( CNN ) -- As a psychiatrist , former university president and advocate for Arab women in science , Rafia Ghubash is one of the United Arab Emirates ' most influential women . But her latest project is possibly her most ambitious yet : creating the Middle East 's first museum dedicated to the achievements of women . The museum , Bait al Banaat , or House of Women , in Dubai was officially opened at the end of 2012 by Dubai 's ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum , showcasing the contribution of women to the country 's history . `` Women here were empowered a long time ago , but have n't had a chance to tell our story , '' said Ghubash . `` Do n't think because we are covered we are not empowered . `` Women here were not in the media , but they were economically engaged and running businesses . '' The museum is the culmination of five years ' work for Ghubash , who financed the museum with $ 3 million of her own money . `` For me it was a full-time job but I had 20 volunteers of all nationalities working with me in their free time . It was nice to have people with different backgrounds involved , '' she said . In searching for a home for the museum , Ghubash turned down a free site in Dubai 's official heritage district for an old house in the historic Gold Souk neighborhood she grew up in . `` I was looking for a place to build and I came across a very old house that I remember from childhood , '' she said . `` It used to be called Bait al Banaat because three unmarried women lived there . Something about the name came to life for me . '' Ghubash said her grandmothers ' generation contributed far more to the politics , economy , education and literature of the region than has been recognized . Arianna Huffington tells women : 'Less stress , more living ' The museum contains a room dedicated to the Emirati woman poet Ousha Bint Khalifa -- known as the Girl of Arabia , a gallery devoted to temporary art exhibitions , a collection of Arabian fragrances and oils , traditional jewelery and a women 's study center . `` It was very important for me to present the museum in the best way possible to attract a younger generation . I want them to enjoy their culture and heritage , '' said Ghubash . Ghubash , 56 , has undertaken the museum project while taking a sabbatical from a career that led to her being listed 36th on Arabian Business magazine 's `` 100 Most Powerful Arab Women '' in 2011 . She grew up in Dubai in a family where she was encouraged to study . `` I came from a family where both parents made sure there were books available in the house , '' she said . `` I had freedom to read and to think for myself . '' Ghubash trained as a doctor at the University of Cairo and for a PhD in London , before returning to the United Arab Emirates as an assistant professor of psychiatry . In 2001 , she became president of the Arabian Gulf University in Bahrain , a post she retained until 2009 . She also founded the Arab Network of Women in Science and Technology , and served as its president for four years . `` My journey in life is very interesting , '' she said . `` I was focusing on becoming a doctor and practicing as a psychiatrist . `` Recently , I found myself attracted to something different : history and culture . '' Having achieved her goal in opening the museum , Ghubash is not content to rest and revel in the glory . She is already working on her next project to compile an encyclopaedia of women of the United Arab Emirates .
Rafia Ghubash spent two years working on Middle East 's first women 's university . Our grandmothers ' achievements are greater than recognized , she said . Ghubash is former president of Arabian Gulf University .