The Forum empowered young people to navigate careers with resilience, creativity, and purpose, leaving them with key lessons in leadership, adaptability, and the value of practical guidance

In partnership with YOUth Connect Hub, supporting the UAE Vision 2031 ambition to drive innovation and nurture future generations

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 2nd October 2025: The future of work took centre stage at Brighton College Abu Dhabi on Saturday, 27th September, as the school welcomed pupils, parents, educators, and industry leaders to its inaugural YOUth Connect Forum 2025.

Held under the theme ‘The Future of Work: Challenges and Opportunities - Navigating Careers in a Technology-Driven World,' the forum explored how artificial intelligence, human intelligence, and emerging technologies are converging to transform the way we live, learn, and lead - echoing the UAE Vision 2031 ambition to nurture human capital and drive innovation.

Designed for pupils aged 14 and above, and open to families and educators across Abu Dhabi, the event reflected Brighton College Abu Dhabi's commitment to community and to preparing young people for the future. In partnership with YOUth Connect Hub, the Forum attracted more than 150 attendees and featured 28 speakers and panellists, representing diverse sectors across business and finance to healthcare, sustainability, engineering, and education.

Speaking at the Forum, Ruth Forsythe, Vice Principal of Brighton College Abu Dhabi, said: “The YOUth Connect Forum is about equipping our pupils and community with the tools to navigate an uncertain future with confidence, creativity, and compassion. By engaging directly with industry leaders and educators, our pupils are empowered to think like innovators and act like problem-solvers.”

The programme opened with a keynote titled, ‘The Tech Revolution: Shaping the Future of Work' by Mr. Daniel Norton, Head of Development & Engineering at Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), followed by Dr. Nawaf Al Moosa, Director of the Emirates ICT Innovation Centre and Assistant Professor, Computer & Information Engineering at Khalifa University, who outlined the opportunities that lie ahead for the UAE's future workforce.  Their insights laid the foundation for high-impact panel dialogues, chaired by Mr. Saeed Alblooshi, Founder of Speak to Impact and Host of the Success Story podcast.

The first panel, ‘The Future Workforce: Trends, Challenges and Opportunities,' examined the skills and mindsets needed for a technology-driven economy, featuring industry voices such as Dr. Susan Lamont, Director of Fire Group Leader Middle East, ARUP, and Khawla Barley, Founder & Executive Director of Goals UAE. The following panel brought together speakers, including Cathy Cribben-Pearse, Founder of OakTree Mentoring; Carrie Green, Educational Director of Thriving Souls; Imad Itani, Head of Innovation at ALEC Engineering; Will Walker, Entrepreneur & Founder of Storm Academy & EDN Investments;  Tubatsi Moloi, Safeguarding Lead at Brighton College; Jonathan Hay, Head of Treasury Services and Counterparty, Operations, ADIA; Ben Bolger, Co-Founder, Squirrel Education; Andy Boutle, Head of Digital Construction, ALEC; Dr. Vivek Kakar - Director of ECMO Program and Vice Chair for Quality, Safety and Patience Experience at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi and Dr. Thomas Davies, Program Director for Employment and Entrepreneurship at Sandooq Al Watan, who emphasised the importance of resilience, adaptability, and an inclusive workforce.

The programme skillfully shifted to plenary sessions, where Malcolm Brown and Mohamed Chaer, Universities and Careers Counsellor at Brighton College Abu Dhabi, facilitated ‘Future-Proofing Education & Careers', alongside Sharon Tudela, Co-Founder at YOUth Connect Hub - sparking meaningful conversations on how education can evolve alongside disruptive technologies. This was followed by ‘The Future Starts with You', led by Dr. Jennifer Walters, Head of Senior School at Brighton College Abu Dhabi, inspiring pupils to take ownership of their futures with enthusiasm and a sense of possibility.

Workshops further translated concepts into action, where pupils delved into sustainability and green innovation with Emaan Danish Khan, Founder of EarthWarriorz; explored resilience and leadership with Alex Kamara, Executive Director of Transformation at Ethara; charted career pathways with interactive sessions, and practised entrepreneurial thinking. The sessions also encouraged pupils to adapt to change while safeguarding their wellbeing, ensuring inquisitiveness remained central to their learning journey. Accessible opportunities for all learners, including People of Determination, were woven throughout the programme, reinforcing the Forum's commitment to inclusion.

The day concluded with innovation showcases, facilitated by Sarwar Ahmed, Digital Head at Brighton College Abu Dhabi, and led by Brighton College Abu Dhabi pupils and faculty, presenting original projects that demonstrated how ideas developed in classrooms can be transformed into solutions for real-world challenges.

Dr. Nawaf Al Moosa, Director of the Emirates ICT Innovation Centre and Assistant Professor, Computer & Information Engineering at Khalifa University, commented: “Forums like this are more than gatherings; they are living bridges between education and industry. In the UAE, we are clear about our ambition: we are not preparing youth to be job seekers, but job creators and  innovators who will shape tomorrow's economy.”

“AI is reshaping our world with unprecedented speed, creating both disruption and opportunity. YOUth Connect provides the space for young people to engage with this ambiguity, build resilience, and turn uncertainty into strength,” added Mr. Daniel Norton, Head of Development & Engineering at Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA).

Maria Shanwar, Pupil at Brighton College Abu Dhabi, described the Forum as “incredible”, praising the inspiring speakers, diverse perspectives, and valuable networking opportunities that made the experience “even more valuable”.

“It was reassuring to see that so many parents and teachers share an acute awareness of the rapidly changing future awaiting our children. We need a living curriculum that complements conventional schooling, continually breeding curiosity, stimulating creativity, and building resilience to learn and unlearn. As a BCAD parent for nearly a decade, I am proud of the school's leadership and the collective engagement we saw at the Forum,” said Vivek Kakar, Director of ECMO Program and Vice Chair for Quality, Safety and Patient Experience at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.

By hosting the Forum, Brighton College Abu Dhabi reaffirmed its role as a leading school in the region, equipping its pupils with the skills, values, and confidence to thrive in a dynamic global landscape.

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