Day: October 20, 2021

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UAE Government launches ‘Pioneers of the Digital Economy’ initiative

DUBAI, The UAE government has launched “Pioneers of the Digital Economy” initiative, which aims to enhance capabilities of young talents and provide them with the knowledge and expertise needed to develop advanced future technology that will positively influence the UAE’s economy.

The initiative also targets empowering talents to compete for the best job opportunities in global leading companies in the fields of coding and Artificial Intelligence (AI), and develop innovative solutions to challenges, thus promoting future digital economy in the UAE and boosting its global leadership and competitiveness.

The initiative, launched by the National Programme for Artificial Intelligence, provides a platform to enhance partnerships between public and private sectors, talented skills in the field of software and modern technologies, and international technology leaders operating in the UAE. It encourages international leading companies to provide opportunities for talents to promote their active participation in supporting the digital transformation in the UAE and building an advanced digital economy that contributes to enhancing people’s wellbeing and building a better future.

Under “Pioneers of the Digital Economy” initiative and during the 41st edition of GITEX Global 2021, the AI Office announced collaborating with Amazon Web Services (AWS), to enable talents to compete in the fields of technology and software.

Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Teleworking Applications, stated that the UAE government adopts modern technologies and AI tools for building a sustainable digital economy, in line with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to provide the best possible solutions and promote the UAE’s global competitiveness.

Al Olama added that forging partnerships and reinforcing cooperation with entities and companies that support global economies help accelerate digital transformation in the UAE and its transition towards a sustainable digital economy. He further noted that launching “Pioneers of the Digital Economy” initiative, in collaboration with Amazon Web Services, is part of the ongoing efforts of the AI Office to enable talents specialised in digitisation and AI technologies to actively engage in promoting the national digital economy.

Isabella Groegor-Cechowicz, Vice President of Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), AWS Worldwide Public Sector, said, “We are pleased to be collaborating with the UAE AI Office to support talent development of UAE nationals as we continue to build a diverse and inclusive workforce at AWS. With the upcoming launch of the AWS data centers in the UAE in the first half of 2022, we are hiring teams across multiple functions to support cloud adoption and to help accelerate the UAE’s digital transformation strategy.”

As part of its cooperation with the AI Office, Amazon Web Services will share a periodic list of job opportunities available at the company’s headquarters in the UAE, while encouraging local talents to apply for these vacancies, thus enhancing their capabilities in various fields of digital economy.

The two parties shall further cooperate to build the capabilities of national talents, enable them to adopt modern technologies, introduce them to the experiences of global tech companies, and provide them with the best opportunities to design innovative solutions and services. This goes in line with the UAE’s ‘Principles of the 50’ focusing on enhancing human capital, achieving digital, technical and scientific excellence, and building the best and most dynamic economy in the world.

Source: Emirates News Agency

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Dubai Chamber, Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries explore business cooperation

DUBAI, Dubai Chamber recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries Business Confederation (CE-CPLP), which will see the two organisations share knowledge and collaborate in key areas of mutual interest to support the interests of their respective members.

The MoU was signed by Hamad Buamim, President and CEO of Dubai Chamber, and Salimo Abdula, Chairman of the CE-CPLP, on the sidelines of the Global Business Forum Africa 2021, which took place recently at Expo 2020 Dubai.

Under the terms of the agreement, Dubai Chamber and CPLP will align their efforts to support post-pandemic economic recovery, open new markets, jointly organise business and investment events and forums, and promote investment opportunities for both parties.

Dubai Chamber will work closely with CPLP to promote Dubai as an international trade and investment hub for members of the CPLP community who are keen to set up operations in the emirate or who wish to explore the potential of expanding to the Middle East and North Africa region using Dubai as a gateway.

Business Confederation (CE-CPLP), the business confederation represents the CPLP – an international organisation spanning four continents where Portuguese is an official language. Operating as a forum for cooperation, the CPLP encompasses nine states and represents a market of 260 million people, with the 100-member CPLP recognised as CPLP’s economic and business pillar.

“The signing of this MoU will lead to huge opportunities for Dubai-based businesses in markets around the world where Portuguese is spoken. The main objective of CPLP is to increase trade and commerce between its member countries and to facilitate and strengthen relations between business associations and entities with affiliated regions, opening new doors for investors and business stakeholders in the emirate,” Buamim said.

He added that several areas of synergy and potential collaboration opportunities have been identified under the agreement that can support the growth of our members across the regions of Africa, ASEAN and Latin America which are served by Dubai Chamber’s international offices.

Abdula, in turn, said, “We are six countries in Africa, and we want to strengthen cooperation with the Dubai Chamber to bring solutions, for instance on how we can develop the resources we have in Africa and add value to these resources and also to bring infrastructure solutions and enable the full potential of these countries to trade globally. That is our aim, and it is a great opportunity to be able to sign this memorandum of cooperation with the Dubai Chamber.”

Founded in Lisbon, Portugal, on 4th June 2004, CPLP is aimed at the development and cooperation of business within the community of Portuguese speaking countries. CPLP’s mission is to create an investment route within CPLP member countries, encouraging collaboration and partnerships.

The countries that form the CPLP community are Portugal, Brazil, Mozambique, Angola, Cape Verde, Sao Tome and Principe, Timor Leste, Guinea Bissau and Guinea Equatorial.

Source: Emirates News Agency

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US pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai discusses international partnerships in space exploration

DUBAI, The US pavilion at the Expo 2020 Dubai hosted a panel discussion, “Leveraging International Partnerships in Space Exploration”, attended by a range of specialist companies, including Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Jacobs Engineering Group.

The speakers discussed ways of enhancing cooperation between countries, governments and private sector companies in space exploration and the importance of such mission in solving the planet’s environmental and climate challenges.

Kuljit Ghata-Aura, President of Boeing Middle East, Turkey and Africa, stressed that, before inking any international partnerships in the space sector, it is essential to understand the nature of the sector.

Dawne Hickton, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Critical Mission Solutions, Jacobs Engineering Group, highlighted the importance of cooperation to encouraging innovation, most notably among youth.

“Space discoveries will help deal with the climate and sustainability issue, which is critical for everyone and require all countries to collaborate to establish an ecosystem for environmental preservation, to reduce carbon emissions. When we launch advanced satellites, we will be able to observe what the planet is undergoing,” she added.

Allen Herbert, General Manager of StarLab Oasis, underscored the need to utilise space technology to solve food security and climate change issues, noting the Middle East and Africa is becoming a world leader in space exploration.

Robert Harward, CEO of Lockheed Martin Middle East, explained the model of cooperation of research universities in the field of space exploration.

“I believe that discussions, such as those taking place at Expo 2020 Dubai, will enable everyone to contribute in their own way,” he said, stressing his desire to see the whole world coming together to establish a comprehensive agreement on space exploration.

Source: Emirates News Agency

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Ajman’s Department of Finance launches Forsan RPA application at GITEX 2021

AJMAN, Ajman’s Department of Finance has announced the launch of the Forsan Robotic Process Automation (RPA) application, as part of its participation at GITEX Technology Week 2021, which concludes Thursday at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

RPA is an artificial intelligence programme that automates the processes of controlling the financial performance of the government’s financial thermometer, manages the schedule for preparing financial plans and budgets, matches expenditures with the smart financial planning and analysis system, as well as manages the implementation of transfers and additional appropriations on the government budget.

The Department announces its newest venture in modern technology as it demonstrates its capability to keep pace with the continued development of advanced artificial intelligence technology through various initiatives and innovative projects.

The participation in GITEX 2021 also reflects the Department’s vision to cultivate a culture of innovation in financial work, thus encouraging employees to concentrate on knowledge-based work that is high-value, and ensuring the integrity of Ajman’s financial performance data.

Furthermore, the launch of the programme falls within the Department’s broader commitment to supporting Ajman in achieving its digital transformation goals. The department’s experts indicated that the techniques and systems used in this application are among the latest technological means and unique tools that are designed to meet urgent demands and reduce human error, thus increasing efficiency and productivity.

Marwan Ahmed Al Ali, Director-General of Ajman’s Department of Finance, commented, “The Department is focusing its efforts on automating its operations and services in order to facilitate procedures and maintain the highest levels of performance and quality. We have therefore launched the Forsan RPA application, which uses digital technologies in accordance with the highest international standards.

This comes as part of our efforts to continuously adopt the best practices in automating government services, as well as support the vision of our wise leadership in building a sustainable digital economy.”

Source: Emirates News Agency

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Children’s City joins hands with Nikon to organise children’s photography course

DUBAI, The Children’s City of Dubai Municipality, in cooperation with Nikon, is organising a comprehensive introductory course for children to learn about the art of photography, its most prominent concepts and basics, and enhance their creative talents in this field.

The course will be conducted in the Children’s City every Thursday – from 5 pm to 6 pm – until 23rd December 2021.

The main topics that will be highlighted in the course include filmmaking, lighting art, mastering the use of a Nikon camera, photographing flowers, photographing faces, different patterns of designs, and fun with bubbles. Children who wish to participate in the course can complete the registration process by visiting the Children’s City website, www.childrencity.ae.

The Children’s City is the first educational city dedicated to children aged 2-15 years in the UAE. It encourages children to research and explore in an educational and entertaining format, to instil useful concepts and information in them by allowing them to participate in the various educational and entertainment programmes organised by it.

Children’s City also contains halls and indoor and outdoor spaces to hold activities and celebrations throughout the year.

Source: Emirates News Agency

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UAE, Israel sign historic agreement to enhance space cooperation

DUBAI, The UAE Space Agency has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Israel Space Agency to enhance cooperation in scientific research, space exploration and knowledge transfer to accelerate economic growth and human progress.

Sarah bint Yousif Al Amiri, Minister of State for Advanced Technology and Chairwoman of the UAE Space Agency, said, “Sharing knowledge and expertise is a key part of the UAE’s vision to create an attractive and competitive national space industry. If you look at the most successful global space programmes in history, the common denominator is collaboration. Israel has a globally recognised space industry and developing bilateral and multilateral partnerships has never been so important as we embrace a new era of space exploration.”

She signed the agreement with Orit Farkash-Hacohen, Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology of Israel, during Expo 2020 Dubai’s Space Week, held in association with the UAE Space Agency.

Salem Butti Al Qubaisi, Director-General of the UAE Space Agency, Ibrahim Al Qasim, Executive Director, Space Sector, UAE Space Agency, and Brigadier General Uri Oron, Director-General of the Israel Space Agency, attended the event alongside senior officials from both countries.

Farkash-Hacohen said, “Governments sign agreements but people and collaborations are the ones that truly make peace. Israel is an international leader in the worlds of research, space, science and hi-tech. Today on behalf of the Government of Israel, I am pleased to sign a series of agreements for cooperation with the UAE Space Agency in important and groundbreaking fields. I thank the Minister of Advanced Technology Sarah Al Amiri for the significant, collaborative work done in the last year between the two agencies. Thanks to this work, we are already launching advanced initiatives for the benefit of our children’s education and joint research. I share Minister Al Amiri’s vision of harnessing science and space not only as an economic stimulus but also for bringing hearts together and educating our next generation.”

The agreement lays the framework for a mutually beneficial strategic partnership that will strengthen efforts to gather and analyze scientific space data. Both parties will enhance collaboration and cooperation in a wide range of strategic fields, including exploration, research, data analysis, education and more.

The UAE will exchange research and develop scientific instruments for Israel’s Beresheet-2 mission to land a spacecraft on the Moon by 2024 as part of the landmark agreement.

Universities in Israel and the UAE will also launch collaborative research projects. They include exploring red tide phenomenon, analysing red palm weevil infestation which threatens date palm cultivation, and mapping aerosols – solid and liquid particles suspended in the atmosphere. Vegetation and environmental data gathered by a microsatellite used by the Israel Space Agency and the French Space Agency will also be shared with the UAE.

Israel has witnessed near-unprecedented developments in space research, advanced technologies and the expansion of its private sector in recent decades. Including becoming the eighth country in the world to successfully launch and position satellites in space.

The Emirates’ space programme started in 2006 with a knowledge transfer programme that saw Emirati engineers working with partners around the world to develop the UAE’s spacecraft design, engineering and manufacturing capabilities, launching a series of earth observation satellites designed and built by Emirati engineers.

Source: Emirates News Agency