Lama Al-Khateeb

Jordanian educator who pioneered girls' STEM education in the Middle East through innovative online platforms

Lama Al-Khateeb (b. 1976) is a Jordanian computer engineer and founder of Techyork, a groundbreaking online learning platform that has empowered over 200,000 girls in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region since 2002. Her vision to bridge the digital gender gap led to the creation of CodeHer, the first Arabic-language coding curriculum designed specifically for girls aged 12-18. Al-Khateeb's 2018 partnership with UNESCO expanded her programs to 15 countries, including conflict zones like Syria and Yemen. She developed the Virtual Lab Network, a cloud-based system allowing students without physical labs to conduct experiments remotely. Her work was instrumental in Jordan's 2015 mandate requiring all schools to offer computer science courses, resulting in a 300% enrollment increase among girls. Al-Khateeb's TED Talk 'Bridging the Digital Divide in the Arab World' has been viewed over 2 million times. Her Girls in Tech Awards program has recognized 1,200 young innovators, including 2019 winner Layla Al-Farsi whose solar-powered water purifier won a UN Innovation Prize. Al-Khateeb's initiatives have been cited in the World Bank's 2020 Gender in Tech Report as a model for inclusive education systems. Recent projects include AI for Heritage, using machine learning to preserve endangered Arabic dialects, showcasing her intersectional approach to tech and culture.