Insight Dubai international conference to shed lights on “Womenomics”

Under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Chancellor of the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT), Dubai Women’s College (DWC) inaugurated its 8th Annual Insight Dubai Conference, focusing on women and empowerment in the Arab world.

Insight Dubai Conference 2012 has succeeded this year in breaking the records through uniting 65 female students from universities and colleges around the world representing more than 30 countries with 65 Emirati students from DWC to spend an exciting, interactive 5-days discussing issues on women's empowerment and women's roles in governance and leadership. This conference is exceptional as it enables each participant to take an active role in simulations, debates, role plays and discussions to share their views and learn from one another.

Dr. Howard Reed, Director of Dubai Women’s College, said that this year Insight Dubai Conference will allow participants discuss issues related to “Womenomics” where women get more involved in political economics.

“In UAE, girls now do better at school than boys, more women are getting university degrees than men are and females are filling most new jobs. Arguably, women are now the most powerful engine of our growth,” he added.

Dr. Reed also mentioned that during this week long experience, the students will learn about and discuss other topics of international importance, as well as learn about Dubai’s culture, make life-long friends and dispel negative stereotypes.

The 5-day conference is generously sponsored this year by HSBC. Students watched a film on Dubai culture “Al Kandoora” and another film on modern Dubai culture created by DWC students “Mr. & Mrs. Right”. This was followed by small group sessions where the participants met their “buddy”. Each international student is “buddied” with a DWC student for the duration of the conference, allowing a deep mutual cultural exchange that often grows into a lifelong friendship. The day concluded with a lively cultural quiz where students could assess their knowledge of geography and cultural facts.  

DWC is the first academic institution to win the Dubai Quality Appreciation Award in 2006. It also initiated and hosted international conferences – empowering women to become global leaders.