UOS launches 5th Forum for Women in Research
Recognising Research Excellence
Her Excellency Dr. Maitha bint Salem Al Shamsi, Minister of State, Advisor to Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, expressed her pride in this forum, which highlights women's role and contributions in the field of research. She praised the University of Sharjah's commitment to excellence in research to achieve sustainable development goals, in line with the global vision set by the country for sustainability, which aims to solidify the value of research that serves society.
His Excellency Prof. Hamid M.K. Al Naimiy, Chancellor of the University of Sharjah, expressed his deep gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and President of the University of Sharjah, for his support in advancing the University's research endeavors. He emphasized the University's commitment to fostering excellence and empowering women in research and innovation, highlighting that this annual forum serves as a platform to amplify women's voices in research. This initiative enables them to drive meaningful change, shape the future of research, tackle real-world challenges, and inspire the next generation of female scientists and innovators.
He also noted that the University has made tremendous progress in research at the local, regional, and international levels, with women researchers playing a pivotal role in driving these achievements. He emphasized that the University fosters a comprehensive research environment that supports female researchers, both faculty and administrative staff, by helping them develop their skills, expand their contributions across various fields, and enhance their active participation in sustainable development.
Prof. Maamar Bettayeb, Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Studies and Co-chair of the Forum, emphasised that the current edition of the forum witnessed fruitful collaboration with many local and international entities and partnerships. He explained that the University of Sharjah is keen to empower women in research by establishing advanced research groups and modern laboratories to develop joint research, which has contributed to the production of high-quality research. These efforts, in collaboration with international partners, have helped the University improve the quality of higher education, as it is now ranked 56th in the world in research quality. He pointed out that the University's 2030 future plan focuses on transforming research from mere ideas into tangible products, with an emphasis on innovation and development to serve the community in the UAE and the region. He clarified that many of the innovations and research presented today are ready to be transformed into products that serve the community.
Dr. Amina Al-Marzouqi, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Chair of the Forum, expressed her gratitude to all the partners and supporters of the forum, emphasizing the importance of organizing such events that support women in research. She explained that the forum began as an academic platform and has witnessed significant development over the past years to include local, regional, and international contributions. This reflects the impact of research in driving meaningful change, highlighting that investing in women researchers contributes to a more sustainable and innovative future.
Her Excellency Mariam Al Hammadi, Vice Chairperson of the NAMA Executive Committee emphasized, 'As a strategic partner, NAMA Women Advancement is honored to support the 5th Forum for Women in Research, organized by the University of Sharjah. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to advancing innovation, inclusivity, and progress. Together, we aim to empower women in research and academia, paving the way for a more sustainable and equitable future.'
Celebrating Achievements and Future Vision
This year's forum brought together a diverse group of speakers and researchers from the UAE and beyond, who shared their experiences and expertise through panel discussions and interactive sessions. These sessions highlighted the pivotal role that women play in driving sustainable innovation and shaping policy to build a better future. The sessions also discussed the critical role of scientific research in developing practical solutions to address today's global challenges.
On the sidelines of the forum, an exhibition was organized to showcase research projects that advanced to the final stage of the competition. This year's forum received 890 research submissions, with 297 shortlisted, from participants representing 260 universities across 57 countries.
The first day of the event concluded with the announcement of the winners of the Best Research Proposal, along with the recognition of key partners and sponsors for their invaluable contributions.
More than 40 grants were awarded to exceptional female researchers in all fields. These scholarships were granted across four categories that address the most significant topics and top research challenges in different fields, including health sciences, biomedical engineering, technology, law, Islamic studies, fine arts and design, humanities, social sciences, communication, and business administration.
A number of faculty members and researchers at the University of Sharjah were honored for being ranked among the top 2% of scientists worldwide, as identified by Stanford University and Elsevier, in recognition of their exceptional contributions to research and innovation. In addition, several faculty members were recognized for securing external research grants and demonstrating excellence in advancing impactful research.
The second day of the forum took place at the University of Khorfakkan, where the winners briefly presented their research projects and shared their inspiring research stories. In addition, interactive sessions with the winners were held, led by inspiring female leaders, and the day concluded with the honoring of the Committee Members of the 5th Forum for Women in Research.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
14 hours ago
- Zawya
Raya Electronics and the AUC's Onsi Sawiris School of Business partner on research Project
Raya Electronics, a subsidiary of Raya Trade and Distribution, which is a portfolio company of Raya Holding, has concluded a four-month research collaboration with Onsi Sawiris School of Business at The American University in Cairo. The initiative offered students a hands-on opportunity to observe and analyze the customer journey across both traditional and digital sales channels—from brand awareness and the purchasing experience to post-sale services. The study also focused on the company's implementation of its omni-channel retail strategy aimed at delivering a seamless and integrated shopping experience. This collaboration reflects Raya Electronics' ongoing commitment to supporting education by connecting academic theory with practical experience. The project was conducted as part of the students' graduation project under the supervision of Dr. Ayman Ismail, Abdul Latif Jameel Endowed Chair of Entrepreneurship at AUC, and Dr. Moataz Darwish, Associate Professor of Practice in the Department of Management at AUC. The experience enabled students to gain deeper insights into consumer behavior and market dynamics, enhancing their understanding of the electronics retail sector in a rapidly evolving competitive landscape. The study also offered strategic insight into Raya Electronics' ambition to become the go-to destination for consumer electronics in Egypt. Bassem Megahed, CEO of Raya Trade, commented: 'We're pleased that this initiative gave students direct exposure to the retail sector and allowed them to engage with various sales channels. It helped bridge the gap between academic concepts and real-world business practices. We believe such initiatives are essential for equipping future professionals with the skills needed to thrive in today's market. This study also marks a pivotal step toward evaluating how Raya Electronics can further strengthen its position as a leading destination for customers—across both physical and digital platforms—through integrated strategies that ensure a smooth and connected shopping journey.' The CEO added: 'This fruitful collaboration also offered Raya a meaningful opportunity to harness the momentum of fresh ideas introduced by emerging talent, enriched by cutting-edge academic perspectives. At Raya, we firmly believe that innovation is not limited to internal capabilities—it flourishes through embracing the vitality and modern outlook of the next generation. Such engagement enriches our strategic direction and enhances our adaptability as we prepare to meet the future with agility.' Dr. Ayman Ismail added: 'The customer journey is one of the most critical areas for businesses to understand, as it helps them comprehend how consumers make purchase decisions across different sales channels. This collaboration with Raya Electronics allowed our students to dissect each stage of the journey—from initial brand exposure and marketing engagement to purchase decisions and post-purchase evaluation.' Dr. Moataz Darwish also noted: 'What sets this study apart is how it enabled students to track customer interactions across both digital and physical touchpoints, and explore how these channels integrate within an omni-channel strategy. The project included an analysis of online and in-store sales processes, customer segmentation, and targeted marketing strategies based on purchasing behavior. This hands-on experience gave students a real-world understanding of market mechanisms and enhanced their ability to evaluate and apply modern marketing strategies—preparing them to meet the challenges of today's business environment.' About Raya Electronics Raya Electronics, a subsidiary of Raya Trade and Distribution, which is a portfolio company of Raya Holding, is one of Egypt's leading retailers and distributors of consumer electronics. Since its establishment, the company has built a strong market presence through a nationwide network of over 70 retail outlets, in addition to its comprehensive e-commerce platform, Rayashop. Raya Electronics adopts an omni-channel retail strategy to ensure a unified and consistent customer experience across both digital and physical sales points. The company offers a wide range of electronic and electrical products from top global and local brands—including mobile phones, home appliances, and cutting-edge electronics—supported by robust after-sales services to ensure a complete and satisfying customer journey. About The American University in Cairo (AUC) Founded in 1919, The American University in Cairo is a premier English-language institution of higher education, accredited in both Egypt and the United States. AUC serves as a vibrant hub for cultural, social, and intellectual exchange in the Arab world. It fosters global dialogue and understanding, acting as a bridge between East and West and connecting Egypt and the region to the world through research, academic partnerships, and international education programs. AUC offers 40 undergraduate programs, 52 graduate programs, and two doctoral programs. Its liberal arts-based curriculum encourages critical and analytical thinking, empowering students to develop innovative solutions to regional and global challenges. AUC is an independent, non-profit, non-sectarian, and multicultural institution that provides equal opportunities for all students. All its academic programs are accredited by Egypt's Supreme Council of Universities and recognized by U.S. accrediting bodies.
Al Etihad
15 hours ago
- Al Etihad
TRENDS starts research tour in Russia to strengthen partnerships
19 Aug 2025 14:36 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)TRENDS Research & Advisory announced on Tuesday its research tour in Russia from August 20-26, to support global intellectual dialogue and exchange scientific ideas and perspectives on various contemporary research and knowledge tour comes as part of the centre's efforts to enhance partnership and research and scientific cooperation, and to build bridges of communication with research and academic institutions worldwide. TRENDS will participate in the 'Greater Eurasian Partnership: Development Strategy' Forum, organised by the International Organisation for Eurasian Cooperation (IOEC), over two days, August 20-21, in Moscow. The centre will also sign several strategic cooperation memoranda on the sidelines of the forum. Developing the Eurasian PartnershipThe Forum embodies the idea of international integration, establishes a broad Eurasian space based on equal partnership, promotes a multi-centred world order, and supports fair economic cooperation, in addition to aligning strategic interests and integrating infrastructure and trade systems. During the Forum's opening session, TRENDS will present a paper on 'The Role of Think Tanks and Their Contribution to the Development of the Greater Eurasian Partnership', and will also deliver distinguished scientific and knowledge-based contributions in two main sessions on ways to enhance business dialogue between Russia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC); and the role of digital technologies and industrial development in supporting prospects for cooperation. Intellectual Dialogue Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS Research & Advisory, stated that the research tour in Russia aims to enhance global intellectual dialogue and exchange perspectives on current issues, in addition to broadening the scope of research, scientific, and academic partnerships. He noted that the initiative also seeks to support purposeful knowledge and promote a culture of balanced scientific research, while enabling young researchers to participate in international forums and conferences, thereby equipping them with practical experience to lead the future of scientific research. Dr. Al-Ali emphasised that TRENDS' participation in the 'Greater Eurasian Partnership: Development Strategy' Forum underscores the vital role of think tanks as strategic bridges between governments, the business sector, and academic communities. He described them as global platforms that support knowledge and strengthen evidence-based policymaking, in addition to possessing forecasting and scenario-building tools essential for advancing Eurasian integration. He further explained that participation also seeks to strengthen relations with organizations such as the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), to foster a global intellectual dialogue built on mutual understanding and the exchange of scientific and knowledge-based expertise. Research and Scientific Cooperation At the level of strategic research partnerships, TRENDS, through its physical office in Russia, will sign two research and scientific cooperation memoranda with the International Organisation for Eurasian Cooperation (IOEC) and the Russian Valdai Discussion Club. The centre will also explore mechanisms to enhance cooperation and partnerships with several Russian research and academic institutions. In a related context, TRENDS will also participate in the session 'Women in Diplomacy: Pathways of Inspiration and Global Influence', organised by the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Russia on August 26, 2025. This session will present the experiences of women diplomats from various countries, sharing inspiring success stories on how they fulfilled their aspirations and rose to senior diplomatic positions. It will also highlight efforts to empower women and encourage them to pursue their professional careers in the diplomatic field. Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
Crypto Insight
17 hours ago
- Crypto Insight
Hodling in 2025: The most widely used Bitcoin strategy, explained
Hodling crypto means holding onto cryptocurrency long-term instead of selling, regardless of market volatility. In 2013, a late-night forum post on Bitcointalk was titled 'I AM HODLING.' The user, clearly frustrated with market swings and maybe a few drinks in, meant to say 'holding.' Nevertheless, the typo stuck. In the years that followed, 'HODL' went from meme to mindset. In a space that thrives on hype cycles, FOMO trades and 100x gambles, hodling offered a radically simple idea: Buy Bitcoin and don't touch it. No day trading. No panic selling. Just conviction. Now, in 2025, the world looks very different, but hodling is still here. It's the strategy behind many of Bitcoin's biggest success stories, especially as more long-term investors step into the market. Central banks are still fighting inflation, institutions are stacking sats, and Bitcoin has matured into a macro asset. In that kind of environment, sitting tight has paid off. So, what is hodling in crypto today? It's a long-term Bitcoin strategy that's still relevant, still working and arguably more validated than ever. Did you know? The original 'HODL' post was written in response to a 39% Bitcoin price crash in one day (Dec. 18, 2013). The user, GameKyuubi, admitted he was drinking whiskey and 'bad at trading' but decided to hold anyway. That raw honesty helped the post go viral. Ideas behind hodling Bitcoin in 2025 Hodling can be thought about as a psychological defense mechanism against one of the most volatile markets in history. At the core of this mindset is loss aversion, a well-documented principle in behavioral finance. According to research by Nobel laureate Daniel Kahneman, people feel the pain of losses about twice as strongly as the pleasure of equivalent gains. In crypto, where 20% daily swings aren't unusual, this emotional bias can drive irrational decisions: panic selling at the bottom or FOMO buying near the top. Hodlers reject that impulse. They subscribe to what the crypto community calls 'diamond hands,' a commitment to long-term conviction, even when the market turns red. It's not about timing tops and bottoms; it's about not flinching when others do. This mentality aligns closely with how Bitcoin is increasingly positioned in 2025: as a store of value. Fidelity, BlackRock and other major institutions now describe Bitcoin alongside gold in asset allocation reports. According to CoinShares, over 70% of Bitcoin's circulating supply hasn't moved in more than a year — the highest level ever recorded. That's intentional holding by long-term investors, including exchange-traded funds (ETFs), pension funds and sovereign wealth vehicles. n short, hodling is stoicism meets finance. Did you know? In 2025, over 94% of Bitcoin's total supply has already been mined. That leaves less than 1.05 million BTC left to be created — ever — with a kind of mathematical completion expected by the year 2140. 2025 market context: Should you hodl Bitcoin? If you've been holding Bitcoin over the past few years, you've lived through a lot: the fallout from FTX, a brutal bear market, global inflation spikes and nonstop regulation talk. And yet, here you are in 2025, and Bitcoin's still standing — stronger, arguably, than ever. Back in 2020, Bitcoin was trading under $10,000. Fast forward to May 2025, and it has reached new heights, hitting an all-time high of nearly $112,000. Institutional interest has played a significant role in this growth. BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) has seen impressive inflows, with nearly $7 billion added in 2025 alone, marking a 16-day streak of positive inflows. Fidelity and ARK Invest have also contributed to this trend, with their respective ETFs attracting substantial investments. Collectively, US spot Bitcoin ETFs have amassed over $94.17 billion in assets under management. As of May 27, 2025, Bitcoin is firmly in a bull market and continues to climb. Of course, it's not going to be smooth sailing ahead. Regulation is heating up. While Bitcoin has mostly dodged the worst of it, the broader crypto crackdown means it's never totally out of the firing line. Some countries are already talking about capital controls on crypto to manage outflows, especially during times of currency stress. Then there's the rise of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) rolling out everywhere from the EU to Asia. They're marketed as 'safe digital money,' and while they're not competing with Bitcoin directly, they're shaping the way governments think about monetary control onchain. With tokenized US Treasurys now offering yields above 5% onchain, the landscape for digital value is expanding; Bitcoin is no longer the only game in town. Energy is also back in the conversation. Environmental, social and governance (ESG) pressure isn't going away, even though over half of Bitcoin mining is now powered by renewables, according to the Bitcoin Mining Council. Still, political narratives don't always care about data. So… is it still worth hodling? Plenty of people think so. The stock-to-flow model, though not perfect, still puts long-term price targets in the six-figure range. ARK Invest has modeled a potential Bitcoin price of over $1 million by 2030 in its bull case, while Fidelity has projected strong long-term growth based on network adoption. Hodling in 2025 doesn't mean burying your seed phrase in the backyard and praying for the best. Today, there's an entire stack of tools built specifically for long-term holders. Cold vs. hot: How hodlers store their Bitcoin At the most basic level, hodlers still choose between hot wallets (connected to the internet) and cold wallets (offline storage). Cold wallets — like Ledger, Trezor, or air-gapped devices like the Ellipal Titan — remain the go-to for serious long-term storage. They're harder to hack, easier to control and ideal for people who don't plan to touch their coins for years. For those who prefer accessibility, hot wallets like Sparrow, BlueWallet or even browser-based wallets on Nostr clients have improved dramatically in security. Many now integrate with multisig setups or tap into decentralized identity systems for recovery, making them more user-friendly than they were just a few years ago. Institutional-grade custody and yield options More hands-off hodlers — especially high-net-worth individuals and institutions — are turning to qualified custodians. Platforms like Fidelity Digital Assets, Coinbase Custody and BitGo offer secure vaulting solutions with compliance baked in. These services often come with additional perks, like portfolio insurance, automated rebalancing or integration with trust and estate planning. But it's not just about storage anymore. In 2025, a growing number of hodlers are putting their BTC to work: Lido, best known for Ether staking, has expanded into Bitcoin staking derivatives, letting users earn yield on wrapped BTC positions without losing custody. Platforms like Liquid and Babylon are experimenting with Bitcoin-native staking models, allowing BTC to secure sidechains or earn validator-like rewards without being rehypothecated. Tokenized T-bill vaults and BTC-backed stablecoins now allow users to generate yield while maintaining Bitcoin exposure. (Think of it as DeFi's version of a long-term savings account.) Automation tools Hodling today can also be automated. Services like Swan Bitcoin and River Financial let users set up recurring buys — essentially automated dollar-cost averaging — and auto-withdraw to cold storage. Meanwhile, platforms like Casa and Unchained Capital offer multisig setups with built-in inheritance planning and emergency recovery workflows. There are also tools like Zaprite or Timechain Calendar that help hodlers track portfolio growth without connecting directly to wallets, an ideal option for those who want visibility without exposure. Source:
