Latest news with #SustainabilityHeroes
Mid East Info
a day ago
- Business
- Mid East Info
Nestlé Honors Youth Innovation with First-Ever Sustainability Heroes Award - Middle East Business News and Information
Nestlé's flagship youth initiative celebrates student-led sustainability solutions from over 200 participants — and announces the program's return for a second edition launching in November 2025. Under the auspices of the UAE Ministry of Economy and the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, Nestlé and INJAZ UAE announced the winner of the inaugural Sustainability Heroes Award. This youth-centered initiative has equipped more than 200 university students across the UAE with the skills and mentorship to develop innovative sustainability solutions. Kleva, composed of students from University of Sharjah, took top honors for their project,— a dynamic project-based learning platform providing students and young professionals with real-world experience before formal employment. Their proposal stood out for its originality, viability, and potential to create measurable social impact. The winning team will now begin internships with Nestlé, gaining hands-on experience and access to further mentoring opportunities to help refine and scale their solution. Over six months, students engaged in a 'Learning by Doing' format emphasizing entrepreneurship, business acumen, and real-world impact. At the heart of the program is the INJAZ UAE Company Program, which transforms classrooms into start-ups. Students worked in teams to develop business solutions addressing real sustainability challenges while learning from each other and industry professionals. Emphasizing sustainability-driven entrepreneurship, the program empowered participants to build innovative, purpose-led ventures that respond to pressing environmental and social issues. Throughout the journey, students received dedicated training and hands-on mentorship from Nestlé professionals, gaining exposure to real-world business contexts and sustainability practices. As a result: Nestlé employees mentored the students; 10 internships and 15 mentorship opportunities will be extended to top students, with the winning team securing automatic placements to the internships; Finalists are acquiring critical business skills to serve them in future roles, whether as employees or entrepreneurs. The Sustainability Heroes Award celebrates not only the winning solution but also the broader movement to foster sustainable thinking and practical action among the UAE's emerging talent. A platform with long-term purpose: 'As we look ahead to the next phase of the UAE's economic transformation, programs like Sustainability Heroes will continue to play a vital role in equipping our youth to lead with purpose and contribute to the knowledge economy,' said His Excellency Abdullah Ahmed Al Saleh, Undersecretary of the UAE Ministry of Economy. Ms. Hajar Bakhit Alketbi, Director of the Government Communication Department at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, added: 'Youth are central to climate action and sustainable development. The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment is committed to developing the young people of our country as the leaders of tomorrow, a premise that underpins the Sustainability Heroes Award. We believe their role is critical to climate action, and we are committed to strategically integrating young people into every aspect of our efforts to combat climate change. Their energy, enthusiasm, and skillset are invaluable assets that can drive real transformation and help us achieve our sustainability goals. I commend Nestlé's efforts in inspiring student-led sustainability projects, demonstrating how the private sector can contribute to our climate initiatives. I also commend all the participants for their remarkable projects and eagerly anticipate the next edition in November.' Ms. Sarah Shaw, CEO of at Majra, said: 'At Majra, we believe in unlocking the potential of youth to lead national progress. Sustainability Heroes is a prime example of how partnerships can equip young people with the skills, mindset, and confidence to turn their ideas into action — not only for their own futures, but for the future of our planet.' Hassan Atia, General Business Manager of Nestlé UAE, commented: 'This award is not just a recognition of student excellence — it's a celebration of bold ideas and a powerful commitment to change. At Nestlé, we're proud to walk alongside young changemakers building a better future for people and the planet. This initiative is a reflection of our global commitment through the Nestlé Needs Youth program, which empowers young talent with the skills, opportunities, and platforms they need to thrive. And this is just the beginning — we look forward to expanding the program's reach and impact in the next edition.' The Sustainability Heroes initiative is designed as a long-term platform to equip youth with the tools and mindset to contribute meaningfully to the UAE's national priorities — from sustainability and climate resilience to entrepreneurship and food security. By embedding sustainability into entrepreneurship education, the program supports the development of job-ready, purpose-driven talent capable of building solutions for a better tomorrow. Following the success of its first edition, Nestlé and its partners will launch the second edition of the program in November 2025, with an expanded mandate to reach more students across the UAE and deepen its impact nationwide. About Nestlé in the UAE: Nestlé's regional office for the Middle East and North Africa is based in Dubai South, and the company operates across the Emirates with offices in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Fujairah, and Ras Al Khaimah. Nestlé works with more than 850 customers in the UAE and more than 1,700 retail outlets in the country, including supermarkets and pharmacies. The company locally produces confectionary, dairy, culinary, and coffee, at two food and beverages factories in Dubai and operates two water manufacturing sites, one in Dubai and one in Abu Dhabi. Nestlé employs more than 1,300 people from different parts of the world, while providing indirect employment to hundreds more.
Mid East Info
3 days ago
- Business
- Mid East Info
From Classroom to Boardroom: INJAZ UAE Celebrates 20 Years of Transforming Student Potential into Enterprise
Winning ideas showcased in presence of HE Martina Strong, US Ambassador to the UAE, address sustainability, social impact, and real-world business challenges Over 800 students pitch innovative solutions in UAE's largest youth entrepreneurship showcase Dubai, UAE, May, 2025: INJAZ UAE, a leading non-profit organization dedicated to business education and youth empowerment, marked its 20th anniversary by crowning the next generation of entrepreneurs at the 16th National Company Program Competition. Held at the Waldorf Astoria Palm Jumeirah and attended by Her Excellency Martina Strong, US Ambassador to the UAE, the event brought together more than 800 students from across the UAE to present their startup ventures to a panel of business leaders and industry experts. Celebrating a major milestone, the annual competition is a cornerstone of INJAZ UAE's mission to prepare students for the future of work through hands-on, real-world learning. This year, 20 finalist teams — 10 from high schools and 10 from universities — emerged from a national pool of 76 teams, representing more than 40% Emirati youth participation. 2025 National Company Program Winners: This year's winners demonstrated bold thinking, business acumen, and a strong sense of purpose. Top honors went to: Company of the year: Raicom Product of the year: Aerosense Sustainability Award: Sustainly Best financial plan: Convi Best marketing plan: Thryve CEO of the Year: Bhavya Paliwal of team Aerosense Company of the year: Taqdeer Product of the year: Sustainability Heroes: Kleva CEO of the year: Lateefa Alnoaimi of team Kleva In addition to the top titles, the competition awarded several prestigious recognitions, including the Honeywell Sustainability Award and Mashreq Bank Best Financial Plan Award in the High School category, and the Nestlé Sustainability Heroes Award for university students. These awards underscore the competition's emphasis on innovation, sustainability, financial literacy, and social impact—aligning closely with the UAE's National Agenda. Empowering Changemakers: Her Excellency Martina Strong, US Ambassador to the UAE, said: 'The US Mission to the UAE is proud to celebrate three years of partnership with INJAZ UAE in advancing entrepreneurship and economic opportunity. This collaboration reflects a results-driven approach, where American innovation and enterprise connect with Emirati talent to deliver real-world impact. We are focused on partnerships that create jobs, spur growth, and strengthen prosperity for both our nations.' Saeed Al Gergawi, Vice President of Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, commented: 'Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy is proud to continue its long-standing partnership with INJAZ UAE in supporting the next generation of innovators. This competition reflects our shared commitment to empowering youth with the entrepreneurial mindset and digital skills needed to succeed in today's fast-evolving economy. The creativity and purpose demonstrated by these young entrepreneurs signal a bright future for the UAE's innovation ecosystem.' Commenting on the success of the event, Razan Bashiti, CEO of INJAZ UAE, said: 'At INJAZ UAE, we see our students not just as learners, but as future leaders and changemakers. The work we do here through Injaz is what we often like to call the 'unseen curriculum' – going beyond the classroom to embolden confidence and creativity through real-world experience. This year's competition highlighted their ability to turn ideas into action and showcased the impact of two decades of youth empowerment in the UAE.' The judging panels were composed of leaders from top-tier organizations including Visa GCC, Shell, APCO, Accenture, Mashreq Bank, and Honeywell. For the high school track, esteemed panelists Ghiya Al-Haj-Hasan (Honeywell), Norman Tambach (Mashreq Bank), and Mohammed Bahaa (APCO) evaluated student projects, offering expert feedback. In the university track, Carl Manlan (Visa CEMEA), Fakher Bader (Shell), and Ramez T. Shehadi (Accenture) brought a wealth of industry experience to their assessments, guiding students with valuable insights. The CEO of the Year Awards were judged by Ahmed Abdelaal (Mashreq Bank) and Khaled Hashem (Honeywell), while the Signature Awards panel included Mohamed Al Dabaa (P&G), Salma Al Halaby (Nestlé), and Khalifa Al Rumathi (Majra). These professionals provided mentorship and feedback that enriched the learning experience for all participants. This year's edition was made possible through the support of INJAZ UAE's corporate partners: Accenture, ExxonMobil, Dubai Chamber – Digital, Marsh McLennan, Starbucks/Alshaya, Mashreq, Honeywell, and Nestlé. Since its founding in 2005, INJAZ UAE has reached over 756,000 students and continues to inspire entrepreneurial thinking through hands-on learning experiences. As part of the regional INJAZ Al-Arab network, which has empowered over 7 million youth across the Middle East and North Africa, INJAZ UAE continues to play a pivotal role in cultivating an entrepreneurial ecosystem that prepares young people to lead in a fast-changing economy.
CairoScene
14-04-2025
- Science
- CairoScene
Abu Dhabi Students Win USD 12,500 Earth Prize for AI-Powered App
The EcoMind Academy app uses gamified lessons to teach students sustainability and connect them with green initiatives. Apr 14, 2025 A high school team from Ghayathi in Abu Dhabi's Al Dhafra region has won the 2025 Earth Prize for the Middle East with an AI-powered education platform called EcoMind Academy. Developed by Sustainability Heroes - a team made up of schoolgirls Israa Ashraf, Almaha Almansoori, Fatma Hussen, and Jourey Abdullah from Al Reef Private School - the app integrates sustainability into school subjects through gamified challenges, quizzes, and rewards, aiming to make environmental education engaging and actionable for young learners. Organised by the Earth Foundation, the annual Earth Prize recognises student-led innovations in sustainability. This year, EcoMind Academy stood out among 1,300 teams from 138 countries, earning the Middle East regional award and a USD 12,500 prize. The team's app not only encourages eco-conscious habits in the classroom, but also connects students with local environmental businesses and initiatives through workshops, school campaigns, and field activities. The students plan to use the prize to expand the app's reach, enhance its AI features, and launch it across government schools in the UAE. They also hope to introduce EcoMind Academy to other countries in the region, including Saudi Arabia and Oman, contributing to broader environmental awareness across the GCC.
