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Empowering Minds & Spreading Ideas At TEDx WestfordUniSharjah

Empowering Minds & Spreading Ideas At TEDx WestfordUniSharjah
The first-ever Westford TEDx event took place on June 4th at Sharjah Chambers of Commerce. The theme – Vision Extraordinaire revolved around the power of ideas and how they can transform lives and ignite change. In alignment with TED’s mission of “ideas worth spreading,” we curated a diverse lineup of six remarkable speakers who brought their unique perspectives to the stage, each with a distinct vision and powerful message to share.

Hussein Wehbe is currently the CEO of PlugMena, a tech enabled end to end logistics player with operations in UAE, China, KSA, and Egypt, leading a workforce of more than 1500 employees across these countries. Prior to founding PlugMena, Hussein served as a full time advisor at the UAE's Prime Minister's Offi¬ce in Dubai.

Hussein Wehbe

Founder and CEO at PlugMena, & Former Advisor at the UAE’s Prime Minister’s Offi¬ce

Nivedha R.M is an accomplished Entrepreneur who is a big supporter for a cleaner tomorrow and has invented world’s first completely automated mixed municipal waste segregation unit and recycling technologies. Her invention has been recognized globally by the World Bank, Red Cross, UNDP, and has received several coveted awards nationally as well as Internationally. Her initiative has also been applauded by Honourable Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi on National Television.

Nivedha R.M

CEO & Founder of Trashcon

Mariana Missakian has worked for 15 years for Fortune 500 companies and has been presented with many awards for achieving remarkable success. In 2021, she published her first book, a satire memoir on women's identity and her journey to defining a women’s identity by blocking the outside noise and trusting the inner voice to move from success to impact. She is currently doing her Doctorate program at Westford University College.

Mariana Missakian

Author and Doctorate Student at Westford University College

Mishal Kano serves as the Chairman of The Kanoo Group, one ofthe largest, independent, and longest running family owned groups of companies in the Gulf region. He is also one of the most iconic business figures in the Middle East, featured on various magazines and listed in "Top 100 Powerful Arabs 2013; "The 15 Wealthiest Arab Businessmen in the World 2012', among others.

Mishal Kanoo

Chairman at KAAF Investments & The Kanoo Group

Caroline Faraj, CNN VP and CNN Arabic Editor-in-Chief is an award-winning Journalist with over 30 years’ experience. She was named winner of the Arab Woman of the Year Awards 2022 as a leader in media, and in 2021 she won the Arab Woman Awards/ media category in the UAE. Caroline is an active Board Member of the International Humanitarian Council, which was founded by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Magdi Yacoub Global Heart Foundation founded by the world known Surgeon Professor Sir Magdi Yacoub.

Caroline Faraj

VP & Arabic Editor-in-Chief at CNN

Firas Al Msaddi is the founder and the Chief Executive Officer of fäm Properties, one of the largest, most successful real estate brokerage firms in the UAE, and Executive Chairman of the fäm Group. At the age of 25, he founded the agency in 2009, built in the midst of the global economic crisis, and was driven by his unfaltering belief in the sustainability and endurance of Dubai. Today, the firm employs 700+ employees across all companies, with 2.7 million square feet of managed properties, and operates an additional 32,200 square feet of functional office spaces.

Firas Al Msaddi

Chief Executive Officer at fäm Properties Dubai

The event received an overwhelming response from the participants, who were captivated by the insightful talks and thought-provoking ideas presented on stage. The enthusiastic engagement and positive feedback from the audience highlighted the impact of each speaker’s message. Our team of dedicated student volunteers played an integral role in ensuring the event’s success, from behind-the-scenes preparations to on-the-day support. Their passion and commitment were instrumental in creating a memorable experience for everyone involved.
Vision Extraordinaire was just the beginning of our journey to foster innovation, inspiration, and community engagement. Westford will continue to host TEDx events, bringing you more inspiring speakers and captivating ideas year after year.

It was an honor to participate with such an excellent panel at the TEDxWestfordUniSharjah to talk about something we all need to focus on which is risk. The people who made it happen and the people who came to see the event made the event special. I wish all those who are involved from the university from Faculty to students all the best and I look forward to meeting many of these bright stars in the future in some capacity or another.

Mishal Kanoo

Chairman at KAAF Investments & The Kanoo Group

Thank you, Westford, for believing in my message and giving me the opportunity not only to share my story with the world, but to invite others to share theirs. It was humbling standing on that red dot. Trying so hard to hold back the tears. Succumbing to the magnitude of the moment. A moment of validation. Validation of my motherhood struggles, for the years I suffered alone in silence, for the constant rejections, the setbacks, and the perseverance to tell my story. It’s been a journey of self-reflection, vulnerability, and growth. I will carry the TEDx badge with humility and continue sharing my story, and encouraging others to share theirs, loudly, proudly, Thank you, Westford, once again, for turning my dream into a reality.

Mariana Missakian

Author and Doctorate Student at Westford University College

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