29 Jun 2010:

Thirty-three students; 20 nations; one goal – to help find innovative solutions to global challenges using diverse perspectives by unified action.

That is the task of the group of highly talented international tertiary students who were in Abu Dhabi from June 11-17, as members of the Education Without Borders’ World 2011 Student Organizing Committee (WSOC).

The WSOC is a diverse group of some of the highest achieving students, from the world’s leading universities and institutions, but who have the common passion to see mankind initiate and develop solutions to some of the world’s most pressing problems.

Building on the work from EWB 2009, this cohort of student leaders is using collective skills in a variety of fields of study, and their general experiences, to help make EWB 2011 a positive, life-changing and affirmative international student conference.

The 6th Biennial EWB international student conference will be held from March 28-30, 2011 in Abu Dhabi, but these highly motivated students have already started working on formulating ideas to make the EWB 2011 a stellar event in the conference’s 10th year.

Working in small groups they have been working on issues such as marketing and communication of the conference to fellow students and institutions; the use of media and the powerful tool of social networking sites, videography and media outlets.

While experiencing traditional and modern cultural aspects of Emirati life during the week the students, through sub-committees, have also focused on the vital issues of conference content, conference logistics from a student perspective and post-conference actions.

EWB conference chairman, and HCT Vice Chancellor Dr Tayeb Kamali, commended the large group of students on their work and the innovative ideas they developed for the conference. He urged them to remember their week in Abu Dhabi for the friendships and contacts they would make; and the inspiration they would get from seeing the impact of many Nobel Laureates who helped shape the previous conferences.

The WSOC members were all excited to be taking part in a process which would help shape the 2011 EWB student conference.

Jamie Wernet, Arizona State University: “The talent that has been brought here is all so amazing and working in groups with these people it is so clear they are talented and we have access to the potential in people from around the world. It is a unique opportunity for me to work with these people who are really engaged.”

Anastasiia Dulska, Ukraine State University of International Finance & Trade, Ukraine: “The UAE is a country of great possibility and with WSOC we have the most talented people in the one place. HCT has really shown the local spirit of the country and what can be done to bring people together and engage them in the EWB process.”

Alice Berents, Griffith University, Australia: “It is great that so many like-minded people have come together here in Abu Dhabi to work to solve the global issues that all concern us, but which can’t be done individually.”

Matthew Miller, Pepperdine University, USA: “It is an honour to be a part of this group, being able to contribute to, and share your ideas with, a dynamic group of fellow students on some very topical issues.”

Sandra Flores, University of Monterrey, Mexico: “It has been great to get an insight into the Arabic culture and to be a part of this international conference. I have met many people from different backgrounds as we look to implement different ideas from different people.”

Ushna Mughal, Tony Blair Faith Foundation: “It’s been great to meet some really inspiring people and really conceptualise the EWB conference and its concept of bringing people of different backgrounds together. It’s an opportunity to create and give ideas from people of many cultural backgrounds and for them to come up with ideas that are beneficial to the community, especially in developing countries.”

Allan Babor, University of Waterloo, Canada: “It’s really motivating to be a part of this team and fathom the extent of the great potential when we all come back to the conference, and being surrounded by such great members.”