Dubai Fertility Center Celebrates First Reunion Of Dream Babies

The Dubai Gynaecology and Fertility Center (DGFC), the first fertility center in the UAE and one of the leading establishments of its kind in the region, celebrated today its first reunion event with babies who were born as a result of treatments carried out at the Center. The event was attended by officials from the Dubai Health Authority, representatives from Merck Serono, one of the leading names in fertility treatment medication, and over 100 dream babies born in 2009 and 2010 along with their families.

The event took place at the Center’s new premises in Dubai Healthcare City, which was inaugurated by Her Royal Highness Princess Haya Bint Al Hussain, Wife of His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai in 2009.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Awatif Al Bahar, DGFC Medical Director and Consultant in Obstetrics, Gynecology and Endocrine Infertility at the Dubai Health Authority, said: “We are delighted to join all the babies and mothers whose dreams came true thanks to the efforts of the Center. Today is about their joy and their dreams, but it is also a message to all those dreaming of motherhood but facing difficulties. There is always hope and new breakthroughs in science are making it possible for more and more of you to achieve that dream.”

The Center, which has been operational for 20 years, is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and equipment
in the operating theatre, laboratory and ultrasound, and brings the latest techniques in fertility management to couples in the UAE and the GCC region with a dedicated team of doctors and embryologists who are abreast with the latest practices in the field and a hardworking team of nurses. The patient relations team consists of Arabic and English speaking staff, catering to different cultural needs. The Center also works closely with international companies such as Merck Serono, the world leader in fertility treatment.

The event also saw DGFC honor those who contributed to the success of the Center, distributing certificates of appreciation to the laboratory team, nursing theatre team, clinical team, administrative team, and doctors’ team. A special certificate was also awarded to Merck Serono for their contributions.

“We actually helped deliver over 180 babies in 2009 and 2010, thanks to the efforts of our magnificent team. Our success rate at the Center is over 55% for 2011, at par if not better than leading institutes around the world. One of our success stories involves a patient who has been trying to get pregnant for 30 years and finally did. She now has a beautiful and healthy 7 month-old daughter and is trying to get pregnant again!” added Dr. Awatif.

To date, the Center has successfully treated countless cases, making the dream of motherhood come true to many who thought it was beyond them.

For more information about DGFC, please call: + 971 4 4393812 or +971 4 4393832.
 

University Of Dubais Center For Management Professional Development Offering Groundbreaking Programs

The Center for Management & Professional Development (CMPD) at the University of Dubai (UD) has been accredited by the Chartered Institute of Securities and Investment, (CISI) UK as a training provider for its range of CISI qualifications.

Formed as a not-for-profit membership body out of the London Stock Exchange in 1992, CISI is a leading global professional organization for individuals working in the securities and investment industry. International Certificate in Investment Management, International Certificate in Wealth Management, Islamic Finance Qualifications, International Introduction to Investment, UAE Financial Rules and regulations and Risk in Financial Services are the few CISI qualifications that CMPD is launching in February this year.

These qualifications are not only suitable for investment bankers, fund managers, portfolio wealth and relationship managers, financial advisers, stock brokers, but also for administration, operations, sales and customer service staff working in banks and financial institutions. These qualifications are delivered in the evenings or during weekends providing a convenient option for working professionals to enhance skills and advance their career.

Dr Omar Hefni, UD President, said: “The CISI qualifications are becoming increasingly popular throughout the Middle East as regulators are seeking to raise the skills of financial services industry practitioners by developing mandatory, qualification led licensing regimes and regulatory examinations. The Securities & Commodities Authority (SCA) which regulates the securities and investment market in UAE have partnered with CISI to develop the UAE financial rules and regulations and require candidates to pass defined set of CISI exams to be able to work in certain job functions.

Both SCA and Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) which regulates firms operating in the Dubai International Financial Center recognize that increased competence amongst market practitioners inspires investor confidence and appropriate qualifications and membership of a professional body are tangible ways of demonstrating proven ability.”

Thus the university has provided local students a dynamic forum to study under top professionals helping them develop and advance their careers by acquiring skills that drive business performance. As benchmark qualifications, these courses will raise the skills of UAE workforce to global standards and promote best business practices thus enhancing UAE’s stature as the hub of international financial services.

Focusing on ‘real world’ and ‘applied learning’ the professional programs taught at the centre have transformed the lives of over 2,500 individuals in the UAE, many of whom have moved on and are now holding senior positions in their organizations and making significant contributions in the realms of business.

Dr Hefni concluded: “Our highly professional faculty aims to foster a learning environment which is both challenging and rewarding, designed to develop skills and capabilities through the powerful combination of expert class instruction and peer interaction. In addition to using faculty members from the university, practitioners who have experience in establishing and executing best practices in the business world are invited to provide input to our programs, which allows participants to put theory into context.”
 

RTA: Al Awir Center Clears 4000 Transactions Every Month

Roads & Transport Authority – Manal Khalid: Dr. Aysha Al Busmati, Director of Customer Service, Roads & Transport Authority (RTA), revealed a rise in the number of RTA clientele interacting with RTA Customer Service Centers, including Al Awir Center; which processes about 4 thousand transactions per month.

“The Customer Service Dep’t is making expeditious efforts to deliver best-in-class services to customers in a handy manner through the three Main Centers at Al Tawar, Awir and Al Karama. These combined community centers of the Dubai Municipality illustrate how best to communicate with the public, particularly in the context of our endeavours to realize a key strategic goal of the RTA i.e. Customers First,” said Dr. Aysha Al Busmait.

She continued: “At the top of services delivered by Al Awir Center as regards vehicles registration is vehicle registration /renewal, opening of files, payment of fines, allocating /selling of distinguished plates, issuing ownership certificates of distinguished number plates in replacement of lost/damaged one and the internal transfer of vehicles. The Center, which operates in two shifts (morning and evening), is manned by a host of qualified employees highly skilled in dealing with a variety of customer segments, and we are always keen on exposing them to intensive training courses to further upgrade their skills and hone their talents.

“Al Awir Center offers a range of classy services to customers such as dedicated parking slots for special need persons, directional signage of parking spaces for employees & customers, and a Suggestions & Complaints box to enable customers express their views on the quality of services rendered or to probe their trends about the type of services preferred to be made available at the Center, to name a few.

“The Centre also provides several booklets & leaflets about the services rendered, and has a designated place for filling applications in Arabic & English, seating for waiting customers and a Queuing System fitted with monitors,” said Dr. Aysha Al Busmait in a final remark.
 

Dubai Bone Joint Center Expands Its Team Of Experts

Dubai Bone & Joint Center (DBAJ), the premiere healthcare facility located in Dubai Healthcare City has recently added several new clinicians to its existing team. Each of the specialists added to the team will further allow the center an opportunity to offer a comprehensive line of orthopedic treatments. The facility has now been operational since the past seven years and has consistently delivered quality work in bone, joint and spinal surgeries. With these new additions its team of clinicians has now grown to a total strength of twelve.

Dr Christina Kabbash, MD comes on board as a specialist foot and ankle surgeon. She is American Board certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in general orthopedic trauma as well as disorders of the foot and ankle, having achieved Fellowship status. She has an extensive experience having worked some very well recognized institutions in New York and is a member of professional bodies such as American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society and International Council of Motorsports Sciences

Another new expert Dr Ashok Kumar (MRCS), is a UK trained surgeon who till recently was working in the globally recognized All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and has several papers to his credit besides having notched up an experience of almost 3000 surgeries. He is a specialist in orthopedic oncology, joint replacement surgeries, limb salvation surgeries and pediatric orthopedics.

Dr Jamal al Salegh comes on board as an expert on Rheumatology, Osteoporosis and Arthritis. The UK trained doctor has extensive UAE experience and has several publications on Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Arthritis, Osteoporosis, and soft tissue Rheumatism.

Caterina Obrador, Podiatry Surgeon has also recently joined the team of experts at the center. Having trained in Spain Caterina will develop the newly implemented Podiatry Service, specializing in Diabetic Foot and Gait Analysis, using state of the art computerized technology.

Dr Zohreh Safai family physician, is an American Board certified physician with several years of experience in providing primary care. The move shows the importance the center places on offering a well integrated bouquet of services. Diabetes, hypertension, stress headaches, these are issues that need simultaneous attention alongside other super specializations. Hence bringing on board a full time family physician seemed a logical step to take. The patients can now get most of their issues addressed in one stop.

Dr Hany El Rayas – FRCR, has joined DBAJ as the Radiologist tasked with taking the radiology department and transforming it to a Radiology Centre providing services across all specialism’s including Optical, neurological, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cardiac as well as muscular skeletal.

Heind Choueiri has joined as the head of Physiotherapy – Whilst continuing to strengthen the physiotherapy function to include an increased focus on sports offerings. Heind is also introducing biometrics to assess functional fitness for corporate customers, insurance, individuals and pre operative assessment.

Mustafa Khan – Neurophysiologist has joined DBAJ to provide essential surgical support in respect of the pioneering, state of the art Minimal Invasive Spinal Surgery (MISS) that our senior spinal consultant surgeon, Dr Zbigniew Brodzinski is undertaking. Mustafa Khan will also further extend the EMG offering at DBAJ.

A member of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Academic Medical Center, Dubai Bone & Joint Center aims to help people live full active lives by sharing its doctors’ musculoskeletal expertise in different areas. It aims to continue to be a center of excellence by offering patients world class specialists and facilities to improve their quality of life.
 

Spectrum Builds Dubai Data Center On Juniper Networks EX Series Ethernet Switches To Increase Course Options For Students On Its IT Training And Certification Program

Spectrum the leading IT Networking and Security training, certification and consultancy services provider announced today its recently opened new Data Centre based on Juniper Networks 2 Tier Switching Architecture strategically located in the technology hub of the region in Dubai.

The new Spectrum data centre is comprised of Juniper Networks EX Series Ethernet Virtual Chassis Technology promoting the important of low power consumption, use of a virtualized environment and IP based power management. The data centre will further enhance the capabilities and capacity of Spectrum by many folds. It will allow Spectrum to offer more courses and accommodate a greater number of students. This is the first step towards Spectrum’s vision to become one of the most dominant players in the domain of IT training and certification in the region. Also, it will give access to its partners beyond the Middle East region in India, Europe & APAC thereby providing easy scalability and 24x7x365 availability with zero touch provisioning of classes.

Spectrum will deploy its in-house strategic consulting group to ensure best practices, standards and compliances in its deliverables. It continues to scale up operations with consolidation of its offices and new Data Center. Now Spectrum offers 4 classrooms with an average class capacity of 12+ in Dubai. It also plans to invest heavily into the latest Juniper Networks MX 3D architecture to train large enterprise and service providers on this Platform.

Sanjeev Kumar Singh, Managing Director, Spectrum FZ, said, “Since the inception of Spectrum we have always believed in having local availability of resources like an in-house Lab and now a Data Centre that not only allows us to be more flexible in scheduling the classes, but also allows us to offer more customized classes based on the customer network. As we see more end user requirements for advance training we can help provide the highest level of certified Instructors and a rich pool of professionals to help people scale their knowledge.”

Spectrum is one of the largest Authorized Education Centers (AEC) for Juniper Networks in the Middle East and that offers the widest range of Juniper Networks Routing & Security Certification Courses. It also offers hands-on sessions and boot camps for lab exams for the Juniper Networks JNCIP & JNCIE Exam.

Spectrum’s inherent technical strength and investment in infrastructure, people skills, and customer service and consistent performance have enabled them to win several awards for technical excellence and quality of instructors.

Taj El-Khayat, Regional Director – Channels and General Business, MENA, Juniper Networks, said, “Spectrum has proved to be an efficient and effective training partner for Juniper Networks in the region, delivering to customers and partners the required knowledge to support and optimize the use of Juniper Networks high-performance networking product portfolio”.

Spectrum offers Juniper Networks certifications in two major categories; enterprise and service provider and provides certification and training for firewalls, routing, switching, intrusion detection & prevention, SSL VPN, WAN Acceleration and Unified Access Controller.

Apart from Juniper Networks training and certification, Spectrum also offers highly specialized courses such as Certified Ethical Hackers (CEH) from EC-Council and also Security Best Practices, Data Center Design and Cloud Computing.

Traffic Roads Agency To Carry Extensive Improvements Of Light Signals, Traffic Control Center In Dubai

Engineer Maitha bin Udai, CEO of the Traffic and Roads Agency at Roads & Transport Authority (RTA), stated that last December the Agency awarded a contract to an international consultant to upgrade and improve the performance of traffic signals, virtual messaging signs, and the Traffic Control Center in the Emirate.

Maitha pointed out that studies conducted on the roads network performance during 2010, which included traffic surveys and analyses of hundreds of locations throughout the Emirate, revealed that internal and collector roads and traffic overlapping zones provided a good level of service while freeways provided an acceptable level of service.

“As for traffic signals the findings as a whole they are very good compared to the case in the developed countries where the traffic congestion at traffic signals is a common practice. However, in keeping with its vision aimed at providing safe and smooth transport for all, RTA is consistently endeavoring to increase the points of strengths and reduce weaknesses. In this context an international consultant has been commissioned to study the existing situation with regard to traffic signals and the Traffic Control Center with a view to identifying alternatives for further development and improvement”, she explained.

Engineer Maitha added: “Phase I of the project provides for the consultant to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the current situation, including the SCOT system which controls more than half of the traffic signals in the Emirate. The consultant will also evaluate the performance of Falcon system which controls the traffic surveillance cameras and virtual messaging signs on the freeways and arterial roads.

“Phase II of the project includes reviewing the best international practices and drawing up general policies for light signals befitting the typical nature of Dubai Emirate. The Consultant’s recommendations will include dozens of policies to be implemented by the Intelligent Traffic Systems Dep’t in the future such as the number of times the timing of the traffic signals is revised in a year, whether RTA to continue to maintain the traffic signals connected to each other across entire zones or provide green waves to specific axes, and whether to apply a different sequence for traffic movements during different peak hours, or adopt the same sequence throughout daytime.

“Phase III of the project requires the Consultant to submit recommendations for further improvement. These recommendations include revising the organizational structure of traffic control centers, preparing new performance processes, manuals and indicators, developing training courses for engineers and operators, and defining the proposed modifications to the Traffic Control Center, including hardware and software. RTA’s Traffic Control Center is one of the most advanced centers of its kind in the Middle East, comprising giant screens displaying traffic accidents and congestions throughout the Emirate using hi-tech electronic traffic systems and software.

“In Phase IV, the Emirate will be divided into several areas where all traffic signals will be connected to each other in each area. Several connection alternatives will be tested and evaluated in conjunction with the current method of connection based on the SCOT system. This phase will also include modifications of the frequencies and timings of the traffic signals.

“In Phase IV RTA’s engineers and operators will be provided with theoretical and practical training besides being offered exposure to work side by side with the Consultant to ensure the optimum transfer of expertise to the RTA. “The last Phase of the project involves evaluating the modifications put in place and concluding findings and lessons to count on for continuous development and improvement,” said engineer Maitha bin Udai in a final remark.

Arabian Center Celebrates UAEs National Day With Aplomb

Arabian Center, Dubai’s latest hotspot for shopping, leisure and entertainment, located on Al Khawaneej Road, showcased an array of traditional activities as part of the mall’s UAE National Day Celebrations. The activities included many traditional dances with over twenty performers brought in especially for the celebrations. The performances were hosted at the mall from December 2 to December 4, 2010.

Commenting on the UAE National Day celebrations, Mr. Tim Jones, COO, Arabian Center, said: “At Arabian Center, we believe in bringing to our customers a wholesome family entertainment destination. Customers who took part in the National Day Celebration at Arabian Centre were entertained with various activities. We focused on bringing to the public traditional aspects of the UAE such as local delicacies, art forms and handicrafts. The National Day weekend was an apt opportunity to showcase the colors and vibrancy of this nation.”

Among the activities organized at Arabian Center were a showcase of traditional delicacies such as logaimat and bread with cheese which patrons could have a taste of. There was also an exhibition of handicrafts like hand crafted fishing nets, wickers, hand crafted toli along with coffee makers. Customers had a first hand experience on how such handicrafts are made. There was also a tent where customers could get traditional henna tattoos done.

The mall also saw an exciting display of falconry, where customers enjoyed touching and getting their pictures taken with a falcon, the national bird of the UAE. Children were kept entertained with free face painting sessions.

Presentations of Ayyalah, the most popular traditional dance of the UAE, enthralled the audiences at the mall. Performed in groups facing each other, this captivating dance features poems and sword movement on the beats of traditional drums and tambourines.

With over 200 internationally renowned brands available at the Arabian Center for clothing, home furnishings, electronics, jewellery, perfumes, fashion accessories, toys, games and much more, the mall offers great variety and the latest trends and styles to its customers. The mall also houses a hypermarket – World Mart, which carries a wide variety of products fulfilling the daily needs of the shoppers.

With the first of its kind fully digital eight screen cinema, health and medical centers, children’s day care centers and banks, the Arabian Center Mall is a complete family destination for shopping, leisure and entertainment, catering to a large audience of Arabs, Europeans and Asians.

 

Arabian Center Celebrates Eid With Panache

Eid shopping this year can be doubly rewarding at Arabian Center. The mall, Dubai’s latest hotspot for shopping, leisure and entertainment, located on Al Khawaneej Road, is going all out with its Eid celebrations by treating its customers to a thrilling shop and win offer. The ongoing promotion offers every customer who spends AED 200 or more at the mall a chance to win cash prizes of up to AED 1.4 million.

Being held in association with Dubai Shopping Malls Group (DSMG) and supported by DEPE, Arabian Center is conducting the shop and win promotion to celebrate Eid Al Adha at the mall.

In addition to the amazing shop and win giveaways, customers at Arabian Center will also be treated to the many remarkable offers and fabulous discounts across all outlets at the mall. To add to the excitement, Arabian Center is also bringing the popular Al Freej cartoon characters to the mall along with amazing entertainment to ensure the celebrations are a treat for kids as well.

Commenting on Arabian Center’s amazing Eidyat Celebrations, Mr. Tim Jones, COO, Arabian Center, said: “At Arabian Center, we believe in rewarding the support and loyalty of our patrons by offering them the best promotions and discounts especially during revered festive occasions. The mall aims at bringing to the customers wholesome family entertainment. The mall is an easy and casual shopping destination with a good mix of entertainment, leisure and dining options. We hope that the festive shopping during the celebratory season is an enjoyable and gratifying experience for all our customers.”

“During the festive occasion of the Eid festivities, we would like to extend our warmest wishes to all the residents of UAE and hope to enrich this joyous season for them with the offers at Arabian Center,” he added.

With over 200 internationally renowned brands available at the Arabian Center for clothing, home furnishings, electronics, jewellery, perfumes, fashion accessories, toys, games and much more, the mall offers great variety and the latest trends and styles to its customers. The mall also houses a hypermarket – World Mart, which carries a wide variety of products fulfilling the daily needs of the shoppers.

With the first of its kind fully digital eight screen cinema, health and medical centers, children’s day care centers and banks, the Arabian Center Mall is a complete family destination for shopping, leisure and entertainment, catering to a large audience of Arabs, Europeans and Asians.

The mall houses many public utility services such as a medical clinic, a children’s day care center, banks, post office and immigration department, Dubai Naturalization and Residency Department (DNRD) and a health center with a spa, attempting to create a convenient one-stop-shop destination for all living requirements. Sporting Arabian architecture with a modern outlook, the mall houses a variety of shopping options for men, women and children, facilitating an effortless and fun shopping experience.
 

Etisalat enhances Wi-Fi service throughout the World Trade Center before GITEX 2010

As the nation gears up for GITEX, one of the biggest and most eagerly awaited technology events in the Middle East, Etisalat announces today the completion of Hotspot enhancement, the wireless Internet access (Wi-Fi technology) in all areas surrounding the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC). Etisalat has upgraded its broadcasting stations at the DWTC and has increased the number of stations to 100 that will offer users the country’s highest speeds of up to 30 Mbps. This will allow visitors to all venues such as exhibition halls at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, the newly extended section and the meeting rooms, to enjoy Etisalat’s improved Wi-Fi service.

Etisalat has more than 380 Hotspot locations across the UAE. It has enhanced the broadcasting stations in each of these locations in order to improve the level of service and provide users with the most reliable and top-quality connection.

The new technology helps in providing Internet service to a wider area, thereby reducing dependence between several Wi-Fi broadcast stations to maintain connection efficiently. Consequently, the enhanced technology will provide seamless connectivity to all users, including visitors to DWTC, moving from one location to another.

“Etisalat’s Hotspot service has been upgraded with particular focus on DWTC, and across the rest of the country, to offer the highest international standards in speed and reliability to our customers and global visitors during the GITEX event”, said Khalifa Al Shamsi, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Etisalat.

“Etislat has been a pioneer in providing communication solutions to users across the UAE, with a mobile network covering the entire nation and has covered 99% of the country with the third-generation network. Today we have more than 380 Hotspot locations across malls, airports, hospitals and many other public areas, including Zabeel Park, one of the largest public areas that is covered by Wi-Fi in the country,” added Al Shamsi.

Extending its support to the UAE’s government establishments, Etisalat will also launch the Wi-Fi service next week, at the TAWAM Hospital, one of the biggest hospitals in the UAE encompassing an area of more than 9000 square meters.

Now, Etisalat’s customers can use the quick and efficient Hotspot service through their mobile devices in a Hotspot service area. Moreover, eLife customers can take advantage of the service for up to 16 free hours by simply using their unique usernames and passwords provided to them with their subscriptions. Etisalat also offers visitors and customers not subscribed to the Al Shamil or eLife services, several easy options to pay and use the Wi-Fi service all across the UAE.
 

RTA Customers Council Holds 9th Gathering With Clients Of Call Center 8009090

The Customers Council of the Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) has recently held it 9th gathering with several clients of RTA Call Center to explore their opinion on the importance of prioritizing the services rendered by the Customer Service Center, RTA Corporate Administrative Support Services Sector, through the auto-answering system.

The meeting, which was chaired by Mohammed Obaid Al Mulla, RTA Board Member and Chairman of the Customers Council, was attended by the Executive Director of Corporate Administrative Support Services Sector Yousef Jawad, and the Council Members; namely Dr. Aysha Al Busmait (Director of Customer Service Centers, Naela Fikri (Manager, Office of RTA Board Member), Mohammed Abdul Kareem Nimaat (Director of Vehicles Licensing, Licensing Agency) and a number of customers of RTA Call Center.

“Among the key objectives of the Customers Council is to obtain feedback and suggestions from RTA valued customers in an environment that secures the freedom of expression, and equitable chances for effective participation under the ultimate objective of improving the performance and identifying any bottlenecks standing in the way of realizing our cherished objectives,” said Al Mulla.

In the outset of the meeting, Al Mulla commended the expeditious efforts made by the Council members towards extending the best care and services to customers who are crucial for the success of any service provided, realizing the aspirations of various customers, and bolstering RTA’s continuous endeavours towards adopting best-in-class practices and raising the bar on the quality of service rendered to the public at world-class standards. Through this drive, RTA has reviewed several global models and practices adopted in the field of communication, namely in Australia and the UK. RTA Call Center and Service Center receive about 5000 calls everyday from the public about various services rendered through the auto answering system regarding complaints & suggestions, lost & found service, journey planner through Wojhati system, Nol personal services, reporting faults through Madinati system, licensing services and general inquiries.

For her part Dr. Aysha Al Busmait said: “Upgrading any service delivered through the Customer Service Center starts with the cooperation and involvement of the public in the change process in order to take account of their viewpoints. This is particularly relevant as RTA’s strategic goals, which we are all endeavouring to achieve, focus on customer centricity. Therefore we have opted to reset the list of services offered through the Auto Answering system in the order of their importance to the user.”

During the meeting, Al Mulla attended to several suggestions and concepts expressed by the participants and confirmed that RTA would study those concepts and suggestions out of its keen attention to broaden and upgrade the scope of services rendered to all segments of the community.

The attendants hailed RTA’s relentless efforts to improve the level of services on offer to the public at the highest international standards applicable in this regard.