The conference explores means of empowering young Emirati talent and encouraging entrepreneurship

Dubai, 2nd of November 2015

The fourth edition of the Visions2Reality conference was concluded at the Dubai World Trade Centre yesterday (Monday), in the presence of more than 350 leaders and senior managers from the Emirati Government and private sector, renowned speakers from the UAE and abroad, and a group of young, creative Emirati nationals in the fields of leadership and people development.

The conference was held under the theme: 'Our Youth on the Success Roadmap', and organized by the Business Excellence Department at the Dubai Department of Economic Development (DED), in collaboration with Sharjah Islamic Bank Academy

The conference was attended by H.E Lieutenant General Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, Deputy Chairman of Police and General Security in Dubai, H.E Sami Dhaen Al Qamzi, Director General of the Department of Economic Development, H.E Mohammed Abdullah, CEO of Sharjah Islamic Bank, and a number of VIPs in the financial, banking and business industries, alongside media representatives. It was aired live on the internet, to be enjoyed remotely by a wider audience.

In his welcome address, H.E Sami Dhaen Al Qamzi praised the role played by Dubai's Government and the UAE in empowering young people, who are the hope of the future and will lead the sustainable development process in the country. He hailed efforts that aim to provide more opportunities for young people to develop their creative and innovative skills and entrepreneurship, following the directions of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan to make 2015 the Year of Innovation in the country. He urged creative young people and entrepreneurs to grasp the opportunities explored at the conference, and to actively engage in sharing their experiences for the best possible outcomes in many fields.

HE Mohammed Abdullah, CEO of Sharjah Islamic Bank, said: "We decided, in collaboration with our partners at the DED, to launch the 4th edition of the Visions2Reality conference with the aim of empowering young people and supporting their leadership visions. We have an exciting opportunity ahead of us, rich in knowledge and best practices in leadership. Let us learn from our likeminded peers and exert our efforts to achieve our well-planned vision by capitalizing on the greatest assets we have available: the human asset".

H.E Lieutenant General Dhahi Khalfan, in the presence of HE Mohammed Abdullah, honored the sponsors of the Visions2Reality conference, including the Platinum Sponsor, Al-Futtaim Motors; the Diamond Sponsor, Hind Al Oud; the Tourism Partner, Dnata Travel; and the University of Sharjah, Zayed University, Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University and the AUS, as well as all the speakers and creative young people involved.

The activities of the conference included highlights by Dr. Tommy Weir - a speaker, advisor and author on Innovative Leadership and People Development - on the "Leader of the 21st Century" model", an initiative launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to build distinct national capacities based on innovation and knowledge and to encourage future leaders. He used historical evidence to show how the far-sighted vision and creativity of the UAE's leadership are making the Emirati people the architects of their success, and that of others.

The conference encompassed two panel discussions that included six speakers - three in each one. Each of the two panel discussions was followed by presentations from creative young Emirati entrepreneurs: two presentations after the first panel and two after the second.

Dr. Tommy Weir was the keynote speaker at the first discussion panel, which included HE Jassem Al Baloushi, Head of Organization Excellence at Sharjah Islamic Bank and Chairman of Sharjah Tatweer Forum, and Mohammed Murad, Director of the Dubai Police Decision-Making Support Centre. They shared their ideas and experiences on "Future-oriented and Innovative leadership", "How to Lead Multicultural Teams" and the "Global Leader Network". 

The characteristics of a successful leader - including far-sighted vision, belief in one's vision, ability and drive, open-mindedness, commitment, communication skills and an ability to anticipate the future - were highlighted in the panel discussion. Panelists referred to the history of the UAE as an inspiring model for leaders to follow, by those who wish to go forwards in the road to success.

A group of creative young people in the field of leadership and people development was showcased. They spoke on a variety of subjects: Hamda Al Ansari on the Global Leader Network, Saud Sultan on "Future Vision", Rawda Ahmed Obaid on "Management Enablement", Shama Humaid Khalfan on "Innovation and Entrepreneurship", and Alia Al Hazmi on "Multicultural Team Leadership".

The second and closing panel discussion touched on several vital topics, including "Transformation and Management Enablement", "Making Influential Decisions", "Ethics and Integrity" and "Skills from a Global Perspective". Panelists included: Alex Davda, a business psychologist and client director at Ashridge Business School; Tara Cherniawski, a senior Learning & Development specialist in leadership coaching; and Marwa Karoura, who has over 15 years of coaching, training, leadership, management and human resources experience in a variety of diverse settings in the region. The session was moderated by Asma Al Hamid.

Vital topics covered in the closing session were the importance of talent empowerment to support the performance of companies in all sectors. Speakers urged companies to give opportunities to their talented people and to help them reach their full potential.

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.

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© Press Release 2015