The DSS Office has selected Kuwaiti national Meshal Sami Al-Ali, from the American University of Kuwait, as the Kuwaiti representative for the first DSS Apprenticeship Programme which comes under the directives of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai with the aim of sharing knowledge with everyone, seeks to involve greater number of people across a wide spectrum by offering marketing and business administration students opportunities for training and exposure in marketing and events management through an internship at the DSS, a highly successful event in the region. Meshal will receive an all-expense-paid trip to Dubai and first-class accommodation at the luxurious Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates to work for DSS, one of the most successful and high-profile events in the region.
The apprenticeship programme provides students excellent opportunities for training and exposure in marketing and events management through an internship at the Dubai Summer Surprises. The pilot programme initially covers Kuwait and KSA, but plans are already in place to expand the programme’s reach to cover the entire GCC.
“I am very pleased to have been chosen as the official Kuwaiti Apprentice for this year. Since this programme is in its first year, it will be a challenge for me to set an example for those who might be chosen after me. I am confident that with previous experience as well as my strong communication skills I will be able to add value to this year’s summer fiesta,” said Meshal Al-Ali, a senior Business Administration student at the American University of Kuwait.
Meshal and five other students were nominated by the Head of Business Department & Head of PR Department at the American University of Kuwait while a distinguished panel of judges then evaluated the candidates based on academic excellence, quality and originality of submitted essays, and character to finally select the student to become the official DSS Kuwait Apprentice.
In his essay, Meshal said, “DSS was found mainly to get the family together and my main target, if I were given the role of Senior Marketing Manager for DSS 2007 is to ensure that this is done. I would also like to build on themed weeks including Technology, GCC, and Music Surprises that would appeal more and more to college students.”
Meshal is considered by his mentors and peers as an excellent student leader and great academic achiever. He has been the student president at AUK for the past two years and has assisted in establishing many sub-committees including the media, culture, social, and public relations. “He is extremely enthusiastic and hardworking and we have no doubt that he will perform well in the responsibilities given to him during the DSS Apprentice hoping that he will make the most out of this internship by learning as much as he can from accomplished and highly respected marketing practitioners,” said Joanne Hands, Career Counselor, at the American University of Kuwait.
“We congratulate Meshal on his selection as the DSS apprentice from Kuwait. We look forward to welcoming him in Dubai, and hope he will learn from this experience and broaden his perspectives in marketing and events management,” said Laila Suhail, DSS Executive Project Director.
