Inaugural ‘Prototypes for Humanity’ begins 16 November showcasing innovation projects of university students worldwide

DUBAI, ‘Prototypes for Humanity’, a new event that showcases impact innovation projects developed by university students from across the world, is set to debut from 16th-17th November, 2022, under the patronage of H.H. Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) and Member of the Dubai Council.

Held in partnership with Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and supported by Dubai Culture and A.R.M. Holding, ‘Prototypes for Humanity’ builds on the success of the Global Grad Show, an annual exhibition of innovative university design projects held since 2015. The new event focuses on catalysing action and mobilising organisations whose infrastructure, reach, and technical know-how can be leveraged to accelerate the implementation of impact innovation projects. Impact innovation represents collaborative projects that harness emerging technologies to create a measurable impact in solving critical problems facing humanity.

Groundbreaking solutions for global problems

Engaging university talent across science, technology and creative disciplines from over 100 countries, ‘Prototypes for Humanity’ resonates with Dubai’s entrepreneurial spirit and the agenda for COP28, to be hosted by the UAE at the end of 2023. The inaugural event brings together trailblazing ideas, projects, and technologies, addressing critical challenges affecting humanity. With a wealth of expertise from cutting-edge academic projects, the event aims to raise awareness of global problems and shine the spotlight on solutions and actions that have the power to solve them.

Built around a gathering of exceptional academic talent, ‘Prototypes for Humanity’ celebrates ideas for positive social and environmental impact. The event launches as the most diverse assembly of impact-driven innovations, with a mission to catalyse change and reinforce the role of academia-led alliances in accelerating change. Tapping into the power of multi-stakeholder partnerships, the new event brings together academic, intellectual property, private and public sector and venture-building experts to build positive-sum impact solutions.

‘Prototypes for Humanity’ will introduce 100 IP-backed, best-in-class impact innovation projects by university students proposing solutions for a better world. The selected projects illustrate the numerous and often unknown ramifications of global challenges and demonstrate how diverse problem-solving perspectives are not only complementary but necessary.

International participation

The projects shortlisted for the event were chosen from applications from over 450 universities across over 100 countries, ranging from leading globally renowned institutions like Stanford University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, ETH Zurich, Tsinghua University, and National University of Singapore to rising universities in the Global South. The submissions included a record number of universities from 25 African nations, and large emerging economies such as India, Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, and Turkey.

‘Prototypes for Humanity’ features unique projects from Oxford Medical School, MIT’s aerospace engineering programme and Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, apart from research hubs from the Global South, including the University of Ibadan in Nigeria, University of Mexico Centro, Bakrie University in Indonesia, Cadi Ayyad University in Morocco, and the State University of Azerbaijan. As part of the ‘Prototypes for Humanity Awards’, prizes worth US$100,000 will be offered to the best projects in the fields of Environment, Health, Society, and Corporate Solutions.

This year’s event will include round-table meetings, debates, and workshops to map obstacles and outline incentives and explore mechanisms that can enable high-potential innovation to migrate from university labs to the real world. The initiative will also engage the venture capital community, as well as private and institutional investors, including A.R.M. Holding, who launched a US$2.7 million fund in 2019 to support social impact innovations.

Partnership with DIFC

The partnership with DIFC is vital to the event’s ability to achieve its mission. Beyond its rapid growth as a hub for the global financial sector, DIFC is home to more than 60 per cent of all technology and innovation companies in the GCC, epitomising the ability to transform entrepreneurial energy and foresight into action. The hub’s sustainable development efforts and role in shaping the future economy – across funding, commercial and programming strategies – further strengthens its alignment with ‘Prototypes for Humanity’s’ mission.

Commenting on the vision for the partnership, Arif Amiri, CEO of DIFC Authority, said, “DIFC is committed to the development of the new economy, driving the future of finance and leading on initiatives that nurture innovation and sustainability. As the region’s foremost hub for entrepreneurship, partnering with Prototypes for Humanity is a further step towards enabling global talent to develop impactful innovation from Dubai. DIFC is actively committed to ESG innovation and ESG-driven growth. We understand that purposeful innovation often happens at the intersection of industries and through partnerships. We are a strong partner in making Prototypes for Humanity a reality, as we believe in the potential of academic research to initiate change.”

During the exhibition, open to the public on 16th and 17th November, the 100 innovation projects showcased at the event will highlight key areas of interest for international students including energy and emergency relief, food production and access to healthcare.

A new model for addressing challenges

Tadeu Baldani Caravieri, Director of ‘Prototypes for Humanity’, said, “When considering significant societal problems, like pollution or illiteracy, we see how they are systemic issues, but with very tangible manifestation all around us. By looking at the solutions proposed by researchers from around the world, we can imagine a model that addresses these challenges in the reverse order, from the micro to the macro. Academia can clearly resolve most of the technical, concrete facets of pollution and illiteracy, for example. What we want to investigate through the ‘Prototypes for Humanity’ programme is how to mobilise a consortium of organisations that can onboard these innovations and tackle these problems at a macro level, on a global scale, together.”

This year’s applications reflect a shift in thinking about impact: from innovation for an uncertain future to urgent, more concrete, and quickly-deployable solutions anchored in viability. Furthermore, the entries demonstrate that academic research is not happening in a vacuum but rather within a context of collaboration and opportunity, with clear influences from the start-up culture that makes university projects noticeably grounded in the real world. Additionally, concepts directed at off-grid and self-reliant living illustrate a desire to explore alternate solutions beyond the norm.

Source: Emirates News Agency

Hamdan bin Mohammed issues Resolution forming Board of Directors of Erada Centre

DUBAI, H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, has issued Executive Council Resolution No. (66) of 2022 forming the Board of Directors of the Erada Centre for Treatment and Rehab in Dubai.

The new board is chaired by Abdulla Mohamed Falaknaz while the Director General of the Dubai Police Anti-Narcotics Department will serve as its deputy chairman.

Members of the board include the CEO of Rashid Hospital at the Dubai Academic Health Corporation; Abdullah Obeid; Sameera Alrais; Khawla Belhoul; representatives from the Community Development Authority in Dubai and Public Prosecution Dubai; and the CEO of the Center.

The Resolution is effective from its date of issuance and will be published in the Official Gazette.

Source: Emirates News Agency

Running competition of 10th Sheikha Hind Women’s Sports Tournament sees huge turnout

DUBAI, The 4.5 kilometres running competition of the 10th edition of “Sheikha Hind Women’s Sports Tournament”, organised at Meydan Racetrack, saw a huge turnout of women of various ages and multi-nationalities, serving at governmental, semi-governmental and private entities.

“Sheikha Hind Women’s Sports Tournament”, the biggest of its kind, is organised by Dubai Sports Council (DSC) under the generous patronage of wife of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, H.H. Sheikha Hind Bint Maktoum Bin Juma Al Maktoum.

Hessa Al Jasmi from the Emirates Fly won 1st place of the running competition – locals’ category, followed by Fatima Saeed from Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services in the 2nd place and Rawdha Al-Mansouri from DEWA in the 3rd place.

In expatriates’ category, Lottie Lucas from the FOZ Concept Fitness Club won 1st place, followed by Latifa Al-Saroukh from Dubai Club for People of Determination in the 2nd place and Evita Stryalova from the Emirates Fly in the 3rd place.

The padel tennis will be held at the Padel Point Club from 10th to 14th November and the participants are classified into two categories (locals’ category and open category). The squash competition is scheduled from 11th to 18th November at Dubai Ladies Club. The CrossFit competition will be held on 12th November at Luna Ladies Sports Club.

The badminton competition to be organised from 14th to 17th November at Al-Nasr Sports Club, while the table tennis competition will take place from 15th to 17th November at Al-Nasr Club. The esports competition to be held on 18th and 19th November at DSC’s premises and the chess competition is scheduled from 19th to 21st November at Dubai Chess Club.

Participants in the current edition of the Tournament, to be concluded on 21st November 2022, compete in 10 sports competitions; these are: bowling, running, cycling, padel tennis, CrossFit, squash, badminton, table tennis, chess and esports.

Source: Emirates News Agency

SEHA wins third place in World Corporate Champions Cup 2022

ABU DHABI, The football team from the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA) won third place in the Corporate World Cup, which ended early this week in Dubai.

SEHA, and teams from 16 companies representing countries from around the world, participated in a first-of-its-kind experience at an Emirati company level in this international forum.

The SEHA team had a loss-free outcome throughout the World Cup Championship, as it started by defeating the Bank of the Republic of Mali by three goals to two, then beat the Swiss Vitol Group team by seven goals to two and concluded the group stage by defeating the Omani “Oxy” team by three goals to two goals, and deservedly topped the group.

In the quarterfinals, SEHA won 3-0 against the English team, PricewaterhouseCoopers. The SEHA team then tied 2-2 with Omani “Oxy”, followed by a penalty shootout during which SEHA’s goalkeeper Khalifa Mohammed was injured. The UAE representatives concluded their World Cup career by defeating Jordan’s “National Paint” two to one.

In terms of individual awards, Khalifa Mohamed won the award for the Best Goalkeeper of the tournament, and Mohamed Medhat was also crowned the Best Player, and the Second-best Scorer in the World Championship.

Saeed Jaber Al-Kuwaiti, CEO of SEHA, expressed his happiness with the honourable achievement of the SEHA team in this global forum. He stressed that the team reflected the distinctive image of Emirati companies, which aim to participate in such international events to present an honourable image of the United Arab Emirates in all fields. Such a participation also serves to open lines of communication with global counterparts that participated in the tournament.

Source: Emirates News Agency

Smart logistics, scalable technology and global Connectivity: Key ingredients of Jafza’s F&B cluster

DUBAI, Holiday festivities and the resulting spike in demand for food items – from fresh milk and meat to cereals and oils – make the end of the year a busy period for manufacturers and distributors alike, as they face tight schedules, tight capacity, and overwhelming consumer expectations.

Global trade flows have evolved over the past three years, with agri-industries seeking new regional manufacturing bases with easy access to key target markets.

In the GCC, Dubai is the largest hub for the food and beverage (F&B) sector and the first choice for regional players. The emirate’s geostrategic location makes it an ideal bridge between East-West and North-South markets. Coupled with a robust business ecosystem and strong government policies, this led to the emirate recording double-digit growth in exports in 2021.

Dubai’s external foodstuff trade also jumped 11 per cent year-on-year to reach AED 74 billion, up from AED 65.8 billion in 2020. DP World has been a critical contributor to this growth. Its world-class smart digital logistics infrastructure and trade network have ensured ease of doing business for several F&B companies.

These also support national initiatives such as the National Food Security Strategy 2051, the “Make it in the Emirates” initiative and Operation 300bn, which aims to raise the industrial sector’s contribution to AED 300 billion by 2031.

Some of the biggest names in F&B utilise 360-degree operations and access to thriving import-dependent markets via the Jebel Ali hub. Al Khaleej Sugar operates the world’s largest port-based sugar refinery in Jebel Ali Port. Hunter foods, a leader in innovation and alternative snacks and nutrition in the Middle East and Asia, has a presence in Jafza. Lipton operates the second-largest tea facility in the world at Jafza, where it produces 1 million tea bags every single hour.

Region’s destination of choice

Jafza is the region’s preferred destination for F&B manufacturing, with a customer base of 600 companies from 70 countries, accounting for 20 per cent of Dubai’s total F&B trade. Offering multimodal transportation, the dedicated F&B cluster consisting of quayside, pre-built warehouses, and cool and cold storage spreads over 1.7 million sqm.

Three factors underpin the success of Jafza’s local and global customers — innovation, scalable technology and partnerships. F&B manufacturers can reduce lead time through the free zone’s thermal insulated, purpose-built Light Industrial Units (LIUs) and warehouses. They can also achieve competitiveness by taking advantage of incentives such as zero corporate tax and VAT exemptions.

Another major benefit is access to digital trade platforms like ZADI via Dubai Trade. Launched in 2020, ZADI is a unified food import platform which has been key to facilitating the import and re-export of food shipments throughout Dubai ports, safeguarding the food supply chain from monopoly and disruption.

DP World’s smart technologies also make logistics operations more sustainable and seamless for its customers. Through DP World CARGOES, customers can ensure transparent and simplified supply chains via 4PL solutions and services such as track and trace technology, trade financing, reverse logistics, feeder services and more.

Access to the GCC and beyond

Jafza, along with Jebel Ali Port, forms the Jebel Ali hub that offers unmatched one-stop-shop solutions, multimodal connectivity, and last-mile delivery. The free zone’s proximity to the port — connected to over 150 ports and over 80 weekly services — gives F&B companies access to 3.5 billion consumers globally. The port acts as a gateway to high-growth markets in the Middle East, Africa, South and East Asia and the CIS Countries. DP World’s ecosystem offers shorter transit times to larger markets, logistics to value-added solutions, and investment to end-to-end solutions. The company’s comprehensive range of products and services covers every link of the integrated supply chain – from maritime and inland terminals to marine services and industrial parks, as well as technology-driven customer solutions. DP World delivers these services through an interconnected global network of 295 business units in 78 countries across six continents, with a significant presence both in high-growth and mature markets.

Dedicated F&B terminal

Further boosting the local and regional F&B industry is Jebel Ali Port’s Food and Agriculture Terminal. The 1 million sqm quayside terminal strengthens Dubai’s status as a key gateway for global F&B trade. It is equipped to process cereals, meat, and seafood products, bottled water, and dairy products with specialised facilities for oil, tea, coffee, cacao, spices, and various primal food products.

This year in July, two new development projects with Adroit Canada and Al Amir Foods at Food and Agriculture Terminal were announced to ensure a reliable, consistent, and safe agricultural value chain within the region. With an estimated investment of AED200 million, the facilities will have a singular ecosystem for bulk silo storage and agri-processing.

The facilities are expected to account for annual trade of more than AED 900 million, contributing to Dubai’s strategic plan of boosting foreign trade to AED 2 trillion. DP World will also invest in the most versatile, technologically advanced and automated grains and pulses material handling and ferrying systems as part of the project.

Source: Emirates News Agency

Emirates Group announces record half-year performance for 2022-23

Group: Record half-year profit of AED 4.2 billion (US$ 1.2 billion) reflects strong turnaround and recovery after last year’s loss of AED 5.7 billion (US$ 1.6 billion). Revenue up 128% to AED 56.3 billion (US$ 15.3 billion).

dnata: Revenue doubled to AED 7.3 billion (US$ 2.0 billion), profit of AED 236 million (US$ 64 million) compared to AED 85 million (US$ 23 million) for the same period last year. Cost inflation across the business dampens performance even as operations ramp up.

Emirates: Revenue up 131% to AED 50.1 billion (US$ 13.7 billion), and profit of AED 4.0 billion (US$ 1.1 billion) compared to AED 5.8 billion (US$ 1.6 billion) loss for the same period last year. Performance shows airline’s ability to meet strong passenger demand across regions with capacity ramp up and high quality products.

DUBAI, U.A.E., 10 November 2022: The Emirates Group today announced its half-year results for its 2022-23 financial year.

The Group is reporting a 2022-23 half-year net profit of AED 4.2 billion (US$ 1.2 billion), a record half-year performance, and a turnaround of almost AED 10 billion from its AED 5.7 billion (US$ 1.6 billion) loss for the same period last year.

The Group also reported an EBITDA of AED 15.3 billion (US$ 4.2 billion), a marked improvement from AED 5.6 billion (US$ 1.5 billion) during the same period last year, illustrating its strong operating profitability.

Group revenue was AED 56.3 billion (US$ 15.3 billion) for the first six months of 2022-23, up 128% from AED 24.7 billion (US$ 6.7 billion) last year. This was driven by the strong demand for air transport across the world with the further easing and removal of pandemic-related travel restrictions.

The Group closed the 1st half year of 2022-23 with a strong cash position of AED 32.6 billion (US$ 8.9 billion) on 30 September 2022, compared to AED 25.8 billion (US$ 7.0 billion), as on 31 March 2022. The Group has been able to tap on its own strong cash reserves to support business needs, including debt payments and pandemic-related commitments.

His Highness (HH) Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group said: “The Group’s record performance for the first six months of 2022-23 is the result of forward planning, agile business response, and the efforts of our talented and committed workforce.

“Across the Group, our operations recovery accelerated as more countries eased and removed travel restrictions. We were ready and amongst the first movers to serve the strong customer demand thanks to our robust business plans, the support of our industry partners, and our ongoing investments in people, technology, and products and services.

“For the coming months, we remain focussed on restoring our operations to pre-pandemic levels and recruiting the right skills for our current and future requirements. We expect customer demand across our business divisions to remain strong in H2 2022-23. However, the horizon is not without headwinds, and we are keeping a close watch on inflationary costs and other macro-challenges such as the strong US dollar and the fiscal policies of major markets.”

Sheikh Ahmed added: “The Group expects to return to our track record of profitability at the close of our full financial year.”

In line with increased capacity and business activities, the Emirates Group’s employee base, compared to 31 March 2022, grew 10% to an overall count of 93,893 at 30 September 2022. Both Emirates and dnata have also embarked on targeted recruitment drives to support their future requirements.

dnata

In line with increased air and passenger traffic across markets, dnata’s businesses in cargo and ground handling, catering and retail, and travel services saw a significant uptick in operations. This drove strong revenue growth in the first six months of 2022-23, however dnata’s overall performance was dampened by inflation and increased costs across its markets.

In the first half of 2022-23, dnata grew its footprint with new long-term concession contracts to provide services in Zanzibar (dnata airport operations), and Ras Al Khaimah (Alpha Catering). Its Airport Operations division entered the German market with the acquisition of Wisskirchen Handling Services, the exclusive operator at Cologne Bonn Cargo Centre; and acquired the remaining 30% stake to assume full ownership of its ground handling business in Brazil.

Ensuring its future readiness to provide safe and high-quality services to its customers, dnata committed US$ 100 million to implement green technology and initiatives across its business, and invested US$ 17 million into its operations in Erbil, Iraq including an advanced cool chain facility, bus maintenance facility, and a new cargo warehouse.

dnata’s revenue, including other operating income, of AED 7.3 billion (US$ 2.0 billion) doubled compared to AED 3.7 billion (US$ 1 billion) generated in the same period last year.

Overall profit for dnata is AED 236 million (US$ 64 million), compared to last year’s AED 85 million (US$ 23 million).

dnata’s airport operations remains the largest contributor to revenue with AED 3.5 billion (US$ 944 million), a 37% increase as compared to the same period last year, as customer demand continued to pick up particularly in its UAE, US, Italy and UK businesses. Across its operations, the number of aircraft turns handled by dnata increased by 56% to 347,581, and it handled 1.4 million tonnes of cargo, slightly down by 2% reflecting its airline customers’ increased focus on passenger operations.

dnata’s flight catering and retail operations, contributed AED 2.4 billion (US$ 651 million) to its revenue, up 212% with strong production increases in Australia, the UK and US to meet customer demand. The number of meals uplifted increased sharply by 204% to 50.5 million meals after last year’s 16.6 million.

dnata’s travel division contributed AED 1.2 billion (US$ 323 million) to revenue, up 708% compared to AED 147 million (US$ 40 million) for the same period last year, driven largely by the strong recovery of travel demand and bookings in its Middle East and UK businesses. The division reported an underlying total transactional value (TTV) sales of AED 4.7 billion (US$ 1.3 billion), compared to AED 726 million (US$ 198 million) for the same period last year.

Emirates airline

Emirates continued to focus on restoring its global passenger network and connections through its Dubai hub, restarting services and adding flights to meet customer demand across markets.

In June, it launched services to Tel Aviv, a new destination. Expanding connectivity options for customers, Emirates launched codeshare and interline agreements with 12 airlines in the first six months of 2022-23: Airlink, AEGEAN, ITA Airways, Air Baltic, Air Canada, Bamboo Airways, Batik Air, Finnair, Royal Air Maroc, Sky Express, Sun Country Airlines, and United Airlines.

By 30 September, the airline was operating passenger and cargo services to 140 airports, utilising its entire Boeing 777 fleet and 73 A380s.

During the first six months of 2022-23, Emirates took delivery of 2 new Boeing 777 freighters and returned 1 older freighter from its fleet as part of its long-standing strategy to minimise its emissions footprint and operate modern, efficient aircraft. With new passenger aircraft only expected to arrive in 2024, Emirates this month began its multi-billion dollar programme to retrofit 120 aircraft with its latest cabin interiors and products.

Emirates continued to introduce new product and customer initiatives to deliver on its ‘fly better’ promise, including enhanced menus across all cabin classes, and the launch of a new hospitality programme to uplift service training and delivery. In August, Emirates launched its full Premium Economy experience to hugely positive, “booked-out” customer response on its flights to London, Paris and Sydney. Emirates plans to introduce its Premium Economy product on 5 more routes before the end of 2022-23, as more aircraft fitted with these popular seats roll out of its retrofit programme.

Overall capacity during the first six months of the year increased by 40% to 22.8 billion Available Tonne Kilometres (ATKM) due to an expanded flight programme as more countries eased travel restrictions. Capacity measured in Available Seat Kilometres (ASKM), increased by 123%, whilst passenger traffic carried measured in Revenue Passenger Kilometres (RPKM) was up by 265% with an average Passenger Seat Factor of 78.5%, compared with 47.9% during the same period last year.

Emirates carried 20.0 million passengers between 1 April and 30 September 2022, up 228% from the same period last year. Emirates Skycargo uplifted 936,000 tonnes in the first six months of the year, a 14% decrease compared to the same period last year, as the airline shifted capacity from its “mini-freighters” back to passenger operations.

Emirates profit for the first half of 2022-23 hit a new record of AED 4.0 billion (US$ 1.1 billion), compared to last year’s loss of AED 5.8 billion (US$ 1.6 billion). Despite an unfavourable currency exchange environment, Emirates revenue, including other operating income, of AED 50.1 billion (US$ 13.7 billion) was up 131% compared with the AED 21.7 billion (US$ 5.9 billion) recorded during the same period last year. The airline’s strong turnaround performance is driven by strong passenger demand for international travel across markets and shows the airline’s ability to plan ahead to meet the demand, activate capacity, and attract customers with its high-quality products and value proposition.

Emirates’ operating costs increased by 73% against an overall capacity growth of 40% mainly due to the substantial increase in fuel costs which more than tripled compared to the same period last year. This was primarily due to a 65% higher fuel uplift in line with increased flight operations, and the doubling of average oil prices during this period. Fuel, which was the largest component of the airline’s operating cost in pre-pandemic reporting cycles, accounted for 38% of operating costs, one of the highest ratios ever, compared to 20% in the first six months of last year.

Driven by strong demand and increased operations during the six months, Emirates’ EBITDA grew nearly three times to AED 14.7 billion (US$ 4.0 billion) compared to AED 5.0 billion (US$ 1.4 billion) for the same period last year.

Source: Dubai National Air Travel Agency