JEDDAH: Young female business students had a chance to meet and learn from some of the most successful businesspeople at the Young Female Entrepreneurs Forum Showcase held at the Effat University Hall in Jeddah on Monday. The event was organized by the Effat Business Student's Association (EBSA). “The mission of EBSA is to achieve excellence. We want to provide students with expert information so that they can become valuable members of society,” said Princess Lulwa Khalid Al-Saud, the president of EBSA. “Through this event we intend to strengthen the bond between recognized and reputable female entrepreneurs and the promising and upcoming female entrepreneurs in Saudi Arabia,” she said. Prince Abdullah Bin Faisal Bin Turki Al-Saud, the former governor of the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA), offered advice to students. He said they should try to grab every opportunity that comes their way and study and work hard. The other keynote speaker, Dr. Lama Al-Sulaiman, the vice chairman of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) urged young females to be open to learning and to consider as many opinions as possible. She also said students must be prepared to work hard to succeed. She said it was important for young people to change themselves before trying to change the world; and that family support was essential for success. The EBSA was founded in the year 2008 by a student organization under the College of Business of Effat University. “We visualize a world where the students contribute positively towards the growth and development of our economy, society and homes. We want to create a social fabric that is distinctively prudent, farsighted, proactive and positive in its initiatives to development of all kinds; and yet stick to its moral, cultural, social and religious values,” said Princess Lulwa. To support and celebrate emerging young entrepreneurs and to introduce newly graduated students to established entrepreneurs through networking, the EBSA is also planning to include this event in the Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW), which is the world's largest entrepreneurship movement. GEW is an international initiative that introduces entrepreneurship to young people. Since its creation, more than 10 million people from 102 countries have participated in entrepreneurial-related activities during the Week. “Each country that participates in GEW has a designated host organization. The host organization for Saudi Arabia is the National Entrepreneurship Center at The Centennial Fund. Effat Business Students Association has partnered with the National Entrepreneurship Center,” said Princess Lulwa.
