The Abu Dhabi Chapter – New faces, same great committee
January 14, 2022
Ever since they were elected in December 2019, just before COVID-19 changed our lives, the leadership of the Abu Dhabi Chapter has been working hard to recruit new members. “This was a priority for me,” explains Chapter President Wael Abdul Malak (BA ’94, MBA ’99, MMB ’03). “Our chapter has been very successful in the past, but I wanted to bring in some fresh faces and scout diverse talents to create new possibilities,” he says.
“We’ve got a great mix of people now from different faculties and generations,” says Chapter Vice President Ghassan Abdel Rahman, “including AUBites who graduated in the 1960s and contributed to the growth of the UAE. Our main members are experienced professionals who are well connected in the country, in addition to recent graduates who just started their careers.” Chapter members are well represented in the economy working in diversified fields such as oil and gas, contracting, technology, consultancy, medicine, banking, education, etc.
The chapter is especially proud that most of its members are active and engaged. “Not only do they contribute their ideas, they also ensure a flawless execution with the highest standards,” explains Chapter Treasurer Roger Feghali. In early 2020, the chapter started “The Networking Sessions” which attracted a great turnout for its first event in January 2020. The second session, which took place a month later, featured a panel of four alumni who shared their inspiring experiences of starting, running, and growing a business. “We got off to a great start,” says Chapter Secretary Joseph Atallah, “and then came COVID-19.”
The committee has been relentlessly working to keep its members connected as well as looking after their physical and mental well-being. Although its annual AUB Family Day Out was canceled back in February 2020, it made sure to maintain the excitement level and organized a virtual gathering via Zoom instead. In April 2020, it teamed up with Brown Consulting Group to provide chapter members with the opportunity to stay fit, get in great shape, and feel less stressed during these challenging times. It also organized a very successful comedy night of good laughter with Ali Hasbini in July 2020.
The chapter produced a fundraising video in summer 2020 to support AUB students who have been affected by COVID-19 – not surprising for a chapter that has a long history of fundraising. “Our Abu Dhabi Chapter has been a generous contributor to AUB over the years and has established six endowed scholarships that support an average of 50 students per year,” says Associate Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations Salma Dannawi Oueida. The chapter’s most recent activity was a get-together dinner in October 2021. “We acknowledge that these are difficult days for everyone,” says Abdul Malak, “but we also know from experience that if we all contribute – even with small amounts – together, we can make a difference.”