From 13 to 19 November 2023, Middlesex University Dubai and the MDX Innovation Hub marked Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) by hosting a series of inspiring activities, competitions and showcases across the University involving all faculties and year groups. A programme of carefully curated talks and activities organised by the Middlesex Innovation Hub (MIH) highlighted the various innovation and entrepreneurship activities undertaken across the University, engaging and strengthening relations with key industry stakeholders in the process. Global Entrepreneurship Week is an international annual initiative that introduces entrepreneurship to young people in every community and from every upbringing. Since its creation, more than 10 million people from roughly 170 countries have participated in entrepreneurship-related events, activities, and competitions during GEW.GEW includes the participation of millions of entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, researchers, educators, entrepreneurship support organisations and interested individuals. The global theme for #GEW2023 was "Entrepreneurs Thrive Here," and activities from Middlesex Innovation Hub contribute to the 1,000+ activities that took place worldwide, helping to foster a vibrant platform of entrepreneurial and innovative spirit.  The event kicked off with awareness-raising activities from the student body, including interactive games that involved naming the entrepreneur, or submitting an elevator pitch for prizes. Our faculty also embraced the entrepreneurial spirit within classes, as we welcomed Darshana Soni Siroya, founder of Hadine Fine Jewellery to the ICON Fashion Studio for a discussion about her journey to creating her own lab-grown diamond company, despite opposition along the way. On November 16, the MDX Innovation Hub launched the main event of the Global Entrepreneurship Week, with a keynote plenary held in the Study District at our Dubai Knowledge Park campus. The event was opened with a welcome speech from our Pro-Vice Chancellor and Director Professor Cedwyn Fernandes and Head of the MDX Innovation Hub Professor Fehmida Hussain, leading into an industry keynote speech from Rishikesh Trivedi, Founder of MarketMate and Co-founder of Enabler One. Rishikesh said: “Being able to look at the everyday problems around you, trying to find a better solution to those challenges, working with perseverance to work out the finer details of the innovative offering, and trying to make it economically viable is not for the faint hearted. A question that each one of us should ask is: Do I want to go through life? Or do I want to LIVE my Life? Do I want to create my life? Middlesex University Dubai has a good initiative with MDX Innovation Hub, where young minds can be given guidance to be entrepreneurial.”The students were excited to also hear from Mohammed Mukhtar Jahangeer, Co-Founder of Unipreneur Inc., who later signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Middlesex University Dubai. Mohammed Mukhtar said:“As an organisation that operates based on His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid's vision to transform UAE's universities into entrepreneurship and innovation centres, we at Unipreneur Inc. are honoured to sign this MoU with the renowned Middlesex University Dubai. We look forward to this special partnership based on the Triple Helix Model of innovation, where students are transformed into inspiring future industry leaders.”Unipreneur Inc. is the UAE’s first youth entrepreneurship, career and leadership development platform for youth aged 15-30 who aspire to become entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs and future leaders. Professor Cedwyn Fernandes, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Middlesex University and Director of Middlesex University Dubai said: "At Middlesex University Dubai, we embrace the transformative potential of entrepreneurship. Our students are not merely equipped with knowledge; they are empowered to embark on their unique journeys into the world of business, fortified by unwavering support from our dedicated faculty and the team at the MDX Innovation Hub.The values upheld by Unipreneur Inc. closely resonate with our own, as we both share a dedicated commitment to empowering entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs, and aspiring leaders on the way to success. We are enthusiastic about the prospect of cultivating a collaborative partnership that leverages our collective strengths for the advancement and enrichment of our exceptionally talented young professionals."The event concluded with a ‘Design Thinking’ workshop led by Middlesex University Dubai Senior Lecturer Rhoderick Romano. Throughout the afternoon, a cross-discipline showcase of student work from both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes was presented to inspire students to greater levels of creativity and innovation, including work by students Abdurrahman Sagir Isa, Vaibhav Garg and Dileep Kumar Munagapati, who also showed their innovations on behalf of the MDX Innovation Hub at the recent Expand North Star GITEX conference in Dubai. The finale for the week took place over the weekend of November 18 and 19, where Middlesex University Dubai hosted the Youth Impact Lab organised by the Pearl Initiative in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation (ADMAF). This two-day hackathon brought together senior industry officials, and students and faculty from five universities to collaborate, co-create, and present solutions addressing challenges related to gender equality, climate action, sustainable cities, and responsible consumption. Seven teams were selected to participate with prizes being awarded to students from Middlesex University Dubai and the American University of Sharjah. The Middlesex Innovation Hub also hosted two competitions: Technovation and the MDX Challenge and held an inspirational panel discussion on ‘Women Entrepreneurs Navigating Opportunities and Challenges in the UAE.’ The panellists shed light on the UAE’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and enabling factors such as resources, technologies, professional networks, and financing.Professor Fehmida Hussain, Head of the MDX Innovation Hub, talked about the importance of GEW: "Global Entrepreneurship Week is a global celebration of innovation and resilience. At Middlesex University Dubai, the week shines a spotlight on our unwavering focus on fostering innovation and entrepreneurial skills in our students. With thriving tech hubs and a supportive ecosystem, the UAE is a beacon for entrepreneurs. We are proud to be part of the nation's drive to promote Innovation and Entrepreneurship, recognising the dreamers and innovators who drive positive change locally and globally. Together, we shape a future of endless possibilities."For more information about the MDX Innovation Hub and their ongoing initiatives: https://www.mdx.ac.ae/mih  

In anticipation of the upcoming MDX Challenge 2023, the Careers and Employability Services Department organised an informative briefing session for the participating students to provide a comprehensive understanding of the competition's objectives and mechanics.The session commenced with an overview of the MDX Challenge 2023, detailing its purpose and significance. Students gained insights into the competition structure, with a special emphasis on the practical benefits that these kinds of experiences provide. Clear expectations and judging criteria were articulated, ensuring that participants understood the benchmarks against which their solutions would be evaluated. Students were also informed about the invaluable skills they would gain, the opportunity to work with industry leaders, and the chance to showcase their talents to potential employers. They were encouraged to leverage the platform to connect with leading employers, fostering relationships that could potentially open doors to future career opportunities.The MDX Challenge briefing session was followed by a workshop on Design Thinking, facilitated by Mr. Rhoderick Romano. Through this session, students gained insights into how to define problem statements, ideate creative solutions, prototype designs, and test their ideas. The interactive nature of the workshop allowed students to cultivate innovative thinking and hone their ability to tackle real industry challenges with a user-centric mindset.To ensure participants were well-prepared for the MDX Challenge 2023, interactive workshops on the topics ‘Data-driven Consulting’ and ‘Introduction to Financial Modelling’ were hosted by the Careers and Employability Services Department on the 17th of November 2023. These workshops were curated to offer a comprehensive skill set that would be invaluable during the collaborative challenge.The Data-driven Consulting workshop, facilitated by Dr. Krishnadas Nanath, provided students with insights into the consulting industry, teaching them the art of client interaction, problem diagnosis, effective communication, and tips to crack the consulting domain. Participants gained a deep understanding of the consulting process, enhancing their ability to analyse complex issues and propose strategic solutions. Among the workshop's highlights was its practical approach, enabling students to develop the consulting skills necessary for success in the MDX Challenge. The workshop on ‘Introduction to Financial Modelling’ led by Mr. Ramy Elkhoulany from Finastra was designed with a hands-on approach, allowing students to delve into the world of financial modelling through practical exercises. By applying theoretical concepts to tangible scenarios, participants gained invaluable insights into the practical application of financial modelling techniques. The workshop incorporated industry-relevant insights, thereby allowing students to gain a holistic understanding of how financial modelling is employed in various industries. Insights were also provided into concepts like crucial modelling skills to master, types of popular financial models, along with many other key points.These workshops are testament to the university's commitment to providing students with practical, industry-relevant knowledge that extends far beyond the confines of the classroom. As the MDX Challenge 2023 final approaches on the 28th of November, we are excited to see the innovative solutions that our students are set to bring forward. 

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) World Investment Forum 2023, one of most prestigious UN events, took place in Abu Dhabi, UAE from 16 to 20 October 2023, and Middlesex University Dubai was honoured to be part of the occasion as an official Local Academic Partner.  The UNCTAD World Investment Forum is a high-level forum focusing on the theme of “Investing in Sustainable Development,” and addressed key investment challenges caused by today’s multiple global crises. Since the first WIF in 2008, the forum has become the largest global platform for high-level dialogue and action on investment for development. As ever, this year the event consisted of insightful events focusing on innovative solutions to global investment-for-development challenges. The forum saw a global gathering of 3,000 investment stakeholders for a solid week of deliberations, workshops, panels, and discussions taking place simultaneously. The World Investment Forum featured almost 150 high-profile events, in partnership with prestigious international institutions such as the World Bank Group, top academic institutions, government entities and various UN organisations.Middlesex University Dubai played a pivotal role in supporting the UNCTAD World Investment Forum. A team of academics from the University shared their expertise through thought-provoking panel discussions to stimulate dialogue on pressing global issues related to sustainable investments, financial regulation, and emerging market opportunities. They discussed pertinent issues of investment strategies and their impact on the environment and issues of alignment with the Paris Agreement, using the UAE as a role model for a successful case study. Middlesex University Dubai’s academics led or participated in the below sessions:Alignment of Investment in Sustainable Infrastructure with the Paris Agreement: Private Sector Experiences from the UAEThis panel discussion provided a mapping exercise addressing each of the challenges including technological gaps, access to funding, policy limitations and governance concerns, and took a dive into the UAE as a standout example, showcasing how the country has overcome its own obstacles in their Net Zero by 2050 initiative. This panel was moderated by Mahine Rizvi Ahmad, MDX Senior Lecturer in Law and Politics, and one of the panellists was Yasmin Sebah, MDX Senior Lecturer in Law.Academic Track Session II - International Business: International Business Policy for Sustainable Growth Middlesex University Dubai’s Head of the Institute of Sustainability, Andrew Mackenzie, Senior Lecturer in Business, was a panellist. They discussed how the global efforts to rapidly mitigate climate change call for directing capital towards environmentally responsible projects, and how we must find the right balance between decarbonisation goals and ensuring energy security.  The panel also covered topics such as low-carbon and non-carbon technologies, carbon reduction technologies, carbon capture, and storage technologies.Academic Track Session III - International Economics and Development: Investing in Sustainable DevelopmentThis panel focused on issues around trade and foreign direct investment (FDI) and how it significantly contributes to the economic development of receiving countries, and how FDI-related technological transfers help address climate and environmental issues. The panellist looked at issues such as if FDI-related technological transfers can help address climate and environmental issues, and if absorption capacities and the efforts of Investment Promotion Agencies (IPA) matter in determining the impact of FDI in the receiving economy. One of the panellists was Yasmin Sebah.Fireside Chat – COP28: The Role of UAE Businesses in Shaping the Climate NarrativeSreejith Balasubramanian, Associate Professor, Chair of the Office of Research and Head of the Centre for Supply Chain Excellence at Middlesex University Dubai held an informative discussion with Adèle Guidot, Programme Leader at UN Global Compact Network UAE. This discussion focused on the pivotal role businesses play in shaping climate policies and action narratives, particularly in the context of the UAE.Academic Track Closing SessionThe Academic Track of the Forum was closed by Professor Cedwyn Fernandes, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Director at Middlesex University Dubai who stressed the need to recognise lessons learned from successful Global South countries, as well as highlighted the key factors for strengthening supply chain resilience and the UAE’s key role thanks to its location advantage and logistics infrastructure.Ahead of the Forum, the University coordinated over 130 student volunteers across different programmes, who became the University's ambassadors, embodying its commitment to experiential learning and community engagement. Their role was indispensable, as they took on various responsibilities from ensuring the smooth operation of panel discussions to providing logistical support throughout the running of the Forum. By actively participating in this Forum, the students gained hands-on exposure to the intricacies of global trade and development issues and invaluable insights into the real-world applications of their academic knowledge to help bridge the gap between academia and the job market. Our university’s participation in the UNCTAD World Investment Forum 2023 was a testament to its mission to foster academic excellence and lead the charge in sustainable practices. It marked a convergence of diverse backgrounds, cultures, and ideas on a platform where academia intersected with current world issues on trade and sustainable development.