The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, DEWA, will be sending 20 Emirati students to Singapore this coming Friday for 6 days in phase two of the Ruwad 'Arabic for pioneers' initiative to encourage creativity in orphans.

The Ruwad initiative was launched recently by DEWA in cooperation with the Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation and INJAZ UAE, and it also supports the UAE Initiative for Connection with Orphans and Minors, launched by Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of DEWA, received and honoured the Ruwad team who completed phase one of the programme. The meeting was attended by Ahmed Beni Yas, Acting Secretary-General of the Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation, Khawla Al Mehairi, Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Communications, Marwan Al Sabbagh, Vice President of Projects and Connection Services, and Taha Al Hamri, CSR Specialist at DEWA.

Al Tayer commended the Ruwad team and urged them to make use of their trip to Singapore. "I congratulate you on completing phase one of the Ruwad programme and qualifying for phase two. You have proven your efficiency and competence to be pioneers in society, and your readiness to be the next generation of creative leaders who will implement the UAE's national ambitious strategies and plans. You will also contribute to developing innovative initiatives and programmes that will achieve the UAE Vision 2021 to be one of the best countries in the world and the Dubai Plan 2021 to be a city of happy, creative, and empowered people, for a better tomorrow for us and for generations to come," said Al Tayer, addressing the students.

He quoted His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, who once said, "To be creative is to add something new to life as opposed to being a passive part of it. We may not live for hundreds of years, but the products of our creativity can leave a legacy long after we are gone."

This is the objective of the Ruwad programme, said Al Tayer, adding, "At DEWA, we consider young people to be the driving force for building a brighter future. We also consider it necessary to engage young people in achieving the sustainable development. Today's youth are tomorrow's leaders who will play a key role in decision making at all levels. That's why, at DEWA, we make every effort to provide an environment that supports creativity and innovation and motivates innovators across different areas. This establishes Dubai and the UAE as a platform for innovation and as a creativity incubator."

"I am confident that the second phase of the programme in Singapore will enhance your experiences, add to your knowledge, and will benefit you significantly. I am also sure that you will be good ambassadors of your country and will prove that young Emiratis are capable of leadership, innovation, creativity. You can shoulder the responsibility towards yourselves and your society through your creative and innovative ideas that will contribute to achieving the vision of our wise leadership to be number one," concluded Al Tayer.

Khaled Al Thani, Deputy Secretary General of the Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation, commended DEWA's efforts, noting that it has always been a pioneer in humanitarian work and that it has supported a group of people who are dear to us all.

"The Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation implements its strategy by materialising its mission and approved goals to support minors and enable them to be active members in UAE society. Since its establishment in 2004, and to support the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation has been committed to taking care of minors, providing a sound environment for their upbringing and empowering them to develop and achieve the highest levels of education and knowledge," said Al Thani.

Over 6 days, the Emirati students will take part in creativity and innovation workshops at the International Creativity Camp, in cooperation with Junior Achievement Singapore. The Ruwad team will work with Singaporean students in 6 teams to exchange creative ideas and take part in competitions that develop creative and innovative skills. The programme also includes visiting General Electric's innovation centre and training on managing innovative social projects.
Source: WAM