Theme: Tomorrow Thinking

TEDxYouth@JumeirahCollege returns with a new cohort of speakers and a new, never-before-seen vision of the future. With topics ranging from AI to the history of colonialism, everyone and anyone will find out something new and potentially life-changing.

Jumeirah College
19th Street, Al Safa, Dubai
Dubai, Dubayy, 74856
United Arab Emirates

Aarnavi Rewani

Student

Aarnavi is a 17-year-old who is a hardworking and curious Year 12/13 student. She is drawn to big questions and approaches them with both analytical thinking and empathy. With a strong interest in science, psychology, and the human experience, she enjoys exploring the intersection between data and meaning, logic and emotion. This mindset shapes her approach to learning and fuels her desire to understand not just how things work, but why they matter. Aarnavi examines the evolution of happiness through the lens of anthropology, psychology, and modern life. As a student with a deep interest in both science and the human mind, Aarnavi brings a multidisciplinary perspective shaped by her academic journey and personal curiosity about what it means to live happy.

Aisha Mahtani

Student

Aisha Mahtani is a Year 9 student at JC with a deep interest in the effects of technology, media, and AI on the human mind. In her talk, she examines the evolution of social media from its authentic origins to its algorithm-driven present, and what it could mean for us as our dependency on it grows concurrently with its influence on our behaviour. Aisha is particularly interested in coding and psychology, two interests that assist in her understanding of how ideas spread in the digital and social worlds alike. She investigates the pretense that social media is simply a tool, sharing its deeper impact on how we think and connect with each other in ways we may not consciously recognise.

Ali Zain Vakil

Student

Ali Zain is a Year 7 student at Jumeirah College with a passion for public speaking and storytelling. He believes that meaningful change doesn’t always come from dramatic moments, but from the quiet, consistent efforts we make every day. In his talk, Teaspoons of Transformation, Ali Zain explores how small, intentional actions, often unnoticed, can shape our mindset and direction, offering a hopeful and practical vision for how we approach tomorrow’s challenges.

Anika Monga

Student

Anika Monga is a determined and analytical student at JC. She drives multiple initiatives with factors such as creativity that constantly fuel her to dig deeper on our perspective of life. Always striving to embrace undertakings and extended understanding. Hobbies such as singing, dancing, arts, tennis, debates, writing, as well as academic challenges, are constantly fueling her mind with insightful viewpoints along with vibrant interests from others. She deeply values and is open-minded to everyones' viewpoints and their undertakings. Anika has been tutoring younger kids since Year 5 because she believes success is sweeter when shared. Her speech enables us to rethink success to enhance our mindsets! Anika wants to enforce the element of defining what success means to you when the world we live in today is so absorbed in recognition, results and ranking.

Anya Atif

Student

Anya is an A-Level student who’s passionate about the overlap in economics and ethics. Who also aspires to have a career in finance. In the talk she will be exploring the inherent drive in humans of always wanting more by utilising the 2008 financial crisis as an example. She views morality around money as a concept and dives into the meta-ethics of the justification of profiting from economic downturns. Engaging with inner conflicts we face everyday; Anya aims to reimagine our definition of success and how we could step away from the cogs of capitalism.

Celmira Shaikh

Student

Celmira Shaikh is a 17 year old aspiring human rights lawyer who interned at Legal Aid Ghana, witnessing how colonial-era laws limit justice for marginalised communities. Her TEDx talk examines these colonial roots and calls for legal reforms to ensure fairness and equality

Erin O’Reilly

Student

Erin O’Reilly is a Year 12 student at JC with a deep interest in economics, leadership, and the systems that shape decision-making at both individual and institutional levels. In her work, she explores how incentives, policies, and models interact to influence behaviour, whether in markets, governments, or global organisations. Erin is particularly interested in the intersection of economic theory and real-world impact, with a focus on development and sustainability. Her research spans topics from financial inclusion to environmental economics, and she brings this lens to her broader involvement in debate, academic writing, and international programs. She investigates how leadership and policy design affect outcomes, often questioning assumptions about what effective change really looks like.

Poorvi Dayal

Student

Poorvi Dayal explores the blurred boundary between identity and technology in a future where our digital twins may outlive us. Weaving together real-world AI developments and ethical questions. Her talk encourages us to move beyond curated online personas and shape our digital legacy with authenticity. As a student passionate about computer science and the human side of innovation, Poorvi brings a thoughtful, next-generation perspective to the intersection of tech and identity.

Pritish Jaria

Student

Pritish Jaria is a 17 year old JC student who is incredibly passionate about public speaking and the Law. He is an aspiring Corporate Lawyer and is interested in how corporate law quietly impacts and influences our lives as consumers and workers. He hopes to dive into this topic and explore how corporate law affects us at a grassroot level.

Swastikaa Issar

Student

Swastikaa is a proud Year 10 student at JC, born and brought up in Dubai and is driven by a passion for innovation, sustainability, and making a difference. A natural leader, she has embraced 7 leadership roles aimed at enhancing wellbeing, supporting charitable causes and enriching environmental & cultural awareness, demonstrating her ability to inspire and drive change. Beyond academics, Swastikaa is deeply committed to giving back to her community. As a passionate philanthropist, she not only supports charitable initiatives but also takes meaningful action by teaching the school’s support staff essential skills like English and computer literacy, empowering them to lead more independent and fulfilling lives. In her TEDx talk, Swastikaa explores the exciting and ever-evolving landscapes of food, shedding light on how sustainable practices and technological advancements are reshaping what and how we eat, with a vision for a better, more ethical world.

Xiao Zhang

Student

Xiao Zhang is a student with a strong interest in economics and technology, particularly where the two intersect to propel real world decisions and future innovation. Outside the classroom, whether it is the pulse of economic trends, the beat of a drum solo or the fast paced bounce of a basketball, Xiao fosters curiosity and an avid passion for the rhythm of ideas. In his ted talk, Xiao explores the idea that the choices we make aren’t as free as we think. Drawing on behavioral economics, data driven tech, and everyday experiences, he breaks down how our decisions are influenced by invisible forces. From algorithmic suggestions to pricing strategies, what does autonomy really mean in today's world?