Day: July 27, 2022

Posted on

CGTN: China, Indonesia vow to foster a community with a shared future

BEIJING, July 26, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Earlier this month, Indonesia’s Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway saw the laying of ballasted tracks begin on its main line, marking a solid step of this landmark Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) project and signaling the pragmatic cooperation between China and Indonesia.

With a design speed of 350 kilometers per hour, the railway built with Chinese technology will cut the journey between Jakarta and Bandung, the country’s fourth-largest city, from more than three hours to around 40 minutes.

While meeting Indonesian President Joko Widodo in Beijing, Chinese President Xi Jinping Tuesday voiced the hope that key bilateral cooperation projects, including the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway project, would advance smoothly. Meanwhile, Widodo called the high-speed railway project another milestone of bilateral friendship.

Under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China and Indonesia have set the direction of building a China-Indonesia community with a shared future and forged a new pattern of bilateral relations featuring the “four-wheel drive” of political, economic, cultural and maritime cooperation.

“China and Indonesia are at similar development stages, have entwined interests, follow similar philosophies and development paths and share a closely connected future,” Xi said, adding that building a China-Indonesia community with a shared future is the common aspiration and expectation of the two peoples.

He said sound Sino-Indonesian relations not only serve the long-term shared interests of the two countries but also have positive and far-reaching effects regionally and globally.

Widodo is the first foreign head of state to visit China after the Beijing Winter Olympics, and China is the first stop of Widodo’s first trip to East Asia since the pandemic.

Resilient and vibrant ties

Despite COVID-19 outbreaks and growing uncertainties, China and Indonesia see unstoppable momentum in their cooperation and are ready to further deepen their comprehensive strategic partnership.

As Xi mentioned in the meeting, the bilateral relationship has shown great resilience and vitality in recent years. China remained Indonesia’s largest trading partner in 2021. According to Chinese customs statistics, trade volume between the two sides was valued at $124.3 billion, with a growth rate of 58.4 percent year on year.

Major cooperation projects, including the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway Project, the Two Countries Twin Parks program and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Corridors, reflect the highly synergized connectivity between the BRI and Indonesia’s national strategy. Thus, the cooperation projects will produce win-win outcomes in the economic recovery of the country and the wider region.

Vaccine cooperation has also become a new highlight of bilateral relations between the two countries as China is actively supporting Indonesia in building a COVID-19 vaccine manufacturing hub. The hub will, in turn, help Southeast Asia’s vaccine rollout.

Noting that the two countries are an example of major developing countries seeking strength through unity and win-win cooperation, Xi also told Widodo that the Chinese side is willing to foster more growth points with Indonesia, such as in digital economy and green development.

Asian input in global governance

Starting from June, several high-level global or regional economic forums have been scheduled in Asian countries, including China and Indonesia, ushering in an Asian moment due to their role in global governance.

The Chinese president on Tuesday called on the two countries to stand together in solidarity, fulfill the responsibilities of major developing countries, follow true multilateralism, uphold open regionalism and contribute Oriental wisdom and Asia’s input to the development of global governance.

In June, China hosted the Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) summit. In November, Indonesia is scheduled to host the G20 Summit, Cambodia will host the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Related Summits, and Thailand will host the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting.

Facing a turbulent international situation, the international community is expecting Asia, the largest continental economy, accounting for roughly 40 percent of the world’s total gross domestic product (GDP), to play a leading role in promoting peace, stability and development in the region and the world at large.

Confronting changes in the world that are unfolding in ways like never before, China has put forward the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative, which have contributed to China’s approach to advancing building a more just and reasonable global governance system and won extensive support and response from the international community, especially Asian countries.

The two presidents also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis. They shared the view that the international community should create conditions for peace talks, play a constructive role in de-escalating the situation in Ukraine and stabilizing the global economic order, and work together to maintain the hard-won peace and stability in the region.

Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geU4OKcY7-E

Posted on

Emirates Health Services, Fatima College of Health Sciences to develop skills among healthcare staff and sponsor students

DUBAI, The Emirates Health Services (EHS) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Fatima College of Health Sciences, an affiliate of the Institute of Applied Technology specialising in higher education and scientific research, to support both entities’ objectives to develop skills and knowledge among healthcare professionals in the UAE and support scientific research in the healthcare sector.

The MoU was signed by EHS Director-General, Dr. Yousif Mohammed Al-Serkal, and Dr. Ahmed Abdel Manan Al Awar, Director-General of the Institute of Applied Technology, in the presence of EHS officials and directors, as well as faculty members and administrative staff from Fatima College of Health Sciences.

The agreement outlines several areas of cooperation to promote community health by supporting the provision of education and training, achieving strategic goals to develop knowledge and skills among health professionals, and promoting scientific research in the health sector in accordance with the highest international standards.

“The MoU we have signed with Fatima College of Health Sciences enhances areas of cooperation between the two parties, allowing us to benefit from each other’s expertise and resources to support skill development among healthcare professionals across all medical disciplines and various health sciences. This is in line with our objectives and strategies of the EHS,” Dr. Al-Serkal asserted.

Dr. Al Awar said, “Signing this MoU with Emirates Health Services – one of the leading health institutions in the UAE – will allow the exchange of experiences and work alongside healthcare professionals to build capacities and increase competencies in this vital sector, in addition to localising health professions in the country.”

The MoU calls for strengthening cooperation between the two parties in various fields related to education, training, development of research and medical studies, and the exchange of expertise, experiences, and international best practices in the field. It additionally includes organising programmes and workshops, in addition to developing skills in such areas as clinical education, evidence-based medicine, biostatistics, research methods and ethics, and healthcare work.

The MoU also aims to train students in faculties of medicine and health sciences, among others, in addition to upskilling and empowering EHS employees.

By signing the agreement, the two entities agree to support plans and programmes to sponsor, attract, and appoint Emirati students. The two will collaborate to enable a number of high school graduates to secure nursing scholarships and join the Masaar Programme, in addition to training students to work in EHS-affiliated health facilities, and sponsoring EHS employees to enrol at Fatima College of Health Sciences and earn academic certificates. Furthermore, the MoU sets the stage for joint coordination to announce grants and scholarships provided by EHS.

Source: Emirates News Agency

Posted on

MBRGI’s Digital School opens first Digital Learning Centre in Colombia

DUBAI, President Ivan Duque Marquez of Colombia met with officials representing the Digital School initiative, a global project led by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), as the charitable organisation launched its first Digital Learning Centre in Colombia.

The Centre is part of MBRGI’s effort to benefit over 4,000 students in Colombia with access to world-class online learning resources.

Briefing Marquez on the initiative, the MBRGI team shared how the organisation and the Digital School’s efforts seek to provide students in disadvantaged regions of the world with learning opportunities and promote the education ecosystem in Colombia.

The meeting was held on the sidelines of the Orange Economy Summit held in Medellin, Colombia, an event aiming to stimulate the innovation economy through technology innovation and culture.

The inauguration of the first Colombian digital learning centre took place in the presence of Salem Rashid Al Owais, UAE Ambassador to Colombia. A number of meetings were held with officials in Colombia to support the implementation of digital school programmes and initiatives, consolidating the results achieved in supporting the education and technology sector and development of digital learning in Colombia.

Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications and Chairman of the Board of Directors of The Digital School, stated that the UAE adopts modern technology and disruptive digital solutions, offering learning opportunities for students worldwide through its global initiative “Digital School,” which enhances developments efforts across the world.

Al Olama added that the inauguration of the centre provides new opportunities in education for students through innovative practices, intelligent and flexible technologies to empower them and enhance their readiness for the future. This helps support efforts aiming to keep pace with digital transformation in Colombia and explore new opportunities that contribute to positive change across various sectors, which are vital for improving people’s lives and building a better future for future generations.

During the Digital School delegation’s visit to Colombia to follow up on the implementation of programmes and initiatives and discuss the means to promote cooperation in digital education in Columbia, Dr. Waleed Al Ali, Secretary-General and Board Member of the Digital School, met with Tito Crissien, Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation in Colombia, and discussed ways to provide advanced science and innovation materials to Colombian students through the Digital School.

He also met with the Colombian Minister of Culture Angelica Mayolo, to discuss collaborations in digital education.

A further meeting with Maria del Rosario, Deputy Minister of Communications and Information Technology for Communications Affairs, discussed the implementation of internet access to support Digital School Centres, particularly in rural areas.

The delegation also held a meeting with Juan Carlos Saldarriaga, Mayor of Soacha, to discuss the work of the Digital School in Soacha and the potential for expansion of new sites. Another meeting was held with Juan Pablo, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Culture at the Municipality of Medellín.

Moreover, the delegation met with Mireille Girard, representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to Colombia. These meetings contributed to strengthening the support provided to the Digital School and its plans for the development of digital learning platforms in Colombia.

Dr. Al Ali said that the Digital School contributes to reducing the challenges faced by Colombian families, helps keeping up with the digital economy and education, and provides integrated educational support to students and teachers by providing them with 21st-century competencies, as well as learning independence to empower them with different digital skills, in cooperation with local and international teams of experts and specialists in educational systems and educational strategies design.

Al Owais, in turn, praised the efforts of the Digital School and the MBRGI in launching such global projects, pointing out that the digital school adopts many types of education based on the needs of the beneficiary countries, in addition to providing certificates recognised by the Ministry of Education in the target country, as per different standards and requirements.

The centre provides students and learners with modern tablet devices, displays, and internet access. A specialised hall has been equipped with the latest smart technologies to help students benefit from the services of the Digital School.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by government and local officials, including Luis Armando Soto, Director of the Department of Cultural Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Jose Maria Leton, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Education in the Department of Cundinamarca; Jennifer Manuel Seatuba Barbosa, Mayor of Guacheta Municipality; and Rafael Roso, Director of the School of Minya and the School of Ticha.

Since the announcement of the partnership with Colombia, the Digital School has enrolled 4,000 students from 27 public schools, in addition to training 210 teachers on digital teacher competencies within the training programme implemented in cooperation with the Arizona State University. These competencies focus on enhancing 21st-century skills such as learning autonomy, digital skills, and strategies to enhance students’ math and language skills.

Teachers will receive a digital education accreditation in the field of digital education through the University of Arizona (ASU), while educational support will be provided through a local team of experts in education and educational strategies improvement for teachers for the 21st century on an ongoing basis.

The digital school will also expand the partnership to reach a larger number of beneficiaries and prepare additional digital learning centres as the school plans to have 20,000 students and 800 teachers by 2023, an increase of five times compared to the first year.

The Digital School focuses on supporting the digital transformation of education in Colombia and helping students keep pace with development, particularly with major challenges in the educational and digital fields. According to the National Statistics Service, only 38% of Colombian families have a computer or tablet, of whom only 52% have Internet access. The national technology access rate in schools is 8 students per computer, 6 in Cundinamarca, 8 in Itagui, 16 in Soacha, only 37% have internet access, and only 55.5% of Colombian students have teachers with technical and educational skills to use technology in the classroom.

The Digital School, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, in November 2020, is the first integrated digital school. It aims to empower students with digital learning options in remote and developing areas and regions where students do not have the appropriate conditions or the capabilities students need to pursue their education.

It also provides a qualitative option for blended learning and distance learning smartly and flexibly, allowing students to join regardless of their locations, primarily targeting the most vulnerable and less fortunate community groups, refugees, and displaced persons, through modern educational materials and curricula that benefit from technology and advanced technology applications.

Source: Emirates News Agency

Posted on

ADX ranked first in Arab region in terms of market value increase: AMF

ABU DHABI, Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) has recorded its highest rise in terms of market value and trading value at end of the second quarter of 2022, according to the Arab Monetary Fund (AMF).

In its quarterly bulletin on the performance of Arab stock markets issued today, the AMF noted that the ADX achieved an increase of US$29.23 billion in terms of market value, rising from $513.19 billion at the end of the first quarter of 2022 to $542.42 billion in the second quarter of 2022.

The report also pointed out that the market value of the Dubai Financial Market increased by some $24.45 billion, reaching $143.57 billion by end of the second quarter of 2022, compared to $119.12 billion in the first quarter.

The AMF report also noted that the market value of Arab financial markets listed in its database dropped by about 2.86 percent, equivalent to nearly $126.89 billion, reaching some $4,311.93 billion by end of the second quarter of 2022, noting that most of performance indicators of Arab stock exchanges witnessed consistent declines.

The report added that several Arab markets declined in performance due to interest rate rises by the US Federal Reserves and a number of international banks in the Arab region, as well as inflationary pressures.

Source: Emirates News Agency

Posted on

Dubai records over AED1.8 billion in real estate transactions Wednesday

DUBAI, Dubai real estate market recorded 344 sales transactions worth AED1.09 billion, in addition to 98 mortgage deals of AED405.08 million, and 16 gift deals amounting to AED366.51 million on Wednesday, data released by Dubai’s Land Department (DLD) showed.

The sales included 288 villas and apartments worth AED743.31 million, and 56 land plots worth AED346.25 million, while mortgages included 68 villas and apartments worth AED227.82 million and 30 land plots valued at AED177.26 million, bringing the total realty transactions of today to over AED1.8 billion.

Source: Emirates News Agency

Posted on

Sri Lanka’s Parliament Approves State of Emergency

COLOMBO — Sri Lanka’s Parliament on Wednesday approved a state of emergency that had been declared by President Ranil Wickremesinghe as his government cracks down on demonstrators it accuses of violence while trying to find a way out of the country’s worst economic crisis.

The vote passed 120-63 in the 225-member Parliament. The other lawmakers abstained. The decree, which gives the president the power to make regulations in the interest of public security and order, has to be approved every month.

Wickremesinghe declared a state of emergency last week as acting president before lawmakers elected him to serve the remainder of Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s five-year term until 2024. Rajapaksa fled Sri Lanka after thousands of protesters stormed the president’s official residence and other buildings. He later resigned from Singapore.

Ruling party members who back Wickremesinghe said that while protests were reasonable at the beginning of the crisis, groups that don’t believe in parliamentary democracy and want to capture power through unconstitutional means had infiltrated the demonstrators and were creating disturbances.

Opposition parties criticized the emergency as a government move to stifle dissent.

Within a day of Wickremesinghe’ s election, the military raided and dismantled the camps the protesters had set up for more than 100 days opposite the president’s office. Some protesters were beaten up.

Courts issued travel bans against six protest leaders and some were arrested.

On Tuesday, police arrested a man accused of entering the state television station during massive rallies on July 9, ordering employees to air programs supporting the protests and causing a brief disruption in transmission. He was pulled out of a plane while trying to leave for Dubai.

Four other protesters were arrested for trespassing the area of a former prime minister’s statue after police had secured a court order prohibiting people from entering the area, fearing the monument may be damaged.

Sri Lankans have been protesting for months demanding Rajapaksa’s resignation and holding him and his powerful family members responsible for the country’s economic crisis. Some also oppose Wickremesinghe’s election, saying he is too close to Rajapaksa.

Protests have almost dismantled Rajapaksa domination with all six family members who held top government positions since 2019 having been forced to resign.

Sri Lanka is bankrupt and has suspended repayment on its $51 billion foreign loans, of which $28 billion must be paid by 2027. The crisis has led to severe shortages of fuel, cooking gas and medicine and long lines for essential supplies.

The government is in the process of preparing a debt restructuring plan, a condition for an agreement with the International Monetary Fund for a bailout plan.

Source: Voice of America