Khawla Al-Shehhi
Khawla Al-Shehhi is a graduate of the Higher Colleges of Technology, holds three degrees: a Master’s in Languages and Business Administration, a Diploma in French, and proficiency in Spanish, along with a basic understanding of Italian.
Khawla’s connection to the sea began with her love for swimming, nurtured by lessons from her father. Her true passion flourished during a transformative trip to Zanzibar, where she discovered diving and the wonders of marine life. This experience led her to pursue professional diving, allowing her to witness breathtaking underwater moments, including encounters with sperm whales in Mauritius.
Dedicated to promoting the beauty of the ocean, Khawla captures her underwater experiences to inspire others. She encourages her entire family to explore marine life and instils in them a commitment to environmental conservation.
Khawla Al-Shehhi embodies a remarkable blend of academic achievement and personal passion, making her a distinguished role model.
A journey into science
Over the years, Khawla passion for the sea has evolved from a love for diving into a commitment to scientific research. She noticed the subtle environmental changes in the oceans, driven by both climate change and human activities. This awareness sparked her curiosity and prompted her to explore critical questions: How can we safeguard these vital systems from degradation? How can we strike a balance between human use and the conservation of nature?
Focus on endangered species
Through her research, Khawla has focussed on endangered marine species and one of her memorable projects involved studying marine snails or “sea butterflies” as they are often referred to. These delicate creatures are particularly vulnerable to environmental changes, and Khawla’s goal is to understand how climate change and pollution impact these beautiful species.
Her work goes beyond theoretical research; she is actively engaged in developing practical strategies to protect these species from extinction. A key aspect of her efforts includes documenting these snails and conducting genetic studies to explore their adaptive responses to environmental changes.
Photography as a tool
Khawla also uses her photography skills to capture the beauty of marine creatures and shine a light on the challenges they face. For her, photography transcends mere artistry; it is a powerful medium for conveying critical environmental messages. Her underwater images showcase the rich biodiversity of the seas and serve to raise awareness about the urgent need to preserve these fragile ecosystems.
Khawla considers photography an essential component of her scientific endeavours. She firmly believes that a single image can convey more than a thousand words, particularly when illustrating the beauty and significance of nature. Through her photographs, she aims to inspire people to be more mindful and proactive in protecting the marine environment.
Challenges and perseverance
Like many women breaking barriers in unconventional fields, Khawla encountered a myriad of challenges. As one of the first Emirati women to venture into professional diving, she faced both social and professional hurdles, including scepticism about women’s roles in such environments. With the support of her family and her own determination to succeed, she triumphed over these obstacles.
Beyond societal challenges, Khawla also navigated significant professional difficulties. Working in marine environments demands both physical stamina and mental resilience, especially in the face of challenging underwater conditions. Yet, Khawla persevered, fuelled by pure grit and determination. She reflects on her journey as “a path filled with challenges, but every effort has been worthwhile.”
Empowerment and community contribution
In addition to her roles as a scientist and researcher, Khawla views her position as a diving instructor as a vital contribution to her community. She believes that training new divers is an opportunity to instil essential values of environmental conservation. She organises training sessions designed to teach aspiring divers not only the techniques of diving but also the ethical considerations of engaging with the marine ecosystem.
Seeking balance
Despite her numerous accomplishments, Khawla recognizes the vital importance of maintaining a balance between her professional and personal life. She believes a balance between work and family life is one of the key factors behind her achievements.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, Khawla is determined to further her work in scientific research and photography, with a focus on exploring new marine areas and documenting endangered marine species. She also plans to launch new initiatives aimed at enhancing environmental awareness within the Emirati community, particularly through educational programs for children and youth.
Khawla Al-Shehhi – A Role Model for Every Emirati Woman
Khawla Al-Shehhi exemplifies the remarkable potential of Emirati women who seamlessly blend passion, science, and art in their pursuit of a brighter future. Her journey is not merely a story of personal triumph; it embodies the aspirations and dreams of an entire generation of Emirati women. We honour Khawla Al-Shehhi not only as a scientist, photographer, and diving instructor but also as a powerful symbol of creativity, ambition, and commitment.
Dr Hind Al Amri
Dr Hind Al Amri is a prominent advocate for marine life conservation in the UAE, serving as a Marine Biodiversity Conservation Specialist at the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi. Her research plays a crucial role in providing essential scientific data to protect marine species from extinction.
With a Bachelor’s in environmental sciences, a Master’s in Biodiversity Conservation from the University of Leeds, and a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from the University of Exeter, Dr Hind focuses on the conservation of hawksbill turtles, vital to the UAE’s marine ecosystem.
Her efforts extend to enhancing critical habitats like mangroves, coral reefs, and seagrasses through field research. As part of the “Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Program,” she works to protect marine turtles by tracking their migration routes and conducting surveys of nesting beaches. Recently, she revealed their remarkable adaptability to harsh environmental conditions, underscoring their resilience.
Early beginnings
Dr Hind’s passion for marine turtles originated from her profound interest in marine life and biodiversity. She was particularly captivated by the unique challenges these creatures encounter, including environmental threats and climate change. She explains, “Engaging with nature, studying turtle behaviour, and witnessing the effects of conservation efforts on their survival have only intensified my commitment to this field.”
Major challenges
Dr Hind addresses the significant challenges confronting marine turtles in the UAE, including habitat degradation, climate change, and artificial lighting. She highlights the importance of promoting environmental sustainability initiatives, supporting research and scientific studies, and implementing effective strategies to manage coastal lighting as key solutions to these pressing issues.
Connection with marine environment conservation
Dr Hind’s efforts to protect marine turtles are intricately connected to broader conservation initiatives aimed at safeguarding the marine environment. Turtles are essential to the marine ecosystem, helping to maintain the balance of the food chain and serving as key indicators of overall marine health.
Environmental impact
Climate change has a direct effect on marine turtles, especially how they adapt to temperature fluctuations, rising sea levels, and developing adaptive strategies. Dr Hind explored the pivotal roles of both the agency and the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund in safeguarding marine turtles. We also discussed how these initiatives, under the leadership of Her Excellency Razan Al Mubarak, Managing Director of both organizations, contribute to broader local and global conservation efforts.
The role of agencies in protecting marine turtles
The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi’s efforts are pivotal in protecting marine turtles at the local level. These efforts include accurately monitoring nesting sites, implementing advanced protection measures to keep these sites safe from human interference and natural threats, and conducting awareness campaigns targeting local communities to increase awareness about the importance of marine turtles and their role in the ecosystem. These efforts reflect the agency’s commitment to preserving biodiversity and conserving the marine environment.
The Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund
Globally, the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund provides significant support to conservation projects through grants for initiatives focused on marine turtles and other endangered species. These grants help implement research and conservation programs that effectively contribute to species conservation and promote environmental sustainability. Dr Hind points out that the support from the fund enhances international initiatives and helps achieve tangible results on the ground.
Importance of integrated conservation
Dr Hind underscores that merging local and international efforts significantly enhances the effectiveness of conservation initiatives, ensuring sustained progress in environmental and species protection. This integrated approach fosters meaningful and tangible improvements in safeguarding marine turtles and promoting the sustainability of their habitats.
These collaborative efforts exemplify how partnerships between local agencies and global funds can profoundly impact biodiversity conservation and sustainability, solidifying the UAE’s position as a leader in environmental and species conservation.
Dr Hind Al Amri: Together we can do better
Dr Hind emphasizes the vital role of collaboration between local communities and authorities in protecting marine turtles and the broader marine environment. She highlights that education and awareness are crucial in enhancing the effectiveness of conservation efforts for these critical habitats.
