24 January 2008 Dr. Karen Panetta, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers' Women in Engineering (IEEE-WIE) Committee Chair, visited The American University in Dubai and met with the WIE members. The IEEE-WIE mission is to inspire, engage, encourage, and empower IEEE women worldwide. IEEE-WIE has a highly active local affinity group at AUD.

Dr. Boutheina Tlili, Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering at AUD is an IEEE senior member and WIE chair of the UAE section. "Dr. Karen Panetta had a great impact on AUD students and guests after sharing her experience with them as a female Engineer," said Tlili. She explained how being part of WIE will help attract, retain and sustain Women in Engineering. She noted that "women are a valuable resource that makes up 50% of the world workforce." She also explained that WIE does not exclude men. In fact, the mission of WIE is to foster a community of women and men that support their mothers, daughters, sisters and wives to pursue Engineering careers.

Dr. Panetta had a chance to speak with AUD students individually. According to Tlili, Panetta was "very impressed with their dedication to WIE affinity group."