Dubai, UAE – June 16, 2025 — In a landmark moment for regional tech education and gender empowerment, the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in Dubai hosted the graduation ceremony of the NOMU Al Ghurair Women in AI programme. The initiative, a collaboration between the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation (AGF) and AI education platform ZAKA, honoured 70 Emirati and Arab women who completed a rigorous 20-week AI certification.
The programme is part of the broader NOMU initiative, launched by AGF in 2021 to empower 25,000 Emirati youth by 2025. “NOMU,” meaning “growth” in Arabic, aims to develop future-ready skills in artificial intelligence and machine learning, especially among underrepresented demographics.
A Trailblazing Milestone
The graduation ceremony, held on RIT Dubai’s campus, drew high-profile attendees including Dr Yousef Al Assaf, President of RIT Dubai; Dr Sonia Ben Jaafar, CEO of the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation; and Larissa Abi Nakhle, Co-founder and Head of Partnerships at ZAKA.
In her address to the graduates, Dr Ben Jaafar praised the women for entering and excelling in a field traditionally dominated by men. “You have stepped into a male-dominated field, and you did this boldly and fearlessly,” she said. “You are the spark of a movement… the UAE’s innovation economy will not be built by machines alone, it will be built by women like you.”
The Human Side of AI
Dr Al Assaf took the opportunity to preview RIT Dubai’s future campus developments, including six upcoming centres aimed at fostering innovation and collaboration. Emphasizing the human role in AI development, he remarked: “Smart machines are not replacing jobs—they are creating jobs. But we must ensure that the human element is embedded in the algorithms we create, so technology serves humanity.”
Graduates were awarded certificates after completing a selective and intensive programme that combined technical AI training with job-readiness and soft skills. The initiative is timely, aligning with projections that the Middle East’s AI sector could contribute up to $320 billion to the regional economy by 2030, with annual growth rates estimated between 20% and 34%.
A Growing Force in AI
The cohort represents a growing movement of women embracing roles in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), especially within the UAE’s broader push toward digital transformation and economic diversification. The success of this batch sets the stage for more inclusive participation in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
The NOMU Women in AI programme continues to serve as a beacon for empowering women across the region to not only participate in but also shape the future of technology.
