Day: July 15, 2022

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has nominated two employees to obtain PhD in Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley. The PhD programme is under the guidance of top research professors at the College of Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, San Francisco, USA. The nominated DEWA employees have completed their Masters in Future Energy Systems and Technology, as part of the inaugural batch of the unique and futuristic Master’s programme in Future Energy Systems & Technology in collaboration between DEWA and UC Berkeley. The nominated employees will spend 4 to 5 years full time at Berkeley, California researching in engineering subjects close to their work interests that can further DEWA and UAE’s capabilities in the engineering disciplines.

HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, congratulated the two nominated employees and said that DEWA invests in Emirati capabilities and provides the best possible educational opportunities. He expressed happiness at the progress of the DEWA – UC Berkeley Partnership especially the joint master’s programme in Future Energy Systems & Technology. 35 employees have graduated from Batch 1 and a total of 108 employees are currently enrolled in Batches 2 and 3 of the programme.

Al Tayer praised the University of California, Berkeley and its professors for their collaboration and hard work with DEWA that ensures a bright future for engineers at DEWA and the UAE. DEWA continuously strengthens and develops the capabilities of the next generation of leaders and young innovators in clean and renewable energy technologies. This is achieved via a clear strategy and a roadmap to transform Dubai into a hub for excellence and innovation in new technologies.

“DEWA supports the vision and directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to consolidate Dubai’s role as a leading hub for shaping the future. DEWA designed the programme, in collaboration with UC Berkeley, for Emirati employees to obtain their Masters. Through this leading programme, participants learn cutting edge subjects, such as Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Renewable Generation Systems, and Cybersecurity, among others, at the hands of the best and brightest in-class faculty from UC Berkeley,” added Al Tayer.

The study programmes cover future energy disciplines that blend research and practice. These include Advanced Power Systems Analysis, Power Electronics, System Controls and Protection, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Cybersecurity, Renewable Generation Systems and Integration, Integrated Resource Planning, Grid Automation, and Water Desalination and Distribution Technology.

Dr. Yousef Al Akraf, Executive Vice President of Business Support and Human Resources at DEWA, said that DEWA launched the Masters in Future Energy Systems & Technology in cooperation with UC Berkeley in 2019. This supports the national strategy to empower young Emiratis and prepare them to assume leadership positions in various areas.

Source: Dubai Electricity and Water Authority

DUBAI, Zayed University and the Al Ghurair Foundation for Education announced that over 2,500 Emirati students have been enrolled in online programmes to equip them better for the workplace, as the two entities mark World Youth Skills Day, celebrated on 15th July.

The two entities celebrated the achievement, after marking the second anniversary of their successful partnership, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in 2020 to help young people with their education and early employment journeys.

Today, the two entities stressed Zayed University students’ readiness to enroll in the Foundation’s TechUp platform after the recent expansion of their partnership. The two organisations had initially focused on the award-winning Al Ghurair Young Thinkers Programme, a breakthrough online education and career readiness platform.

TechUp is dedicated to training Emirati youth in diverse levels of digital fluency and in-demand skills enabling them to become the UAE’s future leaders and entrepreneurs across the nation’s thriving tech sector.

Speaking on World Youth Skills Day, Zayed University’s Provost and Chief Academic Officer Professor Clayton MacKenzie said, “Our partnership with the Al Ghurair Foundation for Education is a key component of Zayed University’s commitment to creating graduates who are fit and ready for the future. We are all increasingly aware of the importance of digital skills across the board. I encourage Zayed University students to take the opportunity to participate in programmes such as TechUp, and for all young Emiratis to focus on their digital literacy. The demand for digital skills will continue to grow exponentially in the decades ahead.”

Dr. Sonia Ben Jafaar, Chief Executive of the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation for Education, said, “The synergy between our two organisations means that the relationship between Zayed University and the Foundation continues to go from strength to strength. Despite the global challenges of the past few years, we have been able to maintain our focus on upskilling young Emiratis and this will only accelerate now through our TechUp initiative. In less than 4 months, since its launch across the UAE, we enrolled over 2,000 youth eager to learn, and 215 have earned their first certificate.”

Source: Emirates News Agency

ABU DHABI, startAD, the Abu Dhabi-based start-up accelerator powered by Tamkeen and anchored at NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), has announced that applications are now welcome for the ninth edition of its Corporate Sprint Accelerator (CSA 9).

In partnership with Ripple’s University Blockchain Research Initiative (UBRI), the three-week market access accelerator will enable global start-ups to bring cutting-edge FinTech innovation to the UAE. Accepted start-ups will be sponsored to travel to the UAE and showcase their ventures at GITEX, the region’s largest tech trade show from 10th to 14th October, 2022.

The engagement will include training, networking, brand building, and one-on-one meetings with prominent investors, media, and sought-after members of the region’s start-up ecosystem. In addition, participants will have the opportunity to win the prestigious XRPL grant to work on solutions for the open source, decentralised and permissionless public blockchain – worth US$25,000, through a fast-tracked application process.

Commenting on the ninth edition of startAD’s CSA, startAD Managing Director, and NYU Abu Dhabi Research Professor of Engineering, Ramesh Jagannathan said, “CSA 9 offers the most cutting-edge fintech start-ups a platform to put their best foot forward in the GCC, by opening doors to business deals and partnerships with leading local corporations, preparing start-ups for the region’s regulatory framework, providing access to investment opportunities, and building their network in the global financial services and start-up ecosystem. Partners such as Ripple’s University Blockchain Research Institute are building a valuable pathway for innovative start-ups to disrupt the global market from Abu Dhabi.

“In partnership with startAD, Ripple is excited to support fintech start-ups leveraging blockchain and crypto to develop new use cases and businesses that solve real-world problems. These technologies will play a pivotal role in the future of finance, and entrepreneurs have a tremendous opportunity to make a global impact by building innovative solutions that will usher in a more inclusive and accessible financial system,” Director of University Partnerships at Ripple, Lauren Weymouth, said.

The programme is open to start-ups building solutions or technologies in the fintech space. Participants will be at the pre-seed or seed rounds of growth, having completed the product development phase with a ready minimum viable product in place. A minimum of two team members is required, giving them the capability to dedicate resources to the programme.

Focus areas for CSA 9 include but are not limited to blockchain-powered applications, P2P lending, insurance, digital distribution platforms for financial products, cryptocurrencies and remittances, identity and authentication, payment gateways, financial education, and financial inclusion. Other programme partners include Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) and VentureSouq. Applications close on 28th August, 2022.

Since its inception, startAD has supported more than 380 start-ups, resulting in 66 pilots. These start-ups have generated $70 million in revenues and have raised $100 million in funding. The 8th edition of startAD’s Corporate Sprint Accelerator has been judged as one of the top 10 fintech accelerators in the region and resulted in five pilots and partnerships announcements and $25,000 awarded in grants.

Source: Emirates News Agency