Asya and Marwa are two young budding IT professionals who have proven to the world that nothing is impossible. They have been excited about computers and everything related to it since they were kids. Their actual journey of success started when they joined Microsoft Imagine Cup Competition back in 2013. They were just three (Asya Al Jabri, Marwa Al Habsi and Safa Al Mukhaini) among the 300 odd students representing 71 nations, who had gathered in the cultural capital of the world’s largest country eyeing honors in a prestigious contest, in the world’s premier student technology competition. However, they did not win the competition, but what they won in Russia was worthier than any other prize. They have taken the opportunity of their very presence to change the misconception of the Arab women in technology. That was their proudest moment that gave them the giant leap forward.
Marwa and Asya were the first Omani females to attend Grace Hopper’s Celebration of Women in Computing, the world’s largest gathering for women technologist. They flew all the way from Oman to the States to attend the conference back in October 2013 under the theme of “Think Big Drive Forward”.
They are currently working on creating a tech community in Oman called PINKTECH, a physical space that aims towards creating an exciting collaborative environment for young women to flourish. A place where students and professionals meet, exchange knowledge and experiences, inspire each other, utilize their skills, pursue their passions and get innovative.
They believe it doesn’t matter whether you are a woman or a man; success waits for the person who endeavors to the end. Their ambition is to show the world that Arab girls are very competent and capable of achieving anything. They strongly believe that it is their moral duty to help empower more women in the field of technology and encourage young girls like them to discover and realize their dreams.