DUBAI: Emirati aerospace engineer Marwa Al-Mamari is on a mission to encourage young women in the region to take up STEM careers.
Al-Mamari is featured in technology company Dyson’s new FIRSTS campaign, which “celebrates pioneering women from the region who are redefining success and innovation,” according to the brand.
Dyson added that Al-Mamari “made history” as the first Emirati woman to become an aerospace engineer. “She navigated the traditionally male-dominated field to break barriers.”
Al-Mamari told Arab News she wants to encourage women to venture out in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
“I always say it doesn’t take someone smart to be what you want. It takes someone who’s committed and resistant … so as long as you have these two things, you can do whatever you want and be whoever you want.”
She added that if women do so they will “overcome all obstacles” and “receive support in return.”
Her path to a master’s in aviation safety and a career in aerospace engineering was fraught with obstacles. She said it took her years to convince her parents that she wanted a career in the traditionally male profession.
They need not have worried.
“I was really taken care of and welcomed and taken care of sometimes, though, because you are the only girl in the room people might underestimate your voice, or your capabilities or what you can
offer on the table,” she said of the first phase of her career.
“But once you speak up, you know, the magic starts — they can see there is a brain, actually.”
Al-Mamari currently works at the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority, implementing safety frameworks worldwide for the regulatory body. Her core duties include setting up training sessions for operators, airport staff, and other stakeholders.
She said that what “makes you feel alive at work is … doing the drills where I go and check their readiness, make sure they are following the regulations and are up to the standards.”
“Our work, my work, wasn’t only national, it was internationally impactful,” she added, explaining her motivation.
Al-Mamari also touched on being a parent while undertaking a challenging career.
“What I try to advocate here is I always tell all mothers out there, all women, if you need to take a break from your career, do it, know your priorities.
“The minute you feel you’re ready to go back, you will always shine again because you still have that passion and all this potential.”
