Haifa Al Kaylani OBE had the pleasure this week of visiting Oman again and spending time in the beautiful oasis town of Al Buraimi for the Arab Organization for Education, Culture and Science (ALECSO) Inaugural Forum titled, “Arab Women Researchers Towards the Future: Inspiring Experiences and Insightful Visions”, held in cooperation with the Omani Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation and the Oman National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, and hosted by Al Buraimi University College.
The Forum Opening session was addressed by Her Excellency Dr Rahma Bint Ibrahim Al Mahrouqia, Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation in the Sultanate of Oman. The forum, held on 30 November – 01 December, was a powerful reminder of the immense talent and leadership of women researchers across our region, and reinforced the region’s shared commitment to shaping the knowledge economies and innovation ecosystems the Arab world needs for a sustainable future.
Haifa delivered a Keynote address under the title ‘Food Security & Water Resilience: Women-Led Innovation for Sustainable Climate Solutions in the MENA’, in which she highlighted the intersecting challenges of food and water insecurity issues that disproportionately affect women, especially in rural communities, and shared a call for greater investment in women’s entrepreneurship to address critical sustainability issues in the region. She was also delighted to moderate an exceptional panel of leading women scholars whose expertise reflects a transformative agenda for higher education and research in the Arab world. The panel addressed the future challenges facing higher education in the Arab countries and welcomed Dr Mahasin Al-Jaghoub, Member of the Senate (Upper House) in Jordan, Dr Maryam Saeed Al-Ketbi, a distinguished Emirati academic in the field of Arabic language at the University of Sharjah, Dr Inas Khalifa Al Sharqi, Professor School of Medicine, University of Baghdad and Dr Anna Wałek, Head of Technology at OAPEN Foundation. The session was a powerful testament to the leadership and vision of women academics across the region in advancing open science, strengthening innovation ecosystems, and shaping a more resilient future for the Arab world.
Halfa said: “I am grateful to have had this opportunity to contribute my expertise and the insights at this inspiring occasion and share the Arab International Women’s Forum 25 years journey . At AIWF we remain committed to amplifying women’s voices in academia, advancing research excellence, and supporting collaborative progress across our region.”
