FEM in STEM: Empowering Women, Bridging Academia and Industry

September 23^rd, 2025

At the Women’s Pavilion, Expo City Dubai, the FEM in STEM: Celebrating Progress, Igniting Futures event convened a high-impact panel, From Insight to Action: Strengthening Pathways for Women in STEM, moderated by Mirel Ghattas, Head of Global Marketing – Gulf at Schneider Electric, with Asli Cakir, Vice President for Human Resources at Schneider Electric GCC, Nadine Halabi de Francesca, Head of Business Development & Operations at the Dubai Business Women Council (DBWC), and Dr. Fadi Aloul, Dean of the College of Engineering at the American University of Sharjah.

Beyond insights, the session delivered concrete action. Nadine announced DBWC’s formal support for the mentees of FEM in STEM’s second cohort, granting them priority access to the Council’s Mentorship Programme upon its launch in 2026, and reaffirming DBWC’s ongoing commitment to building national awareness and advocacy for women in STEM across the UAE. This pledge positions DBWC not merely as a participant but as a driving force—connecting academia to industry, expanding leadership pipelines, and ensuring that women in STEM progress from education to employment with sustained, real-world support.

Discussions tackled persistent barriers, the confidence-building power of mentorship and business networks, and partnerships that successfully scale women-led STEM initiatives. An interactive format brought university leaders, mentors, and early-career participants into the conversation, surfacing practical guidance and momentum—now backed by DBWC’s forward-looking commitments for 2026 and beyond.