du offers simulated work environment

 Proving its commitment to nurturing local talent, du is giving University students the license to sell du offers and services from four kiosks set up in The Dubai Mall as its support for ‘Young Entrepreneur Competition 2010’ (YEC 2010). With this, du aims to give students the opportunity to simulate the work at du shops while they compete to achieve set targets during the competition, which will ultimately motivate them to own their own businesses in the future. 

 

du has identified 11 students from Zayed University, Sharjah Women's college and Sharjah University on these dedicated kiosks, from which they are retailing telecom products and services to visitors at the exhibition as part of the competition - which runs from 31 March until 3 April and is taking place in The Dubai Mall for the second consecutive year. The aim of this initiative is to promote the spirit of competition between students and to inspire a sense of salesmanship, enabling them to develop their skills and gain expertise by getting first-hand experience of the life of a salesman. 

 

“We are offering four kiosks to 11 students, which gives them the opportunity to participate in this annual national competition. Our support of this competition demonstrates our commitment to local talent by offering them training opportunities and encouraging innovation,” commented Hala Badri, EVP, Brand and Communications, du. 

 

“I decided to participate in this competition to gain skills which will enable me to get the most out of my education at Zayed University, since I’m a specialist in public relations. This competition is an important opportunity for all of us to develop our professional capabilities. I’d like to thank du for its support and for offering these kiosks, and I hope this opportunity will be a success for me and my colleagues,” said Sarah Al Matawai, a student at Zayed University.

 

“As students, this opportunity is very important for us asit enables us to develop our proficiency and gain practical experience which will help us to progress and develop our professional careers. I’d like to thank du for such an opportunity and wish best of luck to all participants,” said Amal Yosef, business administration student at Sharjah Women's college.

 

This competition is supported by du as the main sponsor and organised under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai. The initiative belongs to Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment (MBRE) which is part of the Dubai Development of Economic Development (DED). 

 

Since its inception in 2005, YEC has succeeded in encouraging entrepreneurial spirit within youngsters from high schools and universities across the UAE. The contest also conveyed the concept of small and medium enterprises and business environments to the younger generation. The large and growing turnout at the competition reflects that it has effectively succeeded in preparing young business leaders; there were 600 participants at YEC 2010 compared with the 84 that took part in the first year.