Theme: Crossroads to insight

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized (subject to certain rules and regulations).

RIT Dubai
1st Floor, Techno point building, Dubai silicon oasis, Dubai, Uae
PO Box 341055
Dubai, Dubayy, 341055
United Arab Emirates

Abdulla Ismail

Professor of Electrical Engineering

Professor of Electrical Engineering. Emirati citizen, Born in Sharjah. BSc(‘80), MSc(’83),and PhD(’86) in Electrical Engineering from University of Arizona, USA. 1st Emirati to hold a PhD in Engineering. Has over 30 years of teaching and research experience at UAE University and RIT Dubai. Worked as Vice Dean of College of Engineering, Advisor to the Vice Chancellor at UAE University. Worked in education and technology management at Dubai Silicon Oasis and Emirates Foundation. Teaching and research interests in Control and Power systems, intelligent systems, smart grids, and renewable energy systems. Coauthored two books; desalination technology in the UAE and Contemporary Scientific Issues. Published over 77 referred technical papers in local and international journals and conferences. Won Emirates Energy Award (2015), UAE University award for University and Community service (2002, 2003), and Fulbright scholarship (1998). A senior member of IEEE.

Aya Sadder

Incubator Manager at Intelak

Aya Sadder is the Incubator manager of Intelak, the first Travel & Aviation Incubator in the region; it is a partnership between The Emirates Group, GE and Etisalat. In this role, she delivers the Incubator’s strategy of supporting the UAE's ambitious plans for the future, and to ensure that the country sets the highest global standards for services, systems, and experiences in aviation. She is developing Intelak into a hub that will seek to develop teams, comprised of early-stage entrepreneurs which includes students, to become part of the conversation in travel and aviation. Sadder has worked with some of the most significant organizations in the start-up ecosystem. Sadder was also the lead organizer for Startup Weekend Dubai working under the umbrella of Techstars and Google. Sadder is also an active mentor and speaker on different programs most recently working with Women in STEM.

Junaid Seraj

Student

An individual who firmly advocates that College is not just a platform to yield good grades but to primarily extend your horizons at almost everything you find interest in. The condition is it should motivate others for the same too. A Mechanical Engineering sophomore student at RIT Dubai, his profound interest in writing and editing platforms has recently gained him the position of Editor-in-Chief of WRITERS magazine, RIT Dubai's student-run publication. Working with teams and inspiring individuals in the student career field, he is the Student Brand Ambassador of InternsMe, Dubai.

Mashal Waqar

Co-founder/CTO

Mashal Waqar is the the co-founder and CTO of The Tempest, a media company that's changing the narrative of diverse millennial women in the world. She graduates in May 2017, from RIT Dubai with a degree in Computing Security and minors in International Business and NSSA. Waqar has worked with 2 Dubai-based startups in Dubai Technology Entrepreneurship Hub (DTEC) while transitioning between roles in cyber-security, marketing, and web development. Mashal's extensive experience in marketing comes from being a third-culture millennial who grew up with social media, and from jumpstarting and handling the marketing departments in her previous work experiences.

Tiago Costa

Architect / Assistant Professor of Architecture

Tiago Costa is an architect born in Porto, Portugal. He holds a Master degree from the Universidade Lusiada do Porto, with it's architecture roots in the "Porto School of Architecture" and its internationally recognized architecture teaching theory. At the present, Tiago is completing his Doctorate in Architecture, within the theme of Architecture and Film, at the same institution. As an european chartered architect within RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) and OA (Portugal's Order of Architects) he has developed experience in different fields of architecture. The way he participates in architectural projects is also diverse, ranging from individual initiatives to partnerships or collaborations with major teams. Since 2013, he has been teaching at AUD as an Assistant Professor of Architecture.