Emirati Women Have Big Plans

Al Ain Women’s College students bagged awards and certificates ranging from Volunteer Recognition and International Award for Young People, to Highest Academic Achievement and Student of the Year at their annual awards ceremony held last week.

Most of them, however, consider this to be only one stepping-stone towards their dream to excel academically and professionally and contribute to society.

There’s no shame in working as a cashier or clerk. i think it’s very important for emiratis to understand that. All jobs can help you develop into a responsible adult. Zainab Khamis, Finance Student

Some of these students are juggling married life, work and postgraduate study.

“I’m married with three children and plan to do my doctorate and start my own company,” said Taghreed Al Dari, a business administration graduate, who works in Al Ain Mineral Water Plant’s marketing department.

Others have already started putting their plans into action.

“I own a graphic design company. I’m still in my first year studying business,” said Maha Al Ka’abi, a young woman at AAWC who doesn’t mind putting off marriage “until later”.

Many other Emirati women, like Asma Al Beloushi, have a more social agenda to promote as part of their future plans.

“I want to teach in public schools and improve education for Emirati youth. But children from other countries should also be looked after if possible. For example, I coordinate the supply of used computers to poor villages in Oman,” she said. She is a second-year AAWC student of Education.

Meanwhile, their counterparts at Zayed University are urging women to be at the forefront of public life.

Students recently participated in a public speaking contest titled My Voice, My Future: The 21st Century Emirati Woman, sponsored by the United States Department of State where speakers were asked to describe their role as citizens and leaders.

That role, for contestant Zainab Khamis, is to train her colleagues to become skilled professionals. “There’s no shame in working as a cashier or clerk. I think it’s very important for Emiratis to understand that. All jobs can help you develop into a responsible adult who then contributes to the nation,” said Zainab, a third-year finance student who works as a part-time furniture saleswoman.

“Many UAE women today take education and other opportunities for granted. There was a time when we had to struggle for this. I think we should not lose sight of that time even if we’re ambitious today,” said Najla Al Awais, a third-year student of education mathematics.