DEWA sends 20 students to Singapore as part of its Ruwad initiative to encourage creativity in orphans

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) is sending 20 students to Singapore for 6 days for phase two of the Ruwad (Arabic for pioneers) initiative to encourage creativity in orphans, which DEWA launched recently, in cooperation with the Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation and INJAZ UAE. Ruwad programme supports the UAE Initiative for Connection with Orphans and Minors, launched by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of DEWA, receive and honoured the Ruwad team who completed phase one of the programme. The meeting was attended by Ahmed Beni Yas, Acting Secretary General of the Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation, Khawla Al Mehairi, Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Communications, Marwan Al Sabbagh, Vice President of Projects & Connection Services, and Taha Al Hamri, CSR Specialist at DEWA.
Al Tayer commended the Ruwad team and urged them to make use of their trip to Singapore. I congratulate you on completing phase one of the Ruwad programme and qualifying for phase two. You have proven your efficiency and competence to be pioneers in society, and your readiness to be the next generation of creative leaders who will implement the UAEs National ambitious strategies and plans. You will also contribute to developing innovative initiatives and programmes that will achieve the UAE Vision 2021 to be one of the best countries in the world and the Dubai Plan 2021 to be a city of happy, creative, and empowered people, for a better tomorrow for us and for generations to come, said Al Tayer, addressing the students.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai observed that: To be creative is to add something new to life as opposed to being a passive part of it. We may not live for hundreds of years, but the products of our creativity can leave a legacy long after we are gone. This is the objective of the Ruwad programme. At DEWA, we consider young people to be the driving force for building a brighter future. We also consider it necessary to engage young people in achieving the sustainable development. Todays youth are tomorrows leaders who will play a key role in decision making at all levels. Thats why, at DEWA, we make every effort to provide an environment that supports creativity and innovation and motivates innovators across different areas. This establishes Dubai and the UAE as a platform for innovation and as a creativity incubator, added Al Tayer.

I am confident that the second phase of the programme in Singapore will enhance your experiences, add to your knowledge, and will benefit you significantly. I am also sure that you will be good ambassadors of your country and will prove that young Emiratis are capable of leadership, innovation, creativity. You can shoulder the responsibility towards yourselves and your society through your creative and innovative ideas that will contribute to achieving the vision of our wise leadership to be number one, concluded Al Tayer.

Al Tayer noted that DEWAs Ruwad initiative supports the UAE Initiative for Connection with Orphans and Minors, launched by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. It also supports DEWAs vision to become a sustainable innovative world-class utility, and its efforts to enhance social development in Dubai and create an educated and knowledgeable generation that is capable of leading the sustainable development of Dubai. This is done by enabling young people to positively contribute to society to enhance the development and prosperity of Dubai and the UAE at all levels.

Khaled Al Thani, Deputy Secretary General of the Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation, commended DEWAs efforts, noting that it has always been a pioneer in humanitarian work and that it has supported a group of people who are dear to us all.

The Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation implements its strategy by materialising its mission and approved goals to support minors and enable them to be active members in the UAE society. Since its establishment in 2004, and to support the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE an Ruler of Dubai, the Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation has been committed to taking care of the minors, providing a sound environment for their upbringing, and empowering them to develop and achieve the highest levels of education and knowledge, said Al Thani.

Each year, the Foundation honours hundreds of its top students across all educational levels. This is something we are proud of as part of our successes and supporting the wise vision. Such events and initiatives strengthen this role, prepare the minors, and provide them with the tools to develop and excel to be good productive citizens who serve our beloved country, he added.

Phase two of the Ruwad programme in Singapore will train the students on creativity and innovation. They will have the chance to review international programmes and benefit from world-class social experiences. They will also have an opportunity to practise what they learnt in phase one of the programme. After they return, and complete phase three of the programme, they will be able to serve their society through innovative projects and creative ideas, said Al Mehairi.

DEWAs role is not limited to performing its tasks in the related sectors and disciplines. It strives to be a good corporate citizen by establishing the foundations of sustainability and social services to enhance the sustainable development. This leading initiative builds on DEWAs focus on corporate social responsibility initiatives that have achieved remarkable successes. DEWA achieved a score of 87% for community satisfaction in 2014 compared to 83% in 2013, added Al Mehairi.

Twenty Emirati students will leave for Singapore on Friday, 14 August 2015. They will be accompanied by staff from DEWA, the Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation, and INJAZ UAE. Over 6 days, they will take part in creativity and innovation workshops at the International Creativity Camp, in cooperation with Junior Achievement Singapore. The Ruwad team will work with Singaporean students in 6 teams to exchange creative ideas and take part in competitions that develop creative and innovative skills. The programme also includes visiting General Electrics innovation centre, training on managing innovative social projects. They will learn about some of these projects during their visit to elderly care centres.