'We believe in investing in leadership skills required for changing global economy'

KUWAIT CITY, Nov 12

Kuwait Project Companies (KIPCO) and its group of companies held a round table discussion with members of the Protégés program at the Marina Hotel's Salwa Al Sabah Hall, Monday evening. KIPCO is currently sponsoring the mentorship programme that seeks to provide young people with opportunities to learn life and leadership skills. The protégés, founded in 2010, is an inclusive program that combines travel, lectures, group activities, challenges, games and fun. The discussion featured great insight from KIPCO Vice Chairman, Faisal Al Ayyar. Addressing the protégés, Al Ayyar said, "Our youth are our future and they need to be looked after by giving them the opportunity to enhance the quality of their social and business capabilities, therefore, we in KIPCO group emphasize to sponsor and support the youth endeavors such as protégés program that offers young youth the opportunity to develop their entrepreneurship and innovation skills."

Al Ayyar in a discussion facilitated by Proteges alumni, Mohammad Al Munaikh, discussed his past work experience and shared how he came to become the Vice President of KIPCO after first starting out as a fighter pilot. Along with life experience, Al Ayyar also shared some valuable business advice and strategies to the youngsters. The roundtable discussion was attended by protégé alumni as well as heads of sponsoring KIPCO Group companies which include Burgan Bank, KAMCO, United Real Estate, Qurain Petrochemical Industries Company, Gulf Insurance Group, United Networks, Kuwait Hotels Company and the American University of Kuwait.

Video
The protégés presented a video of their KIPCO group visits and tours and shared their project, Random Acts of Happiness (RAH). Officials from KAMCO shared that having incorporated Corporate Social Responsibility as a vital part of the company's agenda, they believed the youth represent the future and so needed to be nurtures and versed in how to develop their skills under a professional environment where they can grow academically, socially and behaviorally.

Opportunity
"In sponsoring the protégés program, we hope to contribute effectively in helping offer participants the opportunity to work closely with successful mentors who will add value, developing their entrepreneurship and innovation skills while working in teams and groups, contributing to enhance the quality and capability of future business men and women as well as promoting an entrepreneurial culture and spirit amongst our youth by giving them the opportunity and skills to develop." Mahmoud Al Sanea, Chairman and CEO of United Networks, shared, "United Networks as a pioneer in communications and media solutions provider in Kuwait is committed to contributing to the development and enhancement of the community it operates within. In line with United Networks' values, we believe in developing young people to become extraordinary leaders, by investing in the leadership skills required for the changing global economy."

"We aim to support programs like protégé that help realise the potential in these future leaders, with the necessary resources and facilitate their oaths to empower and enable them to pursue their dreams, open new horizons so they in turn can benefit and give back to their communities", he added. Amal Al Binali, Vice President for Admissions and Public Affairs at the American University of Kuwait stated that programs like the protégés can make a huge different in peoples' lives. "On one hand it offers the young generations a whole new world of opportunities and, on another hand, it benefits the society by creating new generations of leaders, entrepreneurs and socially responsible citizens. Such initiatives go in line with the core values of AUK, and thus, we are always keen to maximize our presence in such ventures" she said.

© Arab Times 2013