A distinguished panel of technical judges has been selected to evaluate the projects implemented by the candidates of the Palestine CleanTech Innovation Competition - 1st Edition.
The members of the jury include:
Mr. Mazen ARAFAT has worked in various banking and investment management roles in London for two decades. Mr. ARAFAT was previously involved in economic development projects in Palestine and continues to have research and policy interest in the subject. Mr. ARAFAT is a trustee of Friends of Birzeit University and a board member of Zaytoun, a British social enterprise company importing Palestinian products. He is also engaged with the work of Medical Aid for Palestinians. Mr. ARAFAT gained deep experience in Finance products with a strong engagement in developing product solutions, building client relationships, and collaborating effectively across geographic and functional organizations.
MS. Gihan BAYOUMY has more than 20 years of diversified knowledge and experience in the environmental/energy and industrial sectors. She is specialized in strategy and policy formulation, program identification, formulation, implementation and monitoring as well as coordination of these at various levels. Ms. BAYOUMY is an experienced strategist and converts strategic plans and national priorities into tactical reality through guiding partners in establishing themselves via viable business. Ms. BAYOUMY catalyzes investors and donors’ cooperation in response to environmental/energy/industry problems and emergencies.
MR.Bassem EL-WAZIR is an IT professional and thought leader with a passion for innovation and entrepreneurship. He led several companies’ Information Technology departments as a CIO / Director of Business and Information Technology in both FMCG manufacturing and Telecom industries. A progressive promoter of innovation, the adoption of new value-adding and game-changing technologies and solutions, such as the deployment of new digital channels, use of IoT, blockchain, artificial intelligence, mobile, and cloud-based solutions. A pioneer, always goes where no one else has gone before in quest to learn, create value, inspire, and be inspired. Bassem has a history of accomplishments, leadership, and mastery of the digital and Information Systems landscape. He obtained his BSc. and advanced studies in reputable universities in the US.
Global Coordinator of the UNIDO Global Cleantech Innovation Programme (GCIP), Mr. Gerswynn MCKUUR ensures coordination and coherence, and the successful day-to-day operations, planning, implementation and monitoring of the overall GCIP global programme. Over the last 15 years he has worked as an expert in the energy and cleantech sectors. He has worked with UNIDO in the field in South Africa and at its HQ in Vienna to successfully implement projects in Industrial Energy Efficiency and Cleantech Innovation and Entrepreneurship since 2010. Gerswynn holds a Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Cape Town. He has previously served as the Chairman of the Board of the Measurement and Verification Professionals Council of South Africa (MVCSA), and he serves on the South African Bureau of Standards Committee on Energy Management (TC242).
Mr. Yazan SAMARA is a well-rounded expert with over 20 years in General Management, Strategic Advisory and Management Consulting. Mr. SAMARA held senior level management appointments in the public sector as well as the private sector. He worked with international and regional organizations on issues related to Sustainable Energy, Economic Development, Finance, Investments, Sectoral Studies, and Corporate Governance. Served on Boards of Directors of publicly listed and private corporations. Mr. SAMARA holds an MBA, and is a graduate of CASS Business School (City University).
Together, they will evaluate the startups according to three main criteria: innovation and technical feasibility, human resource potential, and market impact.
