Our Own High School Proves ’A Meal Can Make A Difference’

Students from Our Own High School, Al Warqa’a, a GEMS Education school, participated in a charity initiative to respond to the needs of laborers in Dubai.

The students launched the hugely successful ‘A Meal Can Make a Difference’ donation campaign as part of their Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, and collected over six tons of rice, lentils and pulses, which were distributed to three labour camps in Sonapur. Their dedication and benevolent efforts received sincere appreciation from the grateful laborers and saw the students surpass their initial aim to collect one ton of food.
 

Arabian Center Becomes A Magical Land For Kids This DSS

Arabian Center, the latest hotspot for shopping, leisure and entertainment in Dubai, has fantastic treats and activities lined up for kids during Dubai Summer Surprises 2009. The mall, located on Al Khawaneej Road, Dubai, is hosting numerous activities to keep kids and parents enthralled during every visit as a part of the summer celebrations.

Arabian Center recently hosted exciting performers who presented a variety of acts and fun shows for kids and adults. The acts transported kids into the wilderness with the jungle animal stilt walkers. Depicting the animals of the jungle world, the five performers originally from Italy roved the mall with their tall graceful strides engaging the kids in fun educational activities.

Kids witnessed further excitement at the Arabian Center with mystical characters of the fairytale land. The mall hosted elves and fairytale characters, who cast a spell of magic all around. The fairytale characters came to life and enticed the kids with a comic show, interactive games and lots of gifts were given away.

The Arabian Center will step up to the musical beats of the African Children’s Choir and the Percussion Samba Group on July 23-24, 2009. The mall will also stage the popular Ronald McDonald, the whacky clown character used as the mascot for the McDonalds fast-food restaurant chain on Saturday, July 25, 2009. The Ronald McDonald show promises to be exciting for both children and parents alike with interactive activities, games and magic shows. Fun competitions for kids of all ages with lovely prizes to be won will ensure their enthusiastic involvement along with Ronald’s crazy antics.

Commenting on the activities at the mall, Mr. Mathews Thomas, Marketing Manager, Arabian Center, said: “We have been focusing on combining fun and entertainment with educational activities that will widen up the horizons for kids. There is a rich mixture of activities, great discounts, offers and prizes to be won throughout the summer festival ensuring each visit for the customers is enriching and a fun-filled experience.”

Apart from the fantastic activities, the mall is giving out amazing prizes during DSS 2009. Shoppers spending AED 100/- at any of the outlets in Arabian Center will become eligible to participate in the weekly draw that could win them a Toyota four wheel drive. Customers also stand a chance to win a Land Cruiser VXR in a Mega Draw that will be held at the end of the festival.

Also, by spending AED 200/- at the mall shoppers stand a chance to win AED 500,000/- every week for nine weeks starting June 11, 2009 as part of the Dubai Summer Surprises – Dubai Shopping Malls Group (DSS-DSMG) “Surprising Millions” promotion,.

The weekends during the DSS will feature the unique Arabian Souq, which is showcasing rare collection of items ranging from art, craft; traditional Bedouin style jewellery, antique furniture, handmade shielas, oud, Arabic perfumes and more. The ‘Arabian Souq’ is marked by rare and authentic artifacts celebrating the art and culture of the Arab world. With unique antiques and collections, the Souq is full of small surprises for art lovers and collectors.

UAE Online Art Archive Is Launched Alongside A Nation Wide Competition Showcasing The UAE’s Talent

The art community of the UAE is in for a lavish helping of the Emirates’ most comprehensive online database as the Office for the UAE Pavilion at the Venice Biennale launches the UAE Art Archive, www.uaeartarchive.org. The UAE Art Archive has been developed specifically to offer a platform for people interested in the art scene across the UAE to have a better understanding of art and the cultural infrastructure of the country and to showcase artists’ work.

Its launch is complemented by an image design contest that will enable anyone who is resident in the UAE to submit their design for the homepage banner of the art archive, which can be found at www.uaeartarchive.org. Supported by Emirates Airline, who is providing two economy class tickets to Venice, the competition encourages everyone with artistic flair to submit their work.

Commenting on the announcement, Dr. Lamees Hamdan, Commissioner of the UAE Pavilion, said:
“The UAE Art Archive provides a unique platform, for the first time, in the contemporary art community where we can all come together and share this vehicle across all seven Emirates. This is a collective space for artists practicing in the UAE to show their work, whereby profiles can be uploaded with a biography, reference to online websites and gallery affiliation can be made and exhibition histories and artwork can be created. The archive is published online and is open to everyone all over the world.

This is also an opportunity for UAE residents to participate in an exclusive competition and to be a part of an online community that is really working from a grass roots level for the art and cultural scene across the UAE. This competition, I believe, is one of the most effective paths in which we can engage people’s interests and encourage them to support our own pool of creative contemporary talent.”

Ahmed Khoory, Senior Vice President for Commercial Operations – Gulf, Middle East and Iran, Emirates Airline said:
"Emirates is delighted to be a part of this exciting initiative. I hope that the people of the UAE can take inspiration from the majestic beauty of this great country when developing their submissions. The UAE Pavilion has worked hard to encourage UAE residents to embrace and express their creativity and we look forward to continuing our partnership with them for many years to come."

Commencing from July 23nd, the competition will be judged by the Ambassadors to the UAE Pavilion: Sultan Al Qassemi, Alanood Al Warshaw, Jack Persekian, Paula Askari, Hannan Sayed, Nadine Kanso, Rashid Shabib, Ahmed Shabib, Sunny Rahbar and Maliha Tabari. The contest will close on September 2nd and an announcement of the winner will be made on September 16th at a Suhoor during Ramadan to reveal who will be awarded two economy flight tickets to Venice with a three-day stay at a four-star hotel in Venice and two tickets to visit the 53rd Venice Biennale, courtesy of Emirates Airline.

“As an Ambassador to the UAE Pavilion and one of the judges of this competition, I am enthusiastic to see the first glimpse of how the UAE’s art scene has evolved and what our local creative minds have in store. This contest is an innovative way to examine the developments which are currently taking place across the UAE’s art agenda,” Sultan Al Qassemi commented.

The announcement comes in the midst of an ongoing international art exhibition in Venice, Italy, the 2009 Venice Biennale, of which the UAE has sent its official contribution to play an integral part. Breaking ground as the first Arabian Gulf state ever to participate since the event began in 1895, the UAE Pavilion was established in recognition of the nation’s emergence as a cultural hub worthy of attracting global attention and was supported by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development.

Universally recognised as the world’s most prestigious contemporary art event, the Venice Biennale currently presents its 53rd International Art Exhibition, which began on June 7 and will be staged through November 22, 2009.

RTA Takes Part In DSS 2009 With A Historical And Heritage Expo

Mr. Ahmed Hashim Bahrozyan CEO of RTA’s Licensing Agency and Mr. Yousef Sharaf, Deputy Executive Director of Aswaaq Centers inaugurated "Al Maktoum & Dubai Exhibition" held at the Aswaaq Centers in Al Mizhar Area as part of RTA’s activity in the Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) 2009. The exhibition will run for two weeks.

Bahrozyan stated that the Exhibition, which is organized by the Licensing Agency under the title "Al Maktoum & Dubai," embodies the history and heritage of the Dubai Emirate since the era of the fifties through to the sixties and until emergence of the UAE Union at beginning of the seventies. The Agency offers rare heritage collections giving the visitors an overview of the Al-Maktoum and the emirate of Dubai in that period of time.

He explained that the collections include books, coins, stamps, medals and old posters of the Al Maktoum and the emirate of Dubai. The exhibition also includes Arabic and foreign books narrating about HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, in addition to glass collections decorated with the portraits of Sheikh Rashid. The stamps carry pictures of Sheikh Rashid and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The event also includes ancient coins and military medals that were used in the Emirate of Dubai during that time.

For his part, Mr. Nabeel Yousef Al Ali, Director of Control and Inspection at the Licensing Agency said that the Agency is partaking in the exhibition with a history of driving license in Dubai Driving license’s developmental phases, and various forms and designs were showcased. The Agency is also reviewing through the plate numbers the vision that can be adopted after the use of Latin alphabets (A, B, C…) carried by the plate numbers in Dubai.

It is worth mentioning that the exhibition is open to visitors from 9 am to 9 pm.

Ducab A Corporate Member Of Emirates Green Building Council

Ducab, the leading manufacturer of high quality power cables in the Middle East, and Winner of Mohammed Bin Rashid Business Excellence Award for their achievements in the manufacturing sector, recently signed an agreement with Emirates Green Building Council to become a corporate member. As per the agreement, Ducab will work together with the Council to promote sustainable environmental development in the UAE.

“By becoming a corporate member of the Emirates GBC (Green Building Council), we will be doing everything we can to help increase awareness about environmental practices and standards whilst supporting the Green vision of the leadership of UAE,’’ said Mr.Graham Cheetham , Manufacturing GM, Ducab.

As avid supporters of environmental preservation Ducab takes its corporate social responsibility very seriously, therefore and through this agreement, Ducab will join forces with Emirates Green Building Council to organize workshops in which it will highlight the importance of sustainable environmental development, as well as promote environmentally friendly approaches.

Since its inception in 1979, Ducab has taken part in many environmental activities such as the “Clean the Earth” and “Clean up the World” campaigns, The company is also a member of the Emirates Environmental Group (EEG). In addition to recycling internal waste as well as scrap, Ducab has also been involved in tree planting in the Emirates for Dubai & Abu Dhabi.

“We remain committed to promoting sustainable development, whilst at the same time taking part in Environmental initiatives to protect and preserve our local environment. We recognize the importance of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and strive to incorporate all of its fundamental principles into our business practices,” concluded Mr. Cheetham.
 

Aswaaq Launches ’Thimaar’ As A New Fruit And Vegetable Supplier

Aswaaq has announced the launching of ‘Thimaar’, a subsidiary under aswaaq’s umbrella, as the new supplier of fresh fruits and vegetables. The announcement comes in line with recent statistics showing a 40% increase in the imports of fruits and vegetables in the years 2007 and 2008, and aims to ensure aswaaq’s strive to provide high quality and healthy products to its various customers.

Officials at aswaaq have revealed that Thimaar will start supplying fresh produce to aswaaq’s supermarkets in July and will be directly responsible for the consolidation, processing and pre-packaging of fresh produce. Thimaar will also source superior products through direct import as well as contribute to the local economy by supporting local farmers in the region.

“We are pleased to welcome Thimaar onboard as our main fruit and vegetable supplier and we look forward to maintain our growth as a company with them by our side. By further raising our standards, Thimaar will play a key role in increasing customer satisfaction levels and ultimately the development of aswaaq as a whole in Dubai,” said Abdul Al Basset Al Janahi, CEO and Board member of aswaaq

Located in Ras Al Khor Industrial Area 2, Thimaar will be sourcing and selecting superior products from the local market, local suppliers, local farms and direct import. The company will operate under International procedures and processes, where fresh produce will be handled with extreme care and under the strictest hygienic conditions. Thimaar’s highly experienced team will develop concepts, packaging and a variety of products for the retail sector and will be working with the latest technology to ensure quality and maintain freshness of the produce.

In addition to supplying aswaaq supermarkets with fresh produce Thimaar also plans to distribute fruit and vegetables to various government bodies, hotels and restaurants in the UAE. To ensure the freshness and quality of the fruit and vegetable sector in Dubai, the Thimaar Distribution Centre will use some of the highest technology systems available to guarantee freshness and a higher level of quality.

“We are currently implementing the latest technologies available to ensure the elimination of every type of airborne bacteria, mould and fungi is essential for quality and freshness. With the recent HACCP certification that we received and the installation of the AiroCide system, we are looking forward to ensure maximum control of health and food safety standards in aswaaq and its subsidiaries like Thimaar,” said Affan Al Khoori, the assigned member for Thimaar

Emirates To Serve Second UK Gateway With An A380 – For A Day

An Emirates’ super-jumbo is to serve a second UK gateway – but passengers wanting to enjoy the ride between Dubai and Birmingham better be quick.

In what is likely to be one of Emirates’ briefest commercial deployments, an A380 will serve Birmingham for just one day on September 9th, as part of Birmingham International Airport’s 70th anniversary celebrations.

The much talked about double-decker will be used on one of Emirates’ two daily services to Birmingham, giving passengers the first chance to fly directly to or from Birmingham on the A380.

Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline, said: “Emirates and Birmingham International Airport have enjoyed a successful partnership since we started services in 2000, and it’s fitting that we should mark this significant milestone in the airport’s history by flying in our most talked about aircraft.

“We hope that many travellers from around the region will take advantage of this opportunity to fly on the superjumbo for the first time. With the range of amenities we have on board, including the world’s first Onboard Shower Spas in First Class, we are sure they won’t be disappointed.”

Joe Kelly, Birmingham International Airport’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer, said: “Our 70th anniversary is a fantastic milestone for the airport and we are delighted that Emirates is helping us celebrate our birthday with the A380. Additionally, this is the first commercial flight of an A380 outside of London Heathrow in the UK."

Mr Kelly added: “As well as our 70th anniversary, September 9th is also the date that our new 45 million pound International Pier opens. The Pier replaces the existing Pier, constructed in 1984, with state of the art facilities and it is therefore very fitting that the first aircraft will be the Emirates’ A380.”

Passengers will have two chances to fly on the superjumbo between Dubai and Birmingham. Flight EK039 departs Dubai at 0805hrs and arrives in Birmingham at 1235hrs. Alternatively, travellers can take EK040, which leaves Birmingham at 1505hrs and lands in Dubai at 0105hrs the next day.

Spread over two levels, the whole of the A380 upper deck is dedicated to Premium passengers. Towards the front, First Class passengers can relax in one of 14 flat-bed, massage-equipped Private Suites. These incorporate remote-controlled doors, a work desk, an electrically controlled mini-bar and the most advanced in-flight entertainment system available to travellers.

The aircraft boasts two Onboard Shower Spas – in First Class, which include heated flooring, leather seating and shower kits from Emirates’ premium spa brand, Timeless Spa.

Business Class passengers will be able to enjoy a new generation of intelligent seating designed to ensure all seats have aisle access. There’s a cleverly designed table that never gets in the way, and a seat that slickly becomes a fully-flat bed. Passengers have ample laptop stowage when they want to switch from work to fun and enjoy the award-winning ice entertainment system, which is available to all onboard.

First and Business Class passengers can also take advantage of the Onboard Lounge, located at the rear of the upper deck. The lounge is designed to make passengers feel like they are in their own executive club, and offers seating with a wide range of beverages and canapés. A First Class Social Area with drinks facilities is located at the front of the upper deck.

Passengers in Economy Class will notice the straight, rather than conventionally concave walls, throughout the cabin, giving the impression of increased spaciousness, enhanced by the more generous seats and wider aisles.

September 9th is not only a significant day for Birmingham International Airport in the world of transport developments. Dubai Metro, a full automated, driverless railway system running throughout Dubai, is due to open the same day.

Emirates NBD Organises A Staff Art Show

As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives and its commitment to promoting art, culture and heritage, Emirates NBD, the largest banking group in the Middle East in terms of assets has recently started the first Staff Art Show. The works of art will be on display at the main Emirates NBD branch until the 22nd of July, before being moved to various other branches in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. A select few will also be displayed in the Pearl Museum, which could be an aspiring artist’s gateway into the world of art.

The opening of the art show, comprising 43 paintings and photographs submitted entirely by the bank staff, was attended by members of the Senior Management of the Bank, as well as the artists, well-wishers, family and friends.

The Art Show received an overwhelming response from the bank employees, with over 180 submissions. The experts taking a call on the best entries were from the prestigious American University of Sharjah, with the design professor Philip Sheil as the painting curator for the event and Tarek Al Ghossein, the photography professor, judging the photography entries.
 

RTA Opens A New Bus Route!

The Public Transport Agency at Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) has launched on July 1st a new bus route called X63 covering several areas in the emirate of Dubai, following extensive field surveys carried out by the Agency to assess the requirements of several districts in Dubai, and meet the rising demand for this service in several Dubai localities.

“Public Transport Agency is keen on broadening and upgrading its services to cope with the urban expansion and demographic growth of the whole country, particularly in Dubai; which has a growing profile as a regional commercial and economic hub, and a point attraction for investors and businessmen from all over the globe” said Mohammed AbuBuker Al Hashemi, Acting CEO of Public Transport Agency.

“The New route, X63, starts from a point near Workers Residential Blocks of Dubai Municipality at Al Qusais, passes through Emirates Road and Al Khail Road up to Al Qouz Industrial Area 3.

“5 standard buses are being deployed on this route to provide daily service from Saturday to Thursday, and 8 buses during Fridays and weekends. Buses shuttle at 30 minutes intervals on normal working days, and at 15 minutes interval on Fridays and weekends.

“RTA is always seeking to expand public transport network to cover various areas in the emirate of Dubai in keeping with the ambitious development plans undertaken by the emirate. This drive is demonstrated in the deployment of sophisticated, comfortable and safe buses imported from world-class specialized bus manufacturers, and fitted with features to serve special needs with exclusive compartments for ladies & children” added Al Hashemi.

Starting from the first of July, Public Transport Agency has also introduced some changes on Route 34 through increasing the number of operating buses from 6 to 9 on normal working days, thereby improving trip intervals from 25 minutes to 20 minutes. Trip Interval has also been improved on Route X92 from 30 to 20 minutes, and the number of buses deployed on Route X23 increased from 12 to 13 buses during Fridays and weekends. As of the first day of this month, the Route (L55) was renamed as (55); where the service will continue through the afternoon and will be open to all passengers. With the opening of Route X63, the number of internal bus routes covering the emirate of Dubai rises to 79 routes.

Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation and Bahrain Development Bank announce a three year plan to Promote Entrepreneurship

The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation today announced a high-level delegation met with officials of the Bahrain Development Bank to announce ways for promoting business initiatives and entrepreneurial activities among the youth in the Arab world.The meeting came as part of the delegation’s two-day visit to Bahrain to formulate a working plan for the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in July 2008.

Led by Adel Al Shared, Vice-Chairman and Managing Director of the Foundation, the delegation members included Sultan Lootah, Vice President – Entrepreneurship and Employment sector, and Jamal Al Shehhi, Director – Culture Development, Culture Sector. Awadh Seghayer Al Ketbi, CEO, Mohammed bin Rashid Centre for Leadership Development, also accompanied the delegation.The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation will cooperate with the Bahrain Development Bank to provide diverse mechanisms including e-programmes and ensure the success of incubation projects. Both organizations will also collaborate to support research and hold workshops on raising awareness on entrepreneurship among the youth in the Arab world.Adel Al Shared said: “We value the alliances we have successfully established with our partners, regionally and internationally. The visit to Bahrain demonstrates our commitment to provide the Arab youth with key tools to access knowledge resources and develop their skills.”The agreement between the Bahrain Development Bank and the Foundation complements the organisations’ respective strategies towards enhancing opportunities for the youth and motivating them to participate in strengthening economic capabilities through launching new businesses in the Arab world.The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Matkoum Foundation’s discussions with Bahrain Development Bank are designed to not only create opportunities for the youth, but help the wider community in general. The discussions are also part of the Foundation’s overall strategy to enter into alliances with regional and international organizations for promoting young entrepreneurs and enhancing their contribution to the overall progress of the region.