“Women’s talents cannot go untapped”: MDX students and faculty share powerful words of advocacy for International Day of Women and Girls in Science

On 11 February, the world is celebrating International Day of Women and Girls in Science. This important international day is all about closing the STEM gender gap and advocating for women and girls to start their professional journeys in science and technology.

LinkedIn’s 2023 Jobs on the Rise report found that engineering roles across cloud computing, data science, AI and machine learning are some of the fastest-growing careers globally – but that there continues to be gender inequity in these internationally critical industries.

As professional opportunities in STEM will only continue to grow rapidly across the world, higher education institutions must continue to empower their students to develop the skills and expertise needed for a successful career in the field.

At Middlesex University Dubai, we are incredibly proud to have an active community of women and girls who are passionate about STEM in our Computer and Engineering Informatics Department, which is led fearlessly by Dr Fehmida Hussain, Head of Computer Engineering and Informatics, Associate Professor - Faculty of Science and Technology, Head and Founder of Center for Innovation in Human Experience (CIHx). 

Our male and female faculty and students work together to create an equitable and accessible environment for all students to explore the latest technologies such as AI, Robotics, VR, Cybersecurity, Data Science and much more. Our students are supported to gain hands-on experience with industry, so they can succeed in the STEM industry’s future-defining career pathways.

This year’s International Day of Women and Girls in Science celebrations aim to connect the role of women and girls in science to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. We spoke to our faculty and students about their thoughts on this year’s theme.

Our community reflected on how we can put science, technology and innovation at the heart of sustainable development – and the important role that higher education plays in levelling the playing field and showcasing the creativity, ingenuity and innovation that women and girls bring to STEM.

1. “By encouraging more women to pursue a STEM education, we lift up communities, harness incredible creativity, and make the science and technology that impact our daily lives more equitable and accessible for all. Let’s surge ahead with magnifying the voices and talents of women and girls studying and working in this future-defining field.”

- Dr Cedwyn Fernandes, Pro-Vice Chancellor of Middlesex University and Director of Middlesex University Dubai

2. “Let us all work together to create an equitable, diverse, and inclusive world, and not allow women's talents to go untapped. We should not forget that they comprise 50% of the world’s population.”

- Dr Fehmida Hussain, Head of Computer Engineering and Informatics, Associate Professor - Faculty of Science and Technology, Head and Founder of Center for Innovation in Human Experience (CIHx)

3. "We need more women in STEM to showcase their talents and present their perspectives in the field. Together, we can reflect gender equality and allow the industry to propel itself to its full potential.”

- Engie Bashir, Senior Lecturer Computer Engineering and Informatics, Campus Programme Coordinator – Undergraduate Computer Engineering and Informatics

4. “Empowering women to delve into the realm of STEM not only broadens the spectrum of innovative solutions, but also creates an inclusive and equitable world where brilliance knows no gender.”

- Fathima Riffai Abdul Shakoor, BSc Honours Information Technology, Year 2

5. “The reality is: women in STEM offer valuable knowledge and boost innovation and competitiveness while enhancing the culture of a STEM workplace. This only proves their potential to improve scientific and technological outcomes.”

- Inshaa Uddin, BEng Honours Computer Systems Engineering, Year 2

6. “I am a scientist. My first science teacher was my mom.”

- Judhi Prasetyo, Senior Lecturer Computer Engineering and Informatics, School of Science and Technology

7. “Women's diverse perspectives and ideas in STEM drive innovation and progress to the forefront, making it inclusive and shaping a better future for all.”

- Charulatha Valarpuram Mani, BSc Honours Information Technology, Year 3

8. “Whether it is Science, Technology, Engineering, or Maths, we can do it all. We definitely belong to STEM. Challenge yourself and together we can work side by side to bridge the gender gap.”

- Dr. Maha Saadeh, Senior Lecturer Computer Engineering and Informatics, School of Science and Technology

9. “Without the presence of women in STEM, innovation would be limited and many of the groundbreaking discoveries in the field wouldn’t have been made. We need more women to further the research in STEM and bring about positive changes in the field.”

- Naba Khan, BSc Honours Business Information Systems, Year 2