Theme: Solving Unusual Problems

TEDxAmericanUniversityInDubai club presents TEDXAUD. The theme is "Solving Unusual Problems" which can also be unusual solutions for usual problems. We are always challenged to solve small and big problems; it is us who either find an innovative solution for it, or just ignore the problem. Albert Einstein once said: " Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. The event will be held at the auditorium of AUD in Media City. The event is open for AUD's community (students, alumni, staff, professors,..). There will be 5 speakers and 2 contemporary performances (dance and play). This event is organized by AUD's students who share their passion in giving and innovating and added their effort in bringing ideas worth spreading.

Dubai Media City
American university in Dubai
Dubai, Dubayy, 00971
United Arab Emirates

Ali Hasan

Tennis player/ Coach/ entrepreneur

Ali Hasan was born in Lahore, Pakistan, and moved to Dubai, U.A.E. when he was a teenager. He was always involved in Tennis, and was a top-seeded Juniors player in Pakistan. An elbow injury however, cut short his journey. Shortly after completing his degree, Ali began coaching children in Dubai, his passion had now become his profession. Ali eventually founded his own coaching company, Excel Sports. One thing led to another and Ali saw himself alongside ATP and WTA tennis professionals, as their coach.

Aya Ahmed

AUD Student

Aya Ahmed, a student in the American University in Dubai, is a journalist in the making, with a great appetite for life. She is also the former President of Harvard College Asia programme in Dubai in 2015. She will be talking about the time she was bitten by a monkey, which left a scar on her both physically and emotionally. This experience has allowed her to overcome her negative self-image that has affected her mentally. Aya will also touch upon how physical appearances and insecurities are phenomena created by humans and how to overcome them.

Clayton Sharb

ExChange student at AUD

Meet Clayton W. Sharb, he is a twin from Cleveland, Ohio, USA. A third year honors student at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio where he studies political science and Middle Eastern studies. He is currently in Dubai on a Clinton Foundation Scholarship and plans to work in MENA & Near East policy upon the completion of his education. He will be discussing the issue of MENA-Phobia in America and media-streaming’s role in a misguided societal sentiment.

Damnationem Sensus

Contemporary art/ Acting

Humans have the ability to taste, smell, hear, touch and see, but imagine a world where people begin to lose their senses that eventually leads to a world of madness. The actors will show the slow transformation of losing their senses. So, prepare yourself as an audience to experience a world without the five senses, an amoral world. The Theatre Society presents, “Damnationem Sensus” (Damnation of Senses), an original piece, conceived and directed by Zainab Jalal.

Lana Fahmi

Contemporary Dance/ choreographer+ instructors+ Performers

Lana Fahmi is a Syrian performer who won the Arab's got talent competition in 2014. She will be performing a contemporary piece, following a middle eastern music by the musician Jubran.

Ribal El Halaby

Entrepreneur/ Finance/ pulse advertising company

Ribal El Halaby, he was born in Lebanon and moved to the UAE at the age of 10. After graduating from a school in Dubai, he continued his higher education in the American University in Dubai and pursued a degree in Business and Marketing. He started off his career by working for various well renowned companies but he soon decided to pursue his entrepreneurship and started working as a partner in his family business. His talk will include his struggles and journey to where he is now.

Sarah Brook

Sparkle CEO/ Founder

Sarah Brook is a 26-year-old CEO and Founder of a non-profit, UK registered charity, The Sparkle Foundation, which is located in Malawi, Africa. - Before moving to Zomba, Malawi, where she spends six months of the year, Sarah worked in the UAE, Dubai as a PR Manager, capitalising on her background as a journalist in the UK and work at the BBC. She has extensive media work experience in TV, radio and print and is a driven individual who is striving to make a change to the lives of people less fortunate. Sarah holds a BSc in Psychology and an NCTJ Sports Multi-Media Diploma. - She was named UAE woman of the month - Played England 7s students rugby - Represented national league in hockey - Proffisional wakeboard and water ski instructor - Volunteered at 12 different organisations around the world - Ambassador of Felsted School and representative for round square schools around the world inspiring the younger generation to make a difference