Doedijns Expands her Activities in the Middle East and Africa

WADDINXVEEN, The Netherlands, June 6, 2011/PRNewswire/ — The Netherlands based Doedijns Group, announces the opening of its new premises in Dubai, United Arab Emirates to strengthen its presence in the region. This full service Doedijns facility is located in the ’Jebel Ali Free zone’ district and will be led by Mr. Rakesh Surti, appointed as Managing Director. Doedijns Middle East & Africa FZE will offer its clients local production and assembly possibilities and access to the Doedijns products and services portfolio including its four proprietary technologies; oil filtration systems, temperature sensors, compact actuators and sampling systems.

Mr. Juul IJzermans, Doedijns CEO commented; "Opening our Middle East & African Head Quarters in Dubai represents another milestone in our global growth strategy to maximize our customer services worldwide, providing the innovative Hydraulics-, Pneumatics-, Instrumentation control solutions. We are extremely pleased that Mr. Surti has joined us. With his extensive experience in the energy- and (petro) chemical industry we are confident that he will support our existing clients and further extend our client portfolio in the region."

Doedijns ME&A FZE was established under UAE law and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Doedijns International BV from the Netherlands. It has received the full industrial licence for trading, engineering, production and assembling.

About Doedijns
Doedijns has established a leading position in the Energy & (Petro) Chemical sector, the Maritime & Dredging industry and High-end Machine building, where customers require high quality and high service solutions.

Doedijns operates a four business unit model with the following offerings;
– Hydraulics: engineering, assembly and distribution of hydraulic power packs, oil filtration systems and components
– Instrumentation: engineering, assembly and distribution of temperature sensors, custom made sensors and components
– Pneumatics: engineering, assembly and distribution of valve actuators, compact actuators and general pneumatic components
– Controls: engineering, assembly and distribution of sampling systems, wellhead control panels

With a workforce of over 280 knowledgeable and experienced employees, Doedijns works alongside the most demanding customers.

http://www.doedijns.com

Source: Doedijns International B.V.

For more information please contact: Mr. Juul Ijzermans, +31-18-23-02715 Or Mr. Rakesh Surti, +97-1-50 5561790, Doedijns Middle East & Africa FZE, PO Box # 261894, Jebel Ali Free Zone, Dubai, UAE, Ph : +971-4-8876313 / Fax: +971-4-8876314, E: info@doedijns.com / rakesh.surti@doedijns.com

More Than 145,000 Visitors Join Activities At Global Village To Welcome New Year 2011

Global Village, the premier cultural, shopping and family entertainment destination, today announced more than 145,000 visitors joined the special activities to greet the New Year 2011 during the weekend.

The spectacular array of activities including art shows, dance performances at individual pavilions and dedicated cultural events continued to attract a large number of visitors to Global Village right from 4.00pm on the New Year’s Eve.

The parking area which accommodates 16,000 vehicles filled up in the early hours of the afternoon, requiring an intensified presence of traffic police to regulate the movement of vehicles and pedestrians towards the Global village.

The 111-day new season at the Global Village that opened its 15th season on 10 November 2010 will run until 29 February 2011. It is featuring 28 pavilions from over 45 countries, showcasing a colourful array of heritage and handicrafts.

For more information about the deals and activities, please contact the Global Village Call Center at 04-3624114, or visit www.globalvillage.ae, or follow up the news on facebook and youtube.
 

From Dubai-Based Design To Big Ideas To Family Activities, Art Dubai 2011 Offers Public Programming For Budding Art Enthusiasts To Established Collectors

From a design-focused retail outlet created to showcase the talent of Dubai’s creative community to practical workshops for art enthusiasts to family-focused activities that contribute to art education initiatives in the region, Art Dubai 2011 will offer a range of public programmes and unmissable activities for all audiences.

Through its specially curated programme, Art Dubai offers a host of events and interests for the wider community, engaging families, students, and art lovers as well as established artists, collectors and museum groups. Among the public programmes are: Artists’ Tours of the fair halls; DXB Store, a retail outlet featuring limited edition products by UAE-based creatives; THE BIG IDEA, a dynamic forum for artists and designers living and working in the Emirates; video screenings, radio dispatches, artists’ talks and workshops curated by Art Dubai, Bidoun Projects and the Island; and workshops on geometry and pattern-making for children led by START, a non-profit organisation that provides arts education for disadvantaged children in the region .

“Whether you’re a first-time visitor to Art Dubai or are returning for our fifth edition, there will be something that captures your imagination, from our 81 participating galleries, daily workshops and talks at the Global Art Forum_5 to our dynamic programme of installations, performances radio dispatches and non-commercial exhibitions,” said Antonia Carver, Fair Director, Art Dubai.

“Simply attending Art Dubai enables thousands of visitors to encounter artists, gallerists, curators, filmmakers and other visionaries, sharing firsthand the latest developments in the Middle East’s contemporary arts landscape. You can even take home an original artwork, a one-off piece such as a handmade iPod cover or ceramic plate from our new platform for UAE-based artists and designers,” Carver added.

A selection of must-see and must-do activities at Art Dubai 2011 includes:

– The return of the popular interactive artists’ tours of Art Dubai, this year commissioned from Malak Helmy and Abhishek Hazra; explore the gallery halls through the eyes of the artists (see www.artdubai.ae for times and details)

– Film screenings and discussions with renowned artists Wael Shawky and Sherif El-Azma in the Art Park, curated by Bidoun Projects on Thursday and Friday evening.

– Performances by artists including renowned Lebanese artist-filmmakers Joana Hadjithomas and Khalil Joreige, talks, books launches and workshops in the Art Park, daily at the fair.

– For the duration of the fair, Bidoun Projects will present a live mural, painted and repainted each day with interpretations of ‘labour’, a theme that has been integral to the development and growth of cities in the region. The mural will see the work of renowned artists – Ali Chitsaz and Mounir Al Solh in collaboration with Bassam Ramlawi among them.

– THE BIG IDEA: UAE-based artists and designers present new projects and debate the future of the arts scene in this fast-paced dynamic forum, in the Art Park, from 17.30 – 19.00 on Friday, 18 March

– Visitors of the fair can catch artists’ talks at gallery stands, including Faiza Butt at Grosvenor Vadehra as well as Raafat Ishak discussing his own installation, a work three years in the making, at Sutton Gallery on Thursday 17th March between 18.00 – 19.00 in addition to curators’ tours, book launches, and much more.

– START family workshop with artist Stephen E. Meakin on geometry and pattern-making from 16:30 – 19:00 on Friday, 18 March – welcoming children to participate in Meakin’s exciting workshop and create their own Mandala art piece to take home, teaching children interesting new techniques and interacting one on one with the artist in the buzzing surroundings of Art Dubai.

On Wednesday, 16 March from 11.30 – 15.00, Art Dubai is open exclusively for Ladies’ Day, held under the Patronage of Her Royal Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Women Establishment, Wife of HH Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs UAE.

Art Dubai will open to the public on Thursday 16th March at 4pm and will be open between the following times during the fair.

WEDNESDAY 16 MARCH
11.30 – 15.00 (Ladies Only
THURSDAY 17 MARCH
16.00 – 21.30

FRIDAY 18 MARCH
12.00 – 19.30

SATURDAY 19 MARCH
12.00 – 17.30
Admission to Art Dubai is 50 DHS. Tickets are available at the door.
 

Hamdan Bin Mohammed e-University Leads Launch Of Activities Of International Consortium For Teaching And Learning Centers

Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and President of Hamdan Bin Mohammed e-University, H.H. Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, today opened the ‘Annual Congress 2011’, which is being held in Dubai under the theme “Being at the Leading Edge – How to give Quest for Excellence a New Meaning.” Hamdan Bin Mohammed e-University (HBMeU), a leader in the field of e-Learning and quality management in the Arab World, has also announced the launch of the “International Consortium for Teaching and Learning Centers” (ICTLC)”.

The ICTLC initiative is in line with HBMeU’s goal to develop a collaborative network with universities that will help intensify efforts to adopt technology in the professional development of faculty and staff members and in equipping learners with skills and competencies in the areas of innovative teaching and learning. ICTLC also encourages joint scholarly and research work among the universities that are part of the Consortium.

With the launch of ICTLC, the first-of-its-kind initiative in the world, HBMeU aims to improve the quality of teaching and learning of member institutions by creating a platform to collaborate in developing knowledge, sharing resources and case studies, providing leadership and quality practices, and encouraging community building. The Consortium’s founding members, led by HBMeU, are among the most prominent universities and academic institutions of different countries including Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Egypt, Malaysia, China, Nigeria, and Mauritius. The members of the Consortium have been selected on the basis of their reputation and credibility and their shared values that support the Consortium’s objectives of disseminating knowledge and developing the quality of education.

Commenting on the launch of the pioneering initiative, Dr. Mansoor Al Awar, Chancellor of HBMeU, said, “ICTLC is one of the most important steps we have taken to strengthen collaborative efforts towards realizing our shared vision in the field of education. The launch of the initiative reaffirms the stature of HBMeU as a world-leader in disseminating knowledge, encouraging scientific and scholarly research and cultivating a culture of innovation and creativity to create an integrated cognitive environment that supports economic and social development. The Consortium will soon conclude collaboration agreements with two more universities, one from Asia and one from America, which will expand our knowledge transfer and exchange network in these regions.”

Al Awar added: “Driven by the Consortium’s mission to create a collaborative platform for developing knowledge, we will coordinate with other members of the Consortium to shift our focus towards intensifying the exchange of resources and knowledge by providing networking opportunities, sharing best international educational practices, leading professional development programs, and implementing joint research initiatives and projects. In addition, we will be organizing webinars and web-conferences and launching International Awards in recognition of excellence in both teaching and learning. We will also assist in providing more self-learning and e-learning opportunities for scholars and offering them high-quality practical experiences in the areas of teaching and learning. In the future, ICTLC will allow more academic centers and educational institutions from all over the world to join as members according to a set of criteria and our vision and objectives in the future.”

Meanwhile, a number of case studies were discussed on the sidelines of the Annual Congress 2011. The studies are the first to be published by the British Research Center in line with steps to transfer, produce and disseminate knowledge all over the Arab region and rest of the world. The case studies tackled a number of influential subjects and issues under three main themes: “Challenging Conventional Wisdom: A Comprehensive Framework for the Design and Development of Online Courses”, “Carving a Learner-centric Paradigm for e-Learning” and “The Quest for Creating an Impact on Education in the Arab World”.

HBMeU is the first e-learning institute in the Arab World that was established with the vision to develop a new learning process through the implementation of learning practices characterised by flexibility, quality and diversity to strengthen self-leadership among learners and prepare them socially and academically for a future career through integration in the job market. HBMeU’s philosophy is based on vital methods that have been developed through extensive research and development by specialists from all over the world. These methods include offering high quality programs, supporting the pursuit of lifelong learning, promoting the freedom of information, reinforcing the culture of excellence and innovation and providing education for everyone in line with the highest standards of comprehensiveness and credibility. The university seeks to constantly identify knowledge needs, support research and development programs and create an outstanding environment for e-learning.
 

RTA Launches Its Own Activities For Gulf Traffic Week 2011

The Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) started yesterday its own activities for the Gulf Traffic Week which is running though from 13 – 17 March 2011.

Engineer Maitha bin Edai, CEO of RTA Traffic & Roads Agency, stated that the events program, purposely designed by the RTA for this event, comprises new thoughts addressing various targeted segments of the community transmitting awareness messages tailored to suit each category and age group.

“During the Gulf Traffic Week, we are keen to have our events run in harmony with the theme of the Week “Lets work together to reduce accidents”. Therefore we have targeted various community segments and the program includes an open house with the students of universities and colleges, and in particular the “Traffic Awareness Ambassadors” with whom we have a year-long coordination as regards events held at universities and colleges.

During the Week, the Traffic & Roads Agency will honour the winners of the traffic education movie’s contest “Your Safety in Your Distance” launched by the RTA last December for the students of universities and college in Dubai about the risk of failing to leave sufficient driving distance between vehicles as the resulting traffic accidents records show high rates among the targeted category (youth).

“During this week, RTA will transmit awareness messages through Spacetoon television channel to continue 5 times a day for 5 weeks. These messages focus on the safety measures needed when riding a bicycle, the use of safety belt in vehicle, avoiding playing near buses, and stressing the importance of crossing roads from the designated passenger crossing points.

“This year’s events also target RTA employees themselves through an educative lecture delivered in RTA premises about the importance of the child’s seat in the vehicle. During the event, there will be a draw on two child seats for the attendants, and an educative leaflet, entitled “Protect Your Child from Your Vehicle” will also be distributed. Attention to child’s safety will not be restricted to RTA employees but will also include mothers at Al Wasl Hospital where an educative workshop was held yesterday about the Child Seat in the vehicle and the importance of the safety belt for the pregnant women. The event will also include the distribution of the latest edition of Child’s Safety Program and a draw on a Child Seat.

“Coordination is in hand with several strategic partners including local departments and government agencies as well as schools in Dubai to take part in the diverse events held by the Traffic Dep’t at Nadd Al Hamar School titled: “Kullunna Tawieya” during the period 14 – 16 March.

“Besides that, an awareness campaign will be held for road users focusing on pedestrian crossing targeting areas witnessing frequent run-over accidents as revealed by the traffic surveys and statistics. The campaign, which will start with the Gulf Traffic Week and last for a month, includes visiting patients injured in traffic accident admitted to Rashid Hospital in Dubai.

“The Traffic and Roads Agency started in line with Gulf Traffic Week the transmission of awareness flashes during the week through the Virtual Messaging Signs across Dubai roads exhibiting the slogan of the Week and conveying its messages. In the meantime, Salama Magazine turns five and celebrates the event with its friends on March 15th.
 

Dubai Public Library Commemorates UAEs Visionaries With Various Activities On Accession Day

Committed to encouraging and nurturing the thirst for knowledge, the Dubai Public Library hosted a series of workshops, book readings, and exhibitions for the public on the fifth anniversary of the Accession Day of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President & Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.

Celebrating the legacies of the UAE’s greatest visionaries, the Accession Day activities were designed to educate people about the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and his achievements.

The Dubai Public Library operates under the umbrella of the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, the Emirate’s dedicated Authority for culture, arts, and heritage.
 

Dubai Internet City Hosts Eco-Friendly Community Activities At Yoga Fest 2010

Dubai Internet City (DIC), part of Tecom Investments today organised Yoga Fest 2010, one of the first free eco-friendly community event in the region, to mark the unique combination of ‘Winter Solstice’, the shortest day of the year, and a full moon,thatwill recur only after 84 years.

The fest offered complimentary yoga and meditation classes from 7.00am – 8.00pm at the DIC outdoor amphitheatre. The event attracted more than 650 registrations.

A total of 11 different types of yoga was presented with one session every hour by key yoga and fitness club experts. Participants came in from across Dubai setting an example for a healthy lifestyle while experiencing the benefits of yoga.

Established in 2000, Dubai Internet City serves as a business community dedicated to assisting technology companies across the industry value chain to set up business operations in the region. From software developers, Internet and multimedia, as well as networking and telecommunication service providers, DIC currently hosts more than 1,400 companies in the technology business park.
 

Times Square Center Lines Up Themed Activities To Celebrate Ramadan

Times Square Center (TSC) has announced exciting offerings and surprises as part of month-long activities to celebrate the holy month of Ramadan. TSC revealed that it is offering free henna painting for women throughout the month, while mall visitors will also be treated to a range of Arabic sweets and beverages and traditional Arabic music. A Bedouin style tent has been erected at the atrium, providing a majlis seating area for visitors to enjoy a cup of Khaleeji Coffee whilst taking in the atmosphere created by the exquisite decor put up for the season.

In addition to Ramadan-themed entertainment activities, there are also exclusive offers for shoppers such as a part sale at auto accessories store Yellow Hat and exclusive offers at Sharaf DG. TSC further revealed that several more surprises will be announced throughout the course of the month, including special activities during Eid.
 
"Ramadan is a holy month when we are all given a chance to do much needed self-reflection.  In our busy lives, little time is taken to understand the great value of life and be grateful for the blessings we receive. Our goal is to reinforce the spirit of Ramadan, and make it a truly memorable season for Times Square Center’s customers," said Anthony J O’Donnell, General Manager, Times Square Center.

Times Square Center features a wide selection of top brands offering a complete range of choices from lifestyle, home accessories, electronics, cafe’s and restaurants, fashion and sporting-goods. Strategically located in Dubai’s premier business district on Sheikh Zayed Road, TSC is also home to some of Dubai’s most unique destinations such as Chillout, Dubai’s first and only sub-zero ice cafe and restaurant, and the largest Sharaf DG – electronic appliances superstore.

KidZania® Introduces New Activities In The Holy Month Of Ramadan

Celebrate this Ramadan at ‘Madinat KidZania®’ with new, entertaining and educational activities reflective of the spirit of the Holy Month.

The edutainment centre is introducing activities throughout Ramadan and Eid in keeping with the values of generosity, charity, and gratitude in the Holy Month. The activities will be carried out across the different establishments of KidZania®, including a special theatrical performance reinforcing the values of the Holy Month; Ramadan Kareem greeting cards created in Arts & Crafts; a Ramadan broadcast created in the twofour54 TV Studio; a fashion show displaying traditional local attire; and the traditional ‘El Mesaharaty’ Ramadan drumming that serves as a call for Sohour.

Young ones also have the opportunity to make jewellery and perfumes that can be given as Ramadan or Eid gifts; listen to Arabian Nights story-telling at Urbano’s House; or even write articles at the Newspaper Edition explaining the true meaning of Ramadan, in addition to various other activities.

Children will also be encouraged to donate KidZos, KidZania®’s official currency, which will then be doubled in value by KidZania®’s Government and donated to underprivileged children. They will be able to use the KidZos to shop for gifts at KidZania®’s department store.

Celebrations during the auspicious month at Madinat KidZania® are officially sponsored by KidZania®’s partners, HSBC and ENOC. The collaboration reiterates the spirit of global solidarity that KidZania® promotes as well as the contribution of the marketing partners to develop an authentic learning milieu.

Mr Will Edwards, Governor, KidZania® Dubai, said that KidZania® is celebrating its first Ramadan since its launch. “We are always striving to offer our guests unique experiences within our edutainment facilities, and on this auspicious occasion, we are enhancing the learning experience for children by introducing the Ramadan theme in KidZania®.”

“The mini-city of KidZania® follows the operation of a real city and as such, has even transformed to reflect the same with the interior décor. KidZania® aims to educate children about the grandeur of Ramadan, reflect on life, and bask on the values of gratitude and generosity, in a never-before way to celebrate the Holy Month,” he added.

KidZania® is the first of its kind edutainment concept in the entire region, and offers children the opportunity to understand and appreciate different professions through a hands-on approach.

In addition to KidZania®, Emaar Retail LLC manages a strong roster of exclusive leisure and retail concepts including Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo featuring over 33,000 aquatic animals and the world’s largest acrylic viewing panel; the Olympic-sized Dubai Ice Rink; Reel Cinemas, the UAE largest megaplex with 22-screens; and the region’s largest SEGA indoor theme park, SEGA Republic – all in The Dubai Mall. Emaar Retail recently introduced the first ‘premier’ Reel Cinemas Cineplex at Dubai Marina Mall.
 

Dubai Early Childhood Development Centre Organises Summer Activities For Children

The Dubai Early Childhood Development Centre (DECDC), one of the initiatives of the Community Development Authority in Dubai (CDA), organized numerous field trips for DECDC’s children and their families. This initiative reiterates CDA’s commitment to provide children with disabilities with a healthy social environment and encourage them to participate in a wide spectrum of social activities outlined by CDA.

“These educational and entertaining activities encompass recreational aspects with multiple positive effects on the lives of children with disabilities, including developing basic skills and identifying some crafts in a natural environment. The field trips are focused on merging education with entertainment but the priority remains on learning, communicating, and acquiring new skills” said Dr Bushra Al Mulla, Director of DECDC.

The children and their families visited a number of places including KidZania® in The Dubai Mall, an award-winning edutainment concept that provides the ultimate in role-playing experiences for children, and Magic Planet in Mall of the Emirates. The children also celebrated Hag El Laila, which is held on the 15th day of the Month of Sha’aban, marking the arrival of the Holy Month of Ramadan. The children toured some of the government departments and hospitals distributing sweets. The celebration was held to highlight the spirit of camaraderie that marks the ocassion, among young minds, and introduce them to the region’s rich cultural heritage.

The Dubai Early Childhood Development Center is a unique early intervention program, to provide state-of-the-art, comprehensive, family-focused, community-based, trans-disciplinary services to children (from birth to age six) with disability or children and their families who are at risk for developmental delays. DECDC was established after a long and extensive benchmarking exercise of best practice early intervention programs across the world in addition to literature review and research activities in the field of early intervention and disability.