Zayed University-Abu Dhabi

By Rana Alsweilem

Today we went to ZU-Abu Dhabi branch where it was not a huge brand new campus; nontheless, i felt they were more welcoming and happy to see us than the Dubai campus. We also didn't have any speakers cancel on us which seemed to be a common trend in the Dubai campus! I actually found today to be one of the most inspiring days of our trip. First, we had Mr. Mohammad Al-Faheem, a business man here in Abu Dhabi, and one of the richest men in the UAE speak to us about his journey and about his as well as many other emirati men's vision for the future of women in the UAE. I was very touched and happy to hear an emirati man speak so excitedly and eagerly about having emirati women in the UAE reach higher positions in the work force. I now understand how Emirati women have been able to reach such high positions in the work force in so little time. Having men who think and support the rights of women in such a way is definitely a treasured thing in the Arab and especially the gulf region.
I also found it very interesting how flexible he was in his own personal business company and how he did not mind women coming to work a little later and still getting the same pay as men. I was especially touched when he said that he is trying to give his children and daughters the education and opportunities he never had. Finally, I feel that with more powerful men like Mr. Mohammad Al-Faheem being out there and really speaking their minds out and strongly supporting women in the work force, Emirati women, as well as all women in the gulf region will definitely have a brighter and more rewarding future.