Latest news with #MahirJulfar
Khaleej Times
26-06-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
NextGen Career Fest bridges talent and opportunity in youth-driven career event
With a bold vision of 'Zero Youth Unemployment', Pupilar launched NextGen Career Fest as a flagship initiative to unify the UAE's youth talent ecosystem — bringing together students, jobseekers, startups, mentors, entrepreneurs, employers, educators, and government partners under one future-forward platform. Under the leadership of its founders, this youth-led movement represents a long-term commitment to transforming how the region approaches youth employment, upskilling, and opportunity access. On May 31, NextGen Career Fest brought together over 1,250 registered youth from 60+ nationalities and 149 universities (64 local and 85 international) in a dynamic one-day event at in5 Tech, Dubai Internet City, a leading government-backed innovation hub under Tecom Group. With 500+ attendees and 70 companies in its ecosystem — including 18 exhibitors actively hiring, 16+ industry mentors, 19 partners, and 14 youth-led startups — NextGen served as a pivotal platform connecting emerging talent with employers, educators, and innovators. The event's significance was elevated by the presence of VVIP guests, including Saeed Al Nofeli, vice president of in5, and Mahir Julfar, executive vice president of Venue Services Management at Dubai World Trade Centre. They were joined by more than 60 distinguished VIPs representing government-linked entities, education regulators, and national youth programs, underscoring NextGen's strong alignment with the UAE's D33 Vision and its commitment to fostering local talent and driving innovation. The success stories emerging from the Pupilar community further highlight the event's impact. Many young participants have progressed from students to confident professionals, with some even returning as employers — hiring the next generation of talent at NextGen and closing the loop on a powerful cycle of empowerment and growth.
Web Release
12-06-2025
- Business
- Web Release
NextGen Career Fest 2025: Pupilar Unites UAE's Youth Ecosystem for a Future-Ready Workforce
Pupilar , the unifying platform for youth employment in the UAE has hosted its first NextGen Career Fest 2025, a flagship event organized by Pupilar with in5 as their Talent Accelerator Sponsor, brought together over 500+ Attendees, 1000+ registered youth representing more than 50+ nationalities and 100+ universities, alongside employers, policymakers, and education leaders for a full-day event at in5 Tech, Dubai Internet City. The event also witnessed/welcomed the gathering of about 60+ high profile VIPs, including: Saeed Al Nofeli, Vice President, in5 Innovation Centers | Mahir Julfar, Executive Vice President – Venue Services Management, Dubai World Trade Centre | Meshael Al Blooshi, Seasoned HR Leader and Active Board Advisor (ex. HR of Nakheel) | Sarah Shaw, CEO of Majra UAE | National CSR Fund | Claudia Pinto, Head of Philanthropy & Sustainability Advisor to HH Sheikh Marwan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum | Ayman Al Awadhi, Managing Director, The Corporate Group | David Van Lochem, CEO and Co-Founder, Augmented Workforce In addition to the VIP presence, the event brought together a strong HR and employer ecosystem, featuring over 70 companies in total — including: 18 hiring exhibitors 19 partners 16+ industry mentors 14 youth-led start-ups, including Iza's Soap House, founded in Dubai in 2022; the venture of an 11-year-old entrepreneur. NextGen Career Fest stands as a testament to how purpose-driven initiatives can actively shape the future of youth employment. Far from being a one-off event, it forms a core pillar of Pupilar's long-term mission to achieve Zero Youth Unemployment that fosters an ecosystem where collaboration between government, academia, and industry is not just encouraged, but sustained year after year. Beyond the shortage of available jobs, the core challenge lies in the widening gap between traditional education systems and the skills demanded by today's rapidly evolving job market. Recognizing this gap, and as part of the UAE's broader drive through initiatives like the ambitious D33 agenda to foster innovation and position youth employment as a core economic priority, platforms like NextGen Career Fest play a vital role in translating vision into action. Driven by Pupilar in partnership with in5 as Talent Empowerment Sponsor, NextGen serves as the foundation of a larger movement to build a Global Talent Hub, unifying the UAE's youth talent ecosystem and bridging students, jobseekers, and industries across all sectors under one future-forward platform. A Persistent Disconnect While events like NextGen Career Fest provide an important platform to bridge the gap between talent and industry, addressing youth employment challenges requires sustained, structural shifts. Employers continue to report mismatches between applicant skills and job requirements, and many graduates still lack practical experience to compete in a market increasingly shaped by digital transformation and AI-related skills. NextGen is helping spark this change by driving stronger connections and preparing youth to meet evolving industry expectations. According to Pupilar's co-founders, 'when youth are given the platform to rise, the future changes for all of us. NextGen is where dreams start but more importantly, it?s where they get built. We began this journey from our own struggle, two young women trying to be seen, trying to matter. Today, with the UAE?s largest youth career community, we're here to bridge the gap. Because the future doesn?t belong to one generation it lies in the space between the young and the experienced. And it 's time we stop treating youth employment as charity. It 's not a CSR move. It's a business strategy. To stay relevant, to innovate, to grow — we must invest in youth not just emotionally, but strategically,' said Aqsa Khalifa and Maimuna Rashid in a joint statement. A Glimpse Into the Future Over the past 2–3 years, many Pupilar community members have experienced transformative growth from uncertain students to confident professionals shaping their industries. Some have gained the voice to lead teams and speak on stages. The most fulfilling milestone: several early members, once jobseekers, now return as employers — hiring the next generation at NextGen Career Fest. NextGen isn't a one-off, it's a growing blueprint to tackle youth career challenges across the region. Each edition builds on the last, driving real-world impact in hiring, upskilling, and access. As we look to 2026, Pupilar invites; sponsors, partners, educators, and employers to co-build the next edition with us and help propel the future of youth leadership.
Arabian Business
31-03-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
DWTC Hospitality served almost 1 million guests in 2024
DWTC Hospitality, the hospitality division of Dubai World Trade Centre, reinforced its status as a premier hospitality services provider in 2024, serving nearly one million guests across more than 2,400 events. As an award-winning leader in large-scale and bespoke catering, it remained the preferred choice for private, corporate and government clients. From mega exhibitions and international conventions, corporate galas and hospitality events, to high-profile weddings and private events, DWTC Hospitality showcased its ability to deliver world-class hospitality services at scale, both at events hosted within DWTC's owned and managed venues – including Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) and Jafza One Convention Centre. DWTC Hospitality results Mahir Julfar, Executive Vice President at Dubai World Trade Centre, said: '2024 has been an outstanding year for DWTC's Hospitality division, reinforcing our pivotal role in Dubai's dynamic events landscape. 'Our culinary team continues to push boundaries with innovative, award-winning experiences, backed by exceptional service standards. 'From large-scale exhibitions and conferences to high-profile weddings and gala dinners, we remain committed to setting new benchmarks and delivering hospitality experiences that consistently surpass expectations' DWTC Hospitality demonstrated its operational excellence in 2024 by delivering world-class catering and hospitality to some of the region's most prestigious large-scale exhibitions and events, including Gulfood, World Health Expo (WHX) Dubai, Arabian Travel Market and GITEX Global. It also expanding its international presence at GITEX Africa. In addition to large-scale events the team catered to over 400,000 attendees to corporate and private events held at DWTC's venues. Its expertise in managing diverse events was particularly evident in the weddings segment, where it successfully catered to more than 150 wedding celebrations, serving more than 63,000 guests. Catering at conferences and associations maintained its upward trajectory, with the Hospitality division serving nearly 95,000 attendees, a 12 per cent increase from the previous year, reinforcing DWTC's strong standing in this sector. Key events, including the WCA Worldwide Conference, AWS MENA Summit 2024, and The International Congress of Endocrinology, among others, played a significant role in driving this growth. Jafza One Convention Centre (JOCC), operated by DWTC, witnessed exceptional growth, catering to over 25,000 attendees, more than doubling its numbers from the previous year with a 116 per cent increase. Similarly, the Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) played a pivotal role in DWTC Hospitality's success, catering to more than 73,000 attendees in 2024. These achievements further reinforce DWTC Hospitality's commitment to excellence and its growing influence across multiple venues. DWTC's Hospitality division catered to more than 145,000 guests to 1,105 external events in 2024, reflecting an impressive 37 per cent year-on-year growth. Key events included: Dubai International Boat Show Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Dubai World Cup MEBAA Show (The Middle East and North Africa Business Aviation Association) To sustain this growth, operational capacity was strategically enhanced, allowing the team to cater to up to 40,000 guests per day while maintaining exceptional service standards. Julfar said: 'As we look to the future, our commitment remains steadfast in redefining industry standards and strengthening Dubai's position as a global leader in world-class hospitality and events of all scales. 'Through continuous innovation, strategic partnerships, and an unwavering dedication to service excellence, we are evolving to meet the ever-changing demands of the industry. 'Our ambition extends beyond delivering exceptional experiences – we are shaping the future of hospitality by integrating cutting-edge culinary creativity, operational excellence, and sustainable practices to set new benchmarks. 'Aligned with Dubai's vision for economic and tourism growth, we are poised to play an integral role in advancing the sector, ensuring our venues, services, and expertise continue to lead on the global stage'.
Emirates 24/7
25-03-2025
- Business
- Emirates 24/7
DWTC Hospitality Division Achieves Strong Performance in 2024
DWTC Hospitality, the hospitality division of Dubai World Trade Centre, reinforced its status as a premier hospitality services provider in 2024, serving nearly one million guests across more than 2,400 events. As an award-winning leader in large-scale and bespoke catering, it remained the preferred choice for private, corporate and government clients. From mega exhibitions and international conventions, corporate galas and hospitality events, to high-profile weddings and private events, DWTC Hospitality showcased its ability to deliver world-class hospitality services at scale, both at events hosted within DWTC's owned and managed venues - including Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) and Jafza One Convention Centre - as well as hundreds of locations across the United Arab Emirates. Mahir Julfar, Executive Vice President at Dubai World Trade Centre, said: '2024 has been an outstanding year for DWTC's Hospitality division, reinforcing our pivotal role in Dubai's dynamic events landscape. Our culinary team continues to push boundaries with innovative, award-winning experiences, backed by exceptional service standards. From large-scale exhibitions and conferences to high-profile weddings and gala dinners, we remain committed to setting new benchmarks and delivering hospitality experiences that consistently surpass expectations' Another Landmark Year for Large-Scale Exhibitions & Corporate and Private Event Hospitality DWTC Hospitality demonstrated its operational excellence in 2024 by delivering world-class catering and hospitality to some of the region's most prestigious large-scale exhibitions and events, including Gulfood, World Health Expo (WHX) Dubai, Arabian Travel Market and GITEX Global, whilst also expanding its international presence at GITEX Africa. In addition to large-scale events the team catered to over 400,000 attendees to corporate and private events held at DWTC's venues. Its expertise in managing diverse events was particularly evident in the weddings segment, where it successfully catered to over 150 wedding celebrations, serving more than 63,000 guests. Continued Growth in Catering at Conferences and Associations Catering at conferences and associations maintained its upward trajectory, with the Hospitality division serving nearly 95,000 attendees, a 12% increase from the previous year, reinforcing DWTC's strong standing in this sector. Key events, including the WCA Worldwide Conference, AWS MENA Summit 2024, and The International Congress of Endocrinology, among others, played a significant role in driving this growth. Strong Performance Across DWTC-Operated Venues Jafza One Convention Centre (JOCC), operated by DWTC, witnessed exceptional growth, catering to over 25,000 attendees, more than doubling its numbers from the previous year with a 116% increase. Similarly, the Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) played a pivotal role in DWTC Hospitality's success, catering to over 73,000 attendees in 2024. These achievements further reinforce DWTC Hospitality's commitment to excellence and its growing influence across multiple venues. Surge in Off-site Catering DWTC's Hospitality division catered to over 145,000 guests to 1,105 external events in 2024, reflecting an impressive 37% year-on-year growth. Key events included the Dubai International Boat Show, Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Dubai World Cup, MEBAA Show (The Middle East and North Africa Business Aviation Association), and more. To sustain this growth, operational capacity was strategically enhanced, allowing the team to cater to up to 40,000 guests per day while maintaining exceptional service standards. 'As we look to the future, our commitment remains steadfast in redefining industry standards and strengthening Dubai's position as a global leader in world-class hospitality and events of all scales. Through continuous innovation, strategic partnerships, and an unwavering dedication to service excellence, we are evolving to meet the ever-changing demands of the industry. Our ambition extends beyond delivering exceptional experiences - we are shaping the future of hospitality by integrating cutting-edge culinary creativity, operational excellence, and sustainable practices to set new benchmarks. Aligned with Dubai's vision for economic and tourism growth, we are poised to play an integral role in advancing the sector, ensuring our venues, services, and expertise continue to lead on the global stage,' added Julfar. Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.
Khaleej Times
25-03-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
DWTC hospitality unit caters to nearly 1 million guests in 2024
DWTC Hospitality, the hospitality division of Dubai World Trade Centre, reinforced its status as a premier hospitality services provider in 2024, serving nearly one million guests across more than 2,400 events. As an award-winning leader in large-scale and bespoke catering, it remained the preferred choice for private, corporate and government clients. From mega exhibitions and international conventions, corporate galas and hospitality events, to high-profile weddings and private events, DWTC Hospitality showcased its ability to deliver world-class hospitality services at scale, both at events hosted within DWTC's owned and managed venues - including Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) and Jafza One Convention Centre - as well as hundreds of locations across the United Arab Emirates. Mahir Julfar, executive vice-president at Dubai World Trade Centre, said: '2024 has been an outstanding year for DWTC's Hospitality division, reinforcing our pivotal role in Dubai's dynamic events landscape. Our culinary team continues to push boundaries with innovative, award-winning experiences, backed by exceptional service standards. From large-scale exhibitions and conferences to high-profile weddings and gala dinners, we remain committed to setting new benchmarks and delivering hospitality experiences that consistently surpass expectations' DWTC Hospitality delivered world-class catering and hospitality to some of the region's most prestigious large-scale exhibitions and events, including Gulfood, World Health Expo (WHX) Dubai, Arabian Travel Market and Gitex Global, whilst also expanding its international presence at Gitex Africa. In addition to large-scale events, the team catered to over 400,000 attendees to corporate and private events held at DWTC's venues. Its expertise in managing diverse events was particularly evident in the weddings segment, where it successfully catered to over 150 wedding celebrations, serving more than 63,000 guests. Catering at conferences and associations maintained its upward trajectory, with the hospitality division serving nearly 95,000 attendees, a 12 per cent increase from the previous year, reinforcing DWTC's strong standing in this sector. Key events, including the WCA Worldwide Conference, AWS MENA Summit 2024, and The International Congress of Endocrinology, among others, played a significant role in driving this growth. Jafza One Convention Centre (JOCC), operated by DWTC, witnessed exceptional growth, catering to over 25,000 attendees, more than doubling its numbers from the previous year with a 116 per cent increase. Similarly, the Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) played a pivotal role in DWTC Hospitality's success, catering to over 73,000 attendees in 2024. These achievements further reinforce DWTC Hospitality's commitment to excellence and its growing influence across multiple venues. Surge in offsite catering DWTC's hospitality division catered to over 145,000 guests to 1,105 external events in 2024, reflecting an impressive 37 per cent year-on-year growth. Key events included the Dubai International Boat Show, the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Dubai World Cup, MEBAA Show (The Middle East and North Africa Business Aviation Association), and more. To sustain this growth, operational capacity was strategically enhanced, allowing the team to cater to up to 40,000 guests per day while maintaining exceptional service standards. 'As we look to the future, our commitment remains steadfast in redefining industry standards and strengthening Dubai's position as a global leader in world-class hospitality and events of all scales. Through continuous innovation, strategic partnerships, and an unwavering dedication to service excellence, we are evolving to meet the ever-changing demands of the industry. Our ambition extends beyond delivering exceptional experiences - we are shaping the future of hospitality by integrating cutting-edge culinary creativity, operational excellence, and sustainable practices to set new benchmarks. Aligned with Dubai's vision for economic and tourism growth, we are poised to play an integral role in advancing the sector, ensuring our venues, services, and expertise continue to lead on the global stage,' added Julfar.
