The American University in Dubai’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center (AEIC) hosted a panel discussion titled “Entrepreneurship – A Mindset,” bringing together experts from engineering, healthcare, and business to explore entrepreneurship as both a career path and a way of thinking.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Asaad Farah, Provost and Chief Academic Officer, highlighted AUD’s commitment to fostering innovation, resilience, and initiative while preparing students with the knowledge and practical experience to navigate challenges and make a positive impact.
The session was moderated by Muriel Zaatar, with AEIC volunteers Yasika Chuttani, Vidya Shanmugam Pallar, and Cyrus Dabbagh introducing the distinguished panelists: Dr. Hind Salih, Prof. Gustavo Antonio Montero, and Dr. Majd Abu Zant.
The panel offered cross-sector perspectives on adopting an entrepreneurial mindset, emphasizing the importance of taking action without fear of failure. Panelists provided concrete insights into what investors prioritize—human capital, strong and complementary teams, clear problem-solving, measurable traction, and scalable, mission-driven business models.
Dr. Hind Salih highlighted the importance of the Triple Helix model, explaining that entrepreneurship thrives when universities collaborate closely with industry and government. She also stressed that sustainable innovation ecosystems emerge when academic research, market needs, and policy frameworks align.
Dr. Majd Abu Zant focused on entrepreneurship within healthcare, that leadership in healthcare requires resilience, strategic foresight, and a commitment to patient-centered impact. Challenges within complex healthcare ecosystems, he argued, should be reframed as opportunities to design scalable and responsible solutions. He stressed that innovation in regulated environments succeeds when ambition is matched with accountability and long-term vision.
Prof. Gustavo Antonio Montero highlighted that human capital consistently outweighs the strength of the idea alone. Investors, he explained, look for clarity of vision and structured execution strategies, as well as resilience in navigating financial uncertainty. Sustainable ventures emerge when competence, clarity, and conviction align, supported by disciplined planning and continuous learning.
Seif Karnib from the Business Communication course observed that entrepreneurship is a mindset grounded in responsibility, adaptability, and problem-solving across disciplines, while Yasika Shuttani noted how discussions on market uncertainty, risk, and volatility linked academic theory with real-world scenarios. Students from different disciplines shared insights on applying entrepreneurial thinking to their fields, from engineering and healthcare to economics.
The panel reinforced AEIC’s mission to cultivate cross-disciplinary innovation, practical engagement, and career readiness within the AUD community, equipping students with the tools and mindset to lead with purpose in their academic and professional journeys.
