Theme: Illusion vs. Reality

Since UOWD’s inception in 1993, we have built a reputation for quality, credibility and integrity, and the University is held in high regard by its students, alumni, business, industry and government. We maintain a long and proud tradition of excellence in education combined with liberal values of enquiry, and continuously strive to provide a fertile environment for bright young minds to flourish, where critical thinking is both encouraged and nurtured. “TEDxUOWD: Illusions vs Reality,” has been curated with an objective to do exactly that—to bring together bright minds to give talks that are idea-focused and to foster learning, inspiration and wonder—and spark conversations that matter. The event will see some of the best people of their field share their experiences ranging over a wide array of topics under the umbrella of ‘Illusions vs. Reality’ and provide an insight into what that means in their field.

University of Wollongong in Dubai
Po Box 20183 Knowledge Village Dubai United Arab Emirates
Dubai, Dubayy, 20183
United Arab Emirates

Christine Souffrant

Social Entrepreneur, Founder

A globally recognized speaker, Christine Souffrant is a Haitian American entrepreneur with 7 years of business management experience across 30+countries. As the founder of Vendedy (a mobile network connecting global travelers to street vendors of developing countries), she has been featured with IBM, Microsoft, Fast Company, Manatt Ventures etc.

Hassan Al Natour

Researcher, writer, speaker, behaviourist, philosopher, entrepreneur, investor, founder, owner, chief executive

Hassan Al Natour is a researcher, writer, & speaker on the philosophy of life & self mastery. He is former instructor & member of the faculty of computer science & engineering at the University of Wollongong Dubai & head instructor of the martial arts program for both the Boxing & Mixed Martial Arts Team at Natural Elements in the United Arab Emirates. Hassan has spent 10 years studying a number of diverse topics such as computer science, software engineering, digital systems security, logic, behavioural psychology, & philosophy and has authored/created The Mastery System, The Human Code, & The Game of Business.

Mahmood Al Bastaki

Chief Executive Officer and EXPO2020 Ambassador

Dubai Trade’s CEO, Eng. Mahmood Al Bastaki was appointed as the Advisor to the EXPO 2020 Bidding Team . He has been recently voted 'Popular CEO of the Year’ at the 6th International Maritime Awards. Al Bastaki is a Member of The UAE National Committee of World Trade Organization and a Member Of the University Of Wollongong Dubai External Advisory Counsil . A Winner of the 2013 “Accomplished Leaders” category of Feigenbaum Leadership Excellence Award, he has also served as the Chief Information Officer (CIO) of Dubai World Corporate Departments.

Mona Tavassoli

Founder - MomSouq.com

Mona Tavassoli is the Founder of Mom Souq and Mompreneurs Middle East, communities for moms and mom entrepreneurs offering them a platform to support and empower each other in the region. Mona is passionate about promoting Women’s Empowerment in the Middle East.

Stefano Fasciani

Assistant Professor, Researcher - Sound and Music Computing

Dr. Stefano Fasciani holds a PhD in Integrative Sciences and Engineering from NUS and he is currently an Assistant Professor at the University of Wollongong in Dubai in the Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences. He has also been a postdoctoral research fellow in the Digital Signal Processing Lab at the Nanyang Technological University, a research associate in the Interactive and Digital Media institute of the National University of Singapore, and an Application Engineer for the Advanced DSP Group of Atmel Corporation.

Tariq Qureishy

CEO, Entrepreneur, 100% MAD

Tariq Qureishy is currently the CEO of MAD Holdings and Vantage. These are specialist organizations developing strategic international and local projects and platforms focused in the Media, Technology & Telecoms space with innovation and entrepreneurship at it score. He is also Founder of 100% MAD (“Make A Difference”), a UK based, not for profit Social Enterprise, a global millennial movement and a new philanthropic model.