One of the world's youngest CEOs has shared her formula for success with aspiring entrepreneurs in the UAE.
Hong Kong-born Hillary Yip was just 10 when she launched Minor Mynas, an interactive app encouraging children to help each other master new languages.
An idea borne out of her own struggles to learn Mandarin has swiftly grown into a global success connecting young people from more than 60 countries.
Now 15, she said she has based her business success on three simple steps; reading, curiosity and execution.
Young hopefuls who follow this formula have a better chance of living their dreams, she told The National at the Global Women's Forum in Dubai.
“If I’m not in school or working on my app, I just read,” she said.
She urged her peers around the world to never let an idea die without trying.
“If you have an idea, give it a go. If you don’t, it will always remain an idea no matter how great it is.
“Ideas, if executed, can create a small impact. It may a small drop in the ocean but collectively such impacts can make a huge difference and will be a real change.”
She urged pupils to put technology to productive use and not spend hours on gaming apps.
“In my house, we have a strict policy when it comes to screen times. Video games can be fun when played in moderation, but it can lead to serious addiction,” she said.
“We live in a very polarised world; my app is building bridges and teaching tolerance to all the children who connect on the platform.
“It’s fascinating to see how shy children make friends on the platform and engage in peer-to-peer teaching, which is more effective than what we learn at school.
Hillary is in talks with investors to help her further grow the business.
“Currently, we are self-funded. I do charge a fee for speaking at events, which goes back into the business.
“I’ve had a lot of discussion with investors but it’s still a fairly new venture. We need to establish it more.”
The teenager said the formal education system is outdated as it was designed to meet the economic demands of the industrial revolution.
She feels the current way of learning cannot meet the needs of today’s hyper-connected society, which is constantly evolving.
“Our schools were built for the industrial revolution for people who were willing to obey rules. Times have changed and it’s difficult for brick-and-mortar institutions to adapt quickly. This is where technology comes in.”
Khalfan Belhoul, chief executive of The Dubai Future Foundation, echoed her thoughts during an interview at the global forum on Sunday.
He said the traditional school day could soon be consigned to the past as new technologies allow pupils to access education 'anytime, anywhere'.
The DFF and the Knowledge and Human Development Authority, Dubai’s private schools’ regulator, are turning to technologies like artificial intelligence, virtual reality and blockchain to devise the education system of the future.
