YAL-UAE Spotlights Dubai in Aftermath of Global Financial Crisis to Students of North Carolina State University

The Dubai experiment has shown the Arab world a new vision of the possible, enabled by a new generation of empowered and educated Arab youth. This demographic segment may set the stage for a better tomorrow with a generational ripple of change that transcends the Dubai laboratory to reach the whole region, according to Shehab Gargash, CEO, Daman Investments and Member of Young Arab Leaders-UAE Chapter (YAL-UAE).

Gargash’s comments were addressed to visiting students from the North Carolina State University (NCSU) in the US. The delegation comprising 40 students from the university’s Middle East Studies Program is on a six-day tour of the UAE, from 18 – 23 June. The visit comes as part of an endeavor to expose the students to the New Middle East that is emerging in the GCC.

In his presentation, Gargash said: "Sound economic decisions have contributed to the resurgence of Dubai as a hub for finance and commerce. We have the modern, expensive and efficient infrastructure here, and the city is built and continues to remain open for business.

"Previous nay-sayers have bet against Dubai’s resilience and lost. The ’Dubai Factor’ will prevail. The global economic table has grown in size, and with it opportunity comes to those who snatch it, enabling ambitions of many places like Dubai to be realized."

Pointing out that there are new doors opening for new ambitious entrants on the world stage, he said the ’freshmen’ need to better assess the responsibilities that accompany the call to international glory.

Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi, Chairman, YAL-UAE, said: "Through our focus on education and entrepreneurship, YAL-UAE aims to serve as a voice for the Arab world on the global landscape for the implementation of pilot projects that serve community needs under its multi-pronged strategy.

"With our regional reach in the GCC, Middle East and North Africa, YAL-UAE continues to prove an effective platform for the re-building of social, economic and business ties with the US. We welcome more such visits from overseas students for enhanced cultural and academic exchange."

Globally recognized for its science, technology, engineering and mathematics leadership, NCSU’s Middle East Studies Program provides interdisciplinary courses on Arabic, Farsi, Middle Eastern history, religion, architecture and politics. It also offers a minor in Middle East Studies, and will commence a bachelor’s program in Middle East Studies in the forthcoming academic year.

The NCSU delegation’s visit included discussions with political, business and cultural leaders as well as meetings with university students. YAL-UAE also organised tours to institutions and landmark cultural sites, sampling of local cuisine, experiences in public spaces, and other activities that collectively contributed to enriching the students’ understanding of this region.

A non-political organisation, Young Arab Leaders (YAL) is keen to share resources and build long term relationships with organizations and ensure the development of communication mechanisms. Under its ’Education’ agenda, YAL aims to drive internship exchanges and business fellowships for enabling the Arab youth take on the challenges of the regional and global markets.

Dubai Knowledge Village Corporate Research Centre Launches Three Surveys On Economic Crisis

Dubai Knowledge Village (DKV), a member of TECOM Investments, today announced the DKV Corporate Research Centre has launched three surveys, in alliance with its business partners, on how organisations are coping with the economic downturn.

The initiative is part of the DKV Corporate Research Centre’s continuing endeavour to offer economic and market data for the benefit of UAE-based businesses.

DKV’s business partners Third Eye FZ LLC, Dynamic Learning FZ LLC and Hewitt Associates will organise surveys on Keeping your Customers…When it Matters!, Total Compensation Measurement™, and Emotional Intelligence Survey in the Middle East.

Dr. Ayoub Kazim, Executive Director, Dubai Knowledge Village and Dubai International Academic City, said: “For many organisations in the GCC, this is probably their first experience of a severe business downturn. We would like to know how the managements of these organizations have reacted to the financial crisis from diverse perspectives. The key findings of the research will help the region’s senior management from the corporate sector to take effective measures for tackling some of the challenges thrown up by the current economic scenario.”

The ‘Keeping your Customers…When it Matters!’ survey focuses on customer retention. Analysing how well companies in the region are addressing challenges for retaining profitable customers, the survey explores whether organizations recognize the value of customers and have put in place initiatives that will identify profitable accounts in their customer base. It will additionally determine the exact value of their profitable customers, and how well companies are aligning their resources to deliver better value to these customers.

Total Compensation Measurement™ is one of Hewitt’s most comprehensive worldwide compensation research programmes. With nearly 30 years of experience, it serves more than 7,000 organizations in over 40 international markets. The study has been launched in the UAE for the first time this year and has already seen an overwhelming response from organizations including some of the biggest conglomerates and key players across sectors. It has registered more than 120 participants so far in the UAE.

The Emotional Intelligence Survey in the Middle East focuses on how business leaders in the Middle East match up to the global population in terms of emotional intelligence. An online questionnaire has been submitted to more than 5,000 leaders in the region to find the answer to this question.

The DKV Corporate Research Centre is an initiative by DKV Partner Development Management, focusing on research in the areas of business and corporate related issues whilst offering market data to serve the UAE business community.

Hasan Makansi, Head of Partner Development for Dubai Knowledge Village and Dubai International Academic City, said: “DKV Corporate Research Centre is a joint effort with its own pool of talent in addition to business partners’ wealth of knowledge and expertise in research and consultancy. Dubai Knowledge Village supports and nurtures the business community by providing significant data analysis and a corporate research bank.”

Previous studies by DKV Corporate Research Centre include ‘Business Leadership in the UAE’ conducted in partnership with The Core Group; ‘CEO Mobility’ in partnership with Stanton Chase, and the ‘Best Employer Survey’ in partnership with Hewitt.

Launched in 2003, Dubai Knowledge Village aims to consolidate the status of the emirate as a global destination for human resource management and learning excellence. It is a unique hub that offers the right investment opportunities in human capital empowerment, skills development and enhancement.

The free zone cluster has evolved into an effective catalyst for training and learning for the entire MENA region, hosting a large number of HR training and development centres, management consultancies and e-learning providers.