Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi Honours and Celebrates Women’s Achievements Through Art and Research
Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi (SUAD) proudly celebrates International Women’s Day with a series of initiatives throughout the month, reaffirming its commitment to gender equality, cultural recognition, and the empowerment of women through education, research, and the arts. Under the theme ‘For ALL Women and Girls: Rights, Equality, and Empowerment’, SUAD has announced the launch of a series of impactful initiatives that honour female trailblazers and support future generations of women leaders.
Advancing Research & Knowledge: Call for Proposals on Celebrating Women’s Voices
SUAD remains at the forefront of championing scientific research and cultural initiatives that highlight women’s achievements and promote gender equality. In honour of International Women’s Day, SUAD has launched a Call for Proposals, inviting scholars, artists, and researchers to explore women’s contributions, rights, and empowerment across academic and creative disciplines. This initiative seeks to honour women’s legacies, highlight their impact in the UAE and beyond, and inspire future generations of female leaders.
Participants are encouraged to submit proposals focusing on advancing women’s rights through research or empowering women through cultural and community-based initiatives. Selected projects will receive funding, mentorship, and institutional support, with expected outcomes including research papers, policy recommendations, digital archives, exhibitions, and performances. The submission deadline is 15 April, with projects set to commence in September 2025.
Honouring an Icon: A Tribute to Umm Kulthum
As a highlight of this year’s celebrations and to follow on its tradition to dedicate campus spaces to iconic influential women, SUAD will dedicate its iconic Oval Room to the legendary Umm Kulthum. Revered as one of the greatest voices of the Arab world, Umm Kulthum’s music transcended borders and generations, standing as a symbol of resilience, artistry, and empowerment. She will be the 5th women to join the University’s pantheon after Olympe de Gouges, Simone de Beauvoir, Germaine Tillion, and Marie Curie as Sorbonne Abu Dhabi honours trailblazing women whose achievements, contributions, and lasting impact have shaped history. The university actively raises awareness of their legacy to inspire future generations. To honour her legacy and mark the 50th anniversary of her passing, SUAD will host a special tribute concert by renowned artist Ghalia Benali on 16 April at Zayed Theatre, sponsored by Abu Dhabi Mall and patroned by Nadine Kaaki Al Nowais. Known for her soulful interpretations of classical Arabic music, Benali will revive Umm Kulthum’s timeless melodies, celebrating her cultural and societal impact.
Umm Kulthum was not only an exceptional artist but also a powerful voice for emancipation and dignity. Among her many unforgettable performances, her historic 1967 concert at L’Olympia in Paris stands as a testament to her enduring legacy.
Celebrating Women in the Arts: ‘Lumières de Femmes’ Art Exhibition
Running until 29 March, the ‘Lumières de Femmes’ art exhibition at SUAD’s Atrium showcases the creativity, resilience, and cultural expressions of 23 French and Francophone women artists based in the UAE. This collaboration between Feminin PlurielCollective- an international network empowering women across various professional and artistic fields- and AD’Art Collective, a Francophone community of artists in Abu Dhabi dedicated to cultivating creativity and artistic exchange, highlights the transformative power of artistic expression in advancing gender equality.
Featuring French artists and Emirati artist Khulood Al Jabri, the exhibition is a tribute to women’s contributions to the arts, offering a captivating experience for art enthusiasts, students, and the wider community. The exhibition is proudly supported by esteemed arts patrons and friends of Sorbonne Abu Dhabi Fairouz and Jean-Paul Villain.
Women@Dior & UNESCO: Empowering Future Female Leaders
Reaffirming its dedication to empowering young women, SUAD is proud to announce that five of its outstanding students have been selected for the prestigious Women@Dior & UNESCO Mentoring and Education Programme for 2025-2026. Since 2017, SUAD’s Career Centre has collaborated with Dior to promote gender equality through this transformative mentorship initiative.
This global programme nurtures female leaders by providing mentorship, leadership training, and access to exclusive Dior & UNESCO educational resources on sustainability, self-awareness, and inclusion. Participants will engage in inspiring conversations with women leaders and receive valuable mentorship from Dior professionals.
This year, Lalia Soumare and Ana Nahapeytan, Master’s students in Foreign Languages and International Business Management, Rita Taouaf, a Bachelor’s student in Law, Economics, and Management, and Nicole Weber and Najla Almatrooshi, Bachelor’s students in Philosophy and Sociology, will embark on this remarkable journey.
Additionally, SUAD students will take part in the Dream for Change Project, an initiative designed to drive gender equality and social impact. Through this programme, students will collaborate on projects that empower women and advocate for a more inclusive and sustainable future.
Reaffirming SUAD’s commitment to lasting change, Professor Nathalie Martial-Braz, Chancellor of Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, commented: “At Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, we believe that education & research are a powerful agent of change, capable of breaking barriers and shaping a more equitable society. This month, we honour the voices of the past, celebrate the achievements of today, and invest in the changemakers of tomorrow. Our mission is intrinsically linked to promoting equality and preserving women’s rights. We firmly believe that education & research open infinite horizons, and we are committed to creating an environment where women can thrive, equipped with the right resources and support to drive positive change in our societies.”
Through these initiatives, Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi continues to be at the forefront of championing women’s empowerment, fostering a culture where every woman and girl can reach her full potential.
For more details on SUAD’s initiatives, visit: https://www.sorbonne.ae/.
Last Updated on 15 hours by News Desk 1
