Babson College hosts annual global business and entrepreneurship summit in Dubai, inducts H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum into the Academy of Distinguished Entrepreneurs

Dubai, United Arab Emirates - 25 March 2016

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Airports; President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority; Chairman and CEO of Emirates Group, is inducted into the prestigious Academy of Distinguished Entrepreneurs® by Babson College, the No. 1 ranked college for Entrepreneurship according to Financial Times, U.S. News & World Report and Entrepreneur magazine.

The 2nd annual Babson Connect: Worldwide signature event took place at the Four Seasons Resort in Dubai, comprising two days' worth of panels and sessions on Entrepreneurship of All Kinds® hosted by well-known international business profiles. The conference culminated with a glamorous gala dinner where H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum was honored as the latest inductee into the Academy of Distinguished Entrepreneurs, where he joins a host of top level international entrepreneurs and business leaders in the world's first entrepreneurship hall of fame.

Babson College President Kerry Healey commented, "It has been fantastic to see so many Babson alumni, parents and friends come together in Dubai to celebrate the impact of entrepreneurship and gain new insights from esteemed entrepreneurs and business leaders from the region.

"We are proud and honored to welcome H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum into the Academy of Distinguished Entrepreneurs and we anticipate continued success for Dubai Airports and the Emirates Airline & Group for many years to come."

The two day global business summit featured engaging keynote speakers and panels discussing emerging trends in transgenerational family business, entrepreneurship in the MENA region, new media entrepreneurship, women entrepreneurs, youth employment and entrepreneurship, sustainable business, and corporate responsibility.

Dubai was selected as the location for Babson's annual, global celebration given the College's rooted connections with the GCC region, and the city's position as the economic engine of the Middle East, and one of the world's most dynamic, innovative, and business-friendly cities.

Industry and Business Speakers at Babson Connect: Worldwide in Dubai

·         H.E. Abdullah Al Darmaki, CEO of Khalifa Fund

·         H.R.H. Princess Lolowa Al Saud

·         Dr. Iqbal Surve, Founder and Chairman of the Sekunjalo Group

·         Ruba Al Hassan, Senior Advisor to the UAE Ambassador to the USA

·         Fadi Ghandour, Founder of Aramex, Executive, Chairman of Wamda Capital

·         Ola Doudin, Co-founder and CEO, BitOasis

·         Najla al Midifa, General Manager of Sheraa, Founder, Khayarat

·         Ramez Mohamed, CEO of Flat6Labs

·         Mark Stoleson, CEO of Legatum

·         Christopher M. Schroeder, author and investor

·         Karim Khoja, CEO of Roshan

·         Rafiq Habib

Faculty, Alumni, Parent, and Board Speakers

·         Professor Heidi Neck

·         Professor Bob Turner

·         Vice Provost of Global Entrepreneurial Leadership Candy Brush

·         Professor Richard Bliss

·         Muhammad Habib '81, P'09, President and CEO of Habib Bank AG Zurich

·         Khaled Bichara P'15, Chairman CEO of Accelero Capital

·         Alexander Thomson-Payan '06, President, Thomson Group International

·         Aya Sadder '13

·         Jean-Pierre S. Mondalek '03

·         Said Darwazah P'15

·         Pimjai Laochinda P'13

·         Hamaza Habib '09

·         Sonia Husain '04

Babson College in the Middle East

·         The region is home to over 341 alumni,

  • UAE is home to one of the largest concentration of Babson graduates in the Middle East,

  • Fifty-five current students are from the Middle East (14 Graduate, 41 Undergraduate),

  • The Babson Middle East Alumni Club (BMAC) includes Alumni from 16 different countries throughout the Middle East,

  • Sixty-six parents of Babson students reside in the UAE. 

Entrepreneurial Culture in the Middle East

According to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, the region is home to wide variety of entrepreneurial thinking.

-Ends-

About the Academy of Distinguished Entrepreneurs
Since its inception, the academy has recognized and honored entrepreneurs who have contributed significantly to the development of free enterprise throughout the world.

Nominations of world-class entrepreneurs who have created great economic and social value are solicited from the Babson community as well as from outside the institution. Through the years, Babson has celebrated entrepreneurs of all kinds as illustrated by the impressive list of inductees. Collectively, the 98 members of the academy have created millions of jobs and improved societies around the world.

Many of the most successful and visible entrepreneurs in the world are members of the academy. They represent companies that are some of the most highly regarded in their industry and household icons in their culture. These members have capitalized on the need for change, accepted the associated risk and responsibility, and made an impact on the world. The energy and innovation embodied by these individuals will be appreciated and applauded for many generations to come.

About Babson College
Babson College is the educator, convener, and thought leader for Entrepreneurship of All Kinds​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​®. The top-ranked college for entrepreneurship education, Babson is a dynamic living and learning laboratory where students, faculty, and staff work together to address the real-world problems of business and society. We prepare the entrepreneurial leaders our world needs most: those with strong functional knowledge and the skills and vision to navigate change, accommodate ambiguity, surmount complexity, and motivate teams in a common purpose to make a difference in the world, and have an impact on organizations of all sizes and types. As we have for nearly a half-century, Babson continues to advance Entrepreneurial Thought and Action​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​® as the most positive force on the planet for generating sustainable economic and social value.​​​​ ​​​​​​​

© Press Release 2016