TEDxUAS Kuwait Youth

Speakers

Speakers may not be confirmed. Check the event website for the latest lineup.

• Ali Mousa Taqi

  Speaker and High School Student

  Ali is a proud student at the Universal American School, where he has spent nearly eleven years growing both academically and personally. For him, UAS has been more than a school, it has been a second home and a supportive community that continues to shape who he is today. Ali enjoys connecting with people across the school, including students, teachers, administrators, and even the maintenance team and security staff. He believes that strong relationships are built on respect, empathy, and communication, and he strives to bring these values into every aspect of his life. His involvement with the volleyball team, Green Ambassadors, and the Student Committee has helped him develop leadership, teamwork, commitment, and time-management skills, teaching him the importance of dedication and the power of working toward common goals.

• Alia Diab

  Speaker and High School Student

  Alia is a student at the Universal American School Kuwait and a TEDxYouth UAS Kuwait speaker with a passion for learning and growth. She is thrilled to be part of this event, eager to explore new ideas, develop her skills, and share insights that inspire others. Alia sees TEDx as a unique opportunity to open doors to new experiences that go beyond high school, into college and adulthood, all while making a meaningful impact through her voice and perspective.

• Alia Jamal

  Speaker and High School Student

  Alia is a curious and creative student with a passion for discovery, learning, and creating. She has always been drawn to public speaking, finding joy in the opportunity to inspire others through her words. Alia is thrilled to participate in TEDxYouth UAS Kuwait, where she can share her ideas, express her thoughts, and use her voice to motivate and engage her audience. She extends her gratitude to the Universal American School Kuwait for making this experience possible.

• Celina Ballouk

  Speaker and High School Student

  Celina is a student and multi-sport athlete who believes that real strength comes from balance, not burnout. She enjoys public speaking and often draws on her experiences in sports and school to inspire others to approach success in a calmer, healthier way. Her TEDx talk explores the importance of taking breaks to think more clearly, feel better, and perform at one’s best. Celina is passionate about sharing ideas that inspire positive change and hopes to encourage students to embrace rest as a tool for growth, resilience, and renewed strength.

• Habiba Takyeldin

  Speaker and High School Student

  Habiba is in high school, with aspirations of becoming a doctor. She is passionate about helping others, contributing to causes larger than herself, and leaving a positive impact on her community. Habiba enjoys volunteering and taking initiative whenever she sees a problem that needs solving. She joined TEDx UAS Kuwait Youth to step out of her comfort zone and use her voice to make a difference. She believes in the power of words and sees the opportunity to inspire others as a meaningful privilege.

• Jana Abou Naga

  Speaker and High School Student

  Jana is an Egyptian high school student, who is passionate about science, reading, writing, MUN, piano, and gymnastics. She describes herself as a loud and extroverted people-person and hopes to study medicine, with the goal of helping others. Jana is joining TEDx UAS Kuwait Youth because she feels there is much that goes unspoken. She wants to bring attention to issues that leave gaps in society yet are often ignored. Jana hopes to express her thoughts and emotions on topics both common and overlooked, make a difference, even if minimal and inspire others to find their voices, because if we do not address the problems we’ve created, who will?

• Joanna Mikhael

  MC & High School Student

  Joanna is a passionate and curious individual who loves exploring new opportunities and developing new skills. Whenever a chance arises to try something different, she gives it her full effort. She enjoys sharing ideas, connecting with others through teamwork, and continuously learning from different perspectives. Joanna’s interest in TEDx began after watching one of their favorite young influencers, Rateel Alshehri, speak at an event. When the opportunity to join TEDx UAS Kuwait Youth arose, she was immediately inspired to apply. Through her research, she discovered that TEDx celebrates the power of ideas and voices that inspire real change. Being part of the TEDx community allows her to contribute to a creative, forward-thinking space, one that encourages meaningful conversations and challenges people to think differently and dream bigger. Joanna hopes to strengthen her communication and leadership skills while inspiring others to take positive action and embrace new possibilities.

• Joud Al Sayegh

  Speaker and High School Student

  Joud is a curious and creative student with a passion for exploration and self-growth. From a young age, Joud has embraced a wide range of hobbies, from drawing and basketball to crocheting and reading, she always is eager to learn something new. Even during summer breaks, Joud enjoys volunteering in different places to gain new experiences and meet people from all walks of life. Believing that life is too short not to explore its many possibilities, Joud constantly seeks opportunities to step outside her comfort zone. Participating in TEDx represents a new challenge and an exciting leap of faith, one that allows her to share her ideas with others and inspire new ways of thinking. Through her talk, Joud hopes to connect with the audience and open their minds to fresh perspectives that encourage curiosity, courage, and creativity.

• Kadi Almarshoud

  Speaker and High School Student

  Kadi is a Kuwaiti-American student and the elder twin by seven minutes. Growing up with five siblings, she enjoys spending time with her family and caring for her dog, Bella, a 10-month-old Cane Corso. Her favorite color is blue, and she loves dogs more than cats. Kadi joined TEDxYouth UAS Kuwait to improve her public speaking skills, gain confidence in front of large crowds, and strengthen her language abilities. She sees TEDx as a way to prepare for her future goal of becoming an English teacher, knowing that strong communication and confidence are essential for inspiring and engaging others. Note: Misk and Kadi are twins and will be speaking together at TEDxYouth UAS Kuwait, sharing their unique perspectives and energy while supporting each other on stage.

• Kira Al Kourani

  Speaker and Middle School Student

  Kira is an intelligent and enthusiastic student with a deep passion for language, music, and innovation. Proudly three-quarters Lebanese and a citizen of Kuwait for as long as she can remember, she has always excelled in Language Arts. A talented musician, she plays both the violin and piano and has even performed live on television, earning an interview for their musical accomplishments. Outside the classroom, Kira enjoys participating in extracurricular activities such as Academic Games and Spelling Bees. Known for a sociable and energetic personality, she thrives in settings that allow for creativity and expression. Inspired by a love of technology and innovation instilled by their engineer father, Kira sees TEDx as an exciting opportunity to share ideas with others, connect with new audiences, and take one step closer to their dream of attending Harvard University.

• Misk Almarshoud

  Speaker and High School Student

  Misk is a Kuwaiti-American student who cherishes her family, describing them as her biggest source of happiness and support. They encourage her to try new experiences, such as participating in TEDxYouth UAS Kuwait. Misk is passionate about volleyball, art, and science because she finds them fun, interesting, and a great way to clear her mind. She especially enjoys playing volleyball with her twin sister, Kadi. Misk joined TEDxYouth UAS Kuwait to work on her public speaking skills and step out of her comfort zone. She believes that embracing change is essential for growth, learning, and discovering new experiences, as without change, life would remain the same. Note: Misk and Kadi are twins and will be speaking together at TEDxYouth UAS Kuwait, sharing their unique perspectives and energy while supporting each other on stage.

• Naser AlQatami

  Speaker and High School Student

  Naser is passionate about speaking at TEDx because he has experienced firsthand how powerful ideas can be in shaping resilience and hope. After being diagnosed with cancer, he discovered a new perspective on life. One that values time, purpose, and empathy. Facing something so life-changing taught him that strength is not about never falling, but about how we rise again, adapt, and keep moving forward. Naser hopes to use the TEDx stage to inspire others to view challenges as small bumps on life’s journey rather than insurmountable roadblocks. He believes that every setback can open the door to new opportunities and that, in our toughest moments, our voices have the power to create lasting impact. By sharing our stories, we give others the courage to face their own struggles with confidence and resilience.

• Sally Anderson

  Speaker and Teacher

  Ms. Sally Anderson is a Third Culture Kid and social science teacher who has spent her life moving between cultures and learning how identity, belonging, and perspective shape the way we see the world. These cross-cultural experiences deeply inform her teaching and the way she connects with others. Passionate about helping people understand themselves and each other through a global lens, Ms. Sally sees TEDx as a platform to share the insights she’s gained from living in between worlds. Through her talk, she hopes to give voice to those who may not feel they fully belong anywhere, yet are beautifully shaped by everywhere.

• Sara Mbarki

  Speaker and Teacher

  Ms. Sara Mbarki is a passionate educator who believes deeply in the power of ideas to inspire, connect, and transform. Through teaching, she has had the privilege of witnessing how curiosity, creativity, and courage can shape young minds and spark lifelong growth. TED Talks have long held a special place in Ms. Sara’s life, challenging her perspectives, fueling her growth, and reminding her that one idea can truly make a difference. As someone who helps students find their voices every day, she is both excited and humbled to share her own on the TEDx stage. Through her talk, Ms. Sara hopes to inspire others to reflect, question, and see the world through a new lens, just as countless TED speakers have inspired her.

• Shaikha Albader

  MC & High School Student

  Shaikha is passionate about ideas, dialogue, and connection. TED Talks have long served as a source of inspiration for her, both academically and personally because they offer diverse perspectives that have broadened her understanding of the world. Public speaking has always been one of Shaikha’s dreams, and she is now working to bring that dream to life through TEDx UAS Kuwait Youth. She believes that platforms like TEDx play a vital role in fostering understanding and collaboration among people from different backgrounds. Shaikha is driven by a love for meaningful conversation, exchanging ideas, and building connections that bridge perspectives. She is excited to contribute her voice to a community that values innovation, learning, and the power of ideas to create positive change.