Category: 1arabia updates

Human resources (HR) professionals are increasingly recognizing the need for a more scientific approach to change management. To address this growing interest, a new initiative is bringing together HR specialists and researchers to explore the science behind successful organizational transformations. This forum, focused on the "Psychology of Change in the Workplace, " aims to equip HR leaders with data-driven strategies to guide employees through periods of transition. The forum's emphasis on scientific principles reflects a significant shift within the HR

The Al Ain Chess Club is on a mission to bring the age-old game of chess to a new generation of minds across the Emirate. Through a recently launched initiative, the club has organized chess sporting events in a whopping 22 schools throughout Al Ain. These events serve more than just competitive fun; they provide a platform for students to learn the fundamentals of chess in an engaging and interactive environment. This strategic game goes beyond the checkered board, aiming

Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, brother to the President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, donned his graduation robes (though figuratively this time) to celebrate the achievements of Zayed University's Class of 2024. The esteemed guest attended the university's commencement ceremony, underscoring the importance the nation places on education and its future generation of leaders. Zayed University, a prestigious institution established in 1998, has become a cornerstone for nurturing the UAE's brightest minds.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) economy is forecast to experience a robust upswing in 2025, with Business Monitor International (BMI) predicting a growth rate of around 6. 7%. This significant expansion is fueled by several factors, including the continuous recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, rising oil prices, and the UAE government's ambitious plans to diversify the economy away from hydrocarbons. The rebound from the pandemic is expected to be a major driver of growth in 2025. The UAE has successfully

The Abu Dhabi Municipality recently hosted a symposium titled "Shaping Skylines with Silicon:AI and the Future of Urban Planning, " bringing together urban planners, technologists, and academics to explore the burgeoning role of artificial intelligence in city development. The gathering underscored the immense potential AI holds for optimizing urban spaces, with discussions ranging from traffic management and resource allocation to infrastructure design and disaster preparedness. Dr. Layla Hassan, a leading urban planning expert at NYU Abu Dhabi, highlighted the use

In a move signaling its ambition to become a major player in the global cryptocurrency market, online brokerage Robinhood announced today that it has agreed to acquire U. K. -based crypto exchange Bitstamp for $200 million in cash. The deal, expected to close in the first half of 2025, marks Robinhood's first major foray outside the United States and is a significant step forward in its efforts to diversify its crypto offerings. Founded in 2011, Bitstamp is one of the

The commercial real estate landscape is experiencing a period of heightened volatility, driven by a confluence of factors including inflation, rising interest rates, and geopolitical tensions. JLL, a global commercial real estate services firm, is urging investors and developers to prioritize sector specialization to mitigate risk and capitalize on emerging opportunities in this dynamic environment. According to JLL, the total value of commercial real estate assets across the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region stands at a staggering $1.

The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) and France's Grand Port Maritime de Marseille (GPMM), which operates the Port of Marseille Fos, inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on June 4th, 2024, in Paris. The agreement, signed during the Vision Golfe 2024 event organized by Business France, signifies a commitment between the two nations to strengthen ties in the maritime transport sector. The MoU, signed by Omar Hariri, President of Mawani, and Hervé Martel, CEO of GPMM, outlines a framework for collaboration

Saudi Arabia is making a significant stride towards becoming a player in the global semiconductor industry. The Kingdom announced the launch of a National Capability Center for Semiconductors (NCCS), a collaborative effort between two of its premier research institutions:King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). This initiative signifies a strategic move to address the growing demand for semiconductors and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers. Semiconductors, also known as microchips, are

Saudi Arabia is experiencing a significant influx of artificial intelligence (AI) specialists, according to a recent LinkedIn survey. The report indicates a positive shift in the Kingdom's position within the global AI talent landscape. The survey results reveal a nine-place jump for Saudi Arabia in the rankings for attracting AI experts. The country currently sits at 15th globally when considering AI talent attraction relative to population size. This significant improvement from 24th place last year suggests a growing appeal for

A recent survey by consulting firm AlixPartners paints a bright picture for the electric vehicle (EV) market in Saudi Arabia, indicating a potential surge in battery-electric vehicle (BEV) adoption. The firm's 2024 International Electric Vehicle Consumer-Sentiment Survey, which included responses from 10, 000 people across 10 major markets, revealed that Saudi Arabia leads the pack in terms of BEV enthusiasm. The survey results show that a significant 70% of Saudi residents are likely to consider purchasing a BEV, the highest

The Emirati Genome Programme, a pioneering initiative to map the genetic makeup of UAE citizens, has joined forces with Saudi German Health, a leading healthcare provider, to expand its sample collection efforts across Dubai, Ajman, and Sharjah. This collaboration aims to significantly boost public participation in the program, ultimately paving the way for advancements in preventative and personalized healthcare solutions for the UAE's population. Dr. Ahmad Al Awadhi, Senior Community Outreach Director at the Emirati Genome Programme, expressed his enthusiasm

Senegalese officials have lauded Dubai's success in attracting foreign investment, highlighting the emirate's supportive business environment and its role as a global model for economic growth. These remarks came during a trade mission organized by the Dubai International Chamber in Senegal. Officials pointed to Dubai's ranking among the top ten sources of foreign direct investment in Senegal. This significant contribution is bolstered by investments from major Emirati corporations like DP World, a leading logistics conglomerate, and Emirates, a prominent international

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has reaffirmed its commitment to tackling desertification and drought, underlining the urgency of the issue as the world observes World Environment Day. Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, the nation's Minister of Climate Change and Environment, emphasized the far-reaching consequences of desertification, highlighting its impact on various sectors and aspects of life. Dr. Al Dahak's comments come amidst a backdrop of the UAE's ongoing efforts to combat desertification. The arid nation, acutely aware of the

Saudi Aramco, the world's largest oil producer, is extending its reach into the liquefied natural gas (LNG) market through discussions with two prominent US firms, Tellurian and NextDecade. This strategic move signifies Aramco's ambition to become a major player in the global LNG landscape. The talks center on two separate projects. Aramco is reportedly considering acquiring a stake in Tellurian's Driftwood LNG plant located in Louisiana. This facility boasts a significant production capacity of 27. 6 million metric tons per

The foreign ministers of five Arab nations – the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, and Egypt – united on Monday in a virtual meeting to express their support for ongoing mediation efforts aimed at ending the crisis in Gaza. The focus of the discussions, according to a joint statement released by the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was on the latest developments in mediation attempts undertaken by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States. These efforts strive to

The Liwa Date Festival, a cornerstone of Abu Dhabi's cultural calendar, is set to return this summer for its 20th edition. The festival, which celebrates the region's rich date-growing heritage, will be held from July 15th to 28th in Liwa City, located in the Al Dhafra region. Organized by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, the event aims to showcase the importance of date farming and support local farmers. Visitors to the festival can expect a fun-filled two weeks immersed in

Volcanic activity on Negros Island in the Philippines has grounded nearly three dozen domestic flights, causing travel disruptions for passengers. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) raised the alert level for Mount Kanlaon to Level 2 on Monday evening after a brief but powerful eruption. This prompted the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) to announce the cancellation of 29 flights scheduled for Tuesday, citing concerns about volcanic ash in the airspace. The cancellations primarily affected short-haul flights departing

A beacon of hope has emerged for refugees in Kenya thanks to a unique initiative launched in 2022. The brainchild of Arada, a United Arab Emirates-based developer, the "Home for Home" program has successfully provided safe and secure housing for hundreds of displaced families. The initiative works through a collaborative effort between Arada, the Big Heart Foundation (TBHF), a UAE charity focused on humanitarian aid, and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency. For every home sold in Arada's communities in Sharjah

Dubai has solidified its position as a global hub for the creative economy, claiming the top spot for foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows into cultural and creative industries (CCI) according to the 2023 Financial Times' FDI Index. This achievement underscores Dubai's commitment to fostering a dynamic creative ecosystem, attracting investment and establishing itself as a haven for talented individuals. The emirate surpassed major global centers like London, New York, and Singapore in attracting FDI capital into CCI projects. This surge

In a novel approach to career guidance, the Ministry of Education has launched a nationwide competition titled "My Future, My Map" designed to empower students to explore potential career paths. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between classroom learning and future aspirations by encouraging students to actively engage in self-discovery and future planning. Open to students from secondary schools across the country, "My Future, My Map" encourages participants to submit creative projects that showcase their interests, skills, and career

Emal, a leading manufacturer of building materials, has received a significant boost toward environmentally friendly construction practices. Two influential international organizations, the World Green Building Council (WGBC) and the International Living Future Institute (ILFI), have independently recognized the compatibility of Emal's products with sustainable building standards. This recognition signifies a major step forward for Emal's commitment to sustainability. The WGBC, with its global network of green building leaders, promotes practices that reduce the environmental impact of the construction industry. Emal's

In a significant development for Gambia's healthcare sector, Dr. Aminata Gassama, Director of Health Services within the Ministry of Health, met yesterday with Mrs. Fatoumatta Bah-Ceesay, Director of the Zayed Regional Center for Sight Saving in Banjul. The meeting, held at the Ministry's headquarters, centered on exploring avenues for enhanced collaboration in tackling vision-related challenges in the Gambia. Dr. Gassama acknowledged the Zayed Center's longstanding contributions to improving eye health services in the country. Established in 1997 through a joint

Expo City Dubai is extending the Ramadan spirit with a unique 50-day experience called the "Ramadan Neighbourhood. " This immersive initiative aims to recreate the atmosphere of the holy month for visitors from all backgrounds, even after Eid al-Fitr has concluded. The Ramadan Neighbourhood will be a vibrant hub offering a variety of cultural and religious activities. Visitors can embark on a journey through the sights, sounds, and smells of Ramadan. Traditional food stalls will serve up a delectable array