In a recent webinar, Dr. Eng. Basma El Zein, Director General of Governance and Sustainability Center at the University of Business and Technology (UBT) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, shared her experiences and insights on being a professional academic researcher mother in the field of nanotechnology. Dr. El Zein has an impressive 22 years of experience in the academic, research, renewable and economic development fields, having held positions such as Dean of Scientific Research at UBT, research scientist at KAUST, faculty member at Dar AL Hekma University and associate researcher at IEMN, France.
The webinar, which was moderated by Viola Edward, Founder and CEO of GRIT Academy, delved into the unique challenges that mothers in academia face, particularly in the field of nanotechnology. Nanotechnology is science, engineering, and technology conducted at the nanoscale, which is about 1 to 100 nanometers. Nano materials are materials having particles or constituents of nanoscale dimensions.
Dr. El Zein spoke about her own experiences balancing her responsibilities as a mother and a researcher, and shared tips and strategies for other mothers in similar positions. She emphasized the importance of having a supportive network of family, friends, and colleagues, and the need to set realistic expectations and prioritize self-care.
The moderator, Viola Edward, is a highly accomplished international speaker, author, and award-winning psychotherapist, mentoring-coaching, and trainer of breath, social entrepreneur, philanthropist. She is also the Managing Director of Creative Women, and co-creator of BQ-Breath-Intelligence. Committed to creating a sustainable society since 1993, she is a member of the board of several institutions such as Women 4 Solutions and serves as an ambassador for Human Rights. She is an ally of the United Nations Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs).
Overall, the webinar highlighted the importance of resilience and perseverance for mothers in the field of nanotechnology, and provided valuable insights and inspiration for those facing similar challenges.