Dubai: Four young men and women from different countries, who have walked the path less travelled and created new perceptions in different fields, inspired the audience with their thought-provoking talks during an evening of TEDx Talks held recently n Dubai.
The event was organised by Dubai Women Establishment (DWE), in collaboration with TEDxDubai to mark the UAE Innovation Week.
Held under the theme of “Shifting Perceptions”, the event provided the audience an opportunity to observe realities under a new lens and walk away with new perspectives on a number of topics such as gender, language and race, as well as the things we take for granted such as access to basic services.
Shamsa Saleh, CEO of Dubai Women Establishment, told Gulf News that the purpose of the event was to deliver the message of changing perceptions in different fields by presenting achievers of diverse background.
“Also, in the past we have had workshops on how to prepare women to be TED speakers. This is a continuation of that series. We are evaluating them and giving them the opportunity to talk on different platforms,” she said.
UAE’s achievements in respecting women as well as providing higher education, and a high level of safety for them were appreciated at the event. An Innovation Hub, where local artists showcased their talents in innovative ways, was also part of it. While Hind Bin Demaithan Al Qemzi showcased the innovative achievements of five UAE women through a 3D animation project, origami artist Hadeel Subahi presented a 3D model of the human brain for audience to stick their thoughts on how to change perceptions about gender differences.
Sarah Amiri, the chairwoman of the Emirates Scientists Council and Science Lead of the Emirates Mars Mission (Hope) at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre
She spoke about how she chased her childhood dream of exploring the galaxies and space science despite the challenging situations.
Amiri recollected how she spent long days and longer nights collaborating with her team and space experts from across the world to achieve the career milestone of finalising the UAE Mars mission’s objectives within a 100-day deadline after starting from scratch in her new office.
“In retrospect, throughout the process, I did not for a moment think that this was absurd, that this was unrealistic, and impossible. To me, every goal that presents itself in the form of an opportunity is possible to accomplish, I only needed to figure out how.”
“We are contributing to the global understanding of the planet. We are going above and beyond the turmoil that is now defining our region and becoming positive contributors to science,” said Amiri.
Larissa Pak, who quit her successful banking job at 30 years to be a globetrotter
She talked about her experience of travelling around the world and meeting people who have challenged the status quo and chosen to live a life with purpose. Pak, whose human landscaping project covering 30 individuals in 30 countries which can be seen at www.30up.org, said her journey in search of inspiration and courage changed perceptions about success and happiness in life. “Success is not about achieving enough [in career] … it is about the self-satisfaction that you receive in what you do.”
“Travelling alone will change your fear of being alone. Travelling with intention brings a new paradigm to your experience. Life is not predictable and the world is changing so fast; the new rules of what is good are being established. We can no longer afford living through our parents’ norms and expectations, so why not treat the change as a basic necessity?”
Usman Riaz: The youngest TED Senior Fellow, musician and the founder of Mano Animation Studio — the first hand-drawn animation studio in Pakistan.
He explained how he is laying the foundations for the first animation industry in his home country by giving a twist to the concept of traditional telling. “Why should any of us be bound by any restrictions of an antiquated society? We can all choose our own path in reclaiming our culture,” said Riaz who is currently working on ‘The Glass Worker,’ the first full-length animation film in Pakistan. Mixing the landscape and appearance of characters of the West with the situations and language in his country for the project is a way of reclaiming his culture on his own terms, he said.
Sajjad Kamal: a TEDx global community member and co-founder of AlemHealth, a diagnostic telemedicine start-up for emerging markets
He recollected how he started off his journey as a 13-year-old student in Al Ain who developed internet calling services to help his parents make cheaper calls to their relatives back home in Bangladesh. Now AlemHealth is operating in Afghanistan and several African countries to provide access to high quality care to patients living in rural areas. He said: “I’m passionate about technology, and I believe it has the power to change the world for the better and to connect people. I see bigger, more important problems in the world that technology can solve and we need to look at those issues with the same passion, drive and competitiveness.”
