Alia Muhammad – Women in Development and Peace
In recent years, the world has witnessed a digital revolution and rapid technological transformations that have opened new horizons in various aspects of life, including higher education. These transformations have opened up more opportunities for women to participate and be represented in higher education and scientific research, pushed for gender equality in the academic field, and provided distance learning options in many universities.
Technological advancements have contributed to empowering women academically and in research by providing them with new skills and advanced tools. In this report, we will present how these developments have affected women’s educational and research paths, the prospects awaiting them, and the challenges they face amid these changes.
Active Participation
Arwa Yahya Al-Iryani, an associate professor of Information Technology and academic researcher, confirmed that technology has broadened the horizons of higher education for women, enabling them to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary for academic and professional development. It has also provided educational tools and platforms available online, allowing women easier access to higher education, especially for those who face difficulties in enrolling in traditional universities due to geographical or social obstacles.
She added that Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) have played an influential role in the process of qualification and knowledge development. In terms of curriculum development, technology has helped to modernize curricula and make them more effective and flexible, which has contributed to motivating female students to think critically and creatively, and to use digital tools such as educational software and virtual simulations.
Al-Iryani pointed out that technology has facilitated female students’ understanding of scientific concepts and encouraged them to participate actively. As a result, the past five years have witnessed an increase in the number of Yemeni female academics obtaining PhDs in information technology from within Yemen and abroad. Additionally, technology has helped empower Yemeni women to participate effectively in international academic events, such as academic conferences and international scientific workshops, overcoming the traditional obstacles that prevented their participation.
She also indicated that social and academic platforms, such as ResearchGate and LinkedIn, have provided female researchers with opportunities to connect with their peers around the world. This has contributed to building international research collaborations, in addition to providing flexibility in academic work through distance learning and working from home, which has helped achieve a better balance between personal and professional life.
Increased Communication and Academic Interaction
Aida Muhammad, who holds a Master’s degree in project management, believes that Yemen has recently witnessed rapid technological developments that have significantly contributed to supporting the participation of Yemeni women in higher education. These advancements have enhanced their self-learning and flexibility capabilities, and increasing opportunities for communication, interaction, and learning despite the difficult circumstances in the country. She also notes that new educational methods, such as e-learning, have enhanced the participation of male and female students in the educational process and helped female researchers conduct evaluations and surveys remotely using modern electronic methods.
She further explained that e-learning platforms and distance learning applications, such as Zoom and Google Classroom, have provided opportunities for many women to attend workshops, seminars, and training courses online. This has enhanced their participation and interaction in various fields, especially in the academic field globally.
Muhammad highlighted that access to scientific resources has become easier than ever before due to digital libraries, e-journals, e-books, and those containing valuable scientific content in the form of videos and presentations.
Social Media
Samia Al-Ahdal, an expert in educational administration and planning, says, “Social media and technological openness, like any innovation, have positive aspects represented in providing easy access to knowledge and equal access for all. Those who want to gain more knowledge and delve deeper into how to obtain it can dive deeper and join groups that include a large number of scientists, professors, and students.”
She added, “These groups promote discussion based on intellectual strength and the strength of arguments, which allows for learning with complete freedom and comfort, especially if these sites are used during leisure time. They do not require a specific location or dress code, so one can participate, express opinions, and learn from home without hesitation or preparation.”
Regarding the role of social media, tools, and platforms in encouraging women to think creatively and develop their skills in various technological fields, Arwa Al-Iryani emphasizes that they play a significant role in this regard. She believes social media provides access to collaborative support communities, facilitating communication with experts and inspiring role models in various scientific fields.
“Before the emergence of social media platforms,” she explains, “the boundaries of knowledge and exchange of experiences were often limited to universities and local events, which led to the circulation of ideas within a narrow scope. However, with the advent of social media, opportunities arose for creative ideas, new experiences, and knowledge to emerge. These platforms have also contributed to spreading the success stories of women in technology, which has increased awareness and inspiration to enter this field.”
Al-Iryani observes that digital platforms offering various online courses and workshops have provided diverse opportunities for remote training and qualification. This has encouraged women to utilize these opportunities to develop their skills without the need for travel or neglecting household responsibilities, significantly reducing costs, especially with the availability of free courses.
She points out that these platforms offer innovative courses not available locally, helping women complete their qualifications in their dream fields, especially technological and scientific ones. Furthermore, they have provided opportunities to participate in international conferences without the need for travel, supporting women’s participation in knowledge dissemination at the local and global levels and achieving remarkable and distinguished successes.
Positives and Negatives
Samia Al-Ahdal pointed out that the digital transformation in education, despite its numerous benefits, also presents some challenges. She particularly highlighted the role of social media in both enhancing the positive aspects and contributing to the negative aspects of this transformation.
On the positive side, Al-Ahdal explained that social media provides equal learning opportunities for all groups, regardless of their social, economic, or geographical backgrounds. It also grants access to a vast amount of highly specialized information, enriching the educational process. Furthermore, it offers a wide range of applications that serve various educational purposes and encourages the free expression of opinions, fostering an interactive learning environment. This allows students to choose suitable times and places for studying, breaking free from the constraints of traditional classrooms.
However, Al-Ahdal also emphasized the negative aspects. One major drawback is the overwhelming amount of information, which can lead to distraction and difficulty focusing on essential information. The unfettered freedom of expression can also result in negative or abusive comments. Additionally, in some areas, poor internet connectivity may hinder the full utilization of these tools.
In light of the presented information, we can affirm that recent technological transformations in Yemen have played a pivotal role in empowering women academically. They have contributed to the development of educational curricula in various fields and specializations, broadened women’s participation in higher education, and increased their opportunities for success. Technology has enabled women to access diverse learning resources and connect with experts in various fields through academic interaction, enhancing their self-learning and innovation capabilities. This development is a promising indicator for the future of higher education in Yemen, empowering women to play a more effective role in driving development.