Theme: But why?

We are from Dubai International Academy, Emirates Hills. Our annual TEDx Youth event at DIA is happening in February 2023 and aims to connect our community with ideas, knowledge, and innovation. TEDxYouth is an Official and Licensed event being held by TEDxYouth and Dubai International Academy that aims to cultivate cognitive thinking in students by exposing them to a variety of public speaking opportunities, trainings, and workshops. In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized event that brings people together to share a TED-like experience.

Dubai International Academy PE Hall
First Al Khail St - Emirates Hills - Dubai
Ground Floor
Dubai, Dubayy, 000000
United Arab Emirates

Aaron Leung

An International dynamic speaker & TEDx coach that connects you to your inner voice & potential while customising your speaking style to create your choice for a lifetime of opportunities. A renowned speech enthusiast innovates and revolutionizes the art of speaking with proven results. Aaron has been in the industry coaching speakers since he was a student. Inspired by the wisdom shared by all walks of life & immersed in cultures in over 90 countries plus a unique life-twisting experience, he developed a passion for the field of public speaking. He has won over 100+ contests and eventually becomes a Global Impromptu Speaking Champion virtually across 100 countries in 2019.

Anoushka Rose

Student

Hi, my name’s Anoushka Rose. I’m a student in Year 11. Some of the roles I’ve adopted include being the Executive President of my school’s MUN conference, being the head of teaching of my school's art club, and being a member of the student council, amongst others. Within and out of my academics, my primary goal is to better understand the world and try to apply this knowledge to make a positive difference where I can.

Chanhong Min

Student

Although initially born in South Korea, I have spent most of my life living in the United Arab Emirates, with almost 16 years in residence. Currently, I am in Year 11, and in the future wish to study Engineering or Psychology. I have always been intrigued by the psychology of others, specifically how certain individuals may act or communicate with others in certain scenarios. I hope to utilize my speech in order to inspire both myself and others to delve deeper into the ideology of communication and improve their perception and dialogue with their peers.

Hana Rafeeq

App Developer

Hana is a young, talented and remarkable 9-year-old iOS developer making a significant impact in the tech industry. At the age of 8, she discovered her passion for coding and app development and created her first app aimed at spreading happiness among children and parents. Hana is a vocal advocate for technology's role in shaping the future of education and promoting women's digital literacy. She firmly believes that women should be literate in the digital world to pave the way for a future-ready generation. She is committed to empowering women with the necessary skills and knowledge to thrive in a technology-driven society and often shares her journey as a self-taught young developer in her speeches, inspiring others to pursue their dreams regardless of their age, gender or experience. With her unwavering dedication to promoting digital literacy and future-ready generation through technology-driven education, Hana Rafeeq continues to inspire and make a positive impact on the world.

Neeraj Shah

Student

My name is Neeraj and I am a student at Dubai International Academy Emirates Hills. I am an aspiring data scientist with a love for economics, physics, computer science and math. I am proud to share that I will be a speaker at this event and I look forward to meeting you all at this wonderful event.

Samarth Gupta

Student

Samarth Gupta is a 16 year old high school student and an aspiring engineer with an overwhelming passion of helping people change the way they approach concepts. His philosophy is focused on changing the mindset and channeling the new found capabilities into things that can benefit society. He has worked at multiple projects across various fields such as entrepreneurship, finance, public speaking and research with huge successes in all of them. In his free time, Samarth loves to go cycling, swimming and enjoys playing the guitar overlooking a beautiful view.

Sanya Puri

Student

Sanya Puri was born in India but lives in Dubai. She is a junior in high school (Year 12) and studies in the International Baccalaureate curriculum. Over the course of her professional career, she has risen through the ranks at a non-profit organization, namely Girl Up Dubai. Girl Up Dubai is the Dubai chapter of the United Nations Foundation Initiative, Girl Up Campaign. She started as a researcher at the organization and, within a year, held the position of Vice President. She is interested in Biology, Chemistry and Psychology and is studying these subjects at a higher level in school. In addition, she is an aspiring surgeon with a passion for healthcare and well-being. She has also delivered a TEDx Talk titled ‘Why First Impressions are Overrated’.

Yagiz Ozenci

Student

Yagiz Ozenci is a student with a strong education in finance and economics from Columbia University and professional experience through internships at Clifford Chance, JP Morgan, Citi Group, and other large conglomerates in Turkey. He is also involved in Model United Nations conferences, currently serving in DIAMUN, the largest conference in the Middle East and North Africa region. In his free time, Yagiz enjoys swimming, playing piano, and drums.