Zayed University e-biz challenge hosts workshop at the Institute for Technological Innovation

Two speakers were featured: Dr. Piero Formica, Dean of the International Faculty of Entrepreneurship at the Emirates Centre for Entrepreneurship, United Arab Emirates and Ahmad Jadallah, a young entrepreneur, inventor and 'Zayed University e-biz challenge III' fourth place winner.

Dr. Formica gave a talk entitled: KNOWLEDGE ENTREPRENEURS Leveraging Knowledge Clusters for Economic Development Based on Innovative Advantages. Dr. Formica discussed the sustained phase of transition to economies characterized by considerable, and sometimes revolutionary, advances in science, technology and related industries, coupled with subsequent profound changes in economy and society, has increased the importance of the knowledge-intensive phases of production for value-creation. As enterprises, in fact, become more reliant on technology, they will become more dependent on knowledge. Accordingly, policy makers in a growing number of countries have become increasingly concerned with the management of the entire knowledge chain: from the creation to the diffusion, conversion and entrepreneurial exploitation of scientific and technological knowledge. The knowledge chain has also profound implications for higher education institutions and business schools, which to be successful need to help companies create knowledge and be part of knowledge streams.

Mr. Ahmad Jadallah spoke about his new internet web browser—Yahadi, which he designed and implemented after participating in the 'Zayed University e-biz challenge III'. Ahmad said the Yahadi project was a dream of his. The challenge encouraged him and his team to take the idea and incorporate technological innovation into the model resulting in www.yahadi.info. Currently, 100,000 people are using the Yahadi Web Browser. Ahmed repeatedly emphasized the importance of participating in the Zayed University e-biz challenge. He said, "The challenge is not about the prize or winning, it's about using your mind and challenging yourself." Dr. Piero Formica also mentioned that for every three start-up business failures, one will succeed. Ahmed agreed that starting a new business initiative is always a challenge. Launching a new business in the Middle East is especially unique because along with it you are introducing new concepts and thoughts, which will change the way things are done in the region, Ahmad said." He is currently part of group making an animated movie, which he allowed us to have a glimpse of. Ahmad has won many awards for his work and has been interviewed by numerous television stations, newspapers and radio stations.