In efforts to encourage and activate women’s participation in economic development,  Zayed University has organized its annual festival in Abu Dhabi campus.

Zayed University female students and graduates showcased their talents and exceptional entrepreneurship skills through artistic, cultural and entertainment activities at the annual Zayed University festival.

The three-day festival, which started on Tuesday and will end on Thursday, was inaugurated by Her Excellency Sheikha Lubna Bint Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister of International Cooperation and Development, President of Zayed University.

The event was also attended by Didier Reynders, Belgian Foreign Minister, Hazza Mohammed Al Qahtani, Undersecretary of the Ministry of International Cooperation and Development, Prof. Reyadh AlMehaideb, Vice President of Zayed University, Dr. Fatima Al Darmaki, Assistant Provost for Students Affairs, Shamsa Al Taie, Director of Students Affairs and Amal Al Khouri, Activities and Events Manager at the Students Affairs.

A variety of items including handicrafts, food, cosmetics, clothes and jewelries were on display for sale during the festival.

Her Excellency Sheikha Lubna highlighted that Zayed University festival came to discover and nurture the brightest entrepreneurial talents in order to cultivate a supportive environment where young entrepreneurs can flourish.  

“The festival is a great opportunity and a platform for students and graduates to overcome business challenges and elevate the country’s economy to the next level. We do not only want students, who excel in their academic performance, but we also want successful entrepreneurs, who initiate innovative projects and succeed in an entrepreneurial economy”, Her Excellency Sheikha Lubna added.

The three-day festival consists of around 49 innovative projects for Zayed University female students and graduates.   

“The main objective of this festival is to promote entrepreneurship spirt among young Emiratis and help them gain confidence and independence to kick off their innovative enterprises,” Amal Al Khouri, Activities and Events Manager in the Students Affairs Department at ZU’s Abu Dhabi campus, said.

“The festival consists of 49 booths selling clothes, handicrafts, jewelries, foods, and other products. Although prices of products are modest, they attracted many students and faculty members since the beginning of the festival,” Amal added.

Additionally, the festival saw the Story Mile project presented by members of the university’s Al Kharareef story-telling club.

The Story Mile is an initiative where students created original local fairy tales and fables based on traditional characters, and compiled them into published works.

“The Story Mile project consists of more than 80 stories written by female Emirati students in a modern version. The stories are available in both Arabic and English. The idea beyond Story Mile project is to preserve ancient tales for future generations, so they can have a background on their Emirati culture and heritage”, Nour Abdul Hameed, a student at the College of Communication and Media Sciences, said.

The Story Mile project will also be displayed at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair this year.

The last day of the festival will welcome visitors and witness several entertainment performances such as Indian dances, Dubai drummers and a magic show.

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