14-yr-old wants to ‘invent’ a ministry
14-year-old Fatima impresses ‘e7 Daughters of the Emirates’ summit
When I was younger and someone mentioned the word minister, I would think of a white-haired, old man. Today, the UAE leadership is involving the youth in its future and I want to take advantage of that”
FATIMA AL KAABI
dubai — Fatima Al Kaabi, a 14year old Emirati inventor, is on a mission: to become the UAE’s minister of innovation. But, she says, she’ll also settle for minister of state for youth.
Al Kaabi was among the influential young Emiratis at the second annual Promise of a Generation initiative ‘e7 Daughters of the Emirates’ summit in Dubai, alongside such big names as Lubna Qassim, executive vice-president, group general counsel and group secretary for Emirates NBD.
“When I was younger and someone mentioned the word minister, I would think of a white-haired, old man. Today, the UAE leadership is involving the youth in its future and I want to take advantage of that,” she said.
Barely a teenager, Al Kaabi already has 10 inventions under her belt, including ‘electronic bracelets’, which are being developed to enhance security for Expo 2020, as well as electronic belts to help the hearing-impaired.
“I don’t make inventions for the sake of it; I make things that are needed. I try to focus on products that serve a humanitarian purpose, serve in sustaining the environment, and help those in need,” she said.
dubai — With the UAE Cabinet’s newly appointed Minister of State for Youth and Minister of State for Happiness dominating the headlines of late, 14-year-old Fatima Al Kaabi wants to bring something new to the table.
“I want to introduce something else unique, like a Minister of Innovation,” she told Khaleej Times.
“But if that doesn’t materialise, I’ll settle for being the next Minister of State for Youth,” she said.
And she has the support of the current Minister for Youth, Shamma bint Sohail Al Mazrui, for that.
“I met her once and she said she has read a lot about me and my inventions. She told me she hopes I become the next minister to represent the UAE’s youth.”
Speaking on the sidelines of the second annual Promise of a Generation initiative ‘e7 Daughters of the Emirates’ summit, Al Kaabi’s presence on stage among some of the UAE’s most influential women — including Lubna Qassim, Executive Vice-President, Group General Counsel and Group Secretary for Emirates NBD — was powerful.
Last year, the ninth grade Knowledge Palace International School, Al Ain, student was announced as one of 44 people awarded the title of “UAE Pioneers”, for her contributions to the nation. She was the youngest person selected to receive the accolade from His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Noted as the youngest Emirati inventor, Al Kaabi’s inventions include ‘electronic bracelets’ which are being developed to enhance security for Expo 2020, as well electronic belts to help the hearingimpaired.
To date, she has 10 inventions to her name. “I don’t make inventions for the sake of it, I make things that are needed. I try to focus on products that serve a humanitarian purpose, serve in sustaining the environment, and help those in need.”
Commenting on her dreams of one day being called the Minister of Youth, she said her reasoning is quite simple.
“When I was younger and someone mentioned the word minister, I would think of a white-haired, old man. Today, the UAE leadership is involving the youth in its future and I want to take advantage of that.”
The e7 Summit aims to create a network and development experi- ence for young women in the UAE by focusing on: inspiration; training; connection; and commitment.
The year-long programme began with a three-day summit on Wednesday to inspire, train and connect five young women (aged 18-25) from each emirate — a total of 38 women in all — endowing them with the tools and support to commit to team initiatives to benefit their communities.
Taking place under the umbrella of Promise of a Generation (POAG), a UAE-based non-profit community, this year’s initiative will link to POAG’s five pillars of action: Culture and heritage; education and career; enhancing opportunity (for the less fortunate); environment and health; women leaders and family.
Al Kaabi — who has been inventing things since the age of seven — said although she has taken some inspiration from UAE-based innovators/inventors, the number is still lacking here, especially among the youth.
“That lack in number is what inspires me. It encourages me to play my part in creating my country’s future and if my inventions are a part of this future, then great.”