Day: June 25, 2023

Ministry of Tourism and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) on Sunday concluded a project on “Technical Assistance to Contribute to the Definition of a Strategic Development Plan for Tourism and Human Resources in Jordan”. The project, which was implemented by Italian Politecnico di Milano, under Ministry of Tourism’s supervision with AICS support, aims to promote sustainable tourism development and provide specialized workforce in the Kingdom. During the project’s closing ceremony, which was held in Amman, the ministry’s Secretary-General, Imad Hijazin, said a slew of projects were completed with participation of key experts from Politecnico di Milano, in cooperation with the ministry. As part of this effort, Hijazin said a study to assess size of the supply-demand gap was carried out in relation to academic and professional institutions that provide specializations in the tourism industry and the actual labor market. Hijazin added that this study aimed to draw a map of the current educational situation compared to the labor market’s needs in this sector. Among the projects, he noted another study identified no less than 11 tourist professions and skills, aimed to ensure their update and shift to innovative practices in accordance with local and global markets’ developments and the industry’s efficiency requirements. Regarding business information system project, Hijazin said work was completed to develop an analytical technological platform for this this purpose as an “effective” tool for decision-makers in the tourism field. He noted this effort aims to provide a “full” picture of Jordan’s tourism sector based on related indicators related to the economic, social, environmental and technological impact and tourist destination management. This project, he noted, will help decision makers and policy leaders to take “strategic” decisions to improve economic growth of Jordan’s tourism sector. Hijazin valued support of the Italian government and participating partners in implementing the strategic development plan for tourism and human resources in Jordan.

Source: Jordan News Agency

DUBAI, 25th June, 2023 (WAM) The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) today announced the winners of the UAE Zero Robotics Programming Challenge (UAE ZRPC), a unique programming competition which took place onboard the International Space Station (ISS) with the participation of Emirati astronaut Sultan AlNeyadi. The UAE ZRPC was developed in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and NASA. This Challenge provided university students with a remarkable opportunity to demonstrate and develop their programming and critical thinking skills. They achieved this by programming the free-flying robot, Astrobee, to write Arabic letters in the microgravity environment of the ISS. The first place was awarded to the team from Khalifa University for demonstrating exceptional command over the Astrobee’s control in a microgravity environment, with their impressive coding skills leading them to victory. The second and third places were secured by Team 2 and Team 1, respectively, from the UAE University. His Excellency Salem Humaid AlMarri, Director General, MBRSC said: “Engaging students in the field of STEM is of paramount importance to the UAE’s vision for a future rich in science and technology. With Sultan’s mission aboard the ISS, we open a new chapter in educational outreach initiatives. This challenge is the kind of inspired learning we aim for at MBRSC nurturing the innovators and explorers of tomorrow and propelling the UAE to the forefront of global space exploration.” On 16 May, AlNeyadi assisted in performing the dry run of the UAE Zero Robotics Programming Challenge on the ISS. During the dry run, Astrobee robots were used to verify various aspects and programming for the final event. This was followed by the final code submission from the teams on May 23. The on-orbit final run was held on Friday with an on-site event organised at MBRSC where participating teams had the opportunity to witness the challenge live. AlNeyadi assisted in performing the final run of the UAE Zero Robotics Programming Challenge. In this session, the teams competed by programming the Astrobee robot to spell out a set of passwords consisting of 3-6 Arabic letters for the crew. The passwords were required for a fictional scenario in which two astronauts, facing technical issues in radio communication, needed to communicate and enter a password to restart a power system. Six teams took part in this challenge, totalling 31 students, representing five esteemed universities, with each team guided by a Lead Professor and a Team Lead. The participating teams included: one team each from American University in Dubai, Higher Colleges of Technology Abu Dhabi, Khalifa University, University of Sharjah, and two teams from UAE University. Over the course of several weeks, the students engaged in an intensive training regimen to prepare themselves for the final code submissions. During the initial rounds of UAE ZRPC, the teams utilised an online simulation to test their code and closely observe the movement of the Astrobee. These codes were then uploaded to Astrobee, bringing their hard work to life as the robot executed the programmed tasks in space. The challenge promoted creative thinking, technical skill, and a keen understanding of real-world applications for programming in space. The UAE Astronaut Programme is one of the projects managed by MBRSC under the UAE’s National Space Programme and funded by the ICT Fund of the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), which aims to support research and development in the ICT sector in the UAE and promote the country’s integration on the global stage.

Source: Emirates News Agency (WAM)

MoFA sees off Emirati pilgrims at AUH Airport

ABU DHABI, 24th June, 2023 (WAM) — President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan sent a cable of congratulations to His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, on the 10th anniversary of his assumption of the reins of power. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court, sent similar cables to the Qatari Emir. Hatem Mohamed

Source: Emirates News Agency (WAM)

ABU DHABI, 24th June, 2023 (WAM) Under the directives of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region, and the Chairman of the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC) Authority, a delegation from the Frontline Heroes Office has left Abu Dhabi International Airport for Mecca to perform the Hajj rituals in collaboration with the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments and under the support of the ERC. In recognition of their efforts in defending society, the Hajj mission comprises 100 heroes who worked on the frontlines in the health sector during the Covid-19 outbreak. Hatem Mohamed

Source: Emirates News Agency (WAM)

SHARJAH, 24th June, 2023 (WAM) — His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, sent a cable of congratulations to Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, on the 10th anniversary of his assumption of the reins of power. H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Salem bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, and H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, sent similar cables to the Qatari Emir. Hatem Mohamed

Source: Emirates News Agency (WAM)