Global Recognition for Brookdale’s “Jersey Shore Model” at Dubai Summit

Jersey Shore Model Showcased on Global Stage at 2025 Asia Pacific Cities Summit & Mayors’ Forum Dubai, UAE – October 2025

Representing Brookdale Community College and the Jersey Shore community, Ed Johnson, executive director of Government Affairs and Community Relations, and Jackeline Mejias-Fuertes, DM, MBA, director of the Small Business Development Center, served as designated City Leaders and City Champions at the prestigious 2025 Asia Pacific Cities Summit and Mayors’ Forum in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

As featured speakers on the City Hall Stage, Johnson and Mejias-Fuertes presented “Building Entrepreneurial Ecosystems: Reinventing Innovation Through Collaboration of Higher Education, Local Government, and the Private Sector.” Their presentation, titled “The Jersey Shore Model,” showcased Brookdale Community College’s pioneering approach to community-driven innovation. The model’s emphasis on solving local challenges through collaborative frameworks drew international attention for its scalable adaptability and measurable outcomes.
A defining moment of the summit was the unveiling of a global project pipeline valued at more than $65 billion, including $9 billion in deployable urban investment, underscoring the summit’s commitment to turning ideas into action.

The event convened 321 cities, districts, and regions, including 166 mayors, 350 city leaders, and 194 speakers from 75 cities, united under the theme “Collaborate. Inspire. Transform.” It served as a dynamic platform for exchanging ideas, forging partnerships, and shaping the future of urban life through innovation and inclusivity.

Among the distinguished attendees that Johnson and Mejias-Fuertes had the opportunity to meet and engage with were Crown Prince Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum; Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation and CEO of Expo City Dubai Authority; His Excellency Abdulla Mohammed Al Basti, Secretary General of the Executive Council of Dubai; and Adrian Schrinner, Lord Mayor of Brisbane City Council.

A highlight of the summit was an exclusive evening reception and dinner hosted at the private residence of Sima and Nilesh Ved, founders of Apparel Group, a global retail powerhouse representing more than 85 international brands across 14 countries. The evening celebrated their visionary leadership and global impact.

The conference featured immersive field trips to key innovation sites, including the Al Shindagha Museum, Jafza Logistics Hub, Emirates Bustanica Vertical Farm, Emicool District Cooling Station, Wilo Smart Urban Solutions, and Terra, the Sustainability Pavilion. These visits highlighted Dubai’s commitment to heritage preservation, sustainable infrastructure, and future-ready urban development.

Johnson and Mejias-Fuertes also forged strategic relationships focused on regional workforce development, international education, and internship opportunities for students, laying the groundwork for future collaborations and career pathways.

The high-level conference and visit to Dubai were captured in a quote by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum: “We do not wait for things to happen; rather, we make them happen.” Reflecting on the experience, Johnson and Mejias-Fuertes shared, “The trust, insight, and generosity of our global partners powered this experience from vision to reality. We return energized, equipped with innovative solutions, and ready to create opportunities that shape the future.”