Dubai Silicon Oasis Signs Mou With Dubai Department Of Tourism And Commerce Marketing

Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA) today announced it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) to provide best of class services and support for companies aspiring to develop hospitality ventures within the DSO.

According to this agreement, DTCM will take the responsibility for licensing and categorizing hotels according to DTCM regulations. It will also ensure the implementation of all other procedures related to tourism events activities.

The MoU was signed by Dr. Mohammed Al Zarouni, Chief Executive Officer of DSOA, and Mr. Khalid A. bin Sulayem, Director-General of DTCM, in the presence of senior officials from both organizations.

Dr. Mohammed Al Zarouni, Chief Executive Officer of DSOA, said: “Since the establishment of Dubai Silicon Oasis we have endeavored to develop the technology park into a fully integrated community that offers enabling services and facilities to all our customers. Consequently, we have been engaged with several governmental departments and signed various agreements and contracts that will serve to achieve the ambitious objectives for our business partners.

“Through this partnership, DTCM will be responsible for licensing companies aspiring to develop hospitality ventures at DSO. In addition, it will also oversee tourism related events and activities that will complement the overall deliverables of the technology hub.”

Khaled A. bin Sulayem, DTCM Director General said: “This agreement falls in line within the framework of cooperation and strategic partnership between the DTCM and public and private sector organizations to enhance the tourism industry standards and services. This will go a long way in enlarging the scope of tourism industry and help regulate the hospitality sector to better the tourism product offering of Dubai.”

“Companies that are interested in hospitality business will benefit from the DTCM’s expertise and efforts to promote and market Dubai across the word. This partnership between DSO and DTCM will help create better synergies for better tourism standards and regulations for the hospitality sector,” he said.

DSO is a free zone technology park for semiconductor, microelectronics and other high technology-based companies looking to set up their regional headquarters and R&D facilities in the Middle East and North Africa region. DSOA is the regulatory body for DSO, the region’s premier integrated innovations hub for high-tech industries.

DEWA Honours Dubai Students, Schools And Universities For Achieving Outstanding Success In Emirate-Wide Conservation Campaign

The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), in conjunction with the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), today awarded students, parents, schools and universities in Dubai for, leading by example, reducing water and electricity consumption as part of its “Conservation for a Better Tomorrow” campaign.

In its fourth year, DEWA’s ‘Conservation for a Better Tomorrow’ initiative urged all residents of Dubai to contribute to the emirate’s ambitious objectives of reducing its carbon footprint. The campaign reflects DEWA’s consistent efforts to create and widen awareness of the urgent need to conserve energy and water resources, and instil a culture of conservation in future generations.

Cash prizes ranging from AED6,000 – AED10,000 were awarded to over 15 institutions for reducing usage of water and electricity. Similarly, students from the various education levels, ranging from kindergarten to preliminary, intermediate, secondary, colleges and universities, were awarded cash prizes ranging from AED1,000 – AED3,000 for reducing the energy consumed at their homes.

Present at the awards ceremony, which was held at the Intercontinental Hotel in Dubai Festival City, were Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Managing Director and CEO of DEWA, Dr Abdulla Al Karam, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director General at Knowledge and Human Development Authority, Fatma Al Marri, a member of the Federal National Council and CEO, Schools Agency.

Al Tayer said: “Energy conservation is not for water and electricity only but for all our natural resources. Conserving energy is a life-long practice that each one of us must adopt and make a permanent part of our daily lives. Significant savings have been achieved through this initiative, especially where water is concerned with approximately 42% reduction.

“KHDA has played a tangible role in supporting this initiative by encouraging schools, educational institutions and students to participate, and their continuous assistance throughout this initiative cannot be understated.”

Commenting on the energy conservation initiative, Dr. Al Karam said: “The ‘Conservation for a Better Tomorrow’ Award encourages schools to protect their environment as students work as ambassadors of conservation within their community.

“KHDA sees schools as a community where students from different cultures and backgrounds study together. Our objective is to prepare the current generation for the future. We want the students to be better prepared to take on the social responsibility to face the challenges of the future. The ‘Conservation for a Better Tomorrow’ Award is the best platform to achieve this. Not only does it inspire a sense of responsibility within students and teachers, it also helps them identify the value and concept of conservation in all aspects of life.”

The winning schools in each of the categories were: Al Manhal Kindergarten, which saved 57% of water consumption; Al Khoulafa’ Al Rashedeen preliminary school which saved 40% of water consumption; Nad Al Hamar intermediate school which saved 26% of water consumption; Al Ma’aref secondary school which saved 76% of water consumption and Zayed University which saved 27% of electricity consumption.

Spearheading the drive for creating a sustainable environment in Dubai, DEWA has successfully collaborated with various institutions, such as Dubai Municipality, to formulate new eco-friendly policies for the real estate and construction industries. The new regulations will mandate the installation of low energy light bulbs, solar panels, energy saving modules for air conditioning units, low flow taps and dual flush water systems in all new buildings.

In addition, DEWA recently launched a series of initiatives with the objective of curtailing the amount of energy used in residential and commercial establishments throughout Dubai. The initiative includes the Best Consumer Award, which encourages homeowners to reduce their electricity and water consumption.

As an institution keen to mitigate the UAE’s carbon footprint and support green measures, DEWA was actively engaged in the promotion of Earth Hour 2009, a global initiative that took place on 28 March and helped Dubai save 146,000 kWh of electricity.