LOCAL ADVISORY BOARD

Baz is the Principal Advisor – Education Technology at GEMS Education, bridging education and technology across the GEMS school network.

After moving to Dubai in 2015, he built on his experience as an outstanding-rated teacher in Durham, UK, holding leadership roles such as Associate Officer at Durham Local Education Authority, Assistant Principal Specialism at FirstPoint School, and Innovation Lead at Jumeirah College.

Known for pioneering education-industry collaborations, Baz introduced the region’s first school-time industry internship programs, supporting the KHDA Rahhal 10x initiative, including the first Emirati student internship within a school timetable. He also launched the first esports and game design qualifications in the region and forged key technology partnerships to enhance student skills.

His research focuses on award-winning blended learning models, youth engagement, and industry-education collaborations. Passionate about integrating real-world skills into education, Baz believes in preparing students for the future by aligning learning with industry needs.

Raida Rashid Al Lamki is a philanthropist and a strategic business and marketing consultant working to help businesses improve their business model in an ever changing and dynamic world.  With a vast experience in business development and marketing, working with major global brands and various industries, Raida’s aspiration is to make the world a better place through education and marketing.

Raida Rashid Allamki is a multicultural and multilingual individual with an outstanding record of delivering growth and bridging the cultural gap by spending over two decades living and working in countries such as the United Kingdom, Malaysia, Algeria, India, Yemen, Egypt and the United States.  During her experience working for Dubai’s fastest growing free zone, Jafza, Raida managed the marketing collaboration and communication to over 6,400 global companies with which 120 are Fortune 500 companies.

Raida Rashid Allamki is a top graduate with a Masters of Strategic Marketing.  Along with her industry experience and academic involvement, Raida believes in giving back to the community.  She is assisting the University of Wollongong to manage the Industry-Academia Interface in Class Initiative(IACIM), a unique initiative endorsed by the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), UK.  She is also currently collaborating with her professor as a co-author in publishing a book about successful businesses in Dubai.

With a passion for philanthropy and education, Raida Rashid Allamki managed to set up two schools in Africa with more than 200 children along with her mother. Her charitable work also includes fundraising and distributing donations for the poor and orphans in Zanzibar.

Muna Al Falasi, Director of the Festival Strategy & Planning Department, is a highly accomplished professional with over 20 years of experience in marketing, event planning and strategy. As a senior professional and UAE national, she has played a pivotal role in the success of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishments (DFRE), a prominent department under the Dubai Tourism and Economy umbrella.

With an unwavering commitment to excellence, Muna has spearheaded some of the biggest city-wide iconic campaigns of the organisation and execution in Dubai. She has been instrumental in the phenomenal growth and global recognition of events such as the Dubai Esports & Games Festival, Dubai Shopping Festival, Dubai Summer Surprises, Eid & Ramadan celebrations, Beach Canteen, Food Festival, and various government initiatives.

Muna recently graduated from Innovation consultancy program led by Dubai Government Excellence Program, plus  A graduate of “leaders of the future” from PWC. 
Muna's strong leadership skills have allowed her to develop and execute strategic goals that align with organisational objectives, taking into account cost considerations, process improvements, and manpower management. Her ability to design and plan meticulously detailed event-based projects has resulted in memorable experiences for attendees and stakeholders.

Moreover, Muna is highly skilled in coaching and mentoring team members, instilling a customer-oriented approach and ensuring adherence to company performance standards. Her expertise in project management, vendor negotiation, and supply chain management has been instrumental in delivering outstanding results and maintaining strong relationships with suppliers.

Muna's extensive knowledge and experience in aligning program scopes with strategic business objectives have proven invaluable in enhancing the effectiveness and success of projects. She has also played a crucial role in setting standards for project management capabilities, including certifications and qualifications, while driving continuous improvement through post-implementation reviews.

With a keen eye for detail and an unwavering dedication to excellence, Muna Al Falasi has consistently delivered exceptional results in managing high-profile projects that align with strategic business and organizational objectives. Her ability to combine creativity, logistics, and effective communication has made her an invaluable asset to the events industry in Dubai.

In summary, Muna Al Falasi's impressive track record, leadership skills, and expertise in event planning and strategy make her a true industry leader. Her contributions have played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of Dubai's festivals and events, establishing it as a global hub for world-class experiences.

As a passionate Educational Management Director with a lifelong commitment to education and people development, Jan has more than 25 years of experience in the education sector. Having
gained experience in all levels of education from Primary to Tertiary, more than half of this time has been spent in senior management positions up to executive director level.

An educator at heart, Jan believes in providing quality education and providing pathways of development and support to students through strong industry relationships and collaboration.