INSEAD demonstrates continuous commitment to BUNYAN and other youth empowerment initiatives

Abu Dhabi, UAE - 24 March, 2016: INSEAD, the leading international business school, hosted today the second capacity-building training session under the leadership program and Empowerment of the Youth Initiative organized by the "University Leadership Consortium in the UAE" to both discuss the impact of economic policies on the success and viability of SMEs and provide future young leaders and decision-makers on the various strategies of decision-making. The capacity-building training session targeted a group of distinguished graduates in areas of entrepreneurship, business administration and innovation from the "BUNYAN" initiative, launched recently by His Highness Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, during the annual Arab Knowledge Forum in Dubai.

The session started with a keynote address delivered by Tirad Mahmoud, CEO of Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, who highlighted the vital role of small and medium enterprises, which serve as key drivers of the UAE economic growth and development. He also recognized the role of government and financial institutions in supporting SMEs' growth and he addressed both the potential challenges and the key factors in ensuring the viability and success of SMEs within the UAE.

In her inaugural speech, Professor Nada Mourtada-Sabbah, Secretary General of the University Leadership Consortium in the UAE, expressed the gratitude and indeed the pride of The Consortium in seeing so many leading figures from industry and government lend their time and expertise to enhance the initiatives aiming at the empowerment of the youth within the UAE and support the joint educational and capacity-building endeavours of The Consortitum in this regard. Dr. Mourtada emphasized the importance of these capacity-building training programs to support the process of sustainable national development and foster young talents and competencies to drive economic and social growth, in the spirit of the "BUNYAN" initiative strategy aimed at supporting young and preparing them to be the future leaders in the UAE and contribute to the country's development and progress. Professor Mourtada noted that INSEAD which had been ranked by the Financial Time as the number one business school of the world was certainly the venue par excellence to contribute to the enhancement of joint capacity-building efforts with The Consortium.

The panel discussions saw the participation of HE Abdullah Saeed Al Darmaki, Chief Executive Officer of Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, who addressed the challenges and opportunities facing young entrepreneurs in the UAE, as well as relevant illustrations from the key success stories of the Emirati youth with the support of Khalifa Fund. Providing a thorough analysis of the ingredients that could stimulate the success of such entrepreneurial activities and the hurdles that the SMEs could face along the way, HE Al Darmaki expressed pride in the talent and sense of innovation displayed by Emirati youth in the many entrepreneurial undertakings being brought to the Khalifa Fund over the past years.

The round tables and panel discussions which were led by Miguel Lobo, Director of INSEAD Abu Dhabi, also included insightful contributions from leading figures from industry, such as Mishal Kanoo, the Chairman of Kanoo Group, Maurice Ghattas, the CEO of Ghattas Group, Yousef Al Bastaki, the Executive Vice President of Emirates Global Aluminium, Rabea Ataya, the Founder & CEO of Bayt.com, and Michael Morcos, the Managing Partner of Heidrick & Struggles. Discussions focused on best ways and strategies to provide opportunities that empower young talents, help them contribute in building the UAE knowledge society, and enhance their role in shaping the nation's promising future.

Professor Miguel Lobo concluded the session by offering an address on the various models and strategies of decision-making. He expressed his thanks and appreciation to all leading participants from industry and key foundations, emphasizing the role of such capacity-building and training programs in supporting the UAE's talent hubs and the competencies and empowerment of the youth by encouraging them to take the first steps by their innovative entrepreneurial activities toward building a continued bright future of our nation.

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­­­About INSEAD, The Business School for the World
As one of the world's leading and largest graduate business schools, INSEAD brings together people, cultures and ideas to change lives and to transform organisations. A global perspective and cultural diversity are reflected in all aspects of our research and teaching.

With campuses in Europe (France), Asia (Singapore) and the Middle East (Abu Dhabi), INSEAD's business education and research has a global reach. Our 148 faculty members from 40 countries inspire more than 1,300 degree participants annually in our MBA, Executive MBA, specialised master's degrees (Master in Finance, Executive Master in Consulting and Coaching for Change) and PhD programmes. In addition, more than 9,500 executives participate in INSEAD's executive education programmes each year.

INSEAD became a pioneer of international business education with the graduation of the first MBA class on the Fontainebleau campus in Europe in 1960. In 2000, INSEAD opened its Asia campus in Singapore. And in 2007 the school began an association in the Middle East, opening its Middle East campus in Abu Dhabi in 2010.

Around the world and over the decades, INSEAD continues to conduct research and to innovate across our programmes to provide business leaders with the knowledge and sensitivity to operate anywhere. These core values have enabled us to become truly "The Business School for the World."

More information about INSEAD can be found at www.insead.edu

About University Leadership Consortium
The University Leadership Consortium brings together leading academic institutions and key foundations in the UAE with the aim of promoting joint capacity-building endeavors for the empowerment of the Emirati youth. In particular, it oversees the "Leadership & Entrepreneurship Series for the Empowerment of the Youth" which travels through various leading academic and other relevant institutions in the UAE, and the annual "Arab Knowledge Forum" which brings together in addition to leading academic institutions and key foundations in the UAE a host of leading regional institutions such as AUB, AUC, the Arab Council for the Social Sciences, and the Ford Foundation among others.

INSEAD Press Contact:
Zeina Sleiman, INSEAD Middle East Campus in Abu Dhabi
Tel + 971 50 640 31 91 
Email : zeina.sleiman@insead.edu

© Press Release 2016