Ms. Hayat Sindi
President, Institute for Imagination and Ingenuity, Saudi Arabia (and TFM 10-Member Group)
Ms. Hayat Sindi is a leading biotechnologist and a champion of science and technology in the Middle East. She co-founded a non-profit organization with a team at Harvard called “Diagnostics For All” which creates innovative, inexpensive, point-of-care diagnostic devices for people in impoverished regions. She has invented a machine combining the effects of light and ultra-sound for use in biotechnology. Along with her scientific activities, she participated in numerous events aimed at raising the awareness of science amongst women, particularly in Saudi Arabia and the Muslim World. Further, at the heart of Ms. Sindi’s innovations is a passion to develop an entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Middle East that would transcend existing gaps between education and opportunity.
In 2011, she launched i2, the Institute for imagination and Ingenuity, to encourage innovation among young people, specifically scientists, technologists and engineers. Through fellowships, trainings and mentorships, i2 seeks to empower and inspire the next generation of innovators so that they may realize their dreams and ultimately contribute to Saudi Arabia’s growing economy. In 2013, Ms. Sindi was one of the first 30 women to be appointed to Saudi Arabia’s highest consultative body, the Shura Council, and she was one of the 25 global experts selected by former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon to be a member of the UN Scientific Advisory Board which provides advice to UN’s leadership on science, technology and innovation for sustainable development. Ms. Sindi is also a Goodwill Ambassador for Sciences at UNESCO. In 2016, she was appointed by former UN secretary Ban Ki-moon to the Ten Members group to support the technological facilitation mechanism (TFM) for Sustainable Development Goals. Recently, Ms. Sindi was asked by Prime Minister of Malaysia to join his Science and Innovation advisory council to support the country vision 2020.
In 2011, she launched i2, the Institute for imagination and Ingenuity, to encourage innovation among young people, specifically scientists, technologists and engineers. Through fellowships, trainings and mentorships, i2 seeks to empower and inspire the next generation of innovators so that they may realize their dreams and ultimately contribute to Saudi Arabia’s growing economy. In 2013, Ms. Sindi was one of the first 30 women to be appointed to Saudi Arabia’s highest consultative body, the Shura Council, and she was one of the 25 global experts selected by former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon to be a member of the UN Scientific Advisory Board which provides advice to UN’s leadership on science, technology and innovation for sustainable development. Ms. Sindi is also a Goodwill Ambassador for Sciences at UNESCO. In 2016, she was appointed by former UN secretary Ban Ki-moon to the Ten Members group to support the technological facilitation mechanism (TFM) for Sustainable Development Goals. Recently, Ms. Sindi was asked by Prime Minister of Malaysia to join his Science and Innovation advisory council to support the country vision 2020.