March 11, 2023

Bodour Al Qasimi inaugurates AUS Global Day, a carnival of culture and colour

SHARJAH, The American University of Sharjah (AUS) celebrated its annual Global Day, a festival of culture and colour, on March 10. Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, President of AUS, inaugurated the event, which is one of the university’s most anticipated celebrations of the cultural heritage of the AUS community. US is a close-knit community that embraces diversity, providing a rich and supportive environment to its students to thrive as they become outward-looking and responsible individuals ready to join the world. This has earned AUS a place among the top five universities with the highest percentage of international students, according to the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings (2022). This year’s celebrations turned the AUS Main Plaza into a carnival, with visitors strolling in and out of the colorful pavilions of more than 30 cultural and student-interest clubs, as they enjoyed the beat of folkloric music and dance, took in the tantalising aroma and taste of delicious traditional cuisine, and observed elaborate traditional fashion from countries around the world. The UAE Cultural Club designed its booth to reflect on the past, present and future of the nation. “We started working on this theme prior to the AUS Global Day through our Instagram account, and we brought it to our pavilion, which we split into three sections. The section on the past showcases how our ancestors lived and depended heavily on fishing, pearl diving and trade for their livelihoods. We also included traditional food and a henna stand. The present, on the other hand, reflects on how diverse the UAE market has become, while the future is all about technology and advancement showcasing robots from Dubai Expo 2020, drones and virtual reality technology. We also have many interactive activities that will get people to imagine what the future of the UAE will look like,” said student Hoor Al Ansari, President of the UAE Cultural Club. The club also organised performances that reflected the theme of the pavilion, starting off with a celebration of the late Sheikh Zayed in a piano and guitar recital in reference to the past, a poem on the love of the UAE for the present, and a video celebrating the achievements of H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah and Founder of AUS. The UAE Cultural Club also collaborated with the Saudi Arabia Cultural Club in performances to showcase the ties between the two nations. This year, the Indian Cultural Club focused on two themes in their performances and pavilion. Dance performances celebrated the AUS Silver Jubilee and injected cultural aspects inspired by India’s national flag. “We explained in our performances the significance of the three colours in our flag and the special Ashoka Chakra in its middle. Since the Indian Cultural Club is known for its extravagant performances every year, we wanted to communicate the information in the most engaging and captivating way possible,” said student Utkarsh Chauhan, President of the Indian Cultural Club. With approximately 90 nationalities represented among its students, AUS is a reflection of how diversity in today’s world can lead to tolerance, goodwill and understanding. It also reinforces the importance of appreciating cultural and religious differences and how they impact societies around the globe.

Source: Emirates News Agency

March 11, 2023

Sultan Al Jaber meets Secretary-General and key UN partners regarding raising global climate ambitions

NEW YORK, Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Special Envoy for Climate Change, and COP28 UAE President-Designate, concluded his visit to the United States by meeting Secretary General Antonio Guterres and holding close consultations with other key climate stakeholders at the United Nations. During his meeting with the Secretary-General, Dr. Al Jaber underscored the UAE’s commitment to deepening cooperation with the UN on climate action ahead of the 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), which will take place in Dubai from 30th November to 12th December 2023. From his side, the Secretary-General expressed his deep appreciation for the cooperation of the UAE’s COP Presidency and accepted the President-Designate’s invitation to attend COP28 in the UAE. Dr. Al Jaber also outlined the UAE’s key COP28 priorities across mitigation, adaptation, loss and damage, climate finance, and process innovation. In this regard, the two sides discussed the urgent need to close the financing gap and to keep alive the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5C. mbassador Lana Nusseibeh, Permanent Representative of the UAE to the UN, attended the meeting and underscored that the agendas and outcomes of the work of the UN General Assembly and COP28 should be mutually reinforcing and aligned. Dr. Al Jaber also met Csaba Kralsi, President of the UN General Assembly. The COP28 President-Designate highlighted the UAE’s intention to work closely with Member States to deliver a COP28 for all one that is inclusive of diverse stakeholders, accountable for commitments, and actionable on solutions. Underscoring this commitment, Dr. Al Jaber briefed the Permanent Representatives of the European Union Member States on progress towards COP28 and potential areas of cooperation. In a meeting with Catherine Russell, Executive Director of UNICEF, Dr. Al Jaber noted the importance of addressing the needs and priorities of children and young people at COP28. In addition, Dr. Al Jaber met with Achim Steiner, Administrator of the UN Development Programme, to discuss how COP28 UAE will prioritise fragile and vulnerable communities affected most by the impacts of climate change. Dr. Al Jaber also met with Sima Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women and discussed how COP28 will put gender equality at the heart of climate action and the entire COP process. The meeting was also attended by Noura Al Kaabi, UAE Minister of State, and Lana Nusseibeh, Ambassador and UAE Permanent Representative to the United Nations. On the sidelines of the 67th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW67), Dr. Al Jaber delivered keynote remarks at a high-level meeting to affirm the centrality of gender equality in ensuring a just energy transition and enhancing the effectiveness of climate finance. The event was organised in partnership with the UAE Mission to the UN, UN Women, and the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security. In his remarks, the COP28 President-Designate called on parties to identify ambitious gender deliverables for COP28 UAE. “We want COP28 to be a COP of action, a COP of impact, a COP for all, and a COP of transformational progress. There is no way to achieve any of this vision without a fully inclusive approach that empowers all stakeholders to fully participate in the process and puts gender equality front and centre,” said Dr. Al Jaber. “Women’s leadership and full, equal, and meaningful participation is essential to our collective success.”

Source: Emirates News Agency

March 11, 2023

DEWA’s R;D Centre incubates an array of Emirati researchers

DUBAI, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA)’s Research and Development (RandD) Centre hosts a group of the best Emirati calibre, comprising 48 researchers, including 31 PhD and master degree holders. The Emiratisation rate at the Centre has reached 69 percent, while the percentage of Emirati female employees has reached 31 percent, including some with high academic qualifications in the scientific and engineering fields. Since its inception, the Centre has published 147 research papers at international scientific conferences and peer-reviewed journals and publications. “We are working according to the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to prepare Emirati calibre that keeps pace with rapid changes, challenges, and international opportunities. DEWA is one of the largest government organisations in the UAE that is keen on recruiting, qualifying, and developing national calibre. The percentage of Emiratisation at DEWA is 88.33 percent in the senior management. DEWA is committed to promoting Emiratisation in its various divisions. It adopts an integrated strategy to support and prepare UAE nationals to fill all engineering, technical and administrative jobs at DEWA. DEWA continues to attract citizens who are experienced or new graduates. The number of Emirati employees at DEWA has reached 3,559 male and female employees in various positions and administrative levels, including 2,138 male and female employees working in technical positions. This number includes 706 female engineers. This supports efforts to empower women in the country,” said Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of DEWA. “The RandD Centre at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park is full of UAE experts who actively contribute to developing the clean and renewable energy sector. Our national staff have proved, time and again, their capability to compete with international staff, provide solutions and innovative research papers that contribute to overcoming challenges in the energy and water sectors around the world. They also enrich the local and international scientific community,” said Waleed Bin Salman, Executive Vice President of Business Development and Excellence at DEWA. The Emirati researchers at the RandD Centre highlighted DEWA and the Centre’s efforts to prepare Emirati youth to take the lead in the energy and water sectors. It provides qualitative jobs that benefit the nation and its citizens. “The Centre provides advanced research facilities and state-of-the-art labs, which enable us to work in solar energy, smart grid integration, energy efficiency, water, space technology and applications of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. This also helps us develop our expertise and achieve the vision of the Centre to become a globally recognised platform for developing and demonstrating emerging solutions for future energy and water systems, in addition to consolidating DEWA’s global leadership and excellence, and strengthening Dubai’s position as a global hub for research and development,” said Dr. Ali Rashid Al Aleeli, Vice President of RandD, Business Development and Excellence at DEWA. “We do our best to benefit from the important opportunities provided by the Centre to develop our capabilities, including participation in prestigious international conferences in solar energy, publishing research papers in the most prominent international conferences and peer-reviewed journals, as well as exchanging experiences and knowledge with major international institutions, important research centres, and local and international universities,” said Omar Albadwawi, RandD technologist at the RandD Centre. “The Centre contributes to strengthening the skills and capabilities of UAE nationals, developing our professional lives, and providing a positive environment that encourages creativity and innovation, to anticipate and shape the future,” said Maryam Salem Al Qassemi, RandD technologist at the RandD Centre. “The Centre supports the role of Emirati women researchers in sustainable development to build a competitive knowledge economy based on innovation. My work at the Centre expands our horizons for continuous training and development and creates a motivating environment for us to find practical and innovative solutions to current and future challenges,” said Sara Yousef Arif, RandD technologist at the RandD Centre.

Source: Emirates News Agency

March 11, 2023

Nahyan bin Mubarak opens Custom Show Emirates 2023

DUBAI, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, today opened the 8th Custom Show Emirates 2023 at the EXPO City Dubai. The two-day show is a great destination for car and bike enthusiasts who wish to catch up on the latest in modifications. Sheikh Nahyan toured the show and hailed the exhibition’s role in fostering the growth of the modified car industry, locally and regionally. Accompanied by Jamal Saleh bin Lahej, Chairman of the event’s Organising Committee, Sheikh Nahyan also commended the high level of involvement by exhibitors from government departments, national institutions, amateurs and fans of modified cars and bikes from across the country and overseas. Custom Show Emirates is the leading Automotive customisation exhibition in the Middle East region. Started back in the year 2015, the event is a hub for all the cars and bikes lovers who shared the enthusiasm to get together in one place, to display their works, and showcase their talent among each other and the public. Hatem Mohamed

Source: Emirates News Agency

March 11, 2023

Umm Al Emarat Park to host celebration of art, music and culture 12-13 March

ABU DHABI, Umm Al Emarat Park will come alive with Festival in the Park, a vibrant two-day outdoor cultural experience to be held on 12th-13th March, 2023, in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation (ADMAF), bringing a dose of culture and joy to the community with a variety of family-friendly activities and performances, in addition to inclusive activities for People of Determination. With an impressive line-up of activities, Festival in the Park has something for everyone, from the young to the young at heart. Visitors can join in on the fun with the Drumming Circle, where they can learn to play the drums through imitation with Dubai Drums, or get creative with the Graffiti Art Workshop, where they will be introduced to different styles of graffiti such as tags, throws and piece. Visitors can also enjoy the Sustainable Palm Eye Art Workshop with Azza Al Qubaisi who seeks to engage the public with her art. For those who love to dance, the street dance workshop by Dance It Forward is not to be missed, covering various street dance styles and choreographies; the best part? No previous dance experience is required. There’s also an inclusive dance micro-workshop that will be offering a safe and creative space for People of Determination to explore mindful movement and physical and emotional expression. Visitors can also expect to be entertained by performances, including an exceptional stand-up comedy act that is sure to leave audiences in tears of laughter. For those interested in music, don’t miss out on incredible Emirati talents that will be performing on stage including composer and pianist Hamad Al Taee and classical singer Ahmed Al Hosani. “We are thrilled to once again host Festival in the Park, which reflects our long-term partnership with ADMAF and our commitment to offering a platform for creative expression in a family-friendly environment,” said Rasha Kablawi, Head of Umm Al Emarat Park’s Corporate Affairs and Communication Department. “The inclusive activities for People of Determination also demonstrate our dedication to accessibility, ensuring that everyone can participate and enjoy the festival.” Kablawi added, “Umm Al Emarat Park continuously seeks to provide unique experiences that blend education through recreation, arts and culture, and community engagement. This commitment is reflected in all of our initiatives, such as our very own alfresco Park Market, which hosts a variety of family-friendly activities that promote cultural engagement and the arts to visitors of all ages.”

Source: Emirates News Agency