Abu Dhabi: Dr Amal Al Qubaisi was elected uncontested Speaker of the Federal National Council (FNC) in the 16th legislative chapter of the house as the council convened on Wednesday.

Dr Al Qubaisi is serving her third term in the FNC. She was also appointed the first female member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and also the new general manager of the Abu Dhabi Education Council last year.

An architect by profession, she was the first woman to be elected to the House in 2006 and was named the first female deputy speaker of the House and the first woman to chair one of its meetings in 2013.

“It give me great honour to  assume the position of Speaker of the House which cherishes hopes and ambitions of the citizens when debating various issues and making recommendations to strike balance between demands of the public today and the future needs,” said Dr Al Qubaisi, who has passion for education, women and young people’s issues.

Dr Al Qubaisi said that the people and the leaders have full faith in Emirati women who are given a chance to be FNC members, ministers and diplomats.

“I have to thank our leaders and Her Highness Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union and Chairperson of UAE Women’s Association, who is great supporter of women,” she said.

Dr Al Qubaisi is an architect whose Unesco work to document and preserve more than 350 historical sites in the UAE including Al Jahili and Al Hosn Forts. She was recognised for her work with an Abu Dhabi Award in 2008.

Dr Amal is a professor of architecture at UAE University and  holds a PhD in conservation of architectural heritage in the UAE.