The sky is the limit

With the UAE encouraging women to seize more leadership opportunities, Amelia Naidoo and Maysam Ali profile up-and-coming young women student leaders in universities across the country.

"Remember, Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, but she did it backwards and in high heels," US Ambassador Faith Whittlesey famously said. Whittlesey — who was a senior White House staff member; a member of the Board of the Institute of World Politics in Washington DC and has had a long career in law, diplomacy and government — was humorously commenting on how much harder women have to work to achieve the same goals as men.

Giant strides in women's emancipation have been made since Academy Award winning American actress Ginger Rogers' day; however there is still room for improvement say young Arab women leaders at universities in the UAE.

Female leaders in government are, however, committed to enhancing the role of women in the UAE.

"We are so proud of our wise leadership that comprehends the dimensions of women's role in the contribution towards our country's development. The vision of our leaders helped a great deal in devising a plan that depends largely on the country's leadership support to women as well as on the increasing social awareness of women's vital capacity to contribute in shaping the future of the region," said Shaikha Manal Bint Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, wife of Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and President of the Dubai Ladies Club and President of the Dubai Women's Establishment, recently.

Notes talks to various leaders about their work and their goals for the future. We also report on the Arab Women Leadership Forum, organised by the Dubai Women's Establishment last week. Arab women leaders and young women from universities in the UAE attended.

Name: Samira Marzouqi
College: Al Ain Women's College (AAWC)
Major: Information technology
Nationality: Emirati
Leadership roles: President of the AAWC Student Council Association (SCA)

As president of the SCA Samira's responsibilities are varied and numerous. She has to ensure that the SCA provides an interesting array of activities that will entertain students and make their college experience memorable.

More importantly she is a point of contact for students if they have problems with the management or if they want to establish contact with other Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) institutions. During her tenure Samira has overseen activities such as the college orientation, an Iftar night and a university tour and party for freshmen.

The reason Samira, 20, become involved in leadership activities is because she realised that it developed her self confidence and exposed her to people she wouldn't ordinarily meet. "As president I get to see what's going on in college and, for example, network with business people when we need sponsorship for one of our events. You really learn people skills and how to deal with different people."

Can-do spirit

Samira wants to work as an IT professional and move up the ranks within an organisation. "I don't want to climb the ladder too fast because it's no use becoming a leader if you don't know what you're doing."

On the topic of increasing the number of female leaders in the region, Samira thinks that although there have been some achievers, governments need to encourage the younger generation a lot more. "When I talk to girls they say, 'Oh, I cannot do this because nobody will accept that [because] I am a woman'. This upsets me because if you have the will you can do it — you can be a role model for others."

Name: Huda Al Abri
College: Al Ain Women's College
Major: Business
Nationality: Emirati
Leadership role: Vice president of AAWC's Student Council Association (SCA)

Twenty-year-old Huda wanted to contribute to her college and develop herself when she decided to take on the position of vice president of AAWC's SCA. "I like being in charge and interacting with people!" she said with a laugh.

The second year business student is the second-in-command in the association and shares the responsibility of running it with the president. She also voluntarily teaches English at her college and has been an ambassador and youth leader for several activities held by the college.

Huda said she admires Laila Suhail, chief executive of the Dubai Shopping Festival "because she was a business student and is in a position where everyone admires her".
Huda added: "I want to be in that kind of position".

Name: Noor Kamali
College: Al Ain Women's College (AAWC)
Major: Business and management
Nationality: Emirati
Leadership roles: Vice president of the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) Student Council Association (SCA), former president of the AAWC SCA, former toastmaster president at AAWC, New York University (NYU) scholar

Although not in her senior year at AAWC, Noor, 20, has assumed a range of leadership roles during her time in college. It is no easy feat juggling the various leadership activities. However, the ambitious student manages somehow.

In her first year she was toastmaster president while being a member of the student council. In her second year she was president of the SCA and this year she has moved on to a role with greater responsibility as vice president of the HCT SCA. At the same time she is an NYU scholar through a scholarship offered under the patronage of General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. Yet another achievement is her participation in the World Economic Forum as a member of the Young Arab Leaders Forum.

Pure coincidence

Noor said becoming a leader in college was "by pure coincidence but as I got involved I gained more experience and realised the importance of a person developing herself and learning new skills".

"This contributes to the development of the UAE in the long and short term. It's important for our youth to realise the importance of giving and then gaining. It's our responsibility to develop the UAE and societies surrounding us," she said with a wisdom beyond her years.

The achiever will soon be leaving for NYU and Washington DC where she will meet US Supreme Court judges and other officials as part of the Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed University Scholars Programme.

Noor believes Her Highness Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, wife of the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, is a wonderful example to young women in the UAE.

She emphasised that it is important to be a good example in one's personal life first "whether it's in my father's house or future home".

"It's important to make my family feel proud and that I represent them in the best way possible," she said.

Career-wise, Noor dreams of owning a business, which will help the youth by providing them with job opportunities and will also help in developing the country.

Name: Aisha Shukrallah
College: Dubai Women's College (DWC)
Major: Business
Nationality: Emirati
Leadership role: President of the DWC student parliament, member of the Emirates National Student Union

Aisha was a pharmacy student before she decided to transfer to business. "I felt that pharmacy was limiting me to healthcare while I wanted to be so much more. I'm an open person, committed to the community, I want to know about everything and I develop contacts fast," she said.

She began taking part in activities on campus in her first year, became active in the student council and has ambitious plans for the future.

She also took up work as a volunteer upon joining the college. Fellow students nominated Aisha for the Student Parliament (previously the Student Council) after evaluating her abilities and qualifications.

"In 2007 I became president and was involved in all activities taking place on campus. I started by organising fun activities such as National Day celebrations, which attracted 1,000 students… . If students face any problems in their academic or personal life, we try to study their cases and present them to the administration," she said.

"We also organise activities with Dubai Men's College and other national institutions. We've done health awareness campaigns; we sponsor student activities and we organise them," she added.

Role model

Aisha is also active in the Emirates National Student Union, a nation-wide youth organisation that deals with student issues.

Speaking on her future ambitions, she said: "I am still exploring. I would like to discover myself at every age. I know that public relations is my best asset so maybe I will open my own business," she said.

Aisha's role model is Shaikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Minister of Foreign Trade. "In her conferences, she always encourages us to become leaders. She is very supportive of us and our activities."

Name: Aliah Al Shamlan
College: Dubai Women's College (DWC)
Major: Applied communications
Nationality: Emirati
Leadership role: Member of the DWC Student Parliament

Aliah has done a lot in her first semester at DWC. "I feel I can deliver my message well and have an influence because of my effective arguments," said Aliah about her leadership qualities.

A member of the Student Parliament, Aliah has been active in college campaigns and events, and has hosted several prestigious conferences on campus.

"I want to be a leader and I want to change something in the world… I want to lead in the humanitarian field but also be a successful director and that is why I chose media."

She added: "I admire Najla Al Awadhi and Muna Al Merri because they are leaders in the media and finance sectors and they both faced difficulties but overcame them. No one reaches a high position easily but they strive to reach success," she said.

Name: Asma Al Bannai
College: Dubai Women's College (DWC)
Major: Information Technology
Nationality: Emirati
Leadership role: Member of the DWC Student Parliament

Asma is determined to be a leader in her own field. "You will also see me active in my own field, designing websites, leading teams to teach school kids software, etc. I try to influence people around me so that they can then influence people around them," she said.

After graduation, Asma will be working in the Dubai Department of Economics in order to develop their security software. She said the college has been very supportive of them: "DWC prepared us to be leaders through our projects, teamwork, creativity and by taking the right decisions," she said.

Name: Maisoon Mahmoud
College: Dubai Medical College (DMC)
Major: Medicine
Nationality: Egyptian
Leadership role: Former Student Council president, vice president of external affairs, executive board member and co-founder of the Emirates Medical Students Society (EMSS).

Maisoon is a 22-year-old final year medical student. She is currently an intern at Rashid Hospital, Dubai.

As a vice president of external affairs, executive board member and co-founder of the EMSS, Maisoon supervises the society's local officers in DMC. "I make sure they are trained well and knowledgeable about our operation policy. I have to make sure they execute the executive board's decisions and report to us on time for any event."

Maisoon also helps out in her college's activities. She helped organise DMC's first graduation ceremony last October.

At EMSS, she liaises with international associations and societies. She is the official contact for the International Federation of Medical Students' Associations, in which the EMSS gained Candidate Membership recently.

"In my current position I help in setting our annual financial plan, arrange for EMSS members to attend meetings, follow up with the committee heads and receive their reports on each event."

Another feather in her cap is serving as head of the organisation committee for the UAE Medical Students' Conference, an annual event. The next conference takes place this October and is being hosted by the University of Sharjah's Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.

The future doctor is also editor of Salaam magazine, a youth publication and is a teen counsellor with the helpingteens.org website.

Making a difference

Maisoon has been active in school too. She was a member of her school's student union, co-editor-in-chief of the school magazine and always planned weekend hangouts in her high school.

"I always felt that I could do more, that I want to do more. My parents like to say I have too much energy that I don't know what to do with it!"

"I've never given much thought to why I became a leader or if I would want to be one in the first place. I read once that ‘if you touch the heart of another, then your walk on this Earth is more precious than gold'. I wanted the gold! I wanted to do something special; something to help those around me; something to be remembered by," Maisoon said.

The young leader says she's a big fan of Her Highness Shaikha Hind Bint Maktoum Bin Juma Al Maktoum, wife of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. "My mother brought one of her many projects to my attention. I was curious and I started to read about her endeavours. I deeply admire her works and especially how she manages to do so with so much grace all the while staying away from the public eye; she spreads so much good, she improved many lives, never seeking attention or a even a thank you from the crowds."

"She has touched so many hearts and is a living example of how one can juggle a demanding lifestyle and public service while embracing one's local heritage and Islamic values. This country is very lucky to have her," Maisoon said.

The medical student thinks UAE women have reached great heights comparable to those achieved by women in other countries. "There is this streak of sheer ambition and perseverance to prove ourselves and many have done so wonderfully. They have occupied ministry posts and they play a very vital role in the field of medicine taking up professions that were long limited to men."

Name: Khulood Al Atiyat
University: Zayed University (ZU)
Major: Public relations
Nationality: Emirati
Leadership roles: President of the volunteer programme in the Shaikh Mohammad Centre for Cultural Understanding, scholar with the Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Scholars Programme at New York University (NYU)

When ZU student Khulood recites the long list of activities she's involved in, it's enough to make one dizzy. In university she has often been selected to be MC for events on and off campus. These include the Women as Global Leaders Conference, the ZU End of Year Celebration and The Extremely Short Story Awards Ceremony.

She has also represented the university in several conferences, programmes and trips abroad. One of them is the Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Scholars Programme at NYU. She spends a couple of weeks at the university to help broaden her education.

As president of the volunteer programme at the Shaikh Mohammad Centre for Cultural Understanding, as well as a cultural presenter/consultant, she talks to expatriates and tourists about her culture, traditions and religion. "This is done in order to build bridges and break down the walls between UAE nationals and expats."

Motivational factor

When Notes asked Khulood what motivates her to do so much she answered: "I do it because I am a person who believes strongly in seizing every opportunity in life. I don't usually like to let an opportunity slip by. So far, every one of those experiences that I've had was a very successful and positive one. I have learned so much in such a short period of time."

Khulood added that she did not choose to be a leader but merely does her best to work hard and communicate her ideas to people around her. "And if people look up to me as a leader then that is a great honour. I like to think of myself as a team member who has something extra and special to add to the mix."

For Khulood, her mother is the best Arab woman role model. "I'm not just saying this as a cliché but she really is my role model. She was an amazing example of patience, perseverance and a hard working woman. She was a working woman and the reason behind most, if not all my successes because she always pushed me to try harder and experience new things in life."

Name: Aliah Al Shamsi
University: Zayed University (ZU)
Major: Public relations and advertising
Nationality: Emirati
Leadership roles: Art and design coordinator in the ZU Student Council, chief designer for ZU's Echo newspaper

Twenty-year-old Aliah was appointed as the art and design coordinator in the Student Council because of her interest in business and art. Her role is to design advertisements and the themes for events held by the council. These events have ranged from National Day celebrations to Iftar evenings.

She was also the chief designer for Echo, a newspaper run by the ZU College of Communication and Media Sciences. "My role was to read the stories and come up with appropriate designs and graphics. I was also responsible for creating a consistent masthead and general layout."

Aliah also took part in other activities such as the Women as Global Leaders conference and acted as spokeswoman for ZU's Majors Day where she spoke to freshmen about her experience in the college.

Natural leader

For Aliah leadership comes naturally, as she's the eldest among her siblings. "I always feel that I must take responsibility, whether it is at home or when we are given projects at university. More often than not, I am the one who speaks up in class, I am the team leader chosen by my professors, and I am the one dividing the work and delegating responsibilities."

"Being a leader is important to me because I both enjoy it and feel that I must take matters into my own hands and not wait for people to come around," she added.

In her personal life, Aliah and her friend founded a clothing line called A4 Clothing. She and her partner manage the business, design illustrations and deal with factories that print the designs on shirts.

"This is the beginning of realising my dreams and aspirations: a dream of establishing my own successful clothing line that competes with global brands."

Commenting on Arab women leaders in the region, Aliah said there is a lack of them because of "a false interpretation of culture and traditions".

"Some people believe that a woman's role should be at home and nothing more; but a woman should be able to lead in all fields wherever she feels she is qualified the most."

LEADERSHIP TIPS

Notes asked the young women leaders for their feedback on being a leader. This is what they have to say:

- Realise that nothing is impossible. If you believe in something never give up

- Believe in yourself and have self confidence

- No matter what heights you reach, remain humble and appreciate the people who supported you

- Patience is important because things don't always happen the way you want them to and there will be much pressure on you

- Don't be afraid to ask for help

- Don't wait for opportunities to knock on your door — seize the small ones and turn them into things that are great

- Do what you love and excel at it

- Get out of your comfort zone and try new things such as interning, part-time work or volunteering