Nashwa Eassa Quotes

When I got my OWSD fellowship, it was an amazing feeling. Before getting the letter, my academic career was a dream, the letter made it possible.

My wish for the next generation of women physicists is 'to be seen and to be heard'. There are brilliant girls waiting for their time to shine.

I was speechless when they told me that I had been awarded an honorary doctorate. It’s a great honour. I’m convinced that it can also provide motivation for girls and young women – they see that traditional patterns can be broken, and they can gain the courage required to invest in their future.

Many African governments and the industrial sector in African countries do not pay sufficient attention to research in the fields of basic and applied physics, in terms of funding and the use of research findings.

Not only that, they also function as inspiration for girls and young women, and show that it is possible for them to go to university, if they can receive scholarships and the right support.

Many women with a degree give up their academic career when they get married. They start a family and feel pressure from their family and society to stay at home and look after the children. Support from other women in the academic world may be decisive to them continuing their career.

Women in academia must work twice as hard to prove that they are competent. Men don’t have to exert themselves in the same way. I can see this structure everywhere: in Sudan, in other developing countries, and also in Sweden. Men have the top jobs in the academic world. Much remains to be done here.

We are opening doors into the academic world for more women, and in itself that makes me feel good.

I was fortunate to study at Linköping University before Sweden introduced tuition fees for students from outside Europe.

Another action that could be taken is to use research outcomes and results to advise policy-makers through policy briefs on topics such as the use of solar energy, knowing that sunlight is available, and there is a shortage in electricity supply in many African countries.

If I can contribute to making a positive change in the life of a single woman, it will give me sufficient inspiration to continue my work with gender equality.

The prize is very encouraging for Arab women and will show girls in my country that they can achieve their career goals, too."