5 Inspiring UAE-Based Women Working In Technology
Some top examples to help aspiring IT and technology enthusiasts believe the sector is a place where they fit in.
From Radia Perlman, whose invention of the algorithm behind the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) was crucial in making today's Internet possible, to Rear Admiral Grace M. Hopper, one of the first computer programmers to work on the Harvard Mark I, women have been shaping the world of IT and technology for a while. While Perlman’s work made an immense impact on the way networks self-organise, move data and put the core rules of Internet traffic in place, Hopper’s efforts lead to the development of COBOL, an early programming language, who have made waves. And there have been so many other amazing women like them, including Mary Wilkes, a former computer programmer and logic designer, titled as the first home computer user. She was mostly known for her work with the LINC computer, recognised by many as the world's first "personal computer."
Fast forward to today and focusing on the region, 40 percent of university students specialising in computer science and IT in the Middle East are women, according to the Arab Gulf State Institute. And the percentage is even higher in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, where women represent 70-80 percent of computer science and IT students, compared to 15-20 perent in the United States.
“Girls are globally held off STEM following stereotypes according to which that’s not something women do. Gladly, there are numerous UAE-based women examples to prove the opposite,” Laura Tyrell, Head of PR at NordVPN, a leading global VPN service provider, said. “We need to talk more about such inspiring women to encourage the rest to break through the stereotypes and pursue tech careers.” She added inspiring UAE-based examples help to fight misconceptions about the tech industry and persuade women to be more resolute to pursue a career in STEM. So here are some of the women based in the UAE who are making waves today:
