INTERVIEWER: MAHMOUD MANSI
“TEDx is considered as a window that opens to different cultures and people from around the world. it is a pathway to take people in a journey through knowledge and skills…”
Dr. Wael Elayied
ABOUT THE INTERVIEWEE
Wael is originally from Sudan, Wadmedani city. He is a PhD holder in Telecom Engineering from Cairo university,
He is currently residing in UAE, teaching English in primary school and a Lecturer in the faculty of Engineering.
Besides his job Wael likes other activities like volunteering to serve the community
In addition to being the founder and organizer of TEDxWadmedani he trained other people to host TEDx events in several Sudanese cities.
Wael is a TED Fellow and an Ambassador for Peace from the Global Peace Chain, in addition to working in consulting as the Regional Advisor at Resilience and Transformation, North Africa office.
THE INTERVIEW
HR Revolution Middle East Magazine: This is the 8th year of TEDxWadmedani in Sudan, this is a remarkable success story! How do you sustain the success of the event year after year?
Wael Elayied: Organizing and sustaining an annual TEDx event isn’t that simple. I face big challenges every year. so I usually try to avoid repetition and introduce new people with different ideas and get what the local community needs and the globe as well, therefore I invest a lot of my time in research and understanding the needs of my community.
HR Revolution Middle East Magazine: What are you doing this year that is different than previous years?
Wael Elayied: Regarding the COVID-19 situation we hosted fewer attendees and for the first time hosted speakers virtually in addition to musical band from Mexico to ensure that TEDx can gather people from everywhere in order to share knowledge and experience.
HR Revolution Middle East Magazine: Wael you work in Human Resources, how does this impact your management style for the TEDxWadmedani Conference?
Wael Elayied: My job helps me in having the skills to choose my speakers and get to know what does my community need, and on the other hand while working with the team I assure passing knowledge and skills to others and that is the best thing to do to empower the community to stand on knowledge and collaboration.
HR Revolution Middle East Magazine: Can you give us an example of one KPI you put into consideration when measuring the success of the conference?
Wael Elayied: Observing the change that may happen to the speakers after the event and check how their ideas leave effects on the audience and help them to empower themselves.
HR Revolution Middle East Magazine: What is your selection criteria for the speakers?
Wael Elayied: The idea. Usually the good idea that may serve the local community and the globe as a whole. Also the speaker should be talented with passion for seeking and sharing knowledge, someone who is ready to share his/her idea to the public and work on it to make it come true by doing action.
HR Revolution Middle East Magazine: With the changes going on in Sudan, how do you believe TEDx is making a difference?
Wael Elayied: TEDx is considered as a window that opens to different cultures and people from around the world. it is a pathway to take people in a journey through knowledge and skills which my country and people need to rebuild Sudan and push it foreword to get back to it is normal position and beyond.
HR Revolution Middle East Magazine: From your point of view, what does Sudan need mostly in the upcoming period, what is your advice to others?
Wael Elayied: Collaboration and accepting each other with our diversity in thoughts and race, Sudan needs its people to unite to work really hard to build it with love spirit and loyalty.
THANK YOU