13 October 2015
Under the theme: 'Youth at UAE'

Sharjah - The Business Excellence Department at the Dubai Department of Economic Development (DED), in collaboration with Sharjah Islamic Bank Academy, is set to launch the fourth edition of the Visions2Reality conference. To be held under the theme: 'Youth at UAE', the conference will take place at the Dubai World Trade Centre on November 2, 2015.

This year's edition of Visions2Reality aspires towards the 21st century leadership model launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to develop the skills of the young Emirati leaders of the future in accordance with the best international practices.

The conference will be an opportunity for participants to meet and learn from the national and international leaders in attendance, and to network and share experiences with their fellow guests.

The conference will welcome over 350 leaders and senior managers from the government and private sector in the UAE, alongside distinguished international speakers. Aired live on the internet, it will also be viewed remotely by a wider audience.

HE Sami Al Qamzi, Director General of DED, said the Visions2Reality conference has successfully contributed to developing a roadmap for the vision guiding the UAE towards sustainability and global leadership.

"On the back of the growing success of this conference over the past three years, we continue this edition with a new theme that aims to boost the participation of young Emiratis in varied business sectors, and to provide them with the necessary skills to improve their active presence in the economic development process in the UAE. We are looking forward to significant results that will further boost the leadership and excellence of our country," Al Qamzi stated.

HE Mohammed Abdullah, CEO of Sharjah Islamic Bank, said: "We are pleased to organize this conference for the fourth consecutive year, and to continue our privileged partnership with DED. As a bank that takes pride in being an integral part of the fabric of our beloved nation, we will support the government vision of boosting public-private partnerships (PPPs) to achieve excellence and sustainable development.

"We will focus on the theme of this year's conference - 'Youth at UAE' - and on how to prepare a new generation of Emirati business leaders, who will actively contribute to the government and private sectors alike. We will also focus on ways to boost human development, to keep pace with new changes and the rapidly developing business environment in the region and wider world". 

Sponsored by Al Futtaim Motors, Toyota, the event will encompass two panel discussions on Leadership and People Development, led by leaders from the business community.  It will also involve interactive roundtable discussions and speeches by senior students about the 'Gen Z' perspective.

The fourth Visions2Reality conference furthers the objectives set forth in the collaboration agreement signed between the DED and Sharjah Islamic Bank in 2012, which facilitated the launch of a series of forums, seminars, and workshops related to various economic issues of concern to the region and the world. It builds upon the resounding success achieved by the first three such conferences, held on an annual basis.

-End-

© Press Release 2015