Theme: "Ana Huna" I am here.

The 7th TEDxZU will take place on the 2nd of June and will be an Arabic language event.

The theme, "I am here" or "ana huna" in Arabic is what the speakers will be talking about.

Zayed University, Dubai Campus
Dubai
United Arab Emirates

Dr. Eesa Bastaki

Dr. Eesa Bastaki is the CEO of the ICT Fund and is actively leading the effort to create an eco-system in the UAE ICT industry, by encouraging entrepreneurship, funding R&D projects and University scholarships and implementing ICT initiatives at the school level. Dr. Bastaki was born in Dubai, UAE. As a UAE national scientist and researcher, he studied abroad where he received his B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in Electrical Engineering from University of California, San Diego and Ph.D. from University of California, Irvine. His research interests are Multiple Access Communications, Coding and Synchronization. He is the recipient of Sheikh Rashid's Award for Scientific Excellence. In 2009, he received UAE’s highest award “The Emirates Awards for Science, Arts and Literature” in sciences.

Hala Kazim

Married and a proud Emirati mother and grandmother, Hala has, over the years, realized that her true calling has been to help other people from an emotional perspective. As a result, she embarked on the creation of her “Journey through Change”, which she established in 2010. Hala has always believed that people need to follow their inspirations to truly discover their “calling” in life and as a result she attended several counseling and coaching courses both in Dubai and at City University, London, to strengthen and compliment her knowledge of human behavior.

Ali Salim AlMahri

Ali Salem AlMahri dreamt of becoming a doctor at a very young age, however, growing up, obstacles and difficulties of life prohibited him from making that dream come true. Having hit rock bottom, Ali determined to not give up, and aimed to look for new opportunities that would allow him to succeed… He joined the banking sector and is today reaping the fruits of his very hard work

Khawla Ahli

A lover of words, shapes and colors, Khawla is inspired by different facets of life to create her own concepts. A dedicated Graphic Designer and a passionate poet, she aims to make a difference using her own set of ideas. A firm believer in the power of the word, Khawla transforms anything and everything to a medley of words, of poems, and art. “Full of Words” describes her best.

Mohammad Al-Shamsi

Mohammad Al-Shamsi’s life significantly changed when he competed in the Mobile Robotics on WorldSkills Shizuoka 2007 in Japan. Back in the UAE, he established the Emirates Robotics Club to teach and support those who are interested in robotics. He also set up his own Robotics Company, called RoboHiTec. Mohammad is a holder of many awards: he won the First Prize at the Dubai Men’s College Robot Competition 2007, and was named one of the Top 100 Arab inventors in Star of Science competition. He also won a Gold Medal in the 11th GCC Scientific forum in Dubai 2009. Mohammad won the First Place in the Unmanned Rodeo Systems in Abu Dhabi 2011, and the Third Place in Tomohat Shabab competition in Sharjah 2011. He was recently ranked second in the UAE Innovation Challenge 2012.

Ahmad Yacoub

Ahmed Yaqoub is 23 years old. He worked for 2 years in Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Authority as a Tourist Guide before joining La Sorbonne University in the UAE to learn French. He is currently enrolled in the International Studies program at Zayed University and has attained a GPA of 4 .0 and was on the Zayed Scholars list in the Fall semester. He has also attained great recognition in the UAE by topping the best sellers list (March, 2012) for his book ‘The Baluch and their Country (2012)’ which has sold 3000 copies. The book is based on a critique of the British officer John Gordon Lorimer's (1908). Ahmed is the first Emarati to write about this topic and he plans to publish 3 books in 2012-2013. Ahmed’s future goal is to be a Professor of Cultural Anthropology.

Ali Alsaloom

Ali Alsaloom is one of the fastest rising media stars and public speakers in the Gulf. He has delivered his intercultural awareness talks to hundreds of business groups. His TV show, Ask Ali, reaches thousands, as does his column in the weekly magazine M. For his work as a cultural ambassador, Time Out Dubai even recognized him as one of their 40 Local Heroes in 2008. Schooled in the U.S. and Canada, Ali has developed a deeper appreciation for and pride in his Emirati heritage. He earned a university degree in Hospitality Management & Tourism and a Master’s in Brad and Cross-Cultural Management, and is a member of the Professional Speakers Association of the Middle East and one of the Gulf’s few experts in the cultural tourism field. Ali joined the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority in 2005, and helped develop the city’s first Meeting, Incentives, Conference and Exhibition (MICE) department. Ali launched his own communication company, Maestro Enterprises and his portal www.ask-ali.com answers questions on all things Emirati, from the country’s working hours to best places to experience National.

Meera AlSiri

a Meera Al Siri, one of Zayed University’s CCMS graduates and Co-Founder of Boum App. Meera is the talented artist behind the amazing Escapade designs 2010 - 2011. Creative PR & Advertising major, she MC-ed for TEDxDubaiWomen that was held in Zayed University, was a Hala ambassador, and co-designed the Alumni Logo. Meera is one of the first and youngest to receive an award at the Arabian Business Achievement 2011 along Co-Founder of Booum App Fatma Al Ghaith, they were named 'Young Achievers of the year 2011".