Islamabad: (Parliament Times) A high profile delegation from Nama Women Advancement Establishment (NAMA), Sharjah, UAE, visited National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST) here on Monday. NAMA has been working towards mobilising the means required to create enabling environments to advance gender equity and inclusive economic and social growth. Through its three affiliates, Sharjah Business Women Council, Irthi Contemporary Crafts Council, and Badiri Education & Development Academy, NAMA designs and implements initiatives that support women across the economic, professional and social sectors.
Upon arrival, the delegation was greeted by Maj Gen Muhammad Shahid, (Retd), DG Projects NUST, and was subsequently conducted to NUST School of Art, Design & Architecture (SADA) and NUST Centre for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (CIE). The delegates took keen interest in student-patented projects at SADA and entrepreneurial ventures housed at CIE, particularly Orbit- a start-up founded and run by two females. Ms Navera Waheed, one of the two co-founders of Orbit, gave a demonstration of their project, which could not but inspire the appreciation of visitors, so much so that the delegates expressed interest in showcasing Orbit under the banner of Sharjah Business Women Council at Gulf Information Technology Exhibition (GITEX), Dubai. It is an annual consumer computer and electronics trade show, exhibition, and conference that takes place at the Dubai World Trade Centre, UAE.
Later the delegation was given a detailed presentation on NUST, followed by a meeting with Lt Gen Naweed Zaman, HI (M), (Retd), Rector NUST at his office. During the meeting, consensus was made on developing bilateral cooperation between NUST and NAMA, particularly joint efforts for the promotion of female entrepreneurship. The delegation also invited Rector and other senior management to attend “Sharjah Welcomes You,” a networking event hosted by NAMA in Islamabad the same evening, which covered social, economic and humanitarian sectors. The delegates included Ms Erum Mazher Alvie – Senior Advisor / The Executive office of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Reem Bin Karam – Director / NAMA Women Advancement Establishment, Sheikha Hind Bint Majid Al Qassimi – Chairperson / Sharjah Business Women Council (SBWC), and Ms Lina Hamdan – Senior Manager- Programme Management Operations / NAMA.