Dubai: Manahel Thabet’s passion to be “different” did actually make her different.
In 2008, at the age of 25, Manahel obtained her PhD from Illinois University in Chicago, and became the youngest person in the world and the only Arab to graduate magna cum laude with a PhD in Financial engineering.
Her love of numbers, mathematics and physics, constituted her bread and butter. Her work in this field poised to earn her a second PhD in the field Quantum Mathematics from the same university in 2012.
The young Yemeni expert has earned many awards and medals, and was chosen as the Goodwill Ambassador for Eco International of the Prince Albert II De Monaco Foundation. Moreover, she was recently selected to be part of the World Genius Directory representing Asia for 2013.
When asked about Arab women in the financial sector in the region, Manahel rejected the idea of comparison with other regions. Each society, she says, has its own characteristics and features. However, breaking the stereotype of Arab women needs the media to play a role, Manahal explained in an interview with Gulf News on the sidelines of a meeting on “Women in Leadership” held in Dubai recently.
Following are excerpts of the interview:
Gulf News: Why you have chosen to study financial engineering?
Manahel Thabet: I like to be different. Since childhood, I was so passionate to be different. Half of me is economic, and the second half is scientific.
Q: Since you like to be different, how do you see the Arab woman differ from women in other parts of the world?
A: I don’t believe in the principle of comparison. I believe that every person, every human being, is different by himself or herself. The difference would be in how passionate you are about (a certain) topic, or the thing that you are working on. If the same opportunity is being offered to you and me, what would be the difference between us? It is our passion.
Q: Do you see the Arab societies are prepared to accept (more) women in the financial field?
A: The societies are quite prepared. But I put some blame on the media. It is not shedding (enough) light on female economists. During the past ten years, several female luminaries have surfaced, and they are self-made. But, unfortunately, they were not fairly dealt with when it comes to media.
Q: But the success of any businesswoman doesn’t depend on media?
A: No, not on the media. In the western countries, people don’t need to educate the young generation and present them with a role model because there is equality in these things. However, for us (in the Arab world) we need to focus on role model figures so the young generation and young women would see successful examples and follow their steps.
Q: What are the main challenges Arab women need to overcome?
A: You have to challenge yourself before you challenge anybody else. Arab women need to convince themselves that they are capable of doing the task. Education is very important. It prepares the person to excel. This challenge exists in East and West and between men and women.
Q: But still people trust men more?
A: This is a serotype. This is the only thing that media can change. How? Media can take a role in showing that there are trusted female economists from which people can benefit and trust. The stereotype is that there no women who can give an economic vision. Why? At least give her chance, and this can be given to her if the light is shed on her that she is really a qualified person. Then leave the judgment to the people.
Q: Do you think some Arab countries have passed this stage or all of them are still at the same level?
A: I would like to salute the UAE for allocating a big percentage, 30 per cent, for women to occupy leadership positions. I wish the rest of the Arab countries will follow suit this initiative, which was adopted by President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. It is a great initiative to have an allocation of 30 per cent for women.
Q: How do women differ from men when it comes to running business?
A: I am against gender equality. I am also against comparing women with men, because a woman is a woman, and the man is a man.
Q: Yet, what are the main characteristics of men and women?
A: It is about skills, quality, and leadership personality. Whether it is a man or it is a woman, that person would impose himself or herself. If you have the education, leadership skills, motivation and passion, then regardless whether you are man or a woman, you can prove yourself as long as you have the opportunity. And opportunities are there, but women should go and grab them. They need to take the extra mile.
Q: But this is not an easy task in male-dominated and conservative societies to grab any opportunity?
A: Of course it is not an easy task, but the woman has to double the effort than men are doing. We have to respect cultural and religion in this part of the world and this is, I wouldn’t say, are challenges, but these things we have to preserve. I am with having equal opportunities, job opportunities only.
