Saudi Gazette The youth of the Kingdom got another unique opportunity to show off their talent to the world. “My project”, a rare yet interesting competition was sponsored by several businessmen in the Eastern Province and the non-profit organization Champions Breakfast. The aim was to urge the budding entrepreneurs to put on their thinking caps and get their creative juices flowing, and surprisingly there were a plethora of brilliant ideas. The winners were honored at the Yearly Forum of Success celebration which was held at Prince Sultan Center for Science and Technology in Al-Khobar. Twenty-year-old Aisha Al-Naser was the winner at the competition and was awarded SR5,000 as a prize. “My idea of a university for children is simple but unique. The university will be a center for children that will combine education and recreation. Young children between the ages of seven and 11 will learn, play, and participate in activities of their choice — geometry, architectural basics, business, and social work. Children will instantly apply what they learn and become accustomed to the concept of working to serve your community,” said Al-Naser. She was surprised and elated to hear that a businessman had liked her idea and intended to support it as well by funding it generously. Al- Naser further explained,“as soon as I finished explaining my project, the entire audience started clapping. The Director of the Academic Organization Feker (which aims to invest in young minds) plans to build the university for children in the Eastern Province. It took me a couple of seconds to fully understand that my dream will become a reality and I will be able to see my children's university with my very own eyes.” Other ideas to win the audience's approval and the support of businessmen was a project that intended to promote reading in the society and a community which would involve members of the society in volunteer services. Farouq Al-Zaman graced the award distribution ceremony and was also the guest speaker at the Yearly Forum of Success. In his speech he encouraged the young men and women to read profusely as it would help in enhancing ones knowledge and achieving his/her goals. In his opinion, the three requirements to being an extraordinary person and accomplishing goals are — doing what you are passionate about, creativity, and being spontaneous. He was the first Saudi to climb the Mount Everest and felt extremely overwhelmed by it. He shared his experience and said, “It is not standing on the top that gains you happiness, rather happiness is found in the process and on the way to the top. Every person has their own special Mount Everest to climb which he and she must tirelessly strive to reach.” __
