The launch of an extraordinary course from the “Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival” with the participation of international business leaders and influencers

In the presence of Sheikha Badour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Head of the Sharjah Center for Entrepreneurship (Sharaa), the activities of the eighth session of the “Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival” were launched today (Saturday), with the participation of a group of international business leaders, change makers, and senior influential figures committed to forming the future of entrepreneurship In the area, among them; Sheikha Hor bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Foundation and President of the “Sharjah Art Foundation”, Her Royal Highness Princess Lamia Bint Majid Al Saud, Secretary General and Member of the Board of Trustees of “Al -Waleed Foundation for Humanity”, and His Excellency Alia Bint Abdullah Al Mazrouei, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship. In an unprecedented achievement in the field of communication technology, the opening ceremony of the festival witnessed the disclosure of a “signal”, the first system of its kind in the world to translate Arabic sign language using artificial intelligence, which was developed A pioneer towards enabling people with hearing disabilities and enhancing integration and communication.

Culture convergence
During the opening day of the festival, a discussion session entitled “Addressing social challenges and enhancing the rapprochement between cultures through art and charitable and humanitarian work”, Sheikha Hor bint Sultan Al Qasimi, and Her Royal Highness Princess Lamia Bint Majid Al Saud, who discussed the role of art in consolidating dialogue and cultural understanding The charitable and humanitarian work implemented the enhancement of the desired societal change industry, and the session shed light on the pivotal role played by creative expression and joint collective giving in overcoming global challenges.
In her speech during the session, Sheikha Hor bint Sultan Al Qasimi affirmed that every project that she works for reflects her own vision is inspired It is written by others. Noting the importance of integration between culture and entrepreneurship, and that supporting the sectors of museums, culture and education, and others fall on individuals and institutions to ensure their sustainability and enhance their influence in society. Sheikha Hor Al Qasimi explained that the festival slogan “where we belong” inspires us all to look at whoever needs around the world, and work to become part of a safe society that guarantees a decent life. Noting that her work with international institutions gave her the opportunity to test the role of arts as an open space for dialogue.
Regarding her work in several international art projects, Sheikha Hor bint Sultan Al Qasimi confirmed that she finds her passion for challenges, noting that she works in multiple projects that extend between Sharjah, Japan and Sidni at the same time, including her participation in Sydney. She added that the opportunities do not come twice, and a person must invest them when they are available, and that change can only be achieved through self -challenge first. Sheikha Hour Al Qasimi also indicated that she loves what she is doing, as she works on various projects, but she is interconnected, collected by art as a tool for expression and change. Noting that the University of International Studies, which will be opened on February 4, will be a new space for academic research and promoting cultural dialogue.

Bridges to communicate
For its part, Her Royal Highness Princess Lamia Bint Majid Al Saud stressed that the great diversity in societies and technological development requires us to search for effective ways to reach the beneficiaries, stressing the importance of bridging the gap between societies and building bridges of communication that strengthens cooperation. She explained that the Al -Waleed Foundation for Humanity believes in the power of joint work, as it runs its projects from a thousand to Z, but with respect for the needs and empowerment of local communities. Princess Lamia indicated that the vision of His Royal Highness Prince Alwaleed bin Talal depends on studying each project independently, as there is no single solution that suits everyone, but the initiatives are designed according to the needs of each region to ensure the achievement of the required impact, pointing out that the measurement of the impact is not limited to data Rather, it is necessary to tangible results on the ground, pointing out that the real effect is measured by the extent of the change that occurs in the lives of individuals who benefit from these projects.

Road map
In confirmation of the UAE’s efforts to support small and medium -sized companies, and in an effort to build a new generation of founding entrepreneurs, Alia Bint Abdullah Al Mazrouei, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship, during the opening ceremony, delivered a major speech entitled “The BluePrint of A Startup Nation. In her speech, she indicated the launch of the entrepreneurial system and the “leadership” fund in cooperation with 16 government agencies, with the aim of supporting and developing entrepreneurship in the country, and raising the rate of success of young entrepreneurs from 30% to 50% by 2031, explaining that the fund allocated 300 million dirhams as incentives to encourage Graduates to enter the entrepreneurial sector.

She said: “We also launched last year the second version of the initiative (100 companies from the future), aimed at supporting and stimulating the growth of small and medium -sized companies, which contribute to the development of the future economic sectors of the UAE, and the ministry also launched the initiative (50 companies from the future), which focuses To provide specialized support, enhance communication and exchange of knowledge between the Emirati small and medium companies. Al Mazrouei stressed that federal policies and legislation gave priority to economic diversity, and added: “The UAE economy has proven its flexibility, with its dependence on small and medium -sized companies, which represent 95% of the total companies in the UAE, and use approximately 86% of the total workforce in the private sector, And contribute 63.5 % to the non -oil gross domestic product.

Impact is the scale of success
In her speech during the activities of the opening day, Naglaa Al -Madfah, Vice -Chairman of the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Saraa), confirmed that the festival brings together entrepreneurs and changes from around the world, and reflects the vision of “Sharia” in empowering the founders and strengthening a sustainable pioneering environment. She pointed out that the center, since its foundation in 2016, embraced more than 200 startups that collected investments exceeding one billion dirhams, and contributed to raising the Sharjah classification to the fourth place in the Gulf in entrepreneurship, in addition to attracting more than 40 thousand participants through the annual festival. The cannon added: “Sharjah offers live models on how to build projects that last for decades, as initiatives such as the Sharjah International Book Fair and the Sharjah Arts, which today continue their global influence led by Sheikha Badour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi and Sheikha Hor Bint Sultan Al Qasimi, proved that real success is based on values Fragrance and a long -term vision, and not on quick and temporary achievements. The cannon stressed that achieving sustainable success requires a clear vision, patience to continue the march, and a team believed in the idea and is able to turn it into reality, stressing that the passion for cooperation is what makes the real difference in entrepreneurship .
For her part, Sarah Abdulaziz welcomed Al -Haifa Al -Nuaimi, Executive Director of the Sharjah Center for Entrepreneurship (Sharia), with the participants, confirming the commitment of “Saraya” firmly to build a sustainable and vital society, embracing creativity and opens the horizons for aspirations. She said: “Sharjah has always been known as the capital of education and culture in the region, but today it has also become a global destination for the makers of change, as innovators and entrepreneurs find an environment to belong and support them.” Al -Nuaimi pointed out that her meetings with entrepreneurs made her realize that entrepreneurship is not limited to developing digital applications or building billionaire companies, but rather a mentality that celebrates the activities of the Sharjah Festival for Entrepreneurship, which is reflected in the diversity of topics, personalities and stories that the festival deals with for two days. In her speech, Sarah Al -Nuaimi revealed a new addition to the festival this year, which is the “Made in Sharjah” area, which celebrates prominent achievements in entrepreneurship, art, education, and culture within the emirate. It also announced the launch of the “Sharjah Perfume”, which will be available soon to buy, calling on everyone who has completed a distinguished project in Sharjah to share his story.
Sheikha Badour Al Qasimi also opened, during the ceremony, the “Volt” area for dignitaries in a festival, where she was seen on the details of her design, as she came in an aesthetic embodiment of the diving trip in search of pearls and in a symbolic analogy of the career of entrepreneurship, where the ropes express the tools of divers, while Sand symbolizes pearl extraction places, all the way to land, which represents success after the journey challenges.
Sheikha Badour Al Qasimi toured the “Council”, the place that reflects the spirit of the Emirati environment with an innovative design from the Emirati designer, the jewels of imagination, and listened to an explanation about his design that came in the form of the Emirati Mandous; (The wooden box in which precious things are preserved), in an expression of the value and status of the dignitaries, and was briefed on the experience of producing the “Sharjah Perfume”, which was launched during the festival with components inspired by Emirati nature such as saffron and cardamom.
After the opening ceremony, Sheikha Badour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi witnessed the signing of the two memoranda of understanding, the first between Microsoft Emirates, “Sail”, “Shorouk” and “American University in Sharjah” aimed at creating new opportunities for students and aspiring entrepreneurs by linking academic achievement with experience The process, and the list of signatories included; Naeem Yazbek, Director General of Microsoft Emirates, His Excellency Sarah Abdulaziz in Haifa Al -Naimi, Executive Director of “Sara”, His Excellency Ahmed Al -Qusayr, Executive Director of “Shorouk”, and Dr. Todd Lorsen, Director of the American University in Sharjah.