Contributors

EurAfrican 2024

Nisreen El-Hashemite

Executive Director, Royal Academy of Science Int’l Trust & Founder
President of Women in Science Int’l League, New York

HRH Princess Dr. Nisreen Bint Prince El-Sharif Mohammed Bin King Faisal (I) Bin El-Sharif Hussein El-Hashemite’s origins combine history, religion, politics and education, since she is from the Hashemite Family the holiest family among the Arab World and a direct descendent of the Prophet of Islam, Mohammed (S).

Princess Nisreen is the granddaughter of King Faisal (I) Bin El-Sharif Hussein, the first King of Iraq and founder of the Modern State of Iraq, where the Iraqi Nation with all of its diversified ethnic origins and religions for the first time, in its history became united under the King’s leadership and his commitment to democratic values, implemented through education, tolerance, mutual respect, and upholding good relations between neighboring and other international countries.

Following in the steps of her ancestors, and vowing to preserve the traditions of her family Princess Dr. Nisreen not only dedicated herself to serving mankind, but also is the first Royal Princess qualified in science and medicine, with a Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences, Master of Science, Medical Doctorate (MD) and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Human Genetics. Dr. Nisreen is an internationally recognized scientist and scholar, a winner of awards in the fields of science, arts, literature, and humanitarian affairs and an author of several scientific papers, studies and books.

Her career started in 1995 at University of London hospitals and Institutes where she developed a preventive technique known as Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis of single gene disorders that is now in use as a preventive procedure in more than 100 centers worldwide. She further helped raise public and political awareness of genetic disorders, its causes and social-economic value of prevention programs. She continued her career at Brigham and Women’s Hospital – Harvard Medical School, where conducted research on sex (biological) differences in tuberous sclerosis related cancers, which will lead to new therapeutic strategies and early detection of major types of cancer through accurate blood tests.

In 2007, Princess Nisreen left her scientific career at Harvard Medical School, to which she was very committed, to devote herself to serving socio-economic sustainable development in the world, throughout the programs of Royal Academy of Science International Trust (RASIT) as its Executive Director.

Princess Nisreen’s experience in Science and Innovation, vision and leadership led to a great development in RAST’s work, partners and affiliates into an international platform for catered socio-economic development programs that would answer the specialized needs of countries and regions. Her fingerprints on shaping the future of sustainable economic growth through mobilizing science, technology and innovation is quite visible and recognized worldwide.

In addition to many achievements at the International arena, in 2015 The Science Princess, as known worldwide, HRH Dr. Nisreen is the first academic professional and CEO of an NGO credited with creating a UN International Day. From drafting and introducing the resolution to a successful lobbying, the UN has designated February 11 as “International Day of Women and Girls in Science”.

In 2018, Princess Nisreen launched the first Girls in Science 4 SDGs International Platform providing scholarships, support and opportunities for more than 1500 girls from around world to fulfil their dreams in science. In the same year, Dr Nisreen launched The Capital Fund for Women and Girls in Science, and the Women in Science for Water. In 2016, Princess Dr El-Hashemite founded an international campaign for “Science in Diplomacy”, followed by a movement of “Women in Science in Diplomacy”, which has led to the appointment of more women in science in diplomatic and senior governmental positions.

Dr. Nisreen’s humanitarian journey began at the age of 14, when her mother asked for her help and support with underprivileged children. Since then, she has worked to support elderly and disabled people, widows and orphanages, and refugees. As the Founder President of Jeans 4 Genes International, she seeks to improve the life of people with genetic disorders and raising funds to support scientific research.

El-Hashemite has also worked closely with the United Nations and its entities on achieving the Millennium Development Goals and the Sustainable Development Goals. She established the World Women’s Health and Development Forum as a Center of Excellence to improve women’s health. Princess El-Hashemite is the founder of the Women in Science International League.

Princess El-Hashemite is also co-founded the Culture for Peace Program, which aims to create peace and tolerance between nations, societies and communities through art, music, and lectures. She is the first artist to use Arabic / Turkish coffee for paintings, donating all the proceeds from her “Wonders of Coffee” collection to support children’s education and women empowerment programs. Since 2003, she supported more than 50,000 Children going to schools, 123 children healthcare and hospitalization, and economic empowerment of 285 widowed women.

Dr. Nisreen is founder of the Science Café Program as well as the Science and Society Program. She also established two global programs: MUTE International Program aims to promote, protect and ensure equal human rights for the deaf and hearing-impaired and Writing Science in Braille aims to raise the international community’s attention towards the rights of blind and visually impaired individuals – particularly women and girls – in science, education and literacy, equal opportunities, as well as their inclusion in sustainable development programs as agents of change, not only its beneficiaries.

In 1998, Princess El-Hashemite organized and chaired the RASIT-UNESCO Conference: The First International Congress of University Students, which led to the United Nations resolution observing August 12 as the International Youth Day. Since 2009, she has created, established and supported several youth programs including: The Generations in Dialogue Program, ENWAN Arab Youth Empowerment Programs, campaigns to renounce sectarianism and radicalization, to create synchronization, harmony and reconciliation in societies and communities. Dr. El-Hashemite devotes time to mentor and empower youth. She always have time to visit schools and uses her titles as a Princess and a doctor to attract the attention of children and encourage them, mainly girls, to choose science as a career. Currently, Princess Dr Nisreen is working on “Cansu Global”, aiming to bringing holistic approach through science– and green technology– based solutions for Water, without leaving anyone behind.