It is widely recognized that for a society to thrive, women must actively participate across all domains. Today, women are involved in diverse professions including accounting, finance, management, sales, marketing, banking, engineering, medicine, nursing, teaching, the armed forces, media, and sports. Despite this progress, the field of engineering notably continues to be predominantly male-dominated. This gender disparity persists globally within both engineering education and industry, highlighting engineering as a heavily male-dominated sector within STEM fields. Efforts are being made to address and reduce this gap through research and proactive solutions. Engineering institutions worldwide are actively striving for gender balance. Although the representation of women in engineering remains discouraging, concerted efforts in planning and fostering supportive learning and working environments can effectively narrow this gap. Dr. Saima Zafar, a trailblazing female engineer, exemplifies resilience in her career despite challenges, serving as a beacon of inspiration for aspiring women in engineering. She emphasizes the critical role of early education in subjects like Physics and Mathematics, asserting that a strong foundation is essential for success in engineering and computer science careers. It is imperative to invest in high-quality education at the secondary level to equip future generations with the skills needed to thrive in a world increasingly dominated by artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things. Women must be empowered to seize opportunities in these transformative fields to ensure they remain competitive in the global landscape.
Dr. Saima Zafar is a distinguished academician, celebrated as the first female Professor of Engineering in Punjab, achieving full professorship in January 2017. She currently leads the Electrical Engineering department at the National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences, FAST Lahore, renowned for its academic prowess in information technology and related fields. Dr. Zafar completed her studies at the University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, and has been associated with FAST for over sixteen years, significantly contributing to its transformation into a center of excellence. Her research and professional achievements have garnered national and international acclaim. She has been honored as a Professional Engineer by the Pakistan Engineering Council and elected as a Senior Member of IEEE, the world's largest technical professional organization headquartered in NJ, USA, dedicated to advancing innovation and technological excellence.
Since 2012, Dr. Saima Zafar has spearheaded the Smart Networking Research Group (SNRG) at FAST Lahore, overseeing numerous successful research projects. Her groundbreaking research findings have been published in prestigious scientific journals and presented at international conferences, earning global citations. Dr. Zafar's expertise spans computer networks, the Internet of Things, blockchain, artificial intelligence, and their applications in energy and healthcare. She has pioneered the development of smart healthcare systems leveraging these technologies, revolutionizing emergency response, patient care, disease management, and hospital operations. Additionally, she has supervised advanced research in smart wearable medical devices. Addressing the integration of renewable energy systems into power grids, Dr. Zafar's team focuses on developing energy management systems, load forecasting, and demand-side management. Under her guidance, SNRG has successfully completed multiple projects in this domain, with ongoing research endeavors underway. With women engineers such as Dr. Saima Zafar driving advancements in the field, we anticipate an increasing number of females joining this profession for its continued enhancement.