Bidaya selects 20 new future leaders for education and leadership programme

As a joint venture between Zabeel Investments and Nakheel to provide education and leadership programme that fosters the next generation of UAE leaders, Bidaya is now in its second year.

The new entrants to the programme include 14 females and six males representing all seven Emirates. Interestingly, there is huge diversity in the degree choices of the students, including dentistry, interior design, media, accounting, computer science, pediatrics and marketing.

The successful female students are Eman Yousef Ali, Mouza Abdulkarim Mohammed, Nadyah Saeed Ali, Asia Dawood Khalifa, Shaima Abdulaziz Ali, Aysha Khalfan Mohammed, Noora Mohd Khamis, Waad Khamis Ahmed, Sara Ahmed Mohammed, Aaesha Jasem Ali, Fatima Abdulla Mohammed, Afra Saeed Saif, Nouf Sabir Mohamed and Raqos Omar Abdulla, while the male students are Munther Ali Salem, Sultan Malalla Zubair, Humaid Yousif Mohamed, Ahmed Mohammad Ali, Khalifa Mohamed Bakhit and Abdulrahman Jasim Ahmed.

'We were very impressed by the high calibre of students who applied to the Bidaya programme this year and we had some tough decisions to make during the selection process. All the students had many individual merits and we were pleased to see the diverse subjects that these talented Emiratis plan to study,'

said Mohamed Al Suwaidi, Bidaya Programme Manager.

'The final twenty students are all high achievers and we hope that this opportunity will be the beginning of a long and fulfilled career in their chosen discipline,' Mohamed Al Suwaidi continued.

Under the Bidaya programme the students will be studying at the American University in Dubai, American University of Sharjah and University of Sharjah. Bidaya is the only programme in the UAE to offer both education and leadership to its students, who receive support and guidance throughout their time at university through a sustained personalised programme with an individual professional mentor, international expertise and leadership training.

Amina Taher, Executive Director of Corporate Communications, Zabeel Investments and Bidaya founder, said: 'Following the first successful year of Bidaya, we had high expectations for the students applying this year and we're proud to say that we weren't disappointed. Bidaya places a long term investment in the individual requirements of young Emiratis and their future roles as leaders in the UAE and globally.

'With the United Arab Emirates rapid development and evolution, the demand on the workforce to adapt and grow has been tremendous - we want to bridge the gap between government schools, university and the workforce. The programme is designed to encourage UAE nationals to develop skills and experience; we believe that in order to develop the leaders of tomorrow, you have to give them the best possible start in life.'

Nadia Saeed Yamahi, a freshman who will be studying Computer Engineering at Sharjah University, said:

'I am so happy to be chosen to be part of Bidaya. Bidaya has opened the door of hope to enter the university I dreamt of joining and paved the road to success. Not only financially, Bidaya will also provide me with the support and guidance any student would need.'

Echoing Al Suwaidi, Taher concluded: 'The final selection was a tough process for us, as this years candidates came to us with improved skill sets, and are a clear indication that the UAE's public education system has experienced a dramatic overhaul, just within the last year. We want to welcome the new students to the Bidaya programme, as well as thank all students who applied. Based on the level of students we interviewed there is limitless potential among the UAE's student body.'

Selection into the programme is based on several factors which include: demonstrated leadership, academic performance, financial situation, and future potential. 20 Emirati students will be selected each year following recommendations from public schools across the UAE.