Syeda Amtul

Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH — Dar Al-Hekma University in collaboration with the Robert Bosch Foundation organized a six-day poster exhibition on famous women in science and technology at the university premises in Jeddah.



The exhibition, consisting of a series of posters to commemorate important European and Arab Muslim women as well as mock Time magazine covers, will end on Friday.



In her welcome address that discussed the purpose of the event, Dean of Graduate Studies and Scientific Research Dr. Saleha Abdeen said: “It’s a very special and modest exhibition on prominent women in Germany and prominent women in the Islamic world.



“This idea came through a visit to our college by the consul general of Germany.



She later told Saudi Gazette: “The choice of Islamic women was left to students.



“They searched and picked up some amazing personalities that nobody can disagree with in terms of choice.



“These imaginary Time magazine covers are amazing and our school of design is very proud of the students, especially as our alumni continue to receive awards and recognition nationally and internationally.



Miriam Seyffarth, cultural attaché at the German Consulate, said: “It’s a joint exhibition about European and Arab women in science and technology because history tends to forget about the great pioneer women.



“So the original exhibition is from Germany and it was invented 15 years ago to show female role models and it’s very famous in Germany and I always wanted to bring it to Saudi Arabia.



“This joint exhibition idea not only shows the famous European women in science and technology but also Arab and Muslim role model pioneers. We did this exhibition together and the students designed these posters; they are amazing.”



Twenty-five students from the university’s design faculty designed the posters of Arab and Muslim women, who included Maha Ashour-Abdalla, a professor in theoretical astrophysics and space plasmas; Rufaida Al Aslamia, first Muslim nurse; Ibtesam Badhrees, Saudi professor and research scientist; Sutayta Al-Mahamali, Iraqi mathematician; and Fatima Al-Fihri, said to be founder of the oldest university in the world.