Professional Development

**Strong Business Leads Iftar Networking Event (6:00 PM – 8:30 PM)** **Job seekers are not allowed.** This is a business-focused gathering for peer-to-peer discussions, collaboration opportunities, investment conversations, and solving real business challenges together. It is not a job fair or recruitment event. ### **Event Schedule & Agenda** * **6:00 PM – 6:30 PM: Welcome & Introductions** (30 minutes) Arrive, settle in, and join quick introductions. Everyone gets 30–60 seconds to share their name, business/role, and one key focus right now. * **6:30 PM – 7:00 PM: Iftar** (30 minutes) Iftar begins at 6:30 PM. Enjoy the meal and connect casually with others at your table. * **7:00 PM – 7:30 PM: Problem Discussion** (30 minutes) Interactive discussion on real challenges business owners face today and practical solutions. Bring one real issue you are working on and get quick input, ideas, and proven approaches from the group. * **7:30 PM – 8:30 PM: Networking & Connections** (60 minutes) Open networking time! Exchange contacts, explore collaborations, meet partners/suppliers/investors, and build strong business relationships in a relaxed atmosphere. ### Why join? * Get fresh perspectives on solving everyday business hurdles * Meet like-minded business owners, investors, freelancers, and consultants * Leave with 2–3 valuable contacts, potential collaborations, or actionable ideas Spaces are limited — RSVP early! Looking forward to seeing you there and making meaningful connections. **Our WhatsApp group:** [https://chat.whatsapp.com/EAYWgmpDGM296DoDvhn54I](https://chat.whatsapp.com/EAYWgmpDGM296DoDvhn54I) **For any questions, please feel free to contact:** Mr. Ibrahim +971 54 330 7993 Mr. Abdurrahman +971 58 571 2590

**What we do:** We post books on monthly basis; everyone who reads or has read the book on their own time can join in. We get together, share opinions and thoughts about the book. We are here for the love of reading and sharing thoughts. **Book of choice:** **Pedagogy of the Oppressed** **By Paulo Freire** **4.30 stars - 39,165 ratings - 2,979 reviews** First published in Portuguese in 1968, Pedagogy of the Oppressed was translated and published in English in 1970. The book is considered one of the foundational texts of critical pedagogy, and proposes pedagogy with a new relationship between teacher, student, and society. Dedicated to the oppressed and based on his own experience helping Brazilian adults to read and write. Freire includes a detailed Marxist class analysis in his exploration of the relationship between the colonizer and the colonized. In the book, Freire calls traditional pedagogy the "banking model of education" because it treats the student as an empty vessel to be filled with knowledge, like a piggy bank. He argues that pedagogy should instead treat the learner as a co-creator of knowledge. It is one of the most cited book in social science. [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/72657.Pedagogy_of_the_Oppressed](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/72657.Pedagogy_of_the_Oppressed) Feel welcomed to watch the below as well and join: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ll6M0cXV54](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ll6M0cXV54) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFWjnkFypFA](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFWjnkFypFA) Safar Book Group book shelves [https://www.goodreads.com/group/bookshelf/48954-safar-book-group](https://www.goodreads.com/group/bookshelf/48954-safar-book-group)

Level up your padel skills in a supportive, social, and energetic environment. Book your game and get more details! **[Join our WhatsApp group (+971 55 539 4811)](https://jo.my/whatsapp-padel-coaching)** Join us for an exciting session day of Padel coaching designed to help you level up your padel skills in a supportive and energetic environment. Whether you're aiming to play better socially or compete more seriously, this session is tailored to give you the edge — all while keeping the vibe friendly and relaxed. **Learn key strategies and techniques** You’ll be guided by experienced and friendly coaches who know how to break down the game in a way that’s easy to understand — and even easier to apply. **Improve your shots, positioning & teamwork** Our coaches will walk you through essential positioning principles, how to anticipate plays, and how to communicate effectively with teammates. Book your game and get more details! **[Join our WhatsApp group (+971 55 539 4811)](https://jo.my/whatsapp-padel-coaching)** **Train in a dynamic group setting** Group coaching adds a whole new layer of excitement. You'll learn not just from your coach, but from watching others play and engaging in mini drills and group games. **Meet & play with fellow padel enthusiasts** This is more than just a lesson — it’s a chance to connect with like-minded players who share your interest in the game. **Why Padel?** Padel is an incredibly accessible sport that's easy to learn and play. Book your game and get more details! **[Join our WhatsApp group (+971 55 539 4811)](https://jo.my/whatsapp-padel-coaching)** *Just like any game, slots are limited. RSVP and complete your registration at the earliest.* See you in the court! 🎾

📆 **Every Wednesday**, join an exclusive table of ambitious founders in a handpicked venue. 💡 *You are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with.* **Choose your circle wisely — it will shape your future.** 🔗 Application required: [thefiveclub.co/en](thefiveclub.co/en) *** 🥂 **Every Wednesday**, join a table of **6 inspiring founders**, carefully selected for you. 😌 A relaxed atmosphere, no pressure. 🤝 The goal: build genuine affinities, friendships, and long-lasting connections. *** 🔍 **How it works:** 🔴 Sign Up & Apply on : [thefiveclub.co/en](thefiveclub.co/en) 1️⃣ Pick a Wednesday and confirm your **membership** to join the club 2️⃣ Invite members you've previously met at afterworks or dinners 3️⃣ 24h before, you’ll receive the 📍 **restaurant address** and 🧑‍💼 **participant list** (bios + LinkedIn) 4️⃣ On the day: come as you are — we handle the 🍽️ booking, 🛠️ logistics, and ✨ ambiance 5️⃣ After the dinner: Add to your circle the founders you connected with most, 6️⃣ Reinvite them to future dinners or reconnect via curated events in the app 📲 ***

House of Thinking Big: Ideas × Coffee Have you ever dreamed of being part of the early dot-com energy — when ideas were raw, ambitious, and conversations could spark entire movements? Welcome to House of Thinking Big: Ideas × Coffee — inspired by the spirit of early founder circles, when bold ideas spoke louder than decks. We gather a small circle of creative and tech leaders who think beyond borders, value authenticity and intelligent dialogue, and believe that growth begins with people and their ideas. No presentations. No ads. Just caffeine-fueled thinking. ☕ When: 6:30 PM 📍 Where: Starbucks, Emirates Towers Boulevard, Dubai 🎙️ Host: Kate Adiyak — Founder of House of Thinking Big Join the House and think bigger — together. Thinking Big Strategy Timeline 6:30 PM — Arrival & Networking 7:00 PM — Personal Problem Statement 7:30 PM — Resource Mapping 7:50 PM — Action Planning 8:00 PM — Closing No rush — Dubai traffic does Dubai traffic things. Join whenever you manage to escape the roads You will find me with a laptop and a cup of coffee [To keep in touch join my WhatsApp group ](https://chat.whatsapp.com/Lnu5UhRArdXJTengnhqLhB?mode=hqrt3)

**\* Please note: RSVPing on Meetup does *not* guarantee entry. To secure your spot, kindly register through our website — priority is given to website sign-ups.\*** **Fast-paced, unpredictable, and hilarious.** Ten of Dubai’s virtuoso actors converge for a night of scenes, songs and games based on audience suggestions. You score the players on a scale of 1 to 5, and after each round, the players with the lowest scores are eliminated. When only one remains, they are crowned the Maestro! ★★★★★ *“A hidden gem in Dubai, laughs are guaranteed and it’s always unexpected and different. The performers are incredible. And the venue just invites you to have a good time! Love it love it” – Dora Murgu* [RSVP Here](https://courtyardplayhouse.com/event/wednesday-night-improv-maestro-wed-18-feb-2026/)

IMPORTANT: If you RSVP, it is essential that you attend or update your RSVP status at least one day before the networking session. For an optimal networking experience, we need at least 20-25 participants. If you RSVP and do not attend, it is not fair to those who are punctual and turn up as they said they would. Please be mindful and only RSVP if you are confident you can attend. 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM (PLEASE, BE ON TIME!) Concrete Restaurant Burj Daman Tower DIFC, Dubai Located on Ground Floor (VIEW MAP - https://maps.app.goo.gl/3u5DZgQrvJPLrv1U6) **Parking:** 2 hours of free parking are available in the building. It's fast, it's fun, and the best thing about it is that you get to pitch to many different people within a short period. All that you need is your business cards (not compulsory) and your presence. Typically, you would meet many different people, spending only 2 - 3 minutes with each, and it's a great way to meet others. You speak to the person in front of you, and when the bell rings, you move to your left to speak to the next person. View Video of past events (https://youtu.be/ImZAe4OQ1qg). This gives you a great chance to network with business owners and decision-makers to find the clients, vendors, and professionals you need most. **Cost: AED 70 cash** (Includes Coffee, Tea, Soft Drinks or Water) Remember to tell your friends, colleagues and associates and bring lots of business cards! How to get there: (VIEW MAP - https://maps.app.goo.gl/3u5DZgQrvJPLrv1U6) IMPORTANT RULES ON TIMING, NO-SHOWS AND CANCELLATION: 1. Please, be on time, so that we can start promptly at 7.30 pm. 2. If you have never been here before, then arrive early, so that you can find us. 3. If you have RSVP'd as "YES" and then do not show up, you will be removed and banned from this group, as it shows you are not professional enough to be a part of this group. You can easily change the status if you know that you may not make it. This is important as we have to make prior reservations at the venue. 4. People arriving late may not be able to join in if we have already begun, as that ruins the flow and transitions around the tables. By allowing people to join late results in meeting the same person twice and missing out on others, which is unfair for those who arrive on time. Any questions, please call OR WhatsApp Vlad on +971 56 693 0866. About the Organisers - Vlad Tashakov and Oksana Tashakova are organisers of this successful event and also founders of [QPQ International](https://qpq.international/), Wealth Dynamics Unlimited and Millionaire Summit. Vlad and Oksana are brother and sister from New Zealand, with a business background and have solid experience from various types of businesses in New Zealand, and now they have shifted their focus to Dubai. Warmest Regards, Vlad Tashakov

Bring your Soft Copy CV, bring your Iftaar food, and socialize, and be referred for free to a job opportunity. [Join our Whatsapp community](https://chat.whatsapp.com/JsA2NGII1nDDOGfs7SFbGt) This week there are Sales Opportunities, Hospitality & F&B, and Engineering & Labour Opportunities. [Be involved in our LinkedIn & socials](https://linktr.ee/propertential) Submit your CV: [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc9EIuZKh8SRCgBmVI2mtNgLPqx-dqAbulnQ5a_DO65FZcaWA/viewform?usp=header](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc9EIuZKh8SRCgBmVI2mtNgLPqx-dqAbulnQ5a_DO65FZcaWA/viewform?usp=header)

Business Socialise with us over deserts, [Join our thriving business community!](https://chat.whatsapp.com/EAYWgmpDGM296DoDvhn54I?mode=hqrt2) [Be part of our LinkedIn and Socials!](https://linktr.ee/propertential) Step into the heart of Dubai’s thriving business scene with the Dubai Business Community Networking Event, a premier gathering designed to connect entrepreneurs, innovators, and professionals from across industries. Set against the backdrop of Dubai’s iconic skyline, this event celebrates collaboration, innovation, and growth. Attendees will enjoy an evening of meaningful conversations, strategic networking, and opportunities to build partnerships that drive success. The event blends modern business insights with Dubai’s dynamic energy, offering a platform for sharing ideas, discovering new ventures, and strengthening professional relationships. Whether you’re a startup founder, corporate leader, or creative professional, this event is your gateway to becoming part of a powerful community shaping the future of business in Dubai.

Running a business in the UAE is exciting — but **accounting, tax, and compliance mistakes can quietly cost you money, time, and penalties**. Every Thursday, **PREMA Consulting** hosts a **free, in-person discussion** for founders, SMEs, and business owners who want clarity on **UAE accounting, VAT, Corporate Tax, and upcoming compliance changes** — without jargon or sales pressure. This is **not a seminar and not a sales pitch**. It’s a practical, open conversation where you can ask real questions and learn from common mistakes we see across UAE businesses. You’ll also get time to **network with other founders and professionals** in a relaxed setting. ### **Who Should Attend** * Business Owners & Founders * SME Owners & Managers * Startups operating in the UAE * Anyone responsible for finance, tax, or compliance ### **Why Attend** * Understand what actually matters in UAE compliance * Avoid common accounting, VAT, and Corporate Tax mistakes * Stay updated on upcoming changes (including e-Invoicing) * Meet other founders and SME decision-makers ### **Location** 📍 **Boulevard Plaza Tower 1, Suite 1401, Downtown Dubai** ### **Important Notes** * Limited to **10–15 participants** to keep discussions meaningful * Free to attend, **registration required** * Please arrive on time to get full value ### **Hosted by** **PREMA Consulting** Accounting, Tax & Compliance Advisors for UAE Businesses

Welcome, Planetpreneurs! Whether you're a founder, a working professional in the ESG space, or dedicated to sustainability, this meetup is for you. Join us for a coffee, share your story, and build powerful connections. Let's network, inspire each other, and drive positive change together!

This is a comprehensive English learning group designed for learners of all levels who want to grow their skills holistically. Together, we tackle every dimension of the language—from lively conversation sessions and grammar workshops to vocabulary expansion and engaging activities. We believe in making the journey fun, supportive, and effective. Whether you’re aiming for fluency, mastering tricky grammar, or simply building confidence, you’ll find all the tools and support you need right here. Join us and invest in your English journey! You could explore topics like everyday conversations in real-life scenarios, tricky grammar tenses (like present perfect vs. past simple), how to confidently express opinions in English, expanding your vocabulary in fun ways, practicing listening comprehension with media, and role-playing professional scenarios like interviews or presentations. This gives a nice balance of practical, creative, and structured topics! For instance, one grammar topic could be: “Present Perfect vs. Past Simple: When do we use ‘I have done’ versus ‘I did’? We’ll explore key differences, practice recognizing time markers, and learn how to form each tense accurately.” That gives them a clear focus! Please note, participation in each session requires a fee of 100 AED.” That way, expectations are clear! Whatsup group link: https://chat.whatsapp.com/EVorUIYoNLI6eZtTh81Y25?mode=gi_t For any inquiries, please contact us at +971 553253516 miss doa

Are you looking to Transform yourself into: • A Powerful Public Speaker? • An Inspirational Leader? • Becoming more Confident? Empower yourself with the secrets of becoming a Confident and Compelling Public Speaker. We provide a fun and friendly learn-by-doing environment which enables you to develop your skills in a comfortable, supportive environment. We are a peer-to-peer group where members mutually develop their Public Speaking Skills through Prepared project Speeches, Constructive Evaluations and ongoing Mentoring, all within the globally recognized educational framework of Toastmasters International. Whether the very thought of speaking in public fills you with fear, or if you love standing up to speak in front of a crowd, you will learn something new by attending our meetings. Join us for our next meeting to experience our fun and encouraging, but professional way of learning public speaking and take a glance at how we prepare and practice public speaking technique, how we learn to control our body and voice and how we learn to deliver a powerful, confident speech. Please join us for our next meeting and discover how the group works. And if later you want to become a regular member of the group, there is a small annual fee, If interested in joining us, please contact following person, we’ll send you all the details about the meeting. For information about this meetup: Zainab Yousuf - (President) - 050- 5577791 Complementary Coffee + Tea + Cookies + Waters. Free Parking in Hotel Basement. Millennium Central Downtown Al Asayel street - Business Bay · Dubai ***More Information***\*\* It is simply knowing what you want to say and being comfortable with your communication skills. You learn to enhance your image, convince, and be impressive thus present with high personal impact. Objectives TM Meetings are designed for you to be equipped with practical tools and techniques that will allow you to: • Establish rapport with your audience • Learn techniques to reduce nervousness and fear • Realise your strengths as a presenter • How to appeal, influence and persuade different types of people • Recognise how visual aids can create impact and attention • Develop techniques to create a professional presence Prepare, practice, and deliver presentation • Presenting with a BANG Topics Covered • Personality assessment of presentation style (Speaker's Evaluation) • Assessment of presentation delivery (Speaker's Evaluation) • Structure your Speech: beginning, body, and ending. • Sending Positive Messages (verbal communication, body language) • Developing great slides • Overcoming Nervousness

Meet Emirati Poets, socialize with the community, & grow professionally in Arabic and Emirati Culture! [Join our whatsapp community!](https://chat.whatsapp.com/LJsZpnl4d6t5CGfvSTrgct?mode=hqrt2)

**Important time note:** Please plan on arriving between 5:30 and 6:00 as the elevators lock after 6 and you'll need to message us and we'll need to come get you. The building address is 4450 Bridge Park The entrance is 6620 Mooney St, Suite 400 You will need to scan your ID at the door to get a visitor badge. **Abstract** *Spec-Driven Development with GitHub Spec-Kit: From Intent to Implementation* Spec-driven development flips the traditional workflow on its head: instead of code being the source of truth, the specification becomes the backbone of design, collaboration, and delivery. In this session, we’ll explore how GitHub Spec-Kit enables teams to treat specifications as first-class artifacts—living documents that drive architecture, implementation, and verification. You’ll learn how Spec-Kit helps teams clearly express intent using structured, version-controlled specs that live alongside code. We’ll walk through a practical workflow that starts with defining system behavior and constraints, then progressively refines those specs into testable, automatable outcomes. Along the way, we’ll show how specs can reduce ambiguity, improve cross-functional collaboration, and make design decisions explicit before a single line of production code is written. This talk will cover: --What spec-driven development is (and what it isn’t) --How GitHub Spec-Kit fits into modern developer workflows --Using specs to align product, engineering, and AI-assisted development --Real-world examples of turning specs into implementations with confidence Whether you’re building greenfield systems, integrating AI into your stack, or trying to reduce costly rework, spec-driven development offers a scalable way to move faster without sacrificing clarity. Attendees will leave with concrete patterns and a clear mental model for adopting GitHub Spec-Kit in their own projects. **YouTube Link** TBA

Join other experienced and aspiring agile coaches and professionals to: * develop and practice your coaching skills in a peer-to-peer environment * share current successes and challenges in your work environment and get support from each other * learn from each other, build better relationships and experiment with new ideas

**Web Design Decoded: Tools, Practices, and Proven Processes:** **Semantic HTML** At WebDev Columbus, we are exploring some of the most important topics of professional high-end web design and page building. Primarily focused on site building in the WordPress environment, our group explores tools, tips, and techniques for building the best WordPress sites possible. Additionally, we focus on disciplines and technologies that take website design from visually appealing to optimized spaces for delivering you and/or your client's message effectively and with a nod towards extended reach. Each session combines practical demonstrations with real-world insights, giving you actionable knowledge you can apply immediately. Whether you're a seasoned developer looking to enhance your design skills or a newcomer wanting to understand design best practices, this series offers valuable insights for every skill level. **What to expect:** * Hands-on demonstrations of popular design tools * Best practices for design-to-development workflows * Tips for creating responsive, accessible designs * Real-world problem-solving scenarios * Interactive Q&A sessions * Networking opportunities with fellow developers **Each meetup features:** 60 minutes of focused presentation 30 minutes of live demonstrations 30 minutes for questions and discussion **See you there!** Our casual, collaborative environment encourages learning from both presenters and fellow attendees. Bring your questions, share your experiences, and connect with Central Ohio's web development community! **Stay tuned for specific session topics and dates.**

**NEW LOCATION: Improving Office in Franklinton** Physical location: Improving Office 330 Rush Alley Suite #150 Columbus, OH 43215 Schedule: * 6:00 p.m.: Socialize, eat, and drink. Improving will be providing pizza and beverages. * 6:30 to 8:00 pm. Main meeting and presentation(s). See the handy Parking Map - we recommend street parking. [Street Parking Map](https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1u2A4fLNlxwLJn0KA_hKc8bnFlFHLvsHBDh-_8wzX_tk/edit?usp=sharing) We meet on the last Monday of each Month. Presentations are given by members and friends of this group. If you would like to do a presentation (small or large) on a python topic, please contact centralohpython@gmail.com

Please join the Columbus Atlassian Events Team for an evening program where we show you how we are using the Atlassian tools to track, manage and collaborate with others on our hobbies, From Jira & Confluence and Lego, to Tabletop gaming and Trello to miniature painting and Jira. Join the Columbus Atlassian leaders as they walk you through how the Atlassian tools enhance their passion projects.   We'll go over space structures, lessons learned as we built and tracked our project and how it helped us organize group adventures.   Looking forward to sharing our fun with you!Please take note of the New Location and Time of the event. Pay Parking can be found on street, and in locations marked. Agenda --- Speakers Kimberly Deal - Columbus Atlassian User Group Leader Greg Sprowls - Columbus Atlassian Community Leader Kevin Stanley - Columbus Atlassian User Group Leader Moderators Kimberly Deal - Columbus Atlassian User Group Leader Greg Sprowls - Columbus Atlassian Community Leader Kevin Stanley - Columbus Atlassian User Group Leader Hosted By Kimberly Deal, Atlassian User Group Leader Kevin Stanley, Chief Everything Greg Sprowls, Agility Lead --- Global Partner Atlassian (http://atlassian.com) Millions of users globally rely on Atlassian products every day for improving software development, project management, collaboration, and code quality. For over a decade, Atlassian customers have come together to network, share ideas, solve problems, and find new ways to use Atlassian products. Today, more than 15,000 people take part in Atlassian community events in more than 30 countries. --- Complete your event RSVP here: https://ace.atlassian.com/events/details/atlassian-columbus-presents-for-the-love-of-atlassian-using-atlassian-to-manage-your-passion-projects/.

Join the Columbus AI community for our quarterly gathering — a casual, community-focused evening where everyone has a chance to share, learn, and connect. These open mic–style events give anyone in the community up to **5 minutes** to present a project, share a tool, pose a question, or offer a perspective on the evolving AI space. No slides required — just a welcoming space to exchange ideas and keep the local AI conversation moving. If you’d like to take the stage, message **Chris (the organizer)** with a **title and short description** of what you’d like to share. Whether you’re deep in the field or just getting curious, come connect with others building and exploring AI in Columbus. Sponsored by [Transform Labs](https://www.transformlabs.com/services)