According to UNESCO, up to 57% of all STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) graduates in Arab countries are women. A growing body of studies and evidence shows that more diverse organizations enjoy greater creativity, stronger governance, and enhanced profitability. Despite these facts, high female participation in STEM education doesn’t necessarily translate into employment. One Arab woman is at the forefront to lead the change and break the glass ceiling. She is a role model to many young females in STEM, especially in the Middle East. She is Sarah Amiri.

Sarah bint Yousef Al Amiri is the UAE Minister of State for Advanced Technology and the President of the UAE Space Agency. She has been a major contributor to the success of the orbiting of Mars by a probe sent to study the planet’s climate. The prominent female Computer Engineer is also the Chairwoman of the Emirates Scientists Council, Chairwoman of the Fourth Industrial Revolution Council, and Chairwoman of the Dubai Future Academy Board of Trustees.

Childhood Aspirations - Love For Numbers And Dreams Of Galaxies

Sarah’s fascination with space and all things galactic sparked at the age of 12, when she first saw a picture of the Andromeda galaxy and learned that it is 2.5 million light-years from Earth. Her father was a businessman and her mother a teacher, so it was natural that she grew up talking about politics, economic changes, world developments and an individual’s role in society. She always liked math and numbers and started programming when she was around 11 or 12 years old. Later she decided to academically pursue Computer Science at the American University of Sharjah, consequently obtaining a Bachelor's and a Master’s degree in Computer Engineering.

Career Growth - Being A Passionate Female Computer Scientist In The Space Industry

Shortly after her graduation, Sarah landed a job in the space sector at the young age of 22 years. Sarah began her career at the Emirates Institution for Advanced Science and Technology (EIAST) as a software engineer, working on an advanced aerial systems program. Due to her hard work and sheer determination, she rose through the ranks, eventually becoming the President of the UAE Space Agency in 2020.

The HOPE Spacecraft & Conquering Mars

In 2014, UAE  announced its goal to send a probe to Martian orbit by 2021—the country’s 50th anniversary. The UAE Space Agency only had seven years to plan this kind of mission. Sarah Amiri was named deputy project manager and science lead on the mission, which had the ambitious goal of mapping the entire atmosphere of Mars over a period of one Martian year (i.e. 687 Earth days).

The spacecraft Amiri’s team designed and built for the mission was named Hope. The spacecraft finally reached the Red Planet after seven months. This news arrived on February 9, 2021, when Sarah was standing outside the Burj Khalifa, celebrating with the crowds who had gathered to mark the historic event.

The Hope spacecraft has been studying the Martian atmosphere for almost a year now. The UAE Space Agency shares the data sent by the Hope spacecraft freely with the world. Two of Hope’s most noteworthy discoveries to date are: 

• Accurate mapping of the “discrete aurora” on Mars

• Determination of distribution patterns of atomic oxygen and carbon monoxide in Mars’s dayside atmosphere

Honors and Accolades

Sarah has been awarded numerous honors celebrating her achievements and contributions to the field of science. These include, but are not limited to the ones mentioned below.

• In 2015, the World Economic Forum honored Sarah as one of its 50 Young Scientists for her incredible contributions to science, technology and engineering.

• She got invited by the World Economic Forum to speak at Davos 2019 and also became the first-ever UAE citizen to speak at an international TED event.

• Amiri featured on BBC’s 100 Women 2020—a list of 100 inspiring and influential women from around the world.

• She also graced the 2021 TIME100 NEXT which is an annual list of 100 most influential people.

Future Adventures - A Tale To Be Remembered For Millennia!

Sarah has always been determined that gender, in any way, won’t hold her back.  She says, “I grew up to be—and continue to be—deaf to the challenges pertaining to gender.” 

However, Amiri is well aware of the challenges for women in STEM fields. As Minister of State for Advanced Technology, she has put together a team to focus exclusively on women in sciences—addressing what she describes as ‘a leaky pipeline’ that too often witnesses women drop out of STEM programs before they even begin their careers. “It’s something that exists and something that you need to acknowledge exists, and by acknowledging it, you’re able to treat it.”, says Sarah.

The UAE space agency recently announced its intentions to explore Venus and the asteroids in the main belt between Mars and Jupiter. Sarah continues to soar forward and is determined to make even more contributions to the advancement of the space and technology industry in the years ahead.