The inaugural YOUth Connect Forum 2025 took place at Brighton College Abu Dhabi, bringing together pupils, parents, educators, and industry leaders. The event empowered young people to navigate future careers with resilience, creativity, and purpose. It also reinforced the UAE Vision 2031 ambition to nurture human capital and drive innovation. Held under the theme ‘The Future of Work: Challenges and Opportunities – Navigating Careers in a Technology-Driven World’, the Forum explored how artificial intelligence, human intelligence, and emerging technologies are reshaping the way we live, learn, and lead.
A Community Event with Wide Reach
Open to pupils aged 14 and above, families, and educators across Abu Dhabi, the Forum attracted over 150 attendees. In partnership with YOUth Connect Hub, the event featured 28 speakers and panellists from diverse fields including business, finance, healthcare, sustainability, engineering, and education.
Dr. Nawaf Al Moosa said:
“Forums like this are more than gatherings; they are living bridges between education and industry. In the UAE, we are clear about our ambition: we are not preparing youth to be job seekers, but job creators and innovators who will shape tomorrow’s economy.”
Keynotes and Panel Discussions
The Forum opened with a keynote, ‘The Tech Revolution: Shaping the Future of Work’, delivered by Mr. Daniel Norton, Head of Development & Engineering at ADIA. This was followed by Dr. Nawaf Al Moosa, Director of the Emirates ICT Innovation Centre and Assistant Professor at Khalifa University, who outlined the opportunities ahead for the UAE’s future workforce.
Their contributions set the stage for high-impact panel discussions chaired by Mr. Saeed Alblooshi, Founder of Speak to Impact and host of the Success Story podcast.
The first panel, ‘The Future Workforce: Trends, Challenges and Opportunities’, examined the skills and mindsets needed for a technology-driven economy. Speakers included Dr. Susan Lamont, Director of Fire Group Leader Middle East at ARUP, and Khawla Barley, Founder and Executive Director of Goals UAE.
A second panel featured diverse voices such as Cathy Cribben-Pearse, Founder of OakTree Mentoring; Carrie Green, Educational Director of Thriving Souls; Imad Itani, Head of Innovation at ALEC Engineering; and Dr. Vivek Kakar, Director of the ECMO Programme and Vice Chair for Quality, Safety and Patient Experience at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. The discussion highlighted resilience, adaptability, and inclusivity as essential for the workforce of the future.
Plenary Sessions and Workshops
Plenary sessions sparked meaningful conversations about how education can evolve to meet the demands of disruptive technologies. Malcolm Brown and Mohamed Chaer, Universities and Careers Counsellors at Brighton College Abu Dhabi, facilitated ‘Future-Proofing Education and Careers’ alongside Sharon Tudela, Co-Founder of YOUth Connect Hub.
Dr. Jennifer Walters, Head of Senior School at Brighton College Abu Dhabi, followed with ‘The Future Starts with You’, encouraging pupils to take ownership of their futures with confidence and enthusiasm.
Interactive workshops gave pupils practical opportunities to apply their learning. They explored sustainability and green innovation with Emaan Danish Khan, Founder of EarthWarriorz; developed resilience and leadership skills with Alex Kamara, Executive Director of Transformation at Ethara; and practised entrepreneurial thinking. Sessions emphasised adaptability, wellbeing, and inquisitiveness, ensuring inclusion for all learners, including People of Determination.
Innovation Showcases
The Forum concluded with innovation showcases, facilitated by Sarwar Ahmed, Digital Head at Brighton College Abu Dhabi. Pupils and faculty presented original projects, demonstrating how classroom ideas can be developed into solutions for real-world challenges.
Reflections from Leaders, Pupils, and Parents
Dr. Nawaf Al Moosa said:
“Forums like this are more than gatherings; they are living bridges between education and industry. In the UAE, we are clear about our ambition: we are not preparing youth to be job seekers, but job creators and innovators who will shape tomorrow’s economy.”
Mr. Daniel Norton said:
“AI is reshaping our world with unprecedented speed, creating both disruption and opportunity. YOUth Connect provides the space for young people to engage with this ambiguity, build resilience, and turn uncertainty into strength.”
Parent Dr. Vivek Kakar said:
“It was reassuring to see that so many parents and teachers share an acute awareness of the rapidly changing future awaiting our children. We need a living curriculum that complements conventional schooling, continually stimulating curiosity, creativity, and resilience. As a BCAD parent for nearly a decade, I am proud of the school’s leadership and the collective engagement we saw at the Forum.”
A Vision for the Future
By hosting the YOUth Connect Forum 2025, Brighton College Abu Dhabi reaffirmed its role as a leading school in the region. The event demonstrated the school’s commitment to equipping its pupils with the skills, values, and confidence to thrive in a dynamic global landscape.
For more information about Brighton College Dubai, visit the website below:
Further Reading:
- Brighton College Dubai Student Sets UAE National Swim Record and Wins Gold at World School Games
- Brighton College Dubai Celebrates Exceptional Pupil Achievements with Outstanding Pearson Learner Awards
- Brighton College Dubai Inspires Young Changemakers with Sustainability Education
- Brighton College Dubai’s Superheroes Unite for Run for a Reason 2025, Supporting Wellness on Wheels
- Brighton College Dubai Swings into 2025 with Stellar Wins at Second Junior Golf Open
- Brighton College Dubai Inspires with First Official TEDxYouth Event “Bright Ideas for a Bright Future”