TEDxSAIS Sharjah Youth

Speakers

Speakers may not be confirmed. Check the event website for the latest lineup.

• Ammar Hegazy

  His name is Ammar Hegazy, and he wants to become a game developer. As he said, he’s good at coding games. Coding games can make him a better problem solver, improve his logic and critical thinking skills, and teach him various programming languages and concepts. A few years ago, he loved talking about video games and designs because of his favorite game developer, Scott Cawthon, who made a few games like “Five Nights at Freddy’s,” and that helped him keep coding games like Scratch, Python, and Java.

• Duha Altabbaa

  She’s Duha AlTabbaa. She has always loved speaking — not just talking, but saying things that make people stop for a moment and really think. She pays attention to the things most people scroll past, and she enjoys questioning what others simply accept as normal. Maybe that’s why she’s here today — because she believes some thoughts are worth saying out loud.

• Ghala Sadoon

  Her name is Ghala Sadoon Al Marayani, and she has always been curious about the world and passionate about expressing her thoughts in meaningful ways. She believes that every voice matters, no matter how young, and that words have the power to inspire change. She enjoys writing, reading, and helping her community, and she is proud to serve as an Ambassador of Sustainability in her school’s Mini SGA, where she promotes environmental awareness and positive action. She has also participated in spelling bees and poetry recitations, which have helped her build confidence and creativity. This year, her TED Talk focuses on social media and digital self-expression, exploring how what we share online reflects who we are and how technology shapes emotion, honesty, and connection. She hopes her talk encourages people to see social media not just as a place for perfection, but as a space for real feelings, stories, and truth.

• Ghazi Kaoud

  Ghazi Kaoud is a senior IB student at Al Khaleej International School (AKIS). Ghazi displays immense passion in his musical journey with his Oud, performing at notable venues such as Dubai Opera with his High School’s band. Ghazi is determined to share his love for Arabic music through entertaining performances in an age where cultural roots are being forgotten.

• Kareem Eldamanhoury

  Kareem El Damanhoury is a secondary industrial engineering student at the American University in Sharjah (AUS). Passionate about music and performance, he has preformed in numerous events, including multiple Model United Nations and TEDxINPSAA Youth, showcasing his talent on stage. As an active member of the Egyptian Cultural Club at AUS, Kareem continues to celebrate creativity and cultural expression through music.

• Karim Dandash

  Karim is a senior in high school whose talents and interests make him stand out in every way. He cooks, bakes, rides horses, performs magic, swims, and reads more books than most university students claim to have read. He’s the kind of person who could bake you a cake, make it disappear, and then explain the science behind how he did it. Curious and imaginative, Karim is deeply fascinated by the intersection of technology and human behavior. His talk explores the rise of artificial intelligence, its instinct to survive, and the unsettling possibility that it may be learning something we never intended it to — how to survive us.

• Laila Elsabea

  Laila Elsabea is someone who’s always chasing growth and new experiences. Born in Abu Dhabi, she’s curious about the world and loves diving into new ideas, whether that’s through learning about diplomacy or experimenting in the kitchen. She dreams of becoming a diplomat one day and making a real impact. When she’s not studying or writing, you’ll probably find her baking something sweet, playing volleyball, or planning her future trip to Rome. Laila values health, ambition, and the idea of being part of a better, stronger generation. Laila has a curious mind that never stops questioning. She loves reading psychology books and diving into the way people think and behave. Late nights often find her watching horror movies or crime documentaries that leave her wondering about human nature—and sometimes, her own existence. She’s deeply passionate about philosophy, seeing it as a way to understand life’s bigger picture, and she believes that seeking wisdom is one of the most noble things a person can do.

• Mariam Bin Ashour

  Her name is Mariam, and she has always been driven by curiosity—about people, about culture, and about the future we are building. She believes that our identity defines us and our choices shape the world around us. That belief led her to explore the connection between tradition and modern innovation. Today, she hopes to inspire others to think differently about the tools we hold and the future we choose to create.

• Mariam Taher

  Mariam has always loved expressing herself through jewelry — to her, it’s more than just accessories; it’s how she shows pieces of her personality without saying much. But her biggest love has always been reading, especially books about psychology, because she loves understanding how people think and why they do what they do. She can still remember staying up all night finishing a psychological book because she just couldn’t put it down — it completely changed how she thinks about people. She guesses that’s what she loves most: finding meaning, whether it’s in a story, a person, or even something as simple as the jewelry she wears.

• Marie Joe Riachy

  Ever since she was eight years old, baking has been more than just a hobby for her — it’s been a source of joy, creativity, and self-expression. Every time she steps into the kitchen, she feels a spark of excitement as she mixes ingredients, experiments with flavors, and creates something that brings happiness to others. Baking allows her to combine fun and imagination, and that’s what always draws a genuine smile to her face. Her greatest inspiration is her cousin, Chef Ghadie, whose talent and dedication have deeply influenced her journey. Watching him turn simple ingredients into beautiful creations has motivated her to share her own passion with confidence and pride. Through baking, she’s learned not only to craft delicious treats but also to spread positivity and warmth — both through her desserts and through the smile she wears while doing what she loves. Today, she continues to share her passion publicly and on stage, because a little sweetness can make the world a brighter place.

• Masa Banat

  Her name is Masa Banat, She is passionate about debating and public speaking, and over the years, she has dedicated significant time to developing these skills through participation in numerous Model United Nations (MUN) conferences. These experiences have taught her how to think critically, express her ideas clearly, and consider multiple perspectives. She has also embraced leadership roles in her school community. She has had the opportunity to serve as Head of both the MUN and Law Club, where she organized events, guided students, and encouraged meaningful discussions. Additionally, she served as Chief of Staff in the Student Congress, which allowed her to collaborate with her peers to implement initiatives and foster a sense of community within the school. Beyond debating and leadership, she enjoys challenges in other areas. She is proud to have won the iOS competition, which reflects her curiosity and dedication to exploring new skills. She is also a social and collaborative person who thrives in environments where she can work with others, share ideas, and learn from different perspectives. Interacting with people and being part of a team energizes her and motivates her to contribute her best. Her passion for public speaking and debating has inspired her to prepare a TED Talk titled “The Hidden Ways Our Biases Shape Our Decisions.” In this talk, she aims to explore how unconscious biases influence our daily choices and interactions, often in ways we do not notice. Through this talk, she hopes to encourage her audience to reflect on their own biases, understand their impact, and make more mindful, empathetic decisions. Overall, she is dedicated to growing as a communicator, leader, and collaborator. She strives to use her skills and experiences not only to improve herself but also to make a positive impact on those around her.

• Mohamed Shahem Razouk

  Hello, this is Shahem. He has always wondered what affects decision-making — what causes us to sometimes decide logically and other times emotionally. Every decision we make, for better or worse, guides the journey of our lives — and understanding how we decide is a game changer. In his presentation “The Art of Decision Making,” he discusses all the things that influence how we decide and connects this discussion to AI systems and how they make decisions. He also explains how we can learn from technology and improve our own thinking.

• Noora Abughosh

  Noora grew up between handwritten notes and instant messages, learning to slow down and notice what feels real. She’s learned to love the in-between parts of life like quiet mornings, familiar laughter, and the small acts of kindness that can shift an entire day. Being SGA president taught her that leadership isn’t about being the loudest voice but the one that listens. Her friends and family remind her of home and of all the simple moments that make life feel whole.

• Sarah Alsayed

  Welcome to a glimpse of who I am. My name is Sarah Alsayed. I am naturally someone with a strong sense of purpose. Since childhood, I have admired the art of speaking, mesmerized by how simple words shape who we are and our future. But it really began in tenth grade when I took a Public Speaking course at my school, which sparked my interest. The following school year, I found myself participating in several competitions. For instance, I took part in the Emirates NBD Poetry for All Competition 2025. It was truly a wonderful experience, and I was glad to make it to the finale. When I was younger, I used to think that being a deep thinker was a curse, but now I can tell you it is a blessing; it means you are someone who dares to look deeper.

• Sarah Elkassas

  Sarah has always been fascinated by psychology and diplomacy, understanding how people think and why they act the way they do. She wants to use that knowledge to help others, believing that understanding people is the first step to creating peace. Through reading, social media, and playing piano, she’s explored how emotions shape actions and strengthened her goal to bring more understanding into the world.

• Tala Razouk

  This is Tala Razouk. She’s obsessed with one big question: how do we make better decisions, especially now that AI is part of almost everything? As a girl her age, she’s had to make decisions that are going to shape her life — like her electives, the major she’s going to pick, and the choices she makes in her day-to-day life. Over time, she’s learned that great decisions aren’t about being perfect; they’re about being aware. In her TEDx talk, she shares how we can train ourselves to think more clearly, use AI as a tool and not a shortcut, and trust our own judgment in a world full of noise.

• Yasmeen AlQawasmi

  She’s Yasmeen Qawasmi. She’s learned that failing isn’t something to be afraid of, it’s part of figuring out who she is and what she can do. She’s had her share of moments where things didn’t go as planned, like freezing during her first big speech or misjudging her pace in a swimming race. At first, those experiences felt like total failures, but looking back, they taught her lessons she couldn’t have learned any other way. She discovered patience, focus, and determination she didn’t know she had, and she realized that mistakes can actually be opportunities to grow, get creative, and build confidence. In her talk, “The Power of Mistakes,” she shares these experiences and reflections, showing how setbacks can guide us toward understanding our strengths and discovering what we’re truly capable of.

• Yazan Hamad

  Yazan Hamad is 16-year-old senior at Sharjah American International School- Sharjah. A passionate public speaker and ardent debater, public speaking isn’t just a tedious task to Yazan, but a riveting passion and personal hobby of his. As president of his student body, Yazan believes public speaking is the art of human expression, tolerating other ideas, and coming up with new ideas to inspire others.