ABOUT
Dr. Noura Al Dhaheri is the General Manager of Maqta Gateway. As a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Ports, Maqta Gateway offers the first purpose-built and most innovative Port Community System (PCS) in the UAE. Designed in line with international standards, Maqta Gateway acts as a single window provider facilitating information flow between all port stakeholders and users.
Dr. Al Dhaheri has assumed leadership of Maqta Gateway from its inception in 2014. Since then, she has activated the development of the PCS system and is now spearheading its market expansion.
Dr. Al Dhaheri has helped usher in a seamless transition into a totally digitalised way of conducting trade, creating a bridge between data and the port’s business operations, while aligning with the Abu Dhabi 2030 economic vision of optimising port processes.
Her innovative vision, coupled with remarkable technical and managerial skills, have been instrumental to achieving successful implementation of the most advanced and highstandard port community system. Maqta Gateway will be providing efficient and modern port community solutions across the UAE which will support a sustainable and growing trade business in the Emirates.
In addition to obtaining a BSc degree in Software Engineering and an MSc in Engineering Systems and Management, Dr. Noura Al Dhaheri completed her PhD at Masdar Institute and Massachusetts Institute of Technology .Her studies are part of the Interdisciplinary Doctoral Degree Program, focusing on formulating mathematical optimisation models with special applications to seaport operations, including developing a mathematical model to optimize efficiency, safety and sustainability at the container terminals at Khalifa Port by speeding up the loading and unloading of containers using quay cranes, reducing the time spent at port by container vessels.
She was recognised with numerous prestigious awards for her outstanding contributions in the field of information technology, including the “Best Pipe Inspection Robot” Award which was presented to her by Schlumberger. She has also been published in the international and highly respected Journal of Manufacturing Systems, Computers & Industrial Engineering, Simulation Modelling Practice and Theory and Annals of Operations Research.
Another accolade has been a letter of recognition from Bill Gates who praised her innovative approach in designing a mobile learning device for which she and her team won the first prize in a regional competition – Imagine Cup 2007.
Dr. Al Dhaheri is also committed to social, environmental, technological and educational programmes. She serves as Vice President of the Emirates Digital Women Association and takes a leading role in supporting women in the digital and technical sectors, both at national and regional levels