DUBAI — Leaders of Tomorrow, an initiative by the Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA) aimed at building local human capital in the Arabian Gulf region, entered its 3rd year during the 5th GPCA Research and Innovation Summit and 9th GPCA PlastiCon which took place recentlyat the Oberoi Hotel, Dubai.

The 6th edition of the initiative, sponsored by SABIC, was attended by 42 students from across the GCC. During the events students were able to attend all conference sessions, network with senior industry leaders and learn about the innovation landscape and plastic industry in the region and globally.

A dedicated student-only seminar presented an opportunity to hear from senior industry leaders Fahd Al Sherehy, VP innovation and technology, SABIC, who shared his experience building a career in the chemical industry in the GCC, and Dr. Moayyed Al Qurtas, chairman, GPCA research and innovation committee, who highlighted the role of innovation in the polymer industry. In addition to the presentations, Dr. Alaa Idris, a professor from the American University in Cairo (AUC), engaged with the students in an interactive session where the students were presented with a series of questions related to the conference and were requested to submit their findings in the form of a presentation.

The seminar opened with a presentation by Dr. Abdulwahab Al Sadoun, secretary general, GPCA, who emphasized on the significance of the chemical industry in modern day life, and the numerous career opportunities within the burgeoning petrochemical sector.

Leaders of Tomorrow (LOT) is an initiative by GPCA in partnership with its stakeholders that aims to bridge the gap between academia and the industry and promote STEM education. With its first edition launched during the Annual Forum in 2016, 319 students from across the GCC have participated in the program since inception.

The Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA) was established in 2006 to represent the downstream hydrocarbon industry in the Arabian Gulf. Today, the association voices the common interests of more than 240 member companies from the chemical and allied industries, accounting for over 95 percent of chemical output in the GCC. The industry makes up the second largest manufacturing sector in the region, producing over US$108 billion worth of products every year. — SG