TED Community » Madiha Khayat

More About Me

I'm passionate about

Social change in my country, inspiring others, teaching others, challenging minds,

An idea worth spreading

I believe there's a "passion gene", and it looks like a box. Some people spend too much for their box to be opened, some have it opened by birth. ;)

Talk to me about

how we can I change my country into a better place; how can I be up to it; high standard and creative events, leadership

People don't know that I'm good at

arts and crafts, counseling, premarital awareness, writing and acting comic short plays/videos

My TED Story

It's August 2011, and I'm in a meeting with the new VP of the student government. We were finalizing the plans when she suggested that we hold a TEDx event at our university. Worried about the country's bureaucracy for permissions, I agree with hesitation. The academic year starts and we started asking for permissions.
The permissions, from one department to another, from one ministry to another, took eight months. Our team was working in parallel to waiting; so once the permissions arrive, we will be ready to go.
On Thursday, April 12th, our TEDx event was finally taking place at our university as TEDxEffatU. It was our first fully organized event. One attendee I remember said, "I expected this to be a lousy event, not only because it is organized by students, but by female students too. Yet I was surprised by the high level of organization and time-precision!" Offensive statement? Maybe! Did we challenge perceptions? YES we did!

Comments

• TEDCred score: +678.10 TEDCred reflects your contribution to the TED community.

• +1

  A reply on Conversation: What are 5 things you have learned that has completely changed your life?

  Jun 12 2012: silence, contemplation, deep thought, prayer, nature. each person have a favorite "taste" :)
• +5

  A comment on Talk: Terry Moore: Why is 'x' the unknown?

  Jun 12 2012: very nice. And indeed, Arabic language did have an impact on many languages around the world. Which is makes sense, as many Arabs ruled powerful countries throughout history + different languages do influence each other
  beautiful, simple and fair approach from Terry Moore, loved his speech :)
• +2

  A comment on Conversation: What is your motto in life?

  Jun 8 2012: lol, well perhaps it is, I only know it from Arabic. Or perhaps its one of others that different cultures believe in..
  
  wouldn't disagree or disrespect, we're one world :)
  thx 4 the heads up ;)

• A comment on Conversation: A network of TEDsters spreding TED across the web for maximum impact.

  Jun 8 2012: love it, agree! I try to do that through my university and social media. I believe TEDx'ers at my country should get together for a CRAZIER impact ;)
• +1

  A comment on Conversation: Embrace sadness.

  Jun 8 2012: and celebrate failure :)
  for that is more happiness and success.. :)

• A comment on Conversation: Can TED Talks be rated to indicate their appropriateness for use in schools?

  Jun 8 2012: try TED-Ed, it has class work related to the video too ;)
• +1

  A comment on Conversation: What should be our first message towards ET?

  Jun 8 2012: This is what we can do for you, what can you do for us?
  
  "outsourcing" ;)
• +1

  A comment on Conversation: Impossible thinking.

  Jun 8 2012: Isn't everything we still don't know is still impossible to think of, until we're at its door?

• A comment on Conversation: Try to eat locally produced fruit and vegetables this summer.

  Jun 8 2012: ah, we have very good mango, deep red and sweet watermelon, melons, and super delicious raspberry :D
  
  so yeah, I agree :D
• +2

  A comment on Conversation: What is your biggest regret so far?

  Jun 8 2012: not thinking twice