The ABC Newsletter
Special Edition 2014
Emirati Alumni of US Universities Renewing the Connection
About the ABC The American Business Council of Dubai and the Northern Emirates (ABC) functions under the auspices of Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry and functions as the Dubai Chapter of the US Chamber of Commerce. The ABC represents US
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business interests in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, while maintaining strong ties with the leadership of the
Keynote Address: His Excellency Hisham Al Shirawi...................................3
communities in which our members live and work. The Council is comprised of members from all sectors of business and industry who elect a board of directors annually. This board of directors is responsible for the strategic vision of the organization and for assuring
Supporting Sponsors...............................................................................4 Highlights..............................................................................................5 US Colleges & Universities’ Represented by Alumni...................................7 Event Partners........................................................................................9
strong alliances with US and UAE government officials, giving greater
Photos.................................................................................................10
voice to the membership at-large.
Premium Level Members........................................................................11 Contact Information: Phone:+ 971 4 379 1414 Fax: +971 4 379 1515 PO Box 74648 Dubai, United Arab Emirates www.abcdubai.com Cara Nazari Executive Director director@abcdubai.com Aurore Nawfal Membership Coordinator membership@abcdubai.com Sabrina Walsh Events Coordinator events@abcdubai.com Coco Makhzoumi Public Relations Coordinator publicrelations@abcdubai.com Laura Goodnight Communications Coordinator communications@abcdubai.com Lilibeth Delatina Administrative Coordinator admin@abcdubai.com
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The ABC Membership Rewards Program.................................................12
On Tuesday, September 30, 2014 the 4th Annual Emirati Alumni Reception was hosted by The American Business Council of Dubai & the Northern Emirates in association with the United States Consulate General Dubai, in honor of UAE Nationals who have studied at US universities. The American Business Council o f
D u b a i & t h e N o r t h e r n E m i r at e s CHAPTER, U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
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Keynote Address His Excellency Hisham Al Shirawi
Mr. Hisham Abdulla Al Shirawi is the Vice-Chairman of Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Chairman of Economic Zones World, Member of the Economic Council and Chairman of the Electronics Business Group. Mr. Al Shirawi is also a member of the Board of Directors of Al Shirawi Group and the Chief Executive Officer of Oasis Enterprises LLC. Mr. Al Shirawi holds an MBA Degree in Finance from the California State College, and a Bachelor Degree of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Southern California, Los Angeles.
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Supporting Sponsors
Since 1996, the American Hospital Dubai has provided US standard healthcare and pioneered quality, becoming the first in the Middle East to achieve JCI accreditation. All the Hospital’s physicians are North American Board Certified or equivalent. The Hospital is expanding its specialist clinics including Total Joint Replacement, Neuroscience Center, Cancer Care Center, The Heart Center, Breast Care Clinic. New developments include a Radio Oncology Clinic, and a Bed Tower increasing the campus to 384 beds. www.ahdubai.com
Carian College Advisors is the GCC’s leading independent educational consultancy. Focusing exclusively on US admissions, we help guide students through the key stages of preparation, research, and application to American universities. Our team of Ivy League educated consultants all hold advanced degrees and have extensive first-hand counseling experience. We focus on helping our students find the proper “fit” and achieving their fullest potential. www.carianet.com
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Highlights This annual event highlighted the strong bonds that exist between the UAE and the US and stressed the role that higher education can play in bringing communities closer together. Since 2009, the number of Emirati’s studying in the US has increased by 40%. From 2012 to 2013 there was an increase of 2,256 Emirati students studying in the US, roughly 7.6%. With this number increasing every year, it solidifies the relationship between the US and UAE and will be reflected in American business and bilateral trade between the two countries. The honored guest of the evening, His Excellency Hisham Al Shirawi, Vice Chairman of Dubai Chamber of Commerce &
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Industry presented a keynote address stressing the importance of education. His Excellency received an MBA in Finance from California State College and BS in Electrical Engineering from University of Southern California. At the reception, His Excellency highlighted the importance of education: “Education is the most important thing in any civilization, without education there would be no sustainable civilization, no sustainable growth, no sustainable development.” He continued to elaborate specifically on the impact of attending university in the US had on him: “…the impact of those years I spent in the States are irreversible they are carved into my memory, my personality.”
The Honorable Robert Waller, US Consul General in Dubai, noted, “Our strategic partnership is made more resilient by the number of Emiratis who have come to know America and Americans through travel, tourism, and study at colleges and universities across the United States.�
The ABC was able to hold this complimentary event for UAE National alumni and ABC members thanks to the gracious support of the American Hospital Dubai and Carian College Advisors.
The impressive turnout of distinguished guests included a host of senior level Emiratis and business executives, National alumni from US universities, and representatives from American University in Dubai, EducationUSA, and NYU Abu Dhabi.
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US Colleges & Universities’ Represented by Alumni Academy of Art University in San Francisco American University in Dubai
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
American University of Sharjah
Fordham University
Arizona State University
Georgia State University
Babson College
Harvard University
Bentley University
Hofstra University
Bluefield State College
Iowa State University
Boston University
London School of Economics
Brown University
Metropolitan State University
Catholic University of America Colorado School of Mines Dartmouth
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Duke University
New York University
University of Chicago Law School
New York University Graduate
University of Maryland
School of Arts and Science
University of Oklahoma
New York University School of Law
University of Pennsylvania
Oglethorpe University
University of Texas
Ohio State University
University of Texas School of Law
Princeton University
University of Wisconsin - Madison
Regent University
West Virginia Wesleyan College
Southern Methodist University
Yale University
Temple University Toledo Ohio University
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Event Partners
EducationUSA is a global network of more than 400 advising centers supported by the U.S. Department of State. The centers actively promote U.S. higher education around the world by offering accurate, unbiased, comprehensive, objective and timely information about U.S. educational institutions. Centers in the UAE are located at the U.S. Embassy and Consulate General and help ensure students across the Emirates get the information they need about studying at American colleges and universities in both English and Arabic free of charge. www.educationusa.info
NYU Abu Dhabi is a highly selective school of NYU with an extraordinary environment of internationally diverse students and a rigorous curriculum taught by distinguished professors. Students are admitted based on the overall strength of their application, including academic excellence, extracurricular activities, and demonstrated interest in global citizenship, service, and leadership. www.nyuad.nyu.edu
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President’s Club
Vice President’s Club
Strategic Partner
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The ABC Membership Rewards Program The American Business Council Membership Rewards Program is an expanding initiative designed to enhance your membership investment and is a benefit open to all members. Our goal is to support American businesses within the United Arab Emirates by promoting an American business referral network, while at the same time enriching the value of membership in the American Business Council.
Current Participating Companies
Dr. Leila Hariri
To see what each company is offering, please visit our membership rewards page at www.abcdubai.com. 12
The American Business Council o f
D u b a i & t h e N o r t h e r n E m i r at e s CHAPTER, U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
PO Box 74648, Dubai, UAE Tel: +971 4 379 1414 • Fax: +971 4 379 1515 www.abcdubai.com • info@abcdubai.com