
Starring: Hiam Abbass, Diamand Bo Abboud, Mohsen Abbas and Juliette Navis
Verdict: Four stars
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Avengers: Endgame
Directors: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
Starring: Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Hemsworth, Josh Brolin
4/5 stars
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
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Petrarch: Everywhere a Wanderer
Christopher Celenza,
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Day 4, Dubai Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Lahiru Gamage appeared to have been hard done by when he had his dismissal of Sami Aslam chalked off for a no-ball. Replays suggested he had not overstepped. No matter. Two balls later, the exact same combination – Gamage the bowler and Kusal Mendis at second slip – combined again to send Aslam back.
Stat of the day Haris Sohail took three wickets for one run in the only over he bowled, to end the Sri Lanka second innings in a hurry. That was as many as he had managed in total in his 10-year, 58-match first-class career to date. It was also the first time a bowler had taken three wickets having bowled just one over in an innings in Tests.
The verdict Just 119 more and with five wickets remaining seems like a perfectly attainable target for Pakistan. Factor in the fact the pitch is worn, is turning prodigiously, and that Sri Lanka’s seam bowlers have also been finding the strip to their liking, it is apparent the task is still a tough one. Still, though, thanks to Asad Shafiq and Sarfraz Ahmed, it is possible.
MATCH INFO
Burnley 0
Man City 3
Raheem Sterling 35', 49'
Ferran Torres 65'
Best Academy: Ajax and Benfica
Best Agent: Jorge Mendes
Best Club : Liverpool
Best Coach: Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool)
Best Goalkeeper: Alisson Becker
Best Men’s Player: Cristiano Ronaldo
Best Partnership of the Year Award by SportBusiness: Manchester City and SAP
Best Referee: Stephanie Frappart
Best Revelation Player: Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid and Portugal)
Best Sporting Director: Andrea Berta (Atletico Madrid)
Best Women's Player: Lucy Bronze
Best Young Arab Player: Achraf Hakimi
Kooora – Best Arab Club: Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia)
Kooora – Best Arab Player: Abderrazak Hamdallah (Al-Nassr FC, Saudi Arabia)
Player Career Award: Miralem Pjanic and Ryan Giggs
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
MATCH INFO
Europa League semi-final, second leg
Atletico Madrid (1) v Arsenal (1)
Where: Wanda Metropolitano
When: Thursday, kick-off 10.45pm
Live: On BeIN Sports HD
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
Uefa Champions League last 16 draw
Juventus v Tottenham Hotspur
Basel v Manchester City
Sevilla v Manchester United
Porto v Liverpool
Real Madrid v Paris Saint-Germain
Shakhtar Donetsk v Roma
Chelsea v Barcelona
Bayern Munich v Besiktas
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
The bio
Favourite food: Japanese
Favourite car: Lamborghini
Favourite hobby: Football
Favourite quote: If your dreams don’t scare you, they are not big enough
Favourite country: UAE
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
Final round
25 under - Antoine Rozner (FRA)
23 - Francesco Laporta (ITA), Mike Lorenzo-Vera (FRA), Andy Sullivan (ENG), Matt Wallace (ENG)
21 - Grant Forrest (SCO)
20 - Ross Fisher (ENG)
19 - Steven Brown (ENG), Joakim Lagergren (SWE), Niklas Lemke (SWE), Marc Warren (SCO), Bernd Wiesberger (AUT)
The Bio
Favourite place in UAE: Al Rams pearling village
What one book should everyone read: Any book written before electricity was invented. When a writer willingly worked under candlelight, you know he/she had a real passion for their craft
Your favourite type of pearl: All of them. No pearl looks the same and each carries its own unique characteristics, like humans
Best time to swim in the sea: When there is enough light to see beneath the surface
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
More coverage from the Future Forum
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
