Dubai School of Government hosts Arab Alumni gathering

At the gathering prominent Arab leaders, in business, government and academia, will discus a number of regional economic and developmental issues, according to Nabil Ali AlYousuf, Executive President of the Dubai School of Government.

Among those speaking at the conference will be Sheikha Lubna Al Qassimi, UAE Minister of Economy. She will address the economic panel on the growth potential in the Arab world, and the key role that the region is playing in the international economy.

Arab Harvard alumni delegates from UAE, Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen, will attend the conference.

They will be joined by alumni delegates from other leading global institutions of learning such as MIT, Stanford, Wharton and Insead.

AlYousuf said: 'It is a great honor to be hosting leading government officials and ministers and influential alumni of world organizations and universities at the Dubai School of Government.

'The alumni of the world's best institutions will bring their expertise back to the Arab world which has witnessed a huge brain drain in the past decades due to the lack of specialized institutions and organizations that could channel their knowledge into reform and development of the regional economy and social environment.,

'Partnership with Harvard Arab Alumni Association is a natural step for us. It builds on our current partnership with the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, and further strengthens our ties and cooperation with Harvard University,' AlYousuf added.

Distinguished guests at the conference will include Dr. John Waterbury President of the American University of Beirut, Professor Joseph Nye, Harvard University Distinguished Service Professor and former Dean of the John F Kennedy School of Government, Fadi Ghandour, Founder, President and CEO of Aramex International and Dr. Basem Awadallah, former Minister of Planning, Jordan.

'The conference will offer a valuable learning opportunity with so many top speakers presenting their experiences and exchanging knowledge through the platform set by both Harvard University and the Dubai School of Government,' AlYousuf said.

The Executive President of the Dubai School of Government thanked the sponsors of the conference who have helped make the forum possible. Istithmar, EFG Hermes and Jordinvest are the Platinum sponsors; Knowledge Village and Dubai International Capital are the Gold sponsors and SAS, Boss, Mckinsey and Axiom Telecom are the Silver sponsors.

Muneef Tarmoom, CEO of Istithmar said 'Istithmar is pleased to sponsor the Harvard Arab Alumni Association Conference, the region's first true geographical success story. We are honoured to be associated with any platform that can unlock boundless inspirational opportunities for tomorrow's leaders.'

Ahmad Tantash, the Chairman and CEO of Jordan Investment Trust- Jordinvest said: 'Our participation in the Harvard Alumni Conference is a perfect opportunity for us to interact with experts whose names have become synonymous with experience, exchange ideas, and expertise as well as learn more about the global business scene around us. I hope that this event will help create more prosperity for our regional economy.'

The conference will discuss role model success stories and future challenges, innovative regional policy reforms and media innovation in the Arab world.