Notes on Think Tanks

About The Event:

Delve into a captivating discussion with Dubai Abulhoul, the visionary founder of Fiker Institute, an Emirati think-tank that has made a mark in academic and cultural spheres, as we explore working at Think Tanks as a viable career aspiration. This critical conversation, moderated by Mohamed AlShamsi, will explore the genesis of Fiker, the fusion of culture and policy analysis, Dubai’s experience overcoming challenges in its early development, and strategies for establishing such a company. Audience members can expect to gain insights into the aspirations and innovative approaches that set Fiker apart in the realm of think-tanks and strategy consulting. This is an opportunity to engage with Fiker’s journey, accomplishments, and insights, tailored for those intrigued by start-up dynamics and academic pursuits and open to Q&A at the end of the discussion.

About The Host(s):

Mohamed Al Shamsi is a graduate of International Relations from King’s College London and Journalism and Storytelling from CNN Academy. He is currently an Analyst at the Office of Strategic Affairs, Presidential Court. Previously, Mohamed has interned at several diplomatic posts including the Office of the Foreign Minister, the UAE Embassy in London, and the UAE Mission to the UN in Geneva. Founder of the organic, climate-conscious Mazaraa Cafe, Mohamed is a dynamic public speaker on youth empowerment, culture and sustainability, featuring at notable platforms incl. the Emirates Youth Global Forum, Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week and the UAE Embassy in London. He is proficient in Arabic, English and French. He has been an proactive member of society, co-founding the UAE Society at KCL and the KCL Alumni Network in the UAE, shaping discourse as part of the World Economic Forum's Global Shapers Hub Abu Dhabi and innovating for climate as part of Masdar's Future Sustainability Leaders program.

Dubai Abulhoul is an Emirati author, Rhodes Scholar, & founder of Fiker Institute, an international affairs think tank based in Dubai. Through an interdisciplinary framework, Fiker Institute serves as a platform to advance two-way dialogue between the Arab world and the rest of the international community to test ideas, debate constructs, and develop deeper intellectual understanding. Fiker Institute's areas of research focus include, but are not limited to, decolonization, global governance, climate change, and gender equality. Dubai’s work has been recognized by key global platforms, including the Paris Peace Forum and the Rome Med Dialogues. She graduated from the University of Oxford (Diplomacy & Global Governance), and from New York University Abu Dhabi (Political Science & Literature), where her research focused on women’s political participation in the UAE.

Schedule: 

6:00-6:30: Socialize

6:30-8:00: Panel 

8:00-8:30: Mingle