Zain awards winners of KON Program
KUWAIT: Zain, the leading digital service provider in Kuwait, participated in awarding the top three winners of the KON Social Entrepreneurship Program during the closing ceremony held at the American University in Kuwait (AUK). The program, brought to Kuwait in collaboration with Babson College in Boston, came as part of Zain’s strategic partnership with LOYAC, a non-profit organization that aims at developing youth’s talents and skills.
Zain’s support to KON for the second year running came as part of its strategic partnership with LOYAC, which continues this year for over 15 consecutive years. The partnership comes in line with the company’s corporate sustainability and social responsibility strategy, which centers around the development of the education and youth sectors, especially in regard to nurturing and developing entrepreneurial skills within the youth.
The KON Social Entrepreneurship Program witnessed the participation of 64 bright students aged 12-16 years, who formed 14 different teams each with an innovative idea for a socially responsible and profitable business that tackles an issue in the local community. Zain took part in awarding the winning teams during the closing ceremony held at AUK; first place: Edully, a business that provided innovative online services for the youth in Kuwait to fight bullying. Second place: ECOMESH, a business that designed an affordable, lightweight, and portable recycling bin to eliminate pollution and preserve the environment. Third place: Top Team Talent, a business that created a platform that links talented youth with sponsors and events to help them develop their talents and skills. The winning teams will take part in an exciting educational trip to the Sultanate of Oman that aims at enhancing their team building, leadership, and self-discovery skills.
Last July, Zain hosted KON’s students at the Zain Innovation Center (ZINC) in the company’s main headquarters in Shuwaikh. The students took part in a workshop facilitated by Khalid Al-Amiri, founder of Li3ib project and an entrepreneur of the fourth Zain Great Idea accelerator program. The workshop covered tech startup acceleration and the secrets of pitching new tech startups, as well as many other experiences that benefited the students in their entrepreneurship journey. KON, one of LOYAC’s latest youth development programs, trained youth (12-16 years) in the area of Social Entrepreneurship throughout six weeks at the American University in Kuwait. The program was brought to Kuwait in collaboration with Babson College in Boston, considered the most prestigious entrepreneurship college in the United States and the number one institution in the world for entrepreneurship education.
This year, Zain’s support to LOYAC extends to various educational programs that cater to developing the youth’s skills and talents, including KON Social Entrepreneurship Program, LOYAC AC Milan Soccer School, and more.
Through its Strategic Partnership with LOYAC, Zain also trains hundreds of students as part of the LOYAC Summer Internship Program. The students take part in completing tasks, learning new skills, and go through professional training in the real business world at various departments and divisions within the company. Zain also offers the students financial rewards in recognition of their efforts and as an encouragement to their dedication.
Zain is proud to be one of the strategic partners of LOYAC since its inception, especially that it is considered one of the most prominent national programs that cater to the youth and offers them a healthy and empowering environment to develop their skills and talents in an educational, fun, and social atmosphere.
Zain believes in the development of the communities in which it operates, and it is a very important part of the company’s overall success. The company considers education as a core element in the community development process, and it will continue to support it to contribute to the further progress of the country’s youth. Since its inception in 2002, LOYAC has grown to be the first choice of the youth in Kuwait when it comes to innovative and high-quality educational programs. LOYAC runs several programs for the youth to develop their professional skills, enhance their personal growth and to help them find their sense of purpose by extending themselves to others.