Abu Dhabi:– The Arab Youth Center, under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has unveiled members of the second edition of the ‘Young Arab Pioneers’ initiative  on International Youth Day.

These members reflect honourably on Arab youth around the world through their accomplishments, leaving a positive mark in communities and fields such as scientific research, engineering, technology innovation, entrepreneurship, medicine, healthcare sciences, media, youth empowerment, and community development.

These achievements support the enhancement of Arab youth connection to the Arabic language and identity, good citizenship, and the reputation of Arab youth on various fronts.

The announcement was made during a ceremony organised by the Arab Youth Center in Abu Dhabi. The event was attended by Her Excellency Shamma Al Mazrui, Minister of Community Development, Vice Chairman of the Arab Youth Center, and Majid Al Nuaimi, responsible for youth leadership at the Ministry of Culture and Youth. Also present were participants from various programs and initiatives of the centre from across the Arab world.

The list of Arab Youth Pioneers includes members from various Arab countries, including Oman, Palestine, Tunisia, Morocco, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, and the UAE. These individuals are distinguished by significant positive impacts on their societies.

In the field of scientific research, Alia Al Mansoori from the UAE is the youngest space researcher in the UAE and the world. Dr. Abboud Al Sabbagh from Syria, recognized in Forbes' ‘30 Under 30’ list for 2021, completed his Ph.D. before the age of 27 with a ground-breaking thesis on how the human brain processes information through eyes. He is now a neuroscientist at the McGovern Institute for Brain Research at MIT, where his research focuses on psychological disorders and developing new technology to study and treat the brain by creating targeted non-toxic viruses.

In the field of engineering and technology, Engineer Ali Al-Yami from Saudi Arabia has made significant contributions through his master’s thesis on solving a long-range challenge in the oil and gas industry, specifically related to the concrete design of ground tanks for molten sulphur in oil and gas facilities. He graduated with first-class honours and successfully obtained a patented invention registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office under serial number 63/460,524. He has garnered great local and international certificates of appreciation and awards, including from the University of Florida Excellence Award, recognizing his outstanding achievements. Miyad Alsayel from Saudi Arabia, holds a Master's degree in Computer Science with a specialization in Data Analytics from Boston University and established ‘ByTech’, an initiative aiming to create a sustainable ecosystem centred on artificial intelligence. She has empowered and trained numerous young women in the field of technology and data.

The list further includes Butti Al Muhairi from the UAE, who was elected President of the Arab Youth Council for Climate Change. He successfully leads efforts to enhance youth contributions to climate action and awareness of technological and practical solutions.

Engineer Yusuf Ammoura from Jordan has been selected for his contributions to the world of technology by establishing ‘Al-Saqer for Drone Services’. He has laid the digital infrastructure for managing and operating drone systems, automating their activities, and developing policies and regulations to be implemented in the Arab region. ‘Al-Saqer for Drone Services’ focuses on employing, training, and creating job opportunities for numerous young individuals in the professional drone piloting field, aiming to reduce emissions, enhance energy efficiency, and provide innovative solutions for environmental protection.

Saif Al Deen Alaalej from Morocco stands out for his work in promoting environmental transition, particularly in plastic waste recycling. His project has amassed numerous international awards and recognition throughout the Arab world.

In the entrepreneurship domain, Mustafa Abdul Lateef from Egypt founded ‘EYouth’, an educational and employment platform for Arab youth. Talal Al Tabbaa, from Jordan the founder of ‘Coin Mena’, has worked to educate the public on digital currencies, legislative research, and youth engagement in this sector. He also participated in co-founding 'Jibril Network,' a blockchain development company based in Zug, Switzerland

Mariam Al Nuaimi, hailing from the UAE, is the first Arab businesswoman in the field of call centres and business outsourcing. She is the President and Founder of the 'Tafasil' group of companies for business outsourcing. The group, which operates in various economic sectors, consists of several subsidiary companies.

In the field of medicine and healthcare sciences, Farah Al Qaysiya from the UAE initiated the ‘UAE Stutter’ project in 2013, which helps provide support to those suffering from speech impediments. She was awarded the highest civil award bestowed by the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, the Abu Dhabi Award in 2018, for her positive impact on the community

 Tisneem Al Barhumi from Sudan established the ‘Tisneem Al Barhumi Center for Psychological Rehabilitation’, providing extensive services to 1500 young women annually.

Dr. Ola Anabtawi from Palestine, head of the Nutrition and Food Technology Department at Al Najah University, raises awareness about the importance of healthy nutrition and research-based approaches among youth.

In the media sector, Khalid Mshat from Morocco has received over 25 international awards for his contributions to innovation, technology, and business, portraying an inspiring image of Arab youth to the Western world. Mohammed Ghaith Sandooq, from Syria, is an Information Technology engineer, a community entrepreneur, and an activist in the field of digital content creation helping to highlight and mitigate societal issues.

Serene Abidi from Tunisia, a social projects leader, digital journalism trainer, and podcast producer, seeks to improve the lives of students and entrepreneurs through innovative and interactive projects in entrepreneurship. Her project was selected among 18 projects worldwide in 'The Disarming Disinformation' program,  administered by the International Center for Journalists in Washington.

Mustafa Mohamed Al Naeem Othman from Sudan founded the ‘Youth Cinema Group’ in 2013, the first youth initiative for cinema in Sudan, is known for hosting the most popular podcast on Sudanese satellite TV. Amar Kamal Al Deen from Sudan started as a social media content writer in 2013, transitioning his impactful content and ideas into an audio podcast in 2014, establishing himself as one of the earliest Arabic podcast creators on digital platforms. Ammar works as a content writer and screenwriter with several prestigious television channels such as MBC Group and National Geographic, producing various documentary programs and series.

In support of youth empowerment and community development, Maram Al Qasimi from Bahrain shines as an educator and graduate researcher in Arabic language and literature. She is passionate about the Arabic language, enriching meaningful Arabic content, and raising awareness about sustainable development goals. She won the training program for Arab Youth Podcast with their channel titled "Educational Highlights," the first of its kind. She also received numerous local awards in public speaking and rhetoric, contributing to enhancing Arabic language skills among youth.

Aisha Sulaima Awlad Thani from Oman is a distinguished social entrepreneur who launched the ‘2010 ECOman’ As a result of her commitment to climate change, environmental conservation, and natural resources preservation, she was nominated to represent youth at the UNESCO Youth Forum 2023. In 2016, she launched the 'Cure' program to raise awareness among youth about the importance of premarital medical checkups and to mitigate genetic diseases. The project was selected as the best youth project in the Empowerment competition organized by the Ministry of Culture and Youth in the Sultanate.

Noura Al Aazaibi from the UAE, a student at New York University Abu Dhabi, is an active entrepreneur. She was chosen as an ambassador for the Harvard EASEL lab's Inclusive Minds program in the 2023 Special Olympics in Berlin. She also served as a youth ambassador for the ‘Blue’ organisation, highlighting the importance of preserving the UAE's beaches and marine environment.

The initiative celebrates outstanding, creative, and innovative Arab youth who contribute positively and work towards a brighter future for the Arab world, creating solutions to serve communities and achieve progress in all fields.

Five Years of Investing in Youth Energies

The new 5-year strategy of the Arab Youth Center focuses on four main pillars: capacity building and skill enhancement, positive citizenship, strengthening the connection to Arabic language and identity, and developing the youth work sector in the Arab region.

This is achieved through capacity building, training programs, specialised forums, events, celebrating innovators, joint projects, and emphasising the promotion of positive citizenship. This includes instilling an active sense of citizenship in Arab youth within their societies and raising awareness of their responsibilities towards their future and homelands.

In its first edition, the initiative united 100 young men and women from various Arab countries, organising meetings and workshops that provided opportunities to actively contribute to shaping innovative solutions for a better future in key sectors of society. Discussions about various future-oriented issues and active contribution to the advancement and development of communities were held.

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