Day: June 15, 2022

2022 Dubai Customs’ Intellectual Property Department participated in the “Al Mawakeb Innovates” initiative for the third year in a row. The initiative, organized at the Al-Mawakeb School (AMSI) in Al-Khawaneej, brought together representatives of several government and private agencies, as arbitrators for student projects, including Dubai Executive Council, Mohammed bin Rashid Space Center, Dubai Health Authority, the American University, Dubai Municipality and the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment.

Eng. Saeed bin Fares, Manager of Awareness and Education Section at the IPR Department was a member of the jury as a strategic partner. The jury viewed and discussed 32 innovations presented by the Al-Mawakeb School students through a contest that aims at encouraging competition and creativity. It also aims to educate the students about how to appreciate genuineness, and preserve their rights and innovative projects.

A smart stair, which utilizes manpower to generate electricity, and a clean energy generator were among the students’ creative projects.

As part of the event, there was an extensive meeting between a number of participating government agencies and Elissar Nasr Sobra, Chief Academic Officer at AMSI at Al Mawakeb Schools, , to discuss ways of cooperation and partnership in integrating students into the business sector and enhancing their abilities, skills and innovations. The mechanism of contracting and signing memoranda of understanding between government agencies and Al-Mawakeb schools was also discussed.

“Dubai Customs always encourages students’ engagement, which helps them learn more about intellectual property rights, and inspire them to be creative,” said Yousef Ozair Mubarak, Director of IPR Department. “We highly appreciate the Al Mawakeb School initiative, which motivates talented students to protect their ideas, achieve excellence, and think outside the box.

On her part, Elissar Nasr Sobra highlighted the importance of partnership between various sectors in the country to provide a healthy learning environment that encourages cooperation and develops students’ higher-order thinking skills and talents.

Source: Dubai Customs

ABU DHABI, An earthquake of magnitude 5.9 struck south of Iran today at 10:06 “UAE time”, National Seismic Network of the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) said.

In a statement, the NCM said that the earthquake was slightly felt in some areas of the country.

Source: Emirates News Agency

DUBAI, The UAE Internal Auditors Association (UAE-IAA) has announced the launch of the UAE Chief Audit Executive (CAE) Council, a first-of-its-kind of initiative in the region.

The new consultative body aims to exchange experiences and skills among its members; identify best practices in facing the future challenges in internal auditing, and enhance the reputation of the Arab world’s second-biggest economy as a centre for good governance in both public and private sectors.

Abdulqader Obaid Ali, UAE-IAA’s Board of Governors Chairman, said, “It is a new initiative launched by us to enhance the reputation of the UAE as a global centre for good governance and apply international best practices at this level to government and private bodies and institutions.”

He added, “There are multiple challenges that internal auditors face worldwide, including the advancements in technology that has become part of the nature of work in internal auditing. Auditors must constantly upgrade their skills to keep pace with these challenges and utilise this opportunity to develop themselves and their organisations.”

Describing the role of the CAE Majlis and the subjects it will discuss, Abdulqader said, “At the UAE IAA, our role will be to supervise the Majlis only. The Majlis members will identify the issues they would like to discuss during their meetings. We will help them set the meeting agenda and contribute towards the selection of speakers for the sessions.”

He said the new Majlis will play an important role in spreading the ‘culture of excellence’ in the internal auditing domain, which will enable it to become a professional platform for integration, exchange of experiences and knowledge, and ways to deal with specific problems.

Source: Emirates News Agency

ABU DHABI, Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, visited one of the construction sites in Abu Dhabi to ensure the optimal implementation of the midday break – a ban on outdoor work between 12:30 and 15:00, which started on Wednesday and will continue until 15th September, 2022.

During his visit, Dr. Al Awar stressed that the UAE has always been a pioneer in its humanitarian mission and has accorded significant care and attention to all the residents throughout its history.

He added that labourers in the UAE have always enjoyed special attention from the wise leadership, mentioning that President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan commended their efforts and their “valuable contributions and constructive role in the country’s progress”, while His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, has always emphasised that “the UAE is a country and home for everyone.”

During the visit, Dr. Al Awar was accompanied by Khalil Khoury, Acting Under-Secretary for Human Resources Affairs, and senior officials in the ministry.

Dr. Al Awar pointed out that the midday break, which is being implemented for the 18th consecutive year, aims to protect the labourers and their health and has become a gained right as per UAE laws, and an integral part of the UAE’s work environment, which had yielded positive results in the past years aimed at improving the overall safety and wellbeing levels.

The Ministry receives reports from the community members about any violation of the midday break through its call centre at 600590000, operational from Monday to Saturday from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm in several languages, in addition to receiving reports through the Ministry’s smart application.

Some professions and jobs are exempted from the break for technical reasons which requires work to continue uninterrupted. These include project works such as spreading the asphalt mixture or pouring concrete or other work necessary to ward off danger, repair, damage, malfunctions or accidental emergency losses, including work to repair obstruction in water supply lines, sewage lines, electric lines, or obstruction of traffic on public roads, and gas or oil pipelines.

It also excludes works whose implementation requires a permit from a competent government agency due to their impact on the flow of traffic and services, such as cutting off electricity and telecom lines.

In the event of works or tasks that for technical reasons should continue without interruption during the afternoon hours, the employer shall provide cold drinking water commensurate with the number of workers on duty, and the conditions of safety and public health should be maintained by providing hydrating food and liquid such as salt, lemon and other materials that are approved for use by the local authorities in the country. In addition, companies should keep provisions for first-aid at the work site, appropriate industrial cooling facilities and shades from direct sunlight, and providing a shaded place for workers to rest during their downtime.

An administrative fine will be imposed on establishments that violate the midday break amounting to AED 5,000 for each worker and a maximum of AED 50,000 in the case that multiple workers are working in violation of the ban.

Source: Emirates News Agency

DUBAI, DAMAC Group and the Knowledge Fund Establishment have signed an AED20 million sponsorship agreement to support the Dubai Schools project.

According to the agreement, DAMAC Group will provide scholarship funding for Emirati students’ tuition fees starting with the 2022-23 academic year.

The agreement is in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to enhance the role of public-private sector partnerships. The agreement also follows the directives of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, to invest in high-quality education to equip future Emirati generations with the skills and knowledge required to lead Dubai’s knowledge-based economy.

The scholarship funding will support Dubai Schools’ objectives, which include providing state-of-the-art education to help the next generation of students to keep pace with the evolving requirements of the job market. Furthermore, it will support Dubai’s efforts to harness advanced science and technological breakthroughs to create a world-class education ecosystem.

The agreement was signed in the presence of Abdulla Al Basti, Secretary-General of Dubai Executive Council and Chairman of the Steering Committee, and Ahmed Abdul Karim Julfar, Chairman of the Knowledge Fund Establishment, at the headquarters of the General Secretariat of the Executive Council.

Dr. Shawqi Sajwani, Board Member of DAMAC Properties, and Abdullah Al Awar, CEO of the Knowledge Fund Establishment, signed the agreement, which aims to establish a sustainable investment infrastructure to enhance the involvement of the private sector in Dubai’s pioneering education sector.

On the occasion of the signing, Al Basti said, “There are clear directives from H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed to redouble the efforts to maintain Dubai’s global leadership in vital sectors. Therefore, we are providing our steadfast support to the emirate’s education sector, which is the foundation for building an innovative generation capable of anticipating and capturing future growth opportunities.”

While highlighting that public-private sector partnerships have always been the foundation of Dubai’s success, Al Basti noted that the DAMAC and Knowledge Fund Establishment partnership could act as a launchpad for the further development of the emirate’s education sector.

Ahmed Abdul Karim Julfar, Chairman of the Knowledge Fund Establishment, said the Establishment was keen on contributing to developing the emirate’s knowledge-based economy with its private sector partners to ensure that students receive a high-quality education.

“We seek to provide comprehensive support to students. As a member of the Dubai Schools Steering Committee, the Establishment gives top priority to providing a distinct educational and knowledge environment that adopts the best international standards, in line with Dubai’s future plans. The joint agreement with DAMAC will contribute to supporting the Dubai government’s vision of creating a leading educational model in Dubai Schools as a beacon of academic quality with its distinct educational experience that contributes to advancing the national agenda of the UAE,” Julfar added.

Julfar also pointed to the Establishment’s commitment to encouraging investment in Dubai’s education sector by providing comprehensive services and consultations to investors in this vital field as another example of the potential of partnerships with the private sector.

Hussain Sajwani, Founder and Chairman of DAMAC Properties, noted that the support provided by DAMAC Group to Dubai Schools is in line with its national responsibility based on a firm belief in creating a brighter future for the next generation. He said the agreement reflects DAMAC Group’s commitment to society and human development.

“We are pleased to be part of the Dubai Schools project to provide Emirati students with the skills and knowledge necessary to keep pace with our prosperous economic path and empower them with knowledge to enrich their scientific lives and participate in opening new horizons and global opportunities for students. Partnerships between the public and private sector have long been a key pillar of Dubai’s human, social and economic development; and we are delighted to contribute to this educational partnership and empower the youth of today to face the challenges of the future,” he said.

Dubai Schools was established under the directives of Sheikh Hamdan to provide a unique and innovative school education model that enhances values, improves skills and develops the potential of all students.

Source: Emirates News Agency

DUBAI, Under the directives of H.H. Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Council for Border Crossing Points Security, the Dubai Maritime City Authority at the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC) announced that it has amended the regulations pertaining to the registration and licensing controls for remotely-operated marine crafts and vessels, as well as their operational requirements.

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman of the PCFC, highlighted the importance of the policies and legislations issued by the Council, which seek to implement best international practices in this field and achieve the highest levels of coordination between various local and federal government entities.

“Through the Dubai Maritime City Authority, the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation has been committed to developing and regulating the maritime sector in Dubai, in accordance with the highest international standards and best practices. This falls in line with its vision of creating a safe and sustainable maritime sector in Dubai and enhancing the performance, safety, efficiency and competitiveness of the maritime sector in the emirate, as well as consolidating the city’s position as a world-class maritime centre,” he said.

Sheikh Saeed bin Ahmed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, Executive Director of the Dubai Maritime City Authority, said the regulations on the registration, licensing and operations of remotely-operated marine crafts and vessels align with the directives of the Dubai Council for Border Crossing Points Security. The regulations include a number of operating controls for remotely-operated marine crafts and vessels, including compliance with all treaties, regulations and laws issued by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) related to the outputs of the Maritime Safety Committee circular and its amendments, in addition to coordinating and obtaining a prior approval from the Dubai Maritime City Authority on the time and place of operation, to ensure the safety of maritime navigation within the Dubai waters, Sheikh Saeed explained.

Sheikh Saeed added that the regulations stipulate providing an inspection report and a safety certificate from an approved technical body that validates the safety of the remotely-operated marine craft or vessel during all circumstances that may lead to loss of communication and control. The marine crafts and vessels shall also operate in accordance with best international practices and be guided by international operating codes. In addition, the operator shall provide a comprehensive risk assessment report when registering the marine craft or vessel based on the nature of operation, the size of the vessel or craft and the area of operation. The report must be approved by the Dubai Maritime City Authority, he noted.

The regulations also highlight the need to have an adequate insurance coverage to protect personnel and properties against loss and damage. The value of the coverage for a single accident should not be less than AED10 million. Furthermore, the marine craft and vessel shall comply with all requirements and standards set by the Authority on testing and operating remotely-operated crafts or vessels.

The Executive Director of the Dubai Maritime City Authority stressed on the need to prepare an emergency plan that details the potential risks of operating remotely-operated marine crafts and vessels, as well equipping them communication and sensor devices and day and night cameras to ensure safe operation.

Sheikh Saeed added the regulations apply to both remotely-operated marine vessels and marine crafts used in research, experiments and monitoring within specific geographic areas of the Authority. It also applies to marine crafts used to transport passengers or goods and that sail within specific water areas and shipping lines approved by the Authority. The regulations do not apply to autonomous marine devices, regardless of their dimensions and purpose of use.

Source: Emirates News Agency