IIR KICK STARTS CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY INITIATIVE
A three-man team from Emirates College for Management and Information Technology has won a place at 'Entrepreneurs in Dubai' - the Middle East's most flamboyant and insightful gathering of regional business leaders being held in Dubai this May.
The Trifusion team of final year students Sandil Srinivasan, Sumith Alvet Miranda and Wassim Ahmed clinched the prestigious award after winning Zayed University's third annual e-biz challenge with their electronic raffle service proposal.
Trifusion beat 133 other teams from five countries to take the award, which was presented by His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Education at a special ceremony at Madinat Jumeirah. A rigorous six-stage judging process narrowed the list of projects down to a shortlist of 16 finalists.
The award of places at 'Entrepreneurs In Dubai' - which will be held at the Dubai International Convention Centre from May 23-25 - launched a new corporate social responsibility initiative by IIR Middle East, which is co-organising the event with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Young Business Leaders.
"We have had numerous aspiring business leaders wanting to attend this event and needing sponsorship to cover their costs," explained Jessica Sutherland, General Manager, IIR Middle East. "This is an unrivalled opportunity for major corporations wishing to play a key role in the region's development to become good corporate citizens by backing the leaders of the future. We are now putting a sponsorship programme in place so regional and international corporations can sponsor students to attend 'Entrepreneurs in Dubai.'"
The headline event - the International Entrepreneurship Forum and Exhibition (IEFE) - will feature no less than 30 of the world's and the region's top business tycoons and corporate leaders - with some of the biggest names in the annals of those who've made it from start-up to the world of multinationals. These include real estate king Donald J. Trump, who will address the audience via video cast, Dame Anita Roddick, the power behind The Body Shop, Stelios Haji-Ioannou, founder of the easyGroup corporation and Britain's bio-tech pioneer, Sir Chris Evans.
An exhibition of products and services for the region's evolving small-to-medium-sized enterprise sector will run alongside the conference with entry free-of-charge to business visitors.
Preparing to take his place at 'Entrepreneurs in Dubai,' Trifusion member Sandil Srinivasan said: "Attending this forum will give us the chance to learn from some of the world's top business people as well as network with other aspiring entrepreneurs, SME businesses and large corporations."
IIR has billed the event as 'Three Days of Inspiring Ideas' and is looking to the region's corporate sector to embrace entrepreneurialism within its strategic planning and training programmes.
"The new CSR programme will enable businesses to position themselves as supporters of young business and entrepreneurial development, as innovative and forward-thinking, responsible community stakeholders and, to some extent, as charitable organisations with 25% of the exhibition revenues going to a body devoted to progressing the youth of this region," explained Sutherland.
IEFE is being held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Board, Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment for Young Business Leaders. It is endorsed by the United Nations Conference On Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and oil giant Shell Markets Middle East, management software experts Computer Associates and services consultants Deloitte are headline sponsors.
The International Entrepreneurship Forum and Exhibition has attracted AME Info, Flip Media, BBC World, Gulf Business, Arabian Radio Network and Dubai Radio Network as media partners.
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EDITORS' NOTES:
About the Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment For Young Business Leaders:
The Mohammed bin Rashid Establishment for Young Business Leaders is one of the principal bases for strategy at Dubai Development and Investment Authority (DDIA) and provides small and medium enterprises with ideas and initiatives to guide the efforts of young UAE nationals. The Establishment was created by HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum as part of the government's plan that outlines the role of UAE nationals in the development and progress of the nation. Established as a specialised organisation at its first meeting on February 11, 2004, its members comprise young Arab nationals who are capable of shaping the future of the region and influencing the course of events. Its message is to identify and develop young Arab leaders and further enhance their future role in all sectors of society.
About the Zayed University e-biz challenge and the Institute for Technological Innovation:
The purpose of the "e-biz challenge" is to identify and recognize future talent - the entrepreneurs of tomorrow. It provides students of the GCC not only networking and professional growth opportunities, but critical feedback on their plans from other entrepreneurs and successful business professionals. The Institute for Technological Innovation (ITI) is a Zayed University owned and operated business center located in the heart of Dubai Internet City, the knowledge and technological hub of the region. Its training programs are designed to educate business leaders and aspiring young professionals on new and emerging technologies.
About the Institute for International Research (IIR):
In 30 successful years, IIR has evolved into a dynamic firm with a global network of companies doing business in over 30 countries. Today IIR is not only recognised as the world's largest organiser of business conferences, but also equally respected for its expertise in information technology training and business information, and its trade exhibitions.
For further information:
Garry Nickson, MCS/Action, Dubai Media City
Tel: +971 4 390 2960;
fax: +9714 390 8161
Email: gary.n@actionprgroup.com
© Press Release 2005
