The 3rd edition of the Future Business Leaders competition, First Abu Dhabi Bank’s (FAB) flagship ESG initiative for university students, was successfully launched, marking another milestone in the bank’s commitment to sustainability. This event aimed to bridge the gap between academic understanding of climate change and the practical realities of creating a sustainable future. Through this competition, FAB encouraged students to take actionable steps toward making a positive impact in their future careers.

Highlights of the Knowledge Sharing Session

The event was initiated with welcome remarks by Dr. Fatma Taher, Director of CTI NextgenCenter , setting the tone for an insightful and impactful discussion on sustainability. A key feature of the event was the knowledge sharing session, where students were educated on crucial sustainability topics. With climate change, biodiversity loss, and social inequality becoming pressing global challenges, the session focused on the urgent need to transition to a green economy. This transition has created a growing demand for “green skills” across industries, emphasizing the shortage of workers equipped to drive the shift from fossil fuels to sustainable alternatives. FAB brought together experts to discuss how businesses are adapting to these challenges and the critical skills future leaders need to embrace for a sustainable future.

Expert Speakers Included:

• Fatma Kharbash – AVP, ESG Strategy and Engagement, FAB
• Dr. Jeremy Williams – Professor, College of Interdisciplinary Studies, Zayed University
• Aza Elnimah – Senior Associate Consultant, Sustainability, AESG
• Onur Elgun – CEO, CarbonSifr
• Shyam Sabaa – Student and Moderator
• Maitha Abdulla – Student

Key Discussion Points:

• UAE’s Climate Agenda – An overview of the country’s current position and progress.
• Sustainability in Business – Exploring how sustainability challenges can lead to opportunities for growth and innovation.
• Skills for Future Leaders – Addressing the real-world applications of sustainability across industries.
• Youth and Sustainability – Highlighting the role of young people as advocates for a sustainable future.

The session concluded with a lively Q&A, where students had the opportunity to engage with the speakers and gain deeper insights into Future buisness leaders competition.

Incentives for the Winners

The competition offers an array of rewards to inspire students, including:

• 1-month internship at FAB.
• Cash prizes:
  1st place: 30,000 AED
  2nd place: 20,000 AED
  3rd place: 10,000 AED
• Career coaching and exposure to FAB’s senior leadership, giving winners the opportunity to develop their careers further.

This successful event underscored FAB’s dedication to fostering the next generation of leaders who will drive sustainable development across industries and business functions