Dell EMC, as part of the Dell Technologies Forum in Dubai, hosted the first Middle East edition of its ‘Women in Technology’ initiative, which featured accomplished women in technology-related careers in the UAE as speakers and panellists.
Globally, the technology industry typically falls behind others when it comes to inclusivity and diversity, resulting in a sparse talent pool of female IT professionals, and the number of female Chief IT Officer (CIOs) at just around 16%. In the UAE, the statistics show a more positive trend, as women account for 56 per cent of all graduates in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) streams, and 35 per cent of all Internet entrepreneurs, according to HR consultancy BWP.
The Women in Technology session brought together women from within Dell EMC and beyond to present on topics including milestones, challenges, and other realities faced by women in technology workplaces. Ms. Manal Ansari, Vice President, ArabWIC (Arab Women In Computing), and Innovation Manager, Emirates National Bank, and Dr. Hoda Khzaimi, Director – Security Center, NY University Abu Dhabi, and President of Emirates Digital Association For Women, were the keynote speakers.
The session included a panel discussion with women in technology leadership roles, including Abeer El Rawy, IT Data Center Manager, DEWA, Nisreen Salem, Big Data Architect and Program Manager, RTA, Jennifer Lynn, freelance cybersecurity consultant, and Patricia Florissi, Vice President, Global CTO for Sales and Distinguished Engineer, Dell EMC. The session was moderated by Haidi Nossair, Marketing Director – META region, Dell EMC.
Haidi Nossair said: “Bringing WIT to Dell Technologies Forum is a great opportunity to give women the platform to speak about unique challenges and opportunities to accelerate the representation of women not only in IT but in leadership roles as well and what are the responsibilities of men and women combined to make it real.”
Patricia Florissi said: “At Dell, we engage in cultivating diversity and inclusion through three pillars: Culture, community, and commitment. A diverse and inclusive environment ensures that Dell is a place where people want to work, team members feel that they belong, and our values reflect those of our customers.”
During the session, Dr. Hoda Khzaimi stressed on the importance of a collaborative effort among women and men to create an equitable environment, and also the growing need for oversight into the critical area of women’s integration into the workplace.
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