Empowering the Next Generation of AI Leaders in the UAE
Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) Dubai recently celebrated the graduation of the NOMU Al Ghurair Women in AI programme, a transformative initiative that supports Emirati and Arab women in becoming leaders in artificial intelligence. Held in partnership with the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation (AGF) and ZAKA, the graduation recognised 70 women who successfully completed a 20-week, industry-focused AI certification course.
The RIT Dubai AI programme forms part of AGF’s broader mission to empower young Emiratis through future-focused skill-building, with a particular emphasis on bridging gender gaps in high-growth tech fields. Organised by ZAKA Co-founder Larissa Abi Nakhle, the graduation was hosted at the RIT Dubai campus and attended by top representatives from all three organisations.
A Bold Step into a Male-Dominated Field
Dr Sonia Ben Jaafar, CEO of the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation, addressed the graduates with a message of pride and purpose.
“You have stepped into a male-dominated field, and you did this boldly and fearlessly. You are the spark of a movement; a signal that the UAE’s innovation economy will not be built by machines alone, it will be built by women like you. You are not just changing your future, you’re shifting a global statistic.”
Dr Yousef Al Assaf, President of RIT Dubai, echoed this sentiment in his remarks. He emphasised the importance of human-centred AI, saying:
“Smart machines are not replacing jobs—they’re creating them.
But we must remember that AI speaks to our emotions but does not have emotions; we need to make sure that the human element is integrated into the codes we develop in order to help people to lead a better life.”
Preparing for the Future of Work
The NOMU Women in AI programme offered participants a rigorous 12-week curriculum covering data science, statistical modelling, neural networking, and machine learning. This was followed by an eight-week capstone project in partnership with real-world companies. Mentorship sessions guided students through applying their learning in a practical setting.
One of the graduates, Reem Al Neyad—a Zayed University alumna—shared her experience on the RIT Dubai AI Program:
“I have always been interested in artificial intelligence; my senior project was a medical dispenser powered by AI. I wanted to build on my experience with Python and machine learning through this program, and it has enhanced my skills in this area. I can now apply this experience in the real world, and I am grateful for the opportunity provided by AGF and ZAKA.”
The ceremony also featured a keynote by Dr Aishah Al Yammahi, Strategic Advisor at Alef Education, and included project showcases such as BookBuddy AI, a bilingual tool designed to support language learning in children.
A Model for Inclusive Tech Growth in the UAE
As the region’s AI sector is forecast to grow up to 34% annually and contribute $320 billion to the Middle East’s economy by 2030, initiatives like NOMU Women in AI are essential to ensuring local talent—especially women—are positioned to lead.
With its commitment to inclusivity, innovation, and upskilling, RIT Dubai stands at the forefront of the UAE’s efforts to shape a digitally empowered future.
About RIT Dubai
Established in 2008, RIT Dubai is a not-for-profit global campus of the esteemed Rochester Institute of Technology in New York, one of the world’s leading technological-focused universities with more than 185 years of history. RIT Dubai is now operating from phase one of its new $136 million state-of-the-art campus, which provides an interactive learning space set over 129,000 square meters.
RIT Dubai offers highly valued Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in business, psychology, media design, leadership, engineering, and computing. The curriculum offers students relevant work experience through an innovative cooperative education program, helping them stand out in today’s highly competitive job market. RIT Dubai offers American degrees issued directly from the main campus in New York, and all of RIT’s programs are accredited by the UAE Ministry. Students of RIT Dubai also have the unique opportunity to choose to study abroad at the main campus in New York or at one of its other global campuses.
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