Beirut, November 10, 2022: Five promising young researchers coming from Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria were honored yesterday, November 09, 2022, during the 9th edition of the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Levant Regional Young Talents Ceremony at Ecole Supérieure des Affaires (ESA) in Beirut.
The award ceremony was held under the patronage and in the presence of His Excellency Mr. Ziad Macary, Minister of Information of Lebanon, and attended by more than 200 guests amongst whom were politicians, diplomats, representatives of academic and scientific institutions, NGOs, and media.
Based on the conviction that the world needs science and science needs women, the Fondation L’Oréal and UNESCO are jointly committed to the promotion of women in science to have them gain visibility, make their talents known, and to create careers’ inspiration for future generations.
Despite the increase of the number of women in scientific careers, reaching just over 33% of researchers worldwide, according to the UNESCO Science Report published in June 2021, this improvement is still very slow.
The Levant program is part of the L’Oréal-UNESCO “For Women in Science” global program that has awarded over 3,900 researchers and 122 Laureates from more than 110 countries since its launch in 1998.
While gender parity is almost reached at the PhD level or at the start of a scientific career, there are still strong disparities to be observed between the countries and the specializations. The glass ceiling remains a tangible reality, whereas the number of female researchers decreases as they access higher levels in their careers due to tremendous obstacles and barriers.
Since its inception in the Levant in 2014, the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Young Talents program has highlighted the achievements of almost 100 outstanding women scientists across the region, providing financial support to help these remarkable young women accelerate their work.
Mrs. Emily Wahab Harb, Managing Director of L’Oréal Lebanon, said: “Our changing world has never been in greater need of women and their discoveries. In a more and more complex, and uncertain world we are determined, to spare no effort in giving women the place they deserve, and encourage their participation in solving the great challenges of our time. She added: “The 5 scientists awarded today exemplify both diversity and excellence. As they overcome obstacles and push boundaries, they are fully participating in finding the solutions we need to create a sustainable future and a beautiful world. “
During her speech, Dr. Tamara El Zein, Secretary General of the National Council for Scientific Research- Lebanon, explained that: “excellence is not an exception. To the contrary, what is exceptional is the conditions under which researches in the Levant region, who despite tragedies and problems, prove one more time that the Arabic women are capable, tough, resilient and innovative, despite the toughest conditions, such as the occupation, the embargo and the degrading security and economic conditions. For a woman to be successful in Palestine, Jordan, Syria, Iraq and Lebanon for example, this simply means that she is capable of achieving miracles in the tracks of life”.
From his end, Professor Mouin Hamzi, President of the Jury, stated that: “Science needs the effort of all social segments, and the mobilization of competences is now vital more than ever before. In addition, the marginalization of the woman’s role in science will immediately reduce our capacity to win the battle”.
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ABOUT THE YOUNG TALENTS – 2022 FELLOWS: Five promising female talents were selected amongst more than 100 candidates for this year’s edition. They constitute true role models for being brilliant young scientists. Putting them under the spotlight ensures a bright future for science.
- Dr. Nancy Fayad, from Lebanon – Microbiology, bioinformatics & biotechnology: recognized for her research on the genomic composition of several microorganisms, and her publication on detailed genomic aspects and evolution of SARS-CoV-2 variants circulating in Lebanon.
- Ms. Rania Kassir, from Lebanon – Neurosciences, executive functions and language interaction in bilingual speakers: honored for her researches on the effect of the regular use of 2 languages on brain and cognitive functioning in healthy bilinguals and the refinement of knowledge on bilingual Alzheimer’s disease profiles and patients’ performances on executive, linguistic and mixed (executive and linguistic) tests.
- Ms. Zeina Habli, from Lebanon – Biomedical engineering, early diagnostics and cancer cell mechanics: rewarded for her work on developing a novel electronic chip for high sensitivity capture and counting of viable CTCs without using expensive antibodies followed by CTC enrichment post-capture.
- Dr. Fadia Alhaj Hussien, from Syria – Organic chemistry & Pharmaceutical Organic Synthesis: awarded for her research which focuses on developing and adopting an environmentally friendly methodology that follows the principles of green chemistry for the synthesis of organic azo dyes.
- Dr. Dua’a Azmi Abuarqoub, from Jordan – Stem Cell Technology/Regenerative Medicine: recognized for her research on dental stem cells and their clinical applications. As these cells are considered a new promising therapeutic approach that can be used in cell-based therapies, in the field of regenerative medicine.
ABOUT “FOR WOMEN IN SCIENCE” – A MORE THAN 24-YEAR COMMITMENT: Since 1998, the Fondation L’Oréal, in partnership with UNESCO, has worked to improve the representation of women in scientific careers, remaining strong in the conviction that the world needs science, and science needs women. Since its creation, the “For Women in Science” programme supported and raised the profile of 110 laureates and more than 4,000 talented young scientists, both doctoral and post-doctoral candidates, providing research fellowships allocated annually in 117 countries around the world.
ABOUT THE LEVANT REGIONAL FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM: The L’Oréal-UNESCO “For Women in Science” Levant Fellowship Programme was launched in 2014, in partnership with the National Council for Scientific Research (CNRS) in Lebanon. It aims to promote and empower Arab women scientists from the Levant region, namely Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, and Palestine. It acknowledges women scientists’ crucial role in the development of the region.
About the Fondation L’Oréal: The Fondation L’Oréal supports and empowers women to shape their future and make a difference in society, focusing on three major areas: scientific research and inclusive beauty and climate action. Since 1998, the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science program has worked to empower more women scientists to overcome barriers to progression and participate in solving the great challenges of our time, for the benefit of all. For 23 years, it has supported more than 3,900 women researchers from over 110 countries and regions, rewarding scientific excellence and inspiring younger generations of women to pursue science as a career.
Convinced that beauty contributes to the process of rebuilding lives, the Fondation L’Oréal helps vulnerable women to improve their self-esteem through free beauty and wellness treatments. It also enables underprivileged women to gain access to employment with dedicated vocational beauty training. On average, around 16,000 people have access to these free treatments every year and more than 18,000 people have taken part in professional beauty training, since the beginning of the program.
Finally, women are affected by persistent gender-based discrimination and inequalities, exacerbated by climate change. While they are on the frontline of the crisis, they remain under-represented in climate decision-making. The Women and Climate program of the Fondation L’Oréal supports, in particular, women who are developing climate action projects addressing the urgent climate crisis and raises awareness of the importance of gender-sensitive climate solutions.
About UNESCO: Since its creation in 1945, UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, has worked to create the conditions for dialogue among civilizations, cultures and peoples, based on respect for common values. UNESCO’s mission is to contribute to the building of peace, the eradication of poverty, sustainable development and intercultural dialogue through its unique expertise in education, science, culture, communication and information. The Organization has two global priorities: Africa and gender equality.
UNESCO is the only UN specialized agency with a specific mandate in the sciences, symbolized by the “S” in its acronym. Through its science-related programs, UNESCO contributes to the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, helps developing countries build their scientific and technological capacities, and supports Member States in their efforts to develop science policies and programs. It also supports Member States in their efforts to develop effective public policies that integrate local and indigenous knowledge systems.
UNESCO promotes scientific research and expertise in developing countries. The Organization leads several intergovernmental programs on sustainable management of freshwater, ocean and terrestrial resources, biodiversity conservation, and the use of science to address climate change and disaster risk reduction.
With its national and regional offices on all continents, UNESCO supports international scientific cooperation and works with many partners at the global, regional, and national levels. Through its partners, the Organization can draw on resources, know-how and expertise to promote its ideals and values and to strengthen the impact and visibility of its action in all its fields of competence.
