MDX Innovation Hub Global Entrepreneurship Week

From 13 to 19 November 2023, Middlesex University Dubai and the MDX Innovation Hub marked Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) by hosting a series of inspiring activities, competitions and showcases across the University involving all faculties and year groups. 

A programme of carefully curated talks and activities organised by the Middlesex Innovation Hub (MIH) highlighted the various innovation and entrepreneurship activities undertaken across the University, engaging and strengthening relations with key industry stakeholders in the process. 

Global Entrepreneurship Week is an international annual initiative that introduces entrepreneurship to young people in every community and from every upbringing. Since its creation, more than 10 million people from roughly 170 countries have participated in entrepreneurship-related events, activities, and competitions during GEW.
GEW includes the participation of millions of entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, researchers, educators, entrepreneurship support organisations and interested individuals. The global theme for #GEW2023 was "Entrepreneurs Thrive Here," and activities from Middlesex Innovation Hub contribute to the 1,000+ activities that took place worldwide, helping to foster a vibrant platform of entrepreneurial and innovative spirit.  

The event kicked off with awareness-raising activities from the student body, including interactive games that involved naming the entrepreneur, or submitting an elevator pitch for prizes. Our faculty also embraced the entrepreneurial spirit within classes, as we welcomed Darshana Soni Siroya, founder of Hadine Fine Jewellery to the ICON Fashion Studio for a discussion about her journey to creating her own lab-grown diamond company, despite opposition along the way. 

On November 16, the MDX Innovation Hub launched the main event of the Global Entrepreneurship Week, with a keynote plenary held in the Study District at our Dubai Knowledge Park campus. The event was opened with a welcome speech from our Pro-Vice Chancellor and Director Professor Cedwyn Fernandes and Head of the MDX Innovation Hub Professor Fehmida Hussain, leading into an industry keynote speech from Rishikesh Trivedi, Founder of MarketMate and Co-founder of Enabler One. 

Rishikesh said: “Being able to look at the everyday problems around you, trying to find a better solution to those challenges, working with perseverance to work out the finer details of the innovative offering, and trying to make it economically viable is not for the faint hearted. A question that each one of us should ask is: Do I want to go through life? Or do I want to LIVE my Life? Do I want to create my life? Middlesex University Dubai has a good initiative with MDX Innovation Hub, where young minds can be given guidance to be entrepreneurial.”

The students were excited to also hear from Mohammed Mukhtar Jahangeer, Co-Founder of Unipreneur Inc., who later signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Middlesex University Dubai. Mohammed Mukhtar said:
“As an organisation that operates based on His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid's vision to transform UAE's universities into entrepreneurship and innovation centres, we at Unipreneur Inc. are honoured to sign this MoU with the renowned Middlesex University Dubai. We look forward to this special partnership based on the Triple Helix Model of innovation, where students are transformed into inspiring future industry leaders.”

Unipreneur Inc. is the UAE’s first youth entrepreneurship, career and leadership development platform for youth aged 15-30 who aspire to become entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs and future leaders. 

Professor Cedwyn Fernandes, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Middlesex University and Director of Middlesex University Dubai said: "At Middlesex University Dubai, we embrace the transformative potential of entrepreneurship. Our students are not merely equipped with knowledge; they are empowered to embark on their unique journeys into the world of business, fortified by unwavering support from our dedicated faculty and the team at the MDX Innovation Hub.

The values upheld by Unipreneur Inc. closely resonate with our own, as we both share a dedicated commitment to empowering entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs, and aspiring leaders on the way to success. We are enthusiastic about the prospect of cultivating a collaborative partnership that leverages our collective strengths for the advancement and enrichment of our exceptionally talented young professionals."

The event concluded with a ‘Design Thinking’ workshop led by Middlesex University Dubai Senior Lecturer Rhoderick Romano. Throughout the afternoon, a cross-discipline showcase of student work from both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes was presented to inspire students to greater levels of creativity and innovation, including work by students Abdurrahman Sagir Isa, Vaibhav Garg and Dileep Kumar Munagapati, who also showed their innovations on behalf of the MDX Innovation Hub at the recent Expand North Star GITEX conference in Dubai. 

The finale for the week took place over the weekend of November 18 and 19, where Middlesex University Dubai hosted the Youth Impact Lab organised by the Pearl Initiative in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation (ADMAF). This two-day hackathon brought together senior industry officials, and students and faculty from five universities to collaborate, co-create, and present solutions addressing challenges related to gender equality, climate action, sustainable cities, and responsible consumption. Seven teams were selected to participate with prizes being awarded to students from Middlesex University Dubai and the American University of Sharjah. 

The Middlesex Innovation Hub also hosted two competitions: Technovation and the MDX Challenge and held an inspirational panel discussion on ‘Women Entrepreneurs Navigating Opportunities and Challenges in the UAE.’ The panellists shed light on the UAE’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and enabling factors such as resources, technologies, professional networks, and financing.

Professor Fehmida Hussain, Head of the MDX Innovation Hub, talked about the importance of GEW: "Global Entrepreneurship Week is a global celebration of innovation and resilience. At Middlesex University Dubai, the week shines a spotlight on our unwavering focus on fostering innovation and entrepreneurial skills in our students. With thriving tech hubs and a supportive ecosystem, the UAE is a beacon for entrepreneurs. We are proud to be part of the nation's drive to promote Innovation and Entrepreneurship, recognising the dreamers and innovators who drive positive change locally and globally. Together, we shape a future of endless possibilities."

For more information about the MDX Innovation Hub and their ongoing initiatives: https://www.mdx.ac.ae/mih