Let’s take UAE to 4.0, says Emirati engineer
al ain — Women in this part of the world are in the forefront of nationbuilding. But for Maryam Al-Kuwaiti, an Emirati graduate student at the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) in Al Ain, her sights are set on a wider horizon: a project that is considered a game-changer in the region’s aviation industry.
The 25-year-old engineer from Al Ain is one of the first Emiratis involved in a pioneering Strata Manufacturing PJSC’s project which developed the region’s first 3D-printed aircraft interior parts.
Maryam says she has lofty ideals but with feet firmly planted on the ground. “I’m sharing my experience and success story because I want to encourage more Emirati women to consider internships in the aerospace manufacturing field,” she said.
“The world is moving toward a Fourth Industrial Revolution — or Industry 4.0 — and this is leading to breakthroughs in advanced manufacturing and creating ‘smart factories’, where people and machines work together seamlessly.
“The UAE plans to be a big player in Industry 4.0 and I would like to see more Emirati females applying for jobs in this industry,” she added.
The pilot stage of the 3D-printing project in developing aviation parts for the cabin interiors of Etihad Airways’ fleet. Eventually, the venture will be expanded into a three-year ‘joint road map’ by Strata and Siemens, that will work on the mass production of 3D-printed complex parts for airline customers across the region.
“It is a huge and very challenging industry, one which the UAE envisions very big things for. I realised I wanted to be a factor in its growth,” she said.
Maryam studied Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at UAEU and is now doing her Master’s Degree at the same university. She also works as a manufacturing engineer at Strata, which based in Al Ain.
Previously, Maryam interned at the University of Oxford and the California-based semiconductor company GlobalFoundries before she had another internship at Airbus’ base in Toulouse, France.
Maryam joined Strata before a bachelor’s degree from UAEU in 2014. Maryam is now working on her thesis to complete her twoyear master’s degree in mechanical engineering. She has also published an academic paper on composite materials.
She desribes here involvement in the Strata project as a high point of her career to date, after having chosen mechanical engineering because of its “hands-on nature.”
“Every day, you walk down the production line and face a different challenge — that’s what I like,” she said.— angel@khaleejtimes.com
The world is moving toward a Fourth Industrial Revolution or Industry 4.0 and the UAE plans to be a big player in it. I would like to see more Emirati females applying for jobs in this industry.” Maryam Al-Kuwaiti, Emirati engineer