Young Emirati engineer Reem Al Marzooqi discusses getting global recognition for her work and becoming part of the Bentley Extraordinary Women initiative
Reem Al Marzooqi is a young female engineer and the first citizen of the UAE to be granted a patent in the United States of America for designing a car that can be driven without hands. Her “Lower Extremity Vehicle Navigation Control System” was initially designed to help the lives of those who are disabled and cannot drive a regular car. The system uses a steering lever, an acceleration lever and a brake lever which are entirely foot-controlled, allowing the driver to control the car without the use of their upper body. It was the first system of its kind and has already had patents granted in the United States and Japan while China and the European Union are now reviewing her designs. Here we find out more about her passion for engineering and what it means to her to be part of the Bentley initiative.
Tell us what it means to you to be part of the Bentley Extraordinary Women Initiative?
Being invited to be part of this event was something unexpected for me, and collaborating with a prestigious brand like Bentley for such an important initiative means a lot. I have always wanted to do something remarkable for society and to be known for doing good things, so I hope this collaboration will enable my voice to be heard and I hope to inspire the next generation of women with my experience.
What are you hoping to achieve by being part of this programme, and what do you think you can offer young aspiring entrepreneurs with your knowledge and experience?
I’d like to inspire young women as they begin their journey into the real world and tell them that it is not as scary as they might think. I hope to share my knowledge of the things I have learned about myself and the world around me since I started my career in engineering. It is all about having courage, trusting in your abilities and knowing that you are not alone in your journey to success.
Why do you think initiatives such as this are useful in helping to empower women in the UAE?
I think such initiatives shed light on the potential struggles women face in various aspects of their lives. For example, it shows how sometimes we place unrealistic expectations on women to meet specific standards in multiple places in our lives. Such initiatives offer a unique support system to women and a safe space to share their struggles and be inspired by other women as well.
What are some of the common codes you share with a brand like Bentley?
An appreciation of fine details and quality when it comes to representing a project I have worked on or a concept I’m applying in my work, I can see how Bentley focuses on that too.
Tell us about your passion for cars and why you decided to enter this field?
I grew up in a house full of boys so I was already exposed to cars from a young age. But I have to be honest, when I first started, it was challenging and embarrassing in a way, but I realised it’s actually fun to work in such a field and nothing need cause any embarrassment at all.
How do you make sure your voice is heard in an industry dominated by men?
I ensure my voice is heard through my work and the support I receive from other women in the field. The past couple of years saw an incredible development in the engineering field for women, such as Aircraft Engineer, Suaad Al Shamsi. The situation and opportunities for women in the engineering field have drastically changed and I have had great support from other women who push me further in my career development.
Who has been the biggest supporter throughout your journey?
My number one supporter is my mum. She has always believed in me, even when I was being questioned about the decisions I made for myself in my career. Without her support and belief, I would not have gotten this far.
Tell us about the car you designed and where this idea came from?
The inspiration for the project was Jessica Cox, a disabled pilot from the United States, who I contacted before I began working on the project. I first saw her on a TV show, and the idea came to my mind. I was thinking only about how I could help make day-to-day life easier for Jessica and other disabled people. My thought process was simple, and I wanted to create something I could send to Jessica for her to use.
What is the biggest challenge you face in what you do today?
One of the biggest challenges I face is working in a male-dominated industry. However, it’s my passion and this makes me challenge myself to excel even more in this field.
What would you still like to achieve that you haven’t done yet?
I would like to find an innovation that can help people who suffer from eczema – especially children – because I have watched so many people around me normalising the discomfort and pain caused by it. It’s a very stubborn condition to deal with and I don’t blame anyone who has lost hope, but I’m so sure that an innovative solution can help.
Tell us about some of your upcoming work for 2022?
I’m currently focusing on environmental projects and solutions to help the planet heal faster.
What advice would you give to women looking to enter the automotive industry?
Think of it as a bigger scale of toys and try to enjoy your journey, there is always a place for women in this field and mastering it will boost your self-esteem more than anything.
The UAE recently celebrated 50 years – what did this moment mean to you?
The 50th anniversary of the UAE allowed me to truly appreciate how far we have come as a country. By global standards, we are an incredibly young country and seeing it develop, while I myself transitioned from adolescence to adulthood, it has been a unique experience.
What is the professional motto that you live by?
Never underestimate your abilities or simplify or limit your capabilities to just grades, job title or degree. You need to invest as an individual and never stop learning.
