'Dubai's smart future can be unlocked by Emirati youth'

Abu Dhabi - "The entire creation of the 'smart transformation', which is happening today, is to enable a faster future."

Making Dubai the smartest and happiest city in the world requires young Emiratis to step up their game and think of new ideas, innovations and strategies that could eventually bring the magnificent vision to reality, said an official at  Smart Dubai.
Younus Al Nasser, assistant director-general, Smart Dubai Office and CEO of Dubai Data - Smart Dubai Establishment, told Khaleej Times that the time is ripe for youngsters to take action, in order to leave an everlasting footprint on the evolution of the developing city.
"The entire creation of the 'smart transformation', which is happening today, is to enable a faster future.
"The young generations are our key towards unlocking this transformation, by bringing their smart innovations and utilising their technologies."
He pointed out that the young students have more power today than those before their time, when it comes to contributing to the development of their nation.
"We are only an enabler, by providing youth with all the tools needed to connect their cities. But they are the ones who need to decide what they want next.
"It can be a smart service, an application, a solution or perhaps they want to become entrepreneurs and establish a business that will help make Dubai the smartest city in the world."
Although Smart Dubai began only in 2014, as an initiate by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Al Nasser said the city is already well on its way of achieving its goal.
"We are transforming the entire city, and all these transformations are happening right now."
He noted that such initiatives have also helped shift the mentality of Emiratis aiming to work in a government job.
"Back in the days, the government was the platform to get connected if a person wanted to secure his career, but today the industry has changed. There are endless opportunities for the youth to be in their own space, and to become their own bosses."
Al Nasser noted that the UAE Government is encouraging young generations to become successful business leaders.
"It is not about coming to the office and working in an ordinary job. This is about being creative, becoming entrepreneurs and becoming the provider of the next big thing. The youth can unlock the Smart Dubai future, it's in their hands, but it is up to them to decide where to position themselves."
jasmine@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai