Dubai, United Arab Emirates : AMSI Voices heralded a great opportunity for girl students across AMSI schools, to meet, discuss and understand the challenges of a working world from experienced professionals who once studied in the very same AMSI schools.

Themed “Girls are Makers of Change” the fifth edition of the AMSI Voices Conference was attended by girls of Grade 11 and 12 at Al Mawakeb Al Khawaneej. Her Excellency Noura Al Kaabi, UAE Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, delivered the keynote address.

Three panel discussions were held to help the students better understand key decision making processes that would shape their professional lives.

During the first panel ‘Courageous Choices’, the panelists shared with the students how they made their career choices despite being deemed unconventional. Each panelist narrated their stories, shared advices and finally answered the students’ questions.

 

AMSI Voices members shed light on how the steering committee came together during the second panel ‘How it All Began’. They explained the selection of members and future plans of AMSI Voices. Inspired by making a positive change by giving back to the community, members also shared their community service experiences through initiatives undertaken by  AMSI Voices.

 

In the third panel ‘Turning Points’ the panelists deliberated on how, despite their different career choices, they all shared similar defining moments, or as they called it the “Aha” moment which changed their lives. The panelists provided the students valuable advice on how to recognize those life-changing moments and ways to seize them.

In addition to the three panel discussions, the conference also featured two breakout sessions where smaller groups of students had one-on-one discussions with each panelist. These sessions helped shy and timid students to overcome their inhibitions to interact and learn practical skills firsthand. Based on student feedback, the breakout sessions have been considered to be highly impactful and valuable.

Every year the Alumni and staff work hand-in-hand to make this conference a success. While the steering committee of AMSI Voices plans the conferences and workshops, the staff members help execute, and the alumni help with sponsorships.

Until now, the AMSI Voices Conference has been a positive experience for students and alumni. This success has inspired the members of the steering committee to organize other events, such as Monday 101’s and Emirati Women’s Day talks, and are planning to have more initiatives in the future.