Innovative solutions for sustainability: How 3 Emirati women are coding their way to a better future

Three female Emirati students at 42 Abu Dhabi coding school aspire to develop innovative solutions to contribute to Abu Dhabi’s sustainability goals.

42 Abu Dhabi is an innovative and disruptive coding school launched in 2020 as an initiative of the Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK), providing a unique peer-to-peer and gamified learning methodology.

Marking Emirati Women’s Day, Salma Alamoodi, Muna Alhadrami, and Alya Ali Ghanim told Khaleej Times how the youngsters in their 20s plan to use coding skills to help ensure a sustainable future.

App for sustainable living

Salma Alamoodi, a graduate of environmental science and sustainability, has always been passionate about learning new skills, especially coding.

“Technology plays a vital role in driving digital transformation and shaping our future. My family and friends also encouraged me to join 42 Abu Dhabi and delve into the world of coding as it unlocks endless career opportunities.”

Alamoodi noted that Abu Dhabi’s sustainability goals resonate with her personal values.

“By implementing what I’ve learned, I plan to develop programmes that support sustainability projects, such as intelligent energy management systems or waste reduction algorithms. A project that I’m passionate about is developing a mobile app that promotes sustainable living practices among residents, providing them with tools, tips, and community support to reduce their environmental footprint.”

After completing her journey at 42 Abu Dhabi, she wishes to go beyond developing software by creating solutions that make a difference and address real-world challenges.

“One of the projects, which I plan to start is the development of a platform that connects female volunteers with local community engagement opportunities, fostering a sense of unity and collaboration. Additionally, I aim to be a role model for future generations, inspiring more Emirati women to pursue careers in the digital field.”

Boost resource efficiency

Muna Alhadrami has a background in chemical engineering, which has equipped her with a strong foundation in problem-solving and analytical skills. She sees coding as a “powerful tool” to complement her engineering knowledge.

“It allows me to apply computational solutions to complex problems in the field.”

At 42 Abu Dhabi, Alhadrami has mastered coding languages and techniques, expanded her skill set, and created new a solution to enhance local production.

“I’ve developed a platform to support productive local families, enabling them to sell and promote their products through the platform.”

Asked about her plans to support the emirates’ sustainability goals, Alhadrami underlined: “I aspire to contribute by using my coding skills to develop and optimise processes that reduce environmental impact and enhance resource efficiency in chemical industries, aligning with sustainability objectives.”

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