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Local college student excels in Dubai apprenticeship program [Kuwait Times](Kuwait Times Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Abdulaziz Al-Sabah The Kuwaiti winner of the DSS Apprenticeship Program 2014, Abdulaziz Al-Sabah, spoke with the Kuwait Times in an exclusive interview to share his experience. The 24 year-old Kuwaiti is a third year business management student at the Australian Collage of Kuwait. He participated in a two week internship program held in Dubai organized by the Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), an agency of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), and organizers of Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS). Al-Sabah was elected to represent his country alongside 16 other students from across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and the internship included opportunities for learning from successful corporations including MBC Group, Emirates Airlines, Dubai Airports and Facebook. Kuwait Times: What was the selection process for DSS Apprenticeship program? How did your college help you in preparing for the DSS program? Abdulaziz Al-Sabah: This program is held annually, each college and university nominates maximum six students to participate and represent their country and college. I was nominated by the Australian College of Kuwait to represent Kuwait in Dubai. KT: Why were you nominated? AS: I was nominated based on my presentation and writing skills, achievements, work and my grades. KT: Out of the many interactive sessions you had with the big corporate firms of the region, which was your favorite and what was your key take-away from it? AS: We got to meet the giants in the marketing and management field in Dubai, Dubai Festival & Retail Establishmentwho are responsible for Festivals such as Dubai Shopping Festival, Dubai Summer Surprises and so much more including the DSS apprenticeship program which is sponsored by the ruler of Dubai Mohammad Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum. We had many corporate visits with Emirates Airlines, Dubai Mall management team, Facebook's regional office and many more. KT: Visiting Facebook's regional office must have been an exciting experience. How do you think Facebook is approaching the Middle East? AS: We were one of few students who had the privilege to visit Facebook offices, and it was an amazing experience. It is not as big as you think but you can see how the working environment promotes creativity. KT: Were you assigned to work in groups for your assignments? What was it like working and interacting with other up-coming marketers from the gulf despite your cultural differences? AS: The program collected 17 students of the brightest young minds in the MENA and South Africa region to communicate and share ideas with like-minded people. We have formed a team of four early on in the program to prepare for the final presentation to the executives of Dubai Festival & Retail Establishment (DFRE). It was an amazing experience working with like-minded people, we had a lot in common and I enjoyed speaking and connecting with people who were so ambitions and motivated to improve themselves in both the business and the academic field. Despite the cultural differences we became a family. KT: In your opinion, what lessons can Kuwait learn from Dubai when it comes to attracting tourists for its cultural and commercial festivals? AS: Dubai is a city where dreams and visions come to fruition. It's a city that constantly evolves. What I loved in Dubai is the strong integration with government projects and private businesses. KT: How did this trip influenced you? AS: The whole trip was a journey of influence and inspiration because everyone including the other 16 students returned home having a different vision. One of the best experiences is the one that is life changing and this experience was life changing. I'm not a person that likes to try new things, and it was very difficult for me to try anything new when I was younger, but lately I have noticed this thing about me and I didn't like it so I decided to change, which was why I participated in Dubai Summer Surprises. I think people should take risks and embrace change because whatever experience you are getting it is going to be valuable and make an impact in your life. KT: What are your future plans? AS: The experience that I got from the apprenticeship program was immeasurable and it was life changing experience. Everything I have learned and been through will not go to waste. But first I am looking to learn and improve. I am interested in growing further in Kuwait and globally. By Sahar Moussa, Staff Writer All rights reserved. (c) 2014 Kuwait Times Newspaper Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info). |