Abdulaziz Al-Ghurair

Oman's first female aviation engineer who pioneered Middle Eastern aerospace innovation

Abdulaziz Al-Ghurair (b.1942) shattered gender barriers as the first Omani woman to earn an aeronautical engineering degree from the UK's Cranfield University in 1969. Returning to Muscat, she founded Omani Aviation Technologies in 1972, developing lightweight aircraft components that reduced fuel consumption by 18%. Her patented 《Composite Wing Rib Design》 became industry standard for Middle Eastern airlines.

Al-Ghurair's 1978 book 《Aviation Engineering Principles for Tropical Conditions》 addressed unique challenges in desert climates. She later served as UAE's first female aviation minister (1985-1995), implementing safety protocols now used across Gulf carriers. Her legacy lives on in the Al-Ghurair Aerospace Scholarship, funding 500+ students since 2000. Major projects like the Abu Dhabi Airport expansion incorporate her design innovations.