Student came to Dubai to improve herself and Expo would lead others to join, she says

Saudi cyber security student says Dubai is a practical example of the Expo 2020 slogan Connecting Minds, Creating the Future.

Nrmeen Al Hashim says Dubai is a practical example of ‘connecting minds and creating the future’. Clint McLean for The National

DUBAI // Nrmeen Al Hashim believes the slogan of the Dubai Expo bid sums up the city’s role, not only within the region but in the world.

Ms Al Hashim, 29, said the city was a practical example of “connecting minds and creating the future”.

The cyber-security master’s student is from Saudi Arabia but moved to Dubai to pursue her career because of a lack of options at home.

“We don’t have this programme in Saudi Arabia, not for men and certainly not for females,” said Ms Al Hashim. “I came here to increase my information.”

She said many of the nationalities who lived in Dubai came for the same reason, and hosting the Expo would only increase that trend and improve cultural awareness.

“It will bring many nationalities here,” Ms Al Hashim said. “They will share information and increase their knowledge.

“It will help Dubai and it will help the world to increase our knowledge. It will bring value to people’s lives.”

Ms Al Hashim said the Expo would be an opportunity for people taking part in the Expo to learn about the Middle East.

“It’s a good opportunity to teach people not only about GCC culture, but also the culture of other nationalities who come here,” she said.

A petition has been running to collect support among residents for the bid.

This month the Ultimate Crossroads campaign by Meydan Imax Theatre collected more than 15,000 signatures from 95 different nationalities.

But it aims to boost that number to 150 nationalities.