Born: 2002 (Herat, Afghanistan)
Biography:
Somaya Faruqi (also spelled Farooqi) was born in 2002 in Herat city, western Afghanistan. From a young age, she developed an interest in engineering by watching and working with her father in his car repair shop. Growing up, Faruqi witnessed the restrictions imposed on women’s education due to Taliban rule, as her mother was unable to pursue formal education past the age of ten.
Faruqi’s determination to overcome these obstacles and pursue her passion for engineering led her to become the captain of the Afghan Girls Robotics Team, also known as the Afghan Dreamers. In 2017, at the age of 14, she and five other team members, under the guidance of founder Roya Mahboob, traveled to the United States to participate in the international FIRST Global Challenge robotics competition.
Inspired by their experience in the United States, the team continued to train in Canada and participate in competitions across the United States in 2018. However, as their visas expired, Faruqi and her teammates had to find alternative opportunities to showcase their skills. They participated in team competitions in Estonia and Istanbul, refusing to let geographical barriers hinder their pursuit of knowledge and excellence.
By early 2020, at age 17, Faruqi became the captain of the Afghan Girls Robotics Team. The team dedicated themselves to meeting on a daily basis after school, further honing their engineering skills and working collaboratively to contribute to their community.
In March 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit Afghanistan and ventilators became scarce, the governor of Herat sought assistance from various teams. The Afghan Girls Robotics Team was one of the six teams contacted by the government. With guidance from MIT engineers and Douglas Chin, a surgeon in California, the team developed a prototype ventilator using a design from MIT. Faruqi’s father played a crucial role in supporting the team by serving as their driver, ensuring they could reach their workshop safely.
Throughout their three-month journey, which included support from UNICEF, the team successfully built a low-cost ventilator prototype using Toyota Corolla parts and a chain drive from a Honda motorcycle. Their hard work and dedication paid off when the ventilator prototype was completed in July 2020.
In recognition of their remarkable achievement, Minister of Industry and Commerce Nizar Ahmad Ghoryani donated funding and obtained land for the establishment of a factory to produce the ventilators. Faruqi’s inspiring leadership and the team’s innovative efforts brought hope to their community, showcasing the valuable contributions that young Afghan women can make in the field of engineering.
Faruqi’s accomplishments have garnered international recognition. In 2020, she was named one of BBC’s 100 Women, acknowledging her significant impact and influence. Furthermore, UNICEF featured her as a remarkable figure in 2020, and she was also part of the UN Women Generation Equality campaign in 2021.
Motivated by her supportive parents and her determination to become an electronic engineer, Faruqi continues to inspire young girls in Afghanistan to pursue their dreams and break barriers. Her remarkable journey serves as a testament to the power of education, perseverance, and passion.
Awards:
– BBC’s 100 Women
– UNICEF Recognition
– UN Women Generation Equality Campaign Participant