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Stimulating Young Minds for Innovation Economy

Edutech brings innovation in education to the region with the launch of Edutech STEM+ Studio during the 8th Edition of GESS – 2015
UAE, February 21st, 2015 – Edutech, a leading provider of learning solutions and services, announced that the visitors of upcoming GESS 2015 have an opportunity to experience its revolutionary learning solution, the Edutech STEM+Studio. Bearing in mind the Country’s vision, Edutech will be providing free workshops on Robotics, 3D Printing, Renewable Energy, Electronics, Coding, Science Experiments, during the event. The Edutech STEM+ Studio is an exciting place where the participants, design, play, make, hack and learn to develop their ideas, creativity, innovation and design thinking, using interesting physical and digital materials.

According to Shameema Parveen, CEO of Edutech, as the country is celebrating 2015 as the “Year of Innovation” and is moving towards ‘Innovative Economy’, it will require citizens not only with STEM subject skills but what we call STEMcapableTM talent that can generate ideas, increase research and development, address difficult challenges, increase job opportunities, leading to national growth and leadership in the global marketplace.
The first centre of Edutech STEM+ Studio launched at Children’s City in association with Dubai Municipality in 2014. With its roaring success, Edutech STEM+ Studio has been appointed by Al Bayt Mitwahid in association with Google and Teacher’s Association, RAK to implement and manage “Innovation Hub” at Teacher’s Association in Ras Al Khaimah to promote STEM education in Northern Emirates. Our partnership in Abu Dhabi Science Festival 2014 as local content partner witnessed huge response not only from students but from parents joining in STEM workshops with their children in promoting science for all. 
With the Edutech STEM+ Studio, participants can engage in informal projects, attend Interactive workshops, prepare for national and international competitions, and foster their curiosity in the growing areas of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) under the guidance of expert and passionate facilitators. Edutech has designed various theme based exciting programs, such as Up in the clouds, Robots in our life, Print your imagination, Playful programing among the few, used for school visits, after-school activity, summer / winter camps. The studio offers opportunities for the hobbyist, learner, tinkerer, maker and dreamer to engage in their curious ideas and see it come to life. The Edutech STEM+ Studio promotes real-time collaboration and improves interaction levels, which can significantly boost participant outcomes.
Mr. Karim, Founder and Managing Director at Edutech says, “In Edutech STEM+ Studio we encourage learners to STAY CURIOUS by continuing their learning out of classrooms and schools through hands-on and technology based activities for creating, making, tinkering, and learning. Edutech’s association with VEX Robotics brings an opportunity for Emirati students to compete with their skills at international platform. Mr. Ayman Naggar from Omar Bin Al Khattab Model School, who is currently preparing his students to take part in VEX Robotics UAE Championship is confident of showcasing Emirati Skills at 2015 VEX Robotics World Championship which will take place on April 15 – 18, 2015 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Ky.”
In addition to the Edutech STEM+ Studio, this year marks the 25th year of Edutech since its inception in 1991. Bringing innovation to the forefront, Edutech celebrates 25 years of transforming education, contributing effective learning methodologies, revolutionising the educational sector in this region.
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Innovation Arabia 8 features 188 research papers, and 38 presentations from 40 countries

Event explores innovative solutions in quality and business management, health and environment, smart learning, and Islamic finance
UAE, February 17th, 2015 – The Innovation Arabia 8 (IA8) Conference being organized by Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University (HBMSU) under the theme ‘Innovate, Collaborate and Differentiate: Honoring the Past, Treasuring the Present, and Shaping the Future’ has lined up top-notch keynote speakers – including regional and international experts, academics and scholars – to discuss effective solutions for maximizing economic opportunities and promising human resources to drive sustainable socio-economic growth across the Arab World.

IA8 explores promising research potentials by providing a platform for Masters and Doctoral Degree holders from 37 countries to present a total of 188 research papers and 38 presentations on key issues related to the four topics of the conference before a high-profile international audience. The event will feature 75 research papers and 5 presentations on ‘Smart Learning Excellence’ by participants from 22 countries; 57 research papers and 13 presentations on ‘Quality and Business Management’ from 21 countries; 26 research papers and 18 presentations on ‘Health and the Environment’ from 16 countries; and 30 research papers and 2 presentations from 13 countries on ‘Islamic Banking and Finance’.
An elite group of international keynote speakers once again took part in today’s IA8 discussions, headed by Dr. Rudolf Strohmeier, Deputy Director-General of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, who discussed ‘Drivers for Sustainable Innovation Ecosystems.’ Dr. Strohmeier is one of the world’s well-known experts on international research and studies aimed at enriching knowledge and spreading the culture of innovation.
H.E. Hussain Al-Qemzi, Group Chief Executive Officer of Noor Investment Group LLC and Chief Executive Officer of Noor Bank PJSC, UAE, talked about how ‘Innovation is Key to a Sustainable and Competitive Advantage for the Future of Islamic banking.’ Two panel discussions were also featured on Day 2 of the conference. The first was on ‘The future of Islamic Banking – Is it a Sustainable Business Model for banks?’ moderated by Professor Nabil Baydoun, Vise Chancellor for Enterprise and University Advancement at HBMSU and President of the IA8 Conference. ‘Excellence and Innovation in Management Education for Emerging Economies’ was the main focus of the Global Business School Network Panel Discussion headed by Professor Khaled Sartawi, Dean of the School of Business & Quality Management at HBMSU.
The third and final day of the Conference will feature an UNESCO Institute for Information Technologies in Education (IITE) Panel discussion titled ‘New Partnerships and New Business Models to Scale Up Learning in a Fast Changing Environment’ to be moderated by Professor Abtar Darshan Singh, Dean of the School of e-Education, Learning and Academic Development division at HBMSU. The second panel discussion of the day will be on ‘Dubai Medical Tourism and Improving the Quality and Efficiency of Healthcare Delivery in UAE’ headed by Professor Adi Arida, Dean of the School of Health and Environmental Studies, Academic affairs Division at HBMSU.
Day 3 will also feature two keynotes: the first will discuss ‘Voyage to Excellence: Unleashing Innovation and Transformative Learning in Networked Futures’ by Dr. Alan Bruce, Vice-President of the European Distance and e-learning Network and CEO and Director of Universal Learning Systems, while the second will be delivered by Eng. Sobhi Batterjee, Founder and President and CEO of Saudi German Hospitals Group, who will talk about ‘Leveraging Information Technology in the Healthcare Industry’.
Mansoor Al Awar, Chancellor of HBMSU, emphasized the importance of the topics being addressed at the IA8 Conference which serves as an ideal platform for discussing how to drive innovation and creativity with the goal of establishing integrated knowledge-based economies in the Arab World. Al Awar explained that the high number of prominent regional and international participants at the event reflects HBMSU’s stature as a key centre for excellence in spreading the culture of innovation, creativity and high quality in the Arab region.
Al Awar concluded: “The IA8 Conference has made a positive impact on encouraging international cooperation in coming up with innovative ideas to help build a better future for the coming generations. This complements the objectives of the Dubai Innovation Partners initiative launched by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and President of HBMSU. We are committed to supporting the latest creative solutions for Quality and Business Management, Health and the Environment, Smart Learning, and Islamic Banking and Finance as part of our ongoing quest to drive comprehensive growth in the UAE and across the region.”
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Autodesk University Extension Dubai 2014 receives overwhelming industry response

Over 600 design and engineering professionals, students, creative hobbyists and design enthusiasts attend third edition of event
UAE, December 24th, 2014 – Omnix International, a leading distributor of Autodesk design software in the UAE, announced that the third edition of Autodesk University Extension (AUx) Dubai 2014, the Middle East region’s premier learning and networking event for design and engineering professionals, concluded on a high note and generated overwhelming response from an attendance of more than 600 participants. The event, which was held at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), saw the participation of customers, partners, students, creative evangelists, design and engineering professionals and educators from the Architecture, Engineering, Construction, Manufacturing Media and Entertainment industries. Omnix International reported a 20 per cent increase in exhibitors. The third edition of the event was supported by top IT brands like Lenovo (Platinum), HP (Gold), Canon (Gold), Dell, NVIDIA, and AGA CAD (Silver).
The event served as a strategic and unique platform for participants to ‘Learn, Connect, Explore’ through activities that included interactive workshops, demonstrations, knowledge sessions and an exhibition. This year, AUx Dubai simultaneously hosted a separate ‘BIM Leadership Forum’ that also drew large attendance from leading architectural firms and consultants. The daylong event saw presentations and lectures coming from leading technical specialists and Autodesk customer conducted sessions around on Autodesk technologies and demonstrated novel applications of design technology. Notable speakers present were Lynn Allen, Technical Evangelist, Autodesk; Robert Green, Owner, Robert Green Consulting; Gerry McFadden, BIM Manager, WSP Group and Alex Horst, Product Specialist, Autodesk.
In addition to these engaging talks and presentations, over 30 students and professionals from design and engineering received free certifications for the latest versions of Autodesk software like in Autodesk® Revit® Architecture, Autodesk® AutoCAD Civil 3D®, AutoCAD®, Autodesk® 3ds Max®, Autodesk® Inventor® Professional. The event also hosted a special student competition under the theme, ‘Smart Infrastructure – Future of Making Cities.’ The final shortlisted teams were from SAE Institute and University of Sharjah, with the team from SAE Institute wining the competition.
“We are very pleased with the overwhelming response that we have received for this year’s Autodesk University Extension Dubai, which continued to live up to its commitment of leading the way towards more design awareness in the UAE and the rest of the region,” said Dr. Jayant Deshpande, Director CAE Division, Omnix International. “This event has helped in establishing a creative forum for the design ecosystem in the Middle East and highlights the importance of design technology in addressing unique challenges in the region. Rest assured, we will remain steadfast in our commitment to work closely with Autodesk in helping develop a highly creative economy in the region.”
Sam N. Husseini, Middle East Channel Business Development Manager, FARO, said, “This is indeed an excellent platform for cross-industry knowledge sharing in the area of design. Our participation here reflects the strategic relationship that we have maintained with Autodesk. In fact, we had also just participated at the Autodesk University in Las Vegas. The AEC segment is a big market for FARO and people are still getting to know more about Laser Scanning technology in the Middle East and our presence here at AUx Dubai has helped raise the awareness in laser scanning technology, as it is extremely useful for the AEC and O&G segments.”
Lim Say Leong, ThinkStation Product Manager, Lenovo, said “Middle East Design professionals stand to benefit immensely from such forums, which highlight new trends and technologies in their respective industries.  AUx Dubai 2014 has been a very effective forum and event for our Middle East customers. We are happy with the response that we have received from launching the P-series Thinkstation for architects Engineers and designers from the AEC industry. The event surely gave us a lot of exposure to our target market, the AEC segment.”
“The innovative work showcased by customers at AUx Dubai shows how design has evolved globally– both in depth and in scale across various industry segments. We were also part of AU Las Vegas and we believe such an event is very important for us in the Middle East. We transform the insights of cutting edge BIM users into powerful tools that all clients can acquire. We are showcasing add-on solutions for Engineers, Designers and architects from the AEC industry. This year’s edition has helped us meet our target market from the AEC industry in the Middle East,” concluded Jokubas Vaisvila, BIM Application Engineer, AGA CAD Ltd, TOOLS 4 BIM Developer.
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Imdaad hosts visit of American University in Dubai’s engineering students to Jebel Ali sewage plant

Dubai, UAE, December 22, 2014 – Imdaad, a leading provider of integrated facilities management solutions in the GCC, recently hosted an educational tour for American University in Dubai’s (AUD) Civil Engineering students.

The group visited the company’s Sewage Treatment Plant – 4 (STP-4) located in Jebel Ali to observe all of the facility’s processing stages. The tour enabled them to better understand the sewage treatment process and techniques being employed in the region.

Jamal Abdullah Lootah, CEO, Imdaad, said: “We recently facilitated an educational tour for the AUD students to enable them to witness the region’s sewage treatment processes and techniques. The visit was a great learning experience for engineering students and falls in line with our strong commitment and responsibility towards budding FM professionals so that they can be successful in their future professions and make positive contributions towards the development of the sector. Imdaad has always considered development of the students as a priority and a subject close to the heart of its top management and we will continue to support them through insightful activities such as educational tours, workshops, and on-the-job learning.”
“As part of the Civil Engineering students study plan about the techniques and process used for sewage treatment, they recently had an opportunity to visit Imdaad’s STP-4 at Jebel Ali. After a classroom lecture, a tour of the facility enabled students to understand the finer details of the process and the scope of advancement in its technology. We thank Imdaad for facilitating a highly informative and organized educational tour, concluded Dr. Peiman Kianmehr, Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering, American University in Dubai.
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Lenovo, HP, Canon, Dell, NVIDIA and AGA CAD extends support for 3rd edition of Autodesk University Extension Dubai

  • AUx Dubai will showcase innovations in design technology and its problem solving prowess in architecture, construction, manufacturing, media & entertainment industries
  • Event to offer Autodesk certifications on Autodesk’s range of 3D Design software for select attendees

 

UAE, December 15th, 2014 – Industry leaders have expressed their support for the coming third edition of Autodesk University Extension (AUx) Dubai 2014, which will be held on December 17, 2014 at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC). AUx Dubai is Middle East region’s premier learning and networking event for design and engineering professionals. With the participation of technology leaders from across the industry like Lenovo (Platinum), HP (Gold), Canon (Gold), Dell, NVIDIA and AGA CAD (Silver), AUx Dubai will showcase the benefits that the combination of powerful design software with powerful hardware can provide to solving design challenges. Aiming to provide a platform for industry professionals to ‘Learn, Connect, Explore,’ the day-long event will comprise of interactive workshops, demonstrations, knowledge sessions and an exhibition.
Commenting on Lenovo’s participation, Mohammed Hilili, Lenovo Gulf and KSA General Manager, said, “As a company that has won several international design awards, Lenovo is honoured to be part of this year’s edition of Autodesk University Extension Dubai, which has ably positioned itself as one of the must-attend events for professional designers, architects and engineers of the Middle East region. We look forward to meeting the participants and showcasing the latest Lenovo innovations that they can utilize in coming up with their world-class designs.”
Zeina Ahmed- Large Format Design Printing Business Manager – HP Middle East said, “Our presence at this year’s Autodesk University Extension Dubai demonstrates our continued commitment towards leveraging our diverse portfolio of products and solutions at the region’s thriving design community. Along with Autodesk, HP as a market leader in Computing and Printing, provides complete solutions including high performance HP workstations and trusted Designjet printers – the #1 Large Format Printers for Designers,” 
“An event like Autodesk University presents itself as a strategic opportunity to bring together the design and engineering industry,” Hendrik Verbrugghe, Marketing Director, Canon Middle East. “Canon remains steadfast in its move to work closely with Autodesk and help usher in new wide format print technologies and solutions that can not only enhance the design making process but also help industry professionals achieve exceptional business results, maximise productivity and minimise operational costs.”
Following the success of its two previous editions, this year’s event is expected to draw in more than 1,000 participants coming from all over the region. It will encompass several industry sessions for design and engineering professionals from Architecture, Engineering, Construction, Manufacturing Media and Entertainment industries and would offer plenty of networking and learning opportunities to attendees. Several key customers of Autodesk will be demonstrating projects where they used design tools to address business challenges. Select attendees will also have to opportunity to obtain Autodesk Certifications in Autodesk® Revit® Architecture, Autodesk®AutoCAD Civil 3D®, AutoCAD®, Autodesk® 3ds Max®, Autodesk® Inventor® Professional.
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The Irish Academy of Public Relations and Orient Planet

First ever Online PR & Communications Academy launched in the Middle East by 
·       Middle East’s e-learning market valued at USD 44 million in 2013
·      Region’s e-learning revenues projected to reach USD 561 million by 2016 at average growth of 8.2 per cent per year
·       197 million people in the Arab World will have internet access by 2017, with internet penetration expected to jump to over 51 per cent over the next three years

UAE, October 27th, 2014 – The Irish Academy of Public Relations today (Monday 27th October, 2014) revealed in London its joint venture with Orient Planet PR and Marketing Communications to create the first ever online PR and Communications Academy in the Middle East. Orient Planet Academy (www.opacademy.com) will exclusively provide the Irish Academy’s courses to students in the Middle East, Levant and North Africa regions.
The signing of the agreement between Ellen Gunning, the Irish Academy’s Director, and Nidal Abou Zaki, Orient Planet’s Managing Director, took place recently in London. Orient Planet Academy will facilitate internationally recognized certificate courses in public relations, marketing, journalism, event management and English grammar. Offering a wide degree of flexibility to its prospective students, Orient Planet Academy’s courses – all of which have been localized for the Arab World – can be completed in a time span of 10 to 20 weeks. A student is required to finish 10 to 12 modules and pass all requirements before a certificate is awarded.
Comprehensive textbooks of the Irish Academy will also be available at the new Academy’s bookstore to help potential learners in their studies. The textbooks are specifically chosen to complement the course syllabus and to serve as additional references for students. Visitors of the Orient Planet Academy website may also browse through videos to watch renowned communications experts in action.
In 2013, the value of the Middle East e-learning market was placed at USD 44 million as a result of concerted efforts to digitize education in the region. The sector also witnessed an average growth rate of 8.2 per cent per year, with revenues projected to reach USD 561 million by 2016. The expansion can be attributed to several fundamental factors, one of which is the region’s move to transform itself into a knowledge-based economy.  
One of the major drivers of the growing online education market in the Arab World is the increasing number of internet users in the region. According to Arab Knowledge Economy 2014, a first-of-its-kind report jointly produced by Madar Research and Development and Orient Planet, the Arab World recorded the largest growth in internet users compared with other regions in the world since 2001. Th­e report shows an exponential increase in the number of people accessing the internet from the region. By 2017, the figure is expected to increase to about 197 million, while internet penetration is projected to jump from 32 per cent in 2012 to over 51 per cent in 2017.
Ellen Gunning said: “The Irish Academy has an ever-growing footprint across Europe, the United States, Latin America and Africa. Over the years, we have seen the immense potentials of the online education market in the Arab World, and we believe now is the ideal time to establish our presence in the rapidly expanding industry. We entered into a joint venture with Orient Planet to form Orient Planet Academy to mark our expansion in the Middle East and serve a market of more than 314 million people through our comprehensive courses. Orient Planet Academy will be an added value to the growing industry. Initially, the courses will be taught in English with a view of offering them in Arabic in the coming few weeks.”
Nidal Abou Zaki commented: “Although the Arab region’s PR and communications industry has been continuously growing, we realized that there is no online platform in the region that provides professionals and students alike the chance to further develop their skills in PR, communications, marketing and social media. Orient Planet Academy not only aims to provide flexibility but it also offers employed individuals and young students an opportunity to earn an internationally recognized certificate. We have localized all courses in order to address the cultural requirements of the region.  We will offer a modern educational platform to enhance and inspire a new generation of communications experts capable of meeting the needs of the Arab and global markets.”
The Irish Academy of Public Relations is an international online education provider of courses in communications disciplines, while Orient Planet is one of the Middle East’s most rapidly growing PR marketing and communications consultancies. All five courses of Orient Planet Academy have been designed by the Irish Academy and will be tutored by communications professionals in the Middle East.
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HBMSU launches first-of-its-kind ‘Smart Learning Best Practice Forum 2014’

Mohammed Bin Rashid Smart Learning Program, Learning and Teaching Centre Macquarie University, eTechan International, Bahrain Institute of Public Administration, Dubai Airports, win accolades at ‘Smart Learning Best Practice Award’

UAE, October 20th, 2014 – Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University (HBMSU) has kicked off ‘Smart Learning Best Practice Forum 2014,’ the first-of-its-kind event that encourages the exchange of best practices in smart learning in international educational, academic and training institutions to boost smart education. The event’s first edition attracted a wide global participation including delegations from the United States, Australia, Russia, Italy, Greece, Nigeria, Indonesia, India, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain and the UAE.

 

H.E. Lieutenant General Dahi Khalfan Tamim, Deputy Chairman of Police and Dubai General Security and Chairman of HBMSU Board of Governors, led the opening of the HBMSU Smart Campus, one of the key pillars of promoting smart education through the use and integration of modern technology.The Smart Campus offers modern, high-tech services that meet the needs of learners and faculty and administrative staff, including submission of proposals and suggestions, exchange of information, access to courses, submission of assignments, registration in assessment exams, and access to grades and academic records through smart devices. The Smart Campus also provides a smart platform to promote effective communication between new and existing students and report technical malfunctions. It also allows users to conduct an online inquiry of e-wallet balance as well as an electronic follow up outstanding financial transactions and payments.

HBMSU launches first-of-its-kind ‘Smart Learning Best Practice Forum 2014’

H.E. Dahi Khalfan Tamim was pleased with the launching of ‘Smart Learning Best Practice Forum 2014,’ which provides a strategic platform to discuss steps to advance the education system through the integration of the latest smart technologies. “Organizing this prestigious international event falls in line with the efforts of the Dubai Government to position the emirate as a premier destination for most prominent and largest global events. It is also aligned with the ‘Smart City’ initiative of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashed Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai. We are delighted to launch Smart Campus, which reflects HBMSU’s commitment to promote smart learning as a means to achieve sustainable development and as an essential element that will re-shape the future of education in the Arab World.”

The “Smart Learning Best Practice Award” was held on the sidelines of the ‘Smart Learning Best Practice Forum 2014.’ International jury composed of academic professionals and leading experts in developing and transferring best practices and smart learning systems in information technology and academic fields comprised the panel of judges. The winners were Mohammed Bin Rashid Smart Learning Program which bagged an honor in the Smart Learning Technology Exploitation category; the Learning and Teaching Centre – Macquarie University and Bahrain Institute of Public Administration of Smart Partnerships category; eTechan International, Technology Exploitation category; and Dubai Airports got an appreciation award of Smart Learning category.

Dr. Mansoor Al Awar, Chancellor, HBMSU, said: “We are privileged to honor these leading institutions that have demonstrated outstanding excellence in the application of international best practices that aim to boost smart education. The “Smart Learning Best Practice Award”  is the first initiative which centers on the efforts to integrate best practices into educational institutions’ procedures and processes in order to promote smart education and sustainability. The first day of the event witnessed a series of breakout sessions tackling seven key themes, namely ‘Smart Learning,’
‘Learner Centricity,’ ‘Excellence Orientation,’ ‘Smart Partnership,’ ‘Technology Exploitation,’ ‘Resource Utilization,’ and ‘Process Innovation.’ A workshop session, titled ‘Middle East e-Learning Quality Framework ‘MelQ’: Standardizing quality in technology enhanced teaching and learning” was also held.

The ‘Smart Learning Best Practice Forum 2014’ provides an ideal platform to encourage the exchange and sharing of best practices in smart learning in educational institutions and corporations across the world. It strives to support continuous growth and development of smart learning. Smart learning includes the ability of learners to acquire innovative ideas, evaluate their relevance, subject their ideas to scrutiny to gauge their innovativeness, and guide them through a rigorous, systematic process of implementation to ensure tangible and intangible benefits.

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Ministry of Education Opens Doors for its Employees to Complete their Postgraduate Studies at the University of Dubai

Under the MoU, the ministry’s employees will receive a 20 per cent discount on tuition
UAE, June 25th, 2014 – The Ministry of Education has signed a partnership agreement with the University of Dubai to grant the ministry’s employees a 20 per cent discount on tuition if they take up programs, including postgraduate studies, at the academic institution.

The MoU was signed by H.E. Marwan Al Sawalih, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education, and H.E. Dr Issa Al-Bastaki, President of the University of Dubai, at the ministry’s office yesterday morning (Tuesday, June 24, 2014). The agreement is part of the ministry’s policy to form strategic partnerships with relevant institutions.  
Ministry of Education UAE and University of Dubai

Under the terms of agreement, the University of Dubai will provide the ministry a range of educational services in the areas of undergraduate and postgraduate, professional training and academic development, as well as software packages related to technical and operational projects. The university will also provide research and consultations with regard to conferences, forums, and workshops in which both ministry and university officials can participate in.

The MoU came at a time when the ministry is preparing for the school holidays, giving the employees more time to complete their postgraduate studies either in the country or overseas. The ministry’s partnerships with prestigious universities such as the University of Dubai will further encourage its staff to pursue higher studies given the discounted tuition.
H.E. Al Sawalih said employees may choose from several relevant programs and disciplines available in the university based on their interest and current job requirements. He highly praised the University of Dubai for its significant contributions to the education sector, specifically for honing the knowledge and skills of the UAE residents. 
For his part, Dr. Al-Bastaki lauded the Ministry of Education for its efforts to continuously raise the bar in the education sector and further enhance the quality of the services in the industry. He said the MoU between the ministry and the university is the first step towards a more fruitful cooperation in the future.
Dr. Al-Bastaki said the ministry’s employees could choose from the university’s several world-class programs and utilize the school’s state-of-the-art facilities to aid in their studies. The MoU signing was attended by a number of officials from the ministry and the university.
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EIAST Welcomes Visit of High Level Delegation from Kazakhstan

 The visit falls in line with the move to bolster mutual cooperation between EIAST and Kazakhstan’s National Space Agency
UAE, June 9, 2014 – The Emirates Institution for Advanced Science and Technology (EIAST) recently hosted the visit of a high level Kazakhstan delegation headed by His Excellency (H.E.) Kairat Lama Sharif, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The visit falls in line with the move to bolster mutual cooperation between EIAST and Kazakhstan’s National Space Agency (KazCosmos), particularly in the field of exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes. The group was met by EIAST’s top officials headed by H.E. Yousuf Al Shaibani, Director General, EIASTand Eng. Salem Al Marri, Assistant Director General for Scientific and Technical Affairs.

During their visit, the Kazakhstan delegation was briefed on EIAST’s recent achievements like the successful launching of DubaiSat-1, the first remote sensing satellite to be fully owned by a UAE entity, in 2009 and DubaiSat-2, an electro-optical earth observation satellite system, in 2013. The group was also able to learn about the current status of the KhalifaSat project, the UAE’s first locally-built satellite that is expected to be launched into space in 2017. Currently, a team of Emirati experts and engineers are involved in the planning and designing of KhalifaSat, which will help strengthen the standing of the Arab region in the competitive field of space science. The delegation was also toured around EIAST’s key facilities, which includes the ground station of DubaiSat-1 and DubaiSat-2 satellites, which provide high-quality satellite images for environmental projects, urban planning, infrastructure and scientific research in the UAE.
H.E. Yousuf Al Shaibani, Director General, EIAST, said: “We are truly honored to have been visited by H.E. Ambassador Sharif and his group of embassy and consular officials. During their visit, we were able to keep them up to date on EIAST’s milestone achievements and the current work that we are doing, particularly KhalifaSat. The strong ties that we have maintained with Kazakhstan are ably reflected in an MoU that we signed with them in 2011, where both EIAST and Kazakhstan’s National Space Agency have pledged to work together towards developing advancements for the space industry.”
In response to their visit to the EIAST, the Kazakhstan delegation expressed interest in continuously working together with the UAE in the fields of satellite communication and earth remote sensing. The group thanked the EIAST’s warm reception and reaffirmed their commitment to establish cooperation in key areas such as space science, global satellite navigation and use of space infrastructure.
Eng. Salem Al Marri, Assistant Director General for Scientific and Technical Affairs, said: “The visit of the Kazakhstan delegation was an excellent opportunity for us to give them a key tour of our facilities while also updating them on our latest programs and initiatives. Rest assured that as per our mutual agreement with KazCosmos, we will continue to work closely with them and aid them in their space industry endeavors, especially in their satellite projects.”
Ambassador Sharif was joined by Yerzhan Kalekenov, Minister-Counselor of the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Abu Dhabi;  Alibek Almabekov, Counselor of the Consulate General of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Dubai and Ibrahim Aushev, Diplomatic Attaché of the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Abu Dhabi.
EIAST was established by the Dubai Government in 2006 to encourage scientific innovation and technological progress in Dubai and in the UAE. It also aims to develop the scientific skills and knowledge of Emiratis. It is mainly involved in outer space research and development; satellite manufacturing and systems development; space imaging; and ground station services and support for other satellites.
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Mutual Cooperation Covers Areas of Remote Sensing Applications, Space Communications, and Global Navigation Systems using Satellites

EIAST signs MoU with Dubai Municipality to facilitate knowledge sharing & manpower investment
UAE, May 26, 2014 – In line with the common aspirations to position Dubai as a premier Smart City, the Emirates Institution for Advanced Science and Technology (EIAST) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Dubai Municipality to facilitate knowledge transfer, sharing of data and practical experiences, and developing human resources in the areas of space science, remote sensing applications, space communications, and navigation systems using global satellites. The MoU was signed by Eng. Abdullah Mohammed Rafi, Deputy General Manager of Engineering & Planning, Dubai Municipality and Salem Humaid Al Marri, Assistant Director General for Scientific and Technical Affairs, EIAST, in the presence of a number of senior managers and officials from both parties.
H.E. Yousuf Al Shaibani, Director General, EIAST, stressed the importance of building a fruitful cooperation with Dubai Municipality, meeting the highest scientific and technical competence standards. This is in support of the UAE’s vision to transform itself into a major hub for satellite manufacturing. He emphasized EIAST’s commitment to prioritize the future needs of Dubai Municipality in terms of developing engineering designs for satellites such as satellite images applications to contribute to the efforts of achieving comprehensive and sustainable development.

Eng. Abdullah Mohammed Rafi, Deputy General Manager of Engineering & Planning, Dubai Municipality and Salem Humaid Al Marri, Assistant Director General for Scientific and Technical Affairs, EIAST.
Al Shaibani said: “We are confident that the new MoU will be a significant addition to our extensive network of strategic and strong partnerships with the industry leaders locally, regionally, and internationally. This partnership undoubtedly supports our efforts to reinforce UAE’s position as one of the world’s developed countries in line with the vision and directives of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.”
For his part, Rafi stressed that Dubai Municipality is keen on establishing strong cooperation and strategic inter-dependence with institutions and groups of public welfare and community services. The commitment demonstrates Dubai Municipality’s efforts to develop and create effective, easy-to-use, smart services for the community.
Rafi expressed his pleasure with Dubai Municipality’s strategic partnership with EIAST, which leads the march of scientific progress and technical innovation in the UAE. He stressed that the joint efforts in the fields of knowledge transfer, human resources development, remote sensing applications and space communications will give positive results in terms of supporting the vision of Municipality Dubai centered around making Dubai as one of the most sustainable cities in the world in preparation for ‘Expo 2020.’ He said Dubai Municipality is looking forward to benefiting from EIAST’s high level of expertise and advanced technologies. The partnership, will contribute to the success of the municipality’s projects that embody the vision of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai
Salem Al Marri, said: “Our new partnership gains a strategic dimension of being a pillar for employing our vast experiences and developed technologies in the field of space industry to support ambitious projects of Dubai Municipality, which represent an important pillar to advance excellence and leadership pursued by the emirate under the policy of our wise leadership. We look forward to exchanging knowledge and recent research work with Dubai Municipality. Both organizations will also organize joint conferences, interactive workshops, and specialized exhibitions for satellite imagery in the field of remote sensing and geographic information systems. The field would represent an added value to the framework of Dubai Municipality.”
Under the MoU, EIAST will provide Dubai Municipality with multispectral space images satellite and high quality Panchromatic images of Dubai. Dubai Municipality, on the other hand, will provide Ground Control Points, spatial and geographic data to support the projects and initiatives of EIAST.
The MoU also provided a platform to promote prospects for cooperation between the two parties through exchange of practical experiences and development of human resources in the areas of space and science, including space science, remote sensing applications, space communications and global navigation systems using satellites. Both sides agreed that EIAST would help Dubai Municipality to complete the database information of the geographic information system. It would also assist in enhancing the efficiency of monitoring and prediction of natural hazards such as sand storm forecasting, monitoring and forecasting of fog, analyzing water quality in the Emirate of Dubai. EIAST will provide services to help train the staff of Dubai Municipality and refine their skills and technical capabilities through cooperation in the areas of research, training and exchange of information and knowledge as well as organizing conferences, workshops and shows related to applications of satellite imagery in remote sensing area and in the field of geographic information systems. The two parties will also cooperate in all areas, activities and systems to share data to serve the public interest in Dubai.
The two parties agreed to form a joint working group to oversee the implementation of the MoU and ensure the exchange of data between them. They are also discussing the possibility of allowing Dubai Municipality’s various departments to use satellite images. The departments include Environmental Management, Survey Department, Department of Agriculture, and others. The joint working group will also discuss the possibility of technical cooperation between the two parties so that EIAST could take into account the needs of the Municipality when designing the specifications of future satellites as well as when studying the programs and available tools. These tools may be effective and useful in terms of utilizing geographic information systems and remote sensing. The working group will also ensure that the two parties will obtain the required data to face future challenges and to allow them to perform any task that may be assigned by either party and is required to implement the MoU.
EIAST was established by the Dubai Government in 2006 to encourage scientific innovation and technological progress in Dubai and in the UAE. It also aims to develop the scientific skills and knowledge of Emiratis. It is mainly involved in outer space research and development; satellite manufacturing and systems development; space imaging; and ground station services and support for other satellites.