The University of Sharjah is holding the "7th International Conference on Arab Women in Computing and Technology" under the theme of promoting the role of women in scientific research and innovation. This in conjunctions with the 2nd Forum for Women in Research that will take place from August 25th - 26th, 2021. The Conference is sponsored by: the Research and Development Center of the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, Emirates NBD, and GlaxoSmithKline. In addition to several institutions, organizations and companies, most notably: the Supreme Council for Family Affairs in Sharjah, the General Women's Union, the Ma'an Social Contributions Authority, and the Department of Family Development Centers.

His Excellency Prof. Hamid M.K. Al Naimiy, Chancellor of the University of Sharjah, announced this during a press conference held virtually (Tuesday morning). He began his speech expressing his thanks to Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, and to Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of the Ruler of Sharjah, Chairperson of the Big Heart Foundation, and Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs (SCFA). The Chancellor also congratulated all female staff and researches at the University of Sharjah and to the pioneers of humanitarian, social and scientific work in the United Arab Emirates and abroad on the occasion of International Women's Day.

From his side, Prof. Mammar Bettayeb, Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Studies, expressed his happiness at the establishment of this Conference in conjunction with the 2nd Forum for Women in Research. He stressed the importance of the effective role that women play in the University of Sharjah in all positions from researchers, scientists, and deans or administrative roles. He assured the value of the role of women in the field of scientific research and the rise of the University within the international rankings.

The Chair of the "7th International Conference on Arab Women in Computing" Dr. Kaoutar El Maghraoui, IBM T. J. Watson Research Center in the USA, also spoke about the establishment and role of the Conference, which is to inspire, support and celebrate women in the field of computing in the Arab world. It aims to establish links with the global technology system, and she emphasized that this year's Conference will discuss important research topics covering key areas such as artificial intelligence, data sciences, Internet of Things, and robotics. It will also discuss research and innovation in computing and entrepreneurship, the role of women in emerging technology companies, the gender gap, positive trends and challenges in this field.

As for Dr. Laila Benhlima, Ecole Mohammadia d'Ingénieurs in Morocco, and also Chair of the Conference, she confirmed that the Conference, in its successive versions, encouraged scientific research in which women are the main researcher. It helped, in its latest version held in Morocco, publish a group of scientific research after being judged and accepted for publication.

For her part, Dr. Manar Abu Talib, Head of the Research Outreach Department at the University, confirmed that the Conference aims to support, inspire and encourage women in the field of computing. This by encouraging women to participate in global projects in the field of technology, in addition to creating a platform for exchanging ideas and experiences and opening channels of communication and cooperation in the Arab region, including the Middle East and North Africa and beyond. All with the aim of shedding light on women working in the field of information technology and the efforts made by them in this field.

She added that the 2nd Forum for Women in Research themed "Promoting the role of women in scientific research and innovation" works to encourage and motivate women to continue in the field of scientific research by presenting the achievements of women in various fields of scientific research at the University of Sharjah.

2nd Forum for Women in Research also announced the "Excellence in Scientific Research Award for Students" and the "Excellence in Scientific Research Award for Female Faculty Members" with a total of prizes of (150 thousand dirhams). This in the field of academic partnership with industry, innovation and impact on society, Provided that the research paper has not been previously published, and that the researcher presenting the research is affiliated with one of the United Arab Emirates universities, and she is a master's or PhD student, or a faculty member or research assistant. The deadline for submitting abstracts is May 16th, 2021.