Qatar University (QU) and Qatar Shell recently hosted a joint panel discussion to highlight the important role women can play in “shaping Qatar’s future energy sector”.
The panel discussion held at QU was jointly organised by QU Alumni-College of Engineering chapter and Qatar Shell Women’s Network, and aimed at encouraging young Qatari women to consider an engineering career in Ras Laffan through the creation of a “networking and knowledge sharing” platform.
While addressing the role of women in the state’s energy sector, Maha al-Mannai, university collaboration manager at the Qatar Shell Research and Technology Centre (QSRTC), said, “It is with great pride that Qatar Shell hosts this panel discussion together with Qatar University to encourage Qatari female students to consider career opportunities in the energy sector.”
“Today’s event forms part of QSRTC’s wider outreach and university collaboration programme where we share our industrial and technical knowledge with young people in support of the Qatar National Vision 2030 and the fostering of a knowledge-based society, “ al-Mannai added.
The panel discussion saw professional engineers including Maryam al-Bishri, reservoir engineer at Qatar Petroleum; Maryam Manojahri, technologist at Qatar Shell; Kaltham al-Kaabi, corrosion engineer at RasGas; and Maha Kafood, process engineer at Maersk Oil, speak about their own experiences in the field.
The panellists also highlighted the challenges they have had to overcome after they have chosen a career in engineering. They provided valuable advice to the young women considering the same professional path.
Noting the importance of such an event, Dr Rashid al-Ammari, dean, College of Engineering at QU, said, “Like Shell, we are passionate about the professional development of our female students and the empowerment of young Qatari women. Events like this provide our students with the opportunity to enrich their knowledge by engaging with top female engineers who represent international leading organisations here in Qatar.”
Manojahri shared her experiences working with Shell, and said, “The time I have spent at Pearl GTL has been an invaluable foundation for my career, giving me early exposure to the responsibilities of leadership and decision-making in the world’s largest gas-to-liquid plant. As a Qatari woman, I am extremely proud to be contributing to Qatar’s energy sector and to be an inspiration to the future generation of female Qatari engineers”.
In 2013, QU and QSRTC signed a memorandum of understanding that consolidated its numerous collaborations, in which QSRTC sponsors and supports the educational programmes on offer at QU and shares its industrial and technical knowledge with QU faculty and students.
It also facilitates greater collaboration through expert lectures, internships, competitions, awards, and the recruitment of QU students.
