2011 EDITION

For her work on corrosion,
a problem of fundamental importance
to water treatment and
the oil industry
without producing benzene. This was a veritable revolution for
the refining industry, reducing costs and making it safer for
refinery workers, the environment and the general public. It
was also a major advance for water treatment, since this new
class of catalyst can also be used to extract certain pollutants
from drinking water.
A Career in Chemistry
After earning a BSc degree from Ain Shams University in
Egypt, Faiza Al-Kharafi received her MSc and PhD from
Kuwait University, where she joined the faculty in 1967.
From 1993 to 2002 she served as head of the Chemistry
Department, Dean of the Faculty of Science and President
of the University, becoming the first woman to head a major
university in the Arab world. In 2002, she left her university
post to serve on the Kuwaiti government’s Supreme Council
of Planning and Development.
Professor Al-Kharafi has greatly contributed to the promotion
of science in Kuwait. She has been the research director for
over twenty research projects in corrosion and has facilitated
fruitful international collaborations between Kuwait University
and other universities in France and around the world. She is
a member of the United Nations University Council and Vice
President of The Academy of Sciences for the Developing
World.
FAIZA
AL-KHARAFI
IN HER OWN
WORDS
EXEMPLARY DEDICATION
Faiza Al-Kharafi has been committed
to science since a young age.
She went on to become a leading
scientific figure in Kuwait, experiencing
first-hand women’s contribution
to the development of science
and their strong commitment. As
president of Kuwait University from
1993 to 2002, she was in charge
of 1,500 staff members, more than
5000 employees and more than
20,000 students annually. Today,
she emphasises the important role
women play in scientific research.
“In the Faculty of Science at Kuwait
University, more than 40 percent
of the staff members and students
are female. Their contribution to the
development of science in general
is very important.”
A WOMAN WHO ACCEPTS
CHALLENgES
Throughout her career, Faiza
Al-Kharafi has noted how “many
people underestimated the abilities
of women in science,” she explains.
“Another big challenge was finding
the right balance between my work
and raising my children. By hard
work, dedication and commitment,
and also thanks to time management
and family help,” she says,
she was able to succeed at this
difficult juggling act.
Professor Al-Kharafi is extremely
pleased to receive this award that
promotes the cause of women
scientists. “I very much hope that
this prize will encourage young
people – especially girls – to
specialise in scientific fields and be
more involved and committed to
the development of society.”