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.