Abu Dhabi: Saying goodbye to routine office work and welcoming entrepreneurship was the dream of many young Emiratis, who are looking to innovate and serve their country in the best way possible, Gulf News has learnt during the second philanthropy summit.
Ruqaiya Sulayem Al Numaini, a 24-year-old Emirati student at the Petroleum Institute in Abu Dhabi, told Gulf News: “It is my first time to participate in the philanthropy summit. I have received an invitation from the Emirates Foundation for Youth Development to attend this forum as I was one of the distinguished winners at the Think Science Festival held this year. I and three other students created an automated parking system to solve the problem of parking in the capital.”
“Although I have studied engineering, social entrepreneurship remains my passion and my ultimate dream. I am not an engineer, I am an entrepreneur who is eager to travel abroad, get more experience, and come back with immense knowledge to serve my country the best way possible. From my point of view, being an entrepreneur is a noble goal, as you can deliver a real sustainable change that can touch the lives of thousands of young people within the country and abroad,” she added.
When asked what she wants to be once she graduates, Ruqaiya answered: “I have office work and I don’t want to waste my life sitting on a chair with no improvement. I am currently working on several social enterprises; however, I am still looking for a patent as well as funding. I believe UAE has provided us with great options to fund and nurture our innovative ideas.”
The second philanthropy summit, which started on Monday and ended on Tuesday, was organised by the Emirates Foundation under the slogan “Philanthropy 2020: Improving Impact, Effectiveness and Collaboration”.
The two-day summit offered panel debates and workshops useful for youth, philanthropists, and the private and public sectors on various topics.
With 70 per cent of young Emiratis reported to be in debt in some form, Fatima Aboud, a 29-year-old Yemeni, aims to spread awareness among UAE citizens on saving and spending money.
“I am currently studying law at Dubai Police Academy.I have opened my own company about seven months ago. The company provides debt management advisory services.
"Until now, I have received over 15 cases from old and young Emiratis who are in debt because of wrong spending habits and living expenses. My main focus is to solve debt problems with different banks without going to courts and in an appropriate legal framework,” Fatima, who has been working as a volunteer with the Emirates Foundation since 2007, told Gulf News.
The two-day summit was held under the patronage of Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Foreign Minister and Chairman of Emirates Foundation.
