Dubai: Pathbreaking Saudi scientist Dr. Hayat Sindi provided a refreshing inside perspective on how women are best placed to adapt science to the needs of the most deprived sections of humanity. Speaking on Day Two of the Global Women’s Forum Dubai 2024, during a session titled ‘Game-Changer,’ Dr. Sindi shared her story and what inspired her to take up science at a very young age.
According to Emirates News Agency, Dr. Sindi, who is the Founder and CEO of the Institute for Quality (iQ), Goodwill ambassador for STEM at UNESCO, and Honorary Fellow at Newnham College, Cambridge University, has served on the UN Scientific Advisory Board. She said it had always intrigued her as a child that science offered little benefit to the needy, prompting her to consider how she could cultivate a meaningful connection between science and society. Her passion for social innovation and the potential of healthcare technology in low-resource markets became her life’s mission.
Challenges were plentiful, often presented by the t
echnology itself. For example, the prohibitive cost of innovations posed a barrier to the millions who needed them most. Ethical considerations that could be integrated into global health policy started to emerge as priorities for the young scientist.
Dr. Sindi highlighted the necessity for affordable medical technology and diagnostics, citing the average cost of COVID vaccines at $120, which was compounded by potential side effects. Similarly, the expense and health risks of CAT scans were addressed. She stressed that women could be pivotal in changing this scenario by driving policy shifts with their empathy and concern.
Dr. Sindi noted that more women are needed not only as policymakers but also as entrepreneurs and investors. Reflecting on her academic journey through Oxford, Cambridge, MIT, and Stanford, she shared how she remained focused on making a global impact despite challenges such as self-doubt, cultural differences, and language barriers. Her commitment to empowering women is rooted in her det
ermination to leave a lasting imprint on the world.
When asked about being one of the first women appointed to the Shura Council in Saudi Arabia, Dr. Sindi mentioned how it briefly diverted her focus from medical research but highlighted the importance of developing local policies to foster research. She emphasized that women could significantly advance social innovation by tailoring technological solutions to the lifestyles of the most underserved communities.