In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized (subject to certain rules and regulations).

Al Qasba Theatre
Sharjah
Al Khan Corniche
Sharjah, Ash Shāriqah, 62932
United Arab Emirates

Aysha Al-Hamili

Aviation

Permanent Representative of the United Arab Emirates on the Council of The International Civil Aviation Organization(ICAO). She holds a masters degree in Air Transport Management from City University of London. She started her flying education since she was 16 years old. She graduated from the Royal Jordanian Air Academy from the 42 Fledge and obtained her Commercial Pilot License and her Flight Instrument Instructor License to be qualified to work with one of the national air carriers.

Dr Raymond Hamden

Psychologist

Dr. Raymond is a Clinical & Forensic Psychologist. He practiced psychology in Washington, D.C. since 1979. Dr. Hamden established a professional psychology practice in the United Arab Emirates since1990. He holds a Ph.D. in Psychology and post-graduate studies in Modern Psychoanalysis. Currently the Director of the Human Relations Institute in Dubai Knowledge Village and a member of many Forensics & Psychology associations such as Association of Psychological Sciences (formerly American Psychological Society), International Society of Political Psychology, International Council of Psychologists, and American College of Forensic Examiners International. He is also a member of the DC Psychological Association, American Psychological Association, and American Academy of Forensic Sciences.

Dr. Haidar Al Yousuf

Health, business and pets

Dr Haidar Al Yousuf is the Director of Health Funding at the Dubai Health Authority. He is also an experienced aquarist and business entrepreneur, he is the managing Director for Underwater Environments Aquariums and Pets Plus, the leading companies in the gulf in the aquatic industry.

Kevin Abdulrahman

Motivational and Leadership speaker

Known globally as The Man Inspiring Millions, Kevin Abdulrahman is the author of a series of books and creator of countless training programs. He is sought after as the number one motivational and leadership speaker in the Middle East, Asia and Indian Subcontinent. Kevin helps individuals and Organizations to Get Inspired, Get Informed and Get Going!!!

Mariam Al-Sarkal

Film Director

Mariam AlSarkal is a young Emirati Director. She is studying a master's in film-making at London Film School, and have been working in the media industry for 10 years. She recently wrote and directed the documentary London in a Headscarf which charts her journey of self-discovery, and records her decision to study abroad and the issues she faced in maintaining what makes her uniquely Emirati.

Mohammad Al-Shamsi

Robotics

Diploma in Mechatronics Technology. Position: Mobile Robotic Expert, WorldSkills. Founder/ CEO of RoboHiTec. President of Emirates Robotics Club. Developed different types of robots. His first robot named 3G Robot, provided by a camera and controlled by the owner’s mobile phone. The second robot is a Police Robot which is a remote control robot to remove dangerous materials. Furthermore he has built Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) and two types of Unmanned Arial Vehicle (UAV).

Najla Al-Ansari

Entrepreneur

Najla Al-Ansari is a young Emirati Entrepreneur and owner of Polished Spa, a spa with an added value for moms-to-be. Najla graduated from the American University of Sharjah (2010) -Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Pure Management).

Naoko Kishida

UAE- Japan Cultural Center

Born in Tokyo, Japan. Graduated from Waseda University with Bachelor of Literature with honor, in Japan 1989. Married to UAE National in 1990 and have 5 children.Many awards’ recipient as Excellent Mother in UAE. In March 2008, established “UAE-Japan Cultural Center” without any financial support or sponsor. Since the establishment, organizing many cultural & social activities to build the bridge between UAE and Japan. Main activities are introducing Japanese Culture to local communities, as well as introducing UAE Culture to Japanese community in UAE.

Praveen Vettiyattil

Renewable Energy Inventor

Praveen is Director - Renewable Energy at Industrial Engineering and General Contracting (IEGC) in UAE. He designs and installs Wind-Solar hybrids for clients in UAE/India and advises them on how to reduce energy costs. He also owns Sharada Solutions in India that was started to develop and commercialize pedal powered machines and make custom built machines for customers. His recent inventions include pedal powered centrifugal pump and pedal powered water lifting machine. He maintains a dairy of several mathematical and statistical formulas that he discovered independently during high school and college days. He wants to put his technical know-how to make this world a better place to live in and train young minds the art of inventing. He founded 'World of invention' group on Facebook that has about 7000 members. Praveen holds a master of science in manufacturing engineering from University of Southern California and bachelors in mechanical engineering from University of Calicut.

Rabia Zargarpur

Fashion Designer

A Business Graduate from the USA, Rabia studied fashion at F.I.T New York and Esmod. Living in US, during the tragic 9/11 events, Rabia, the young Emirati-Afghan fashion designer, took up wearing the Hijab. It was only then she realized the challenges faced by moderate Muslimas trying to dress conservatively. This hands-on experience stirred deep insights, leading to a unique design ideology. Rabia Z. was born-a brand that deemed ‘modesty is always in style’. Designed to create solutions for women who want to be modest yet modern, Rabia benchmarked the concept of ‘conservative chic’, becoming the first designer and fashion brand in the world to produce prêt-a-couture ranges catering to niche needs and the first to showcase this on international catwalks. She has been hailed a 'Pioneer' in this field by international media including BBC and CNN.

Saeed Al-Nazari

Young Entrepreneur

Saeed is one of the youngest speakers of TEDxSharjah. Saeed had introduced many projects. The last one was "Made in UAE" project which was introduced in The Young Entrepreneur Competition, Dubai, and won many awards for it.

SAMA Quartet

Vocal Music

Sheikh Mohammed Al Thani

Mountaineer

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Thani is an Emirati, born on 16th June 1982 in Sharjah. He completed his BA in 2004 and MBA in 2006 from the American University of Sharjah, (AUS). In January 2012, he was entrusted with the position of Director General of Sharjah Statistics Centre. He is also a member of Air Arabia’s Board of Directors and a successful entrepreneur, founder of each of Musafir.com, Sharjah Paintball Park, Grab n’ Go Food Outlet, Al Nawras Hospitality and Tamween catering companies. Moreover, he is a gifted photographer, an adventurous traveler, and a passionate mountaineer with an aim of climbing the seven highest summits of the world. He recently on August 28th 2012 reached Mount Elbrus the highest point in Europe at 5,642 m. All of Sheikh Mohammed Al Thani’s mountaineering expeditions are connected with a noble mission of raising awareness and charity to Reach Out to Asia (Rota), a private non-profit organization, based in Doha, Qatar and various charity initiatives.

Sheikh Salem Al-Qassimi

Graphics Designer & Entrepreneur

Sheikh Salem bin Faisal Al-Qassimi is a graphic designer and entrepreneur born and raised in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. After receiving a degree in Multimedia Design from the American University of Sharjah, Salem worked and freelanced for various companies and individuals in the UAE and the UK. In 2006, Salem founded Fikra—a multidisciplinary design studio based in the Sharjah, UAE. Fikra works across a variety of media—time-based and print. The studio's philosophy is deeply rooted in investigating new pathways for problem-solving through design exploration and education. In 2011, Salem graduated with an MFA in Graphic Design from the Rhode Island School of Design, during which he also served as a teaching assistant and instructor. His thesis was an investigation of the Arabish (Arabic and English) culture in the United Arab Emirates. Salem is based in Sharjah, UAE, and New York, USA.

Shotokan Japanese Sports Centre

Sports Center