Eight out of 10 young people in the MENA region are optimistic about the future, with many pinning high hopes on the Internet and technology to help them develop their entrepreneurial spirit and build a forward-thinking society.

These are some of the findings of an extensive online survey, “Young, Arab and Connected,” which was commissioned by the telecommunications company Ooredoo to provide a snapshot of the digital aspirations and attitudes of young people across the Middle East and North Africa.

H.E. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammed Bin Saud Al Thani, Chairman of Ooredoo, premiered the study’s findings during a Dean’s Lecture at Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar this February. Joining him on stage were two Carnegie Mellon Qatar alumni: Hassan Al-Mulla and Maha Al-Khulaifi, who were both sponsored by Ooredoo through university and now work for the company.

Other important findings include nine in 10 young MENA citizens believe access to the Internet and mobile digital technology can help them realize their personal aspirations for employment, entrepreneurial opportunities and education; and that most respondents believe in equality between men and women.

H.E. Sheikh Abdulla said the results would serve Ooredoo’s roadmap in creating the technology infrastructure needed to drive growth and development in Qatar and other countries in the region. View the results here: www.ooredoonewhorizons.com