The next generation of entrepreneurs and business leaders matched their education and creativity with a new knowledge and skill set as the Dunia Young Business Leaders Program came to a successful close last week. The complimentary program, which was launched by Dunia Finance (dunia) four years ago, was recently awarded the Dubai Endowment Sign from the Mohammed Bin Rashid Global Center for Endowment Consultancy (MBRGCEC) in recognition of dunia's contribution to the community and as a model for private sector enterprises. The receipt of the Dubai Endowment Sign reinforces how this free-of-charge, high-impact program helps address the development needs of the community.
Led by dunia, a leading UAE-based financial services provider, the award-winning two-week program targets high school students in grades 11 and 12, as well as first and second year university students. By connecting participants with top industry leaders and entrepreneurs sharing their insights and expertise, the program helps equip students with the skills and commercial understanding necessary to excel in their respective fields.
The students worked tirelessly to develop their business ideas and plans, with many of the participants set to carry out these plans after the program. Among the innovative business ideas was "Tyezo," which provides piezoelectric tyres that create energy from the pressure the car exerts to manufacturers; "Jack and the Beanstalk," which uses hydroponic methods to create high yield crops in areas where there's a lack of the necessary nutrients in food; and "Viva Tech," a portable child safety device that measures heat and motion to help prevent potential dangers to children by providing alerts through a mobile application.
The program, which is held annually, welcomed 57 students this year, marking a 61 percent increase in enrolment since its inauguration in 2013. The group was mentored by dunia management team members and key executives and they engaged with experts in an interactive schedule that covered topics like leading high performance teams, developing financial models, brand building, communication, crowd funding, and the use of social media. The students also joined a roundtable discussion with dunia's CEO, learned about EXPO 2020, and visited the Senses Residential and Day Care Centre for special needs and the Sheikh Mohammed Center for Cultural Understanding, among other activities.
Commenting, Rajeev Kakar, Managing Director and CEO of dunia, said:
"The world is now more competitive and fast-paced than ever, which requires the new generation to be creative and innovative, so as to disrupt the status quo - and this was evident in the ideas that were discussed in this year's program.
Our goal at dunia is to inspire and empower youth to be catalysts for change - change that would enrich their own lives, and the lives of their communities. Through the program and its mentorship and learning opportunities with seasoned professionals, we are ensuring these students have the knowledge and skills to develop their innovative ideas and make their dreams a reality. Most importantly, as up-and-coming leaders, each will have a role to play in job creation and economic evolution through their active and meaningful participation in society.
Engaging with these students over the course of the past two weeks has reinforced my optimism for the future, as I see them eager to pursue their dreams."
Taanvi Malhotra, one of the students, said: "The Dunia Young Business Leaders Program was an exciting two weeks filled with creativity, innovation and passion - and a lot of reading - which amounted to a lot of insight to the business world, answering many pondering questions in my mind."
Additionally, Bo Holma, a father of one of the students, commented on his son's experience: "We are extremely grateful for the training our son received in the Dunia Young Leaders Program. He developed amazingly during the two weeks, and I do not think I have ever seen him working as hard and enthusiastically preparing for the next day of training or schooling. He learned so much -from the program and the fantastic lecturers, and from his fellow students - and not least, he learned a great deal about himself. My son told me afterwards that this was two of the best weeks in his life, and it shows. You really managed to get the best out of the students - thank you!"
Education and continual learning is one of four key pillars of dunia's corporate social responsibility platform, dunia Cares. The platform enables the company to progress on a range of causes that seek to empower people, enrich lives and drive success.
More information on the Dunia Young Business Leaders Program can be found on dunia's website: www.dunia.ae/youngbusinessleaders.
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ABOUT DUNIA FINANCE
Dunia is an Abu Dhabi headquartered finance company operating in the UAE. It is a strategic investment and alliance created by a group of leading players namely:
· Mubadala - a wholly owned investment vehicle of the Government of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi
· Fullerton Financial Holdings - a wholly owned subsidiary of Temasek Holdings in Singapore
· Waha Capital - a holding company engaged in owning, selling, leasing and investing in various types of fixed and movable assets worldwide
· A.A. Al Moosa Enterprises - one of the leading business groups in the UAE
Dunia aims to focus nationally on the key Mass Affluent and Mass Market segments in the Consumer Financial services side, and on the SME and Small business customers on the Business Finance side. Through a nationwide presence in the UAE, dunia provides a full-function product range, including a secured and unsecured loans, credit cards, financial planning services, deposits, financial guarantees and payroll processing for non-individual customers.
Dunia is unique in its use of a customer-centric approach that aims to deliver a differentiated, yet relevant and unique value proposition that caters to the holistic product, convenience, experience, and service expectations of people in the UAE. All this is delivered sustainably and predictably to customers through processes and a proposition that is supported by investment in state-of-the-art technology and capabilities; and through partnerships with service providers who excel in their individual areas of expertise. Dunia is led by a senior management team comprising of talented and seasoned business leaders with significant global experience.
Dunia means 'the world' in Arabic and in several other languages spoken in the UAE. Dunia aims to offer its customers a world of opportunities.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Mariam Elsamny, Head of Corporate Affairs, Dunia Finance
Email: mariamelsamny@dunia.ae
Tel: +971 528559555
MEDIA CONTACT
Nora Layous, Bell Pottinger
Email: nlayous@bellpottinger.com
Tel: +971 55 559 7400
© Press Release 2016
