Muscat, More than 150 female researchers specialized in different fields participate in the 9thsession of the Arab Forum on Research and Sustainable Development, which began here today.
Titled “Arab Female Researchers Act on Realizing Sustainable Development”, the forum is hosted by Oman, represented by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation in conjunction with the ArabLeague Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO).
The two-day forum seeks to enhance the contribution of institutions, authorities, universities, scholarly research centres, researchers and innovators in Arab development affairs. It includes eight sessions in which 39 working papers will be submitted.
The opening ceremony was held under the auspices of Dr. Rahma Ibrahim Al Mahrouqi, Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, in the presence of Dr. Madiha Ahmed Al Shaibani, Minister of Education, Chairperson of the Omani National Commission for Education, Culture and Science.
Amna Salim Al Balushi, Secretary of the Omani National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, who delivered Oman’s speech, said that the forum furnishes fertile ground for assembling Arab experts, researchers, specialists, institutions and companies alongside their regional and international counterparts.
Prof. Dr. Mohammed Sanad Abu Darwish, Director of Science and Scholarly Research at ALECSO, commended the efforts made by Oman in serving education, science and culture, not only locally, but also in the Arab world and the world at large. Abu Darwish was acting on behalf of Prof. Dr. Mohamed Ould Omar, Director General of ALECSO.
Abu Darwish stressed that this forum, first launched by ALECSO in 2013, constitutes a mechanism of response to many demands for upgrading the sectors of science and scholarly research in the Arab world, notably through decisions of Arab summits seeking the development of higher education, research and innovation in the Arab world.
Speaking to Oman News Agency (ONA), female researchers underscored the significance of this forum. Asma Al Janahi, member of Dubai Press Club, said that the forum acts as a bridge of communication between education and research sectors and other institutions related to sustainable development. She said that the forum highlights the efforts of Arab female researchers to serve humanity in all fields.
On her turn, Sally Hassan Hattab, coordinator of science and scholarly research projects at ALECSO, pointed out that the forum will address the role of Arab women researchers in energy and engineering areas. It will underline the researchers’ contributions to entrepreneurship and sustainable development, as well as success stories achieved by female entrepreneurs in various Arab countries.
Meanwhile, Tasneem Mohammed Al Da’oudi, an Omani innovator in the environmental field, said that the forum represents a lively interactive platform for highlighting the achievements of Arab female researchers. It sheds light on the real experiences and challenges the researchers face while developing scholarly research.
Eng. Amal Daghlas, President of the Association of Business and Professional Women Club in Jordan, said that the forum is one of the most prominent events in the Arab world in supporting Arab women and highlighting their efforts in scholarly research and innovation. She stressed that such forums represent an opportunity to support researchers and innovators, and instill confidence in them.
The first day of the forum included three sessions, which highlighted the role of female Arab researchers in developing the health sector and achieving medical achievements and the role of female Arab researchers in addressing issues related to the environment, water, desertification and climate change. During the sessions, 13 work papers were presented.
During the opening session, distinguished success stories were presented. Dr. Maha Zakaria Al Riyami, Assistant Professor, Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine and Health Sciences at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), recipient of the L’Oréal-UNESCO Award for Women in Science, presented her success story, entitled: “My Journey in Science as an Emerging Researcher”, in which she talked about her passion for science and research, the challenges she faced, and her experiences in competitions for international awards.
The forum aims to enhance the contribution of universities, research centers, researchers and innovators to Arab developmental issues by contributing to strengthening cooperation between Arab ministries and entities concerned with education, training and scientific research. It also targets activating partnerships between universities, research and development centers, institutions, production and service companies. The forum seeks to encourage Arab researchers and innovators and link them with specialized companies in order to transform their innovations into economic products and projects, and to enhance communication with Arab scientists abroad and benefit from their expertise in the development of Arab countries. Further, the forum contributes to strengthening the role of the private sector in supporting, encouraging and financing research in Arab countries, developing Arab scientific publishing tools, manufacturing educational aid tools and supplies, and creating Arabic digital content, in addition to presenting successful Arab and international experiences.
The forum is a milieu that brings together Arab experts, researchers, institutions and companies with their counterparts at the regional and international levels. It is also an opportunity to attract Arab scientists and experts from inside and outside the Arab world in a bid to contribute to the transfer and localization of advanced technologies to Arab countries.
The opening ceremony was attended by some members of the royal family, ministers, undersecretaries, members of the State Council and researchers.
Source: Oman News Agency