Galadari Brothers' F&B division nurtures pupils' entrepreneurial skills

Michelle Sewell, who arrived in the UAE as an educator around five years ago, saw a critical gap in the market between industry and education, as compared to her native England.

Sewell, whose mother is Irish and father Panamanian, quickly moved in to fill the void.

She introduced the best industry practices to teach her pupils, who are keen on vocational training, at Kings’ School, Al Barsha.

“The UAE, which values education, is a perfect launch pad to try out this exercise. I’m indebted to Galadari Brothers’ Food & Beverage (F&B) division to allow seven of our pupils in the age-bracket of 16-17 to get a hands-on experience of a brand-awareness exercise. This bridge-building project will come in handy for these pupils, who are primed to be change makers of tomorrow,” said a bubbly Sewell, whose infectious nervous energy has rubbed off on her wide-eyed and curious pupils.

Rashed Abdulla bin Beyat Al Falasi, the lone Emirati in the group of participants, was all praise for the “immersive experience”.

He said: “I enjoyed the rigorous exercise because it gave me a rare insight into brand awareness. Branding holds the key in a consumer and social media-driven world.”

Al Falasi is clear about his career choices, and he felt the exercise would stand him in good stead in his future endeavours. “I’d like to study finance because I like investing and this project showed me the way forward,” he added.

His peer, Mohammed-Ilyas Hafesji, who is of Iranian descent and who moved to Dubai from the United Kingdom (UK) as a three-year old, echoed Al Falasi. “It’s been an eye-opener for me. The project gave me a 360-degree view of doing assignments to a sneak peek of global business trends.”

Walid Dajani, a Jordanian of Palestinian descent who nurtures the ambition of becoming an entrepreneur, said: “The exercise has enriched my perspective about the contemporary business scenario. I’m further emboldened in my view on how to take an opportunity and seize the moment, which is the pivot of all sound business decisions.”

Briton Harry Armistead, who has lived in three continents and is a Dubai resident for the past three years, weighed in on Dajani’s viewpoint amid harbouring similar career ambitions.

“I’m fortunate to get a ringside view of a real work environment, which is a privilege few are entitled to at a tender age,” he said.

Sara Alono, one of the three girls in the seven-member group of participants, too, wants to become an entrepreneur.

She singled out Galadari Brothers’ F&B division’s recent acquisition KyoChon, Korea’s most loved fried chicken.

Alonso, who traces her origin to Spain and Mexico, said: “I enjoyed learning about KyoChon and will frequent the outlets more than ever before.”

Georgia White, a Londoner, who has been living in Dubai for the past 12 years, had a refreshing take on the exercise. “It gave me an opportunity to present data and information in a real-time work environment. I also enjoyed trying new offerings from (Galadari Brothers’ F&B divisions’) Baskin Robbins and KyoChon,” said a demure White.

Cameron Froud from Johannesburg, South Africa, and of British descent, has been living in Dubai for the past five years. She has chalked out her career path and the “exercise will come in handy”.

joydeep@khaleejtimes.com