The Concluding of the Leadership Excellence for Women Awards and Symposium (LEWAS 2020)

The Leadership Excellence for Women Awards and Symposium (LEWAS 2020) concluded today, Thursday, 29 of October 2020, with more than 1,100 participants from oil and gas, chemicals, academic, healthcare, utilities, construction and many more diverse sectors from 57 countries around the world such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, the United States of America, Turkey, India, the United Kingdom, Malaysia among other countries from around the globe. 

LEWAS, held virtually for the first time, was successful to attract a global audience. The three-day business briefing encouraged progressive conversations and put the spotlight on influential business leaders who cultivated inclusion in their organizations, and have demonstrated resilience throughout the pandemic.

Topics highlighted focused on global, personal and organizational resilience and explored what sets resilient organizations apart from the rest, how diversity drives innovation and growth during crisis; preparing for the next market shocks, with many more sessions aimed at toxic positivity syndrome, coherence, biases and more.
H.E. Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Minister of Oil, confirmed that the advanced level of women in the Kingdom of Bahrain comes from the support of H.R.H. Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, wife of H.M. the King and President of the Supreme Council for Women, which has paved the way for Bahraini women to assert their merit in holding the highest positions in various sectors including oil and gas. H.E. the Minister of Oil added that the achievements of Bahraini women in the oil and gas sector constitute a success story that embodies the spirit of perseverance and qualities of competence and creativity, which qualified them to be an active and influential partner in the development of the sector. 

H.E. praised the fruitful and constructive participation of the forum's work in the topics related to women leaders in the energy sector and the efforts of the organizing committee to achieve the aspirations and objectives of the forum to enhance women's leadership abilities. Praising the high capabilities of Bahraini women in leadership, management and strategic planning.

H.E. the Minister of Oil pointed out that the forum was an opportunity to discuss and study the situation of the oil and gas sector and the future of this sector, in light of the difficult situation sought by the world due to the new Coronavirus pandemic.

H.E. expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation to Ms. Reem Al Ghanim, President of the Forum and Ms. Ezz Al-Mannai, Vice President and to all those forum organizers and participants, for their efforts in achieving the forum objectives. Praising the level of cooperation between Bahrain and Gulf oil and gas institutions, which is witnessing continuous development that supports joint Gulf cooperation. H.E. the Minister also highly appreciated the support provided by oil organizations and companies, which played a positive role in the success of the meeting, as the forum was a good opportunity to share experiences in everything that promotes the oil and gas sector in the region.

H.E. the Minister also congratulated all the winners of the Leadership Excellence for Women Awards through their outstanding contributions in the fields of leadership, innovation, talent, research and awareness. Stressing that the winners are role models for Bahraini and Gulf women working in the oil and gas sector.
The forum witnessed the announcement of the winners in 7 categories from academic excellence to the technical categories, Ibtisam Mohammed from University of Bahrain won the academic achievement for university student. Prof. Suzana Nunes won the award for academic achievement for University Professor/Researcher from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology. Fatema Husain won the Rising Star Award from Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO). Elspeth Crawford won the award for Leading with Excellence from Saudi Aramco. Dr. Salwa Sheikh was awarded the Woman of Achievement from Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, and Laurent Tainturier won the Corporate Champion (Male Champion) from BASF, and lastly, Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare was awarded the Corporate Excellence Award.