Brief
Emirati women lead operations at UAE's Barakah nuclear plant
Mouza Al Mazrouei and Fatma Al Ali describe their work and career paths at the Barakah nuclear facility, highlighting the expanding role of Emirati women in high‑tech sectors.
By Felo News Desk · Published
At the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, Emirati engineers Mouza Al Mazrouei and Fatma Al Ali are part of the team that runs the UAE’s only nuclear power complex, according to Khaleej Times.
What happened
Mouza Al Mazrouei joined the Barakah project in 2019 after internships and a stint as an instrumentation and control engineer at AMEC Foster Wheeler. She now works in reactor operations for ENEC Operations and is pursuing a Senior Reactor Operator licence from the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation. Fatma Al Ali studied chemical engineering at the American University of Sharjah, completed an internship with Etihad WE, and later joined the Emirates Nuclear Energy Company, where she applies her training to plant systems.
What the reports add
The article notes that Barakah’s four nuclear units supply the UAE’s electricity round‑the‑clock, powering homes, hospitals, schools and industry. It emphasizes the precision‑driven culture of the plant, where every decision and procedure carries national significance. While the piece focuses on the two women’s personal journeys, it also mentions the broader aim of the UAE’s peaceful nuclear programme.
What was said
"The responsibility was on a different scale, and so was the opportunity to contribute," Mouza Al Mazrouei told Khaleej Times. She added, "What matters more is the trust and responsibility that comes with it." She also said, "Knowing that our work contributes to something so essential gives me a very clear sense of responsibility."
How it came about
Al Mazrouei’s early career included an internship at RAK Ceramics and a role at AMEC Foster Wheeler, which built the technical foundation for her later work at Barakah. Al Ali’s path began with a chemical‑engineering degree and an Etihad WE internship that exposed her to reverse‑osmosis and plant operations before she entered the nuclear sector. Both women describe a step‑by‑step build‑up of expertise through preparation, consistency and continual learning, reflecting the UAE’s broader push to increase Emirati participation in science and high‑technology fields, as seen in recent Felo coverage of Emirati women in airport emergency response and private‑sector Emiratisation targets.
Key facts
- Mouza Al Mazrouei joined the Barakah nuclear project in 2019 and works in reactor operations while pursuing a Senior Reactor Operator licence. (khaleejtimes.com)
- Fatma Al Ali studied chemical engineering at the American University of Sharjah and now works for the Emirates Nuclear Energy Company. (khaleejtimes.com)
- Barakah’s four nuclear units supply the UAE’s electricity continuously, supporting homes, hospitals, schools and industry. (khaleejtimes.com)
Sources
- [1] khaleejtimes.com — originally reported as “Meet Emirati women building UAE's nuclear energy programme at Barakah”
