Active Abu Dhabi Launches Misrah, an Initiative to Promote National Identity and Community Well-Being, as Part of the Year of Community

 

 

Link to High Resolution Visuals

 

Abu Dhabi,27 May 2025: Active Abu Dhabi an initiative by Emirates Foundation launched the national programme, Misrah, during an introductory workshop hosted at its headquarters in Al Qana, Abu Dhabi. The workshop brought together representatives from government entities, community organisations, key media and logistics partners, as part of a comprehensive national effort to support community initiatives throughout 2025, in line with the aspirations of the UAE Year of Community.

The introductory workshop, was attended by by 50 participants including representatives from government entities, community organisations, and key media and logistics partners. Participants included the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, Department of Education and Knowledge – Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Media Office, Department of Community Development, Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, Ministry of Defense, Nafis Program, Abu Dhabi News Network, National Search and Rescue Center, PureHealth, Abu Dhabi Media, National Library and Archives, Federal Geographic Information Center, National Media Office, Office of the Ruler’s Representative, and Abu Dhabi Police, alongside several academic institutions and private sector collaborators. The workshop explored opportunities for cooperation and integration between government and private sector entities, emphasising the vital roles of media, logistics, and culture in supporting the initiative.

Misrah is a pivotal national initiative that brings to life the values of the UAE’s founding fathers through an immersive journey that weaves together culture, identity, and physical activity. It aims to instill authentic Emirati values in young people.

Reflecting Emirates Foundation’s commitment to fostering a sense of belonging and social responsibility, Misrah offers transformative experiences that reconnect youth with the UAE’s cultural roots and deepen their understanding of the UAE’s natural and human environment, by reviving traditions in a modern, meaningful way.

His Excellency Ahmed Talib Al Shamsi, CEO of Emirates Foundation, said: "Misrah embodies the vision we hold at Emirates Foundation, where we believe that true empowerment begins with a sense of belonging, and that community partnerships are the primary drivers of positive change. We are proud of everyone who has contributed to transforming this vision into a national experience that resonates with pride and commitment."

Mansour Al Dhaheri, Chairman of Active Abu Dhabi, said: “Misrah is more than just an initiative; it is a message to every young man and woman that our past serves as a source of inspiration for our future. Health is not only physical but also resides in the soul, connected to a strong identity and authentic community awareness. This initiative truly embodies the essence of Active Abu Dhabi and brings its vision to life."

Misrah is aligned with the national vision of fostering a stronger, more united, and socially cohesive community. Misrah combines physical activities, such as walking and camel riding, with heritage experiences that echo the desert lifestyle of past generations, enhancing young people's appreciation of their cultural heritage and inspiring a profound sense of national pride and belonging.

Participants will journey up to 1,000 kilometers, during 30 days, across the UAE’s diverse landscapes, undertaking daily walks that emulate ancient travel. Along the way, they will cultivate patience, discipline, and a spirit of cooperation.

As part of the Year of Community, Misrah serves as a dynamic platform for turning the year’s objectives into concrete, impactful actions. It aims to empower youth to become ambassadors of national identity and custodians in passing down knowledge and values to future generations through a rich experience that engages their physical, psychological, and cultural potential.

More than just a physical journey, Misrah is a journey of awareness, belonging, and cultural discovery. It reflects young people’s capacity to connect with the past and carry its lessons forward. The initiative also invites wider community involvement through cultural events, storytelling, and media engagement.

APCO Institute Partners With Columbia University to Boost Strategic Communication Capabilities

RIYADH, DUBAI: 15 May 2025 - Global advisory and advocacy firm APCO today announced a partnership with Columbia University to deliver a series of specialist training workshops for professional communicators. Columbia, along with the APCO Institute, will provide practical skill building sessions taught by members of APCO’s senior global staff and Columbia University faculty for 20 mid-level communication professionals in the MENA region in October.

The program will be delivered by faculty from the School of Professional Studies at Columbia University, one of the world’s top universities in the field of communications, in collaboration with APCO. There will be four workshops, beginning with Leadership Across Cultures, focused on navigating language, social, and cultural variables critical to leading multicultural teams in global workplaces.

Mastering Influence will explore communication-centered approaches to social influence and leveraging social networks to build capital and drive innovation. AI and the Future of Strategic Communication will examine AI integration into communication practices with practical use cases for strategic planning. Finally, Strategic Communication Management will introduce key concepts for planning, executing, and evaluating internal and external communication initiatives.

Mamoon Sbeih, president of APCO in the MENA region, said: “As technological disruptions continue to transform the communications landscape, this collaboration will equip our clients and colleagues with the tools and insights to navigate complex operating environments. Through this initiative, we will empower our teams and clients to achieve their goals and maximize impact.”

Professor Kristine Billmyer, director of the Strategic Communication Master’s Degree program at Columbia University said: “The centrality of strategic communication to an organization’s core mission and functions cannot be underestimated. It defines brand, drives business goals, and powers reputation across industries and sectors around the world. We look forward to strengthening ties with PR professionals in this critical region of the world. Columbia's Strategic Communication program depends on global perspectives, and we welcome this opportunity for the exchange of ideas and mutual learning.”

Established in 2022, APCO Institute focuses on building strategic communications capabilities to empower professional communicators with the tools, knowledge, exposure and international best practices to meet the growing demands to reach audiences locally and internationally. Additionally, the APCO Institute provides coaching to senior executives, government officials and technical experts to connect with their key stakeholders effectively.

APCO Institute routinely partners with local and global universities to offer unique programs to students pursuing careers in the media and communications industries. It also facilitates targeted executive workshops to enable senior business professionals to realize the potential of communications as a functional tool to meet business objectives and address potential crises.

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خبر صحفي/للنشر الفوري

معهد آبكو يتعاون مع جامعة كولومبيا لتعزيز قدرات المختصين في التواصل الاستراتيجي

الرياض، السعودية: 15 مايو  2025 - أعلنت آبكو، الشركة العالمية المتخصصة في مجال الاستشارات، اليوم عن شراكة مع جامعة كولومبيا لتقديم سلسلة من الورش التدريبية للمتخصصين في التواصل. وستقدّم جامعة كولومبيا، بالتعاون مع معهد آبكو، جلسات بناء المهارات العملية التي سيقوم بتدريسها مجموعة من كبار موظفي آبكو حول العالم وهيئة التدريس في جامعة كولومبيا لعشرين متخصصاً بمجال التواصل من أصحاب الدرجات الوظيفية الوسطى، وذلك​​ خلال فصل الخريف.

وسيقدّم البرنامج، المخصص لمنطقة الشرق الأوسط، أعضاء هيئة التدريس من كلية الدراسات المهنية في جامعة كولومبيا، إحدى أفضل الجامعات عالميًا في مجال التواصل، بالتعاون مع آبكو. وسيكون هناك أربع ورش عمل، بدءًا من القيادة عبر الثقافات، تركز على المتغيرات اللغوية والاجتماعية والثقافية اللازمة لقيادة الفرق متعددة الثقافات في أماكن العمل العالمية.

وتستكشف ورشة إتقان التأثير المناهج المرتكزة على التواصل للتأثير الاجتماعي والاستفادة من الشبكات الاجتماعية لبناء رأس المال ودفع عجلة الابتكار. كما ستتناول ورشة الذكاء الاصطناعي ومستقبل التواصل الاستراتيجي دمج الذكاء الاصطناعي في ممارسات التواصل مع حالات استخدام عملية للتخطيط الاستراتيجي. وأخيرًا، ستقدّم ورشة إدارة التواصل الاستراتيجي مفاهيم أساسية للتخطيط لمبادرات التواصل الداخلي والخارجي وتنفيذها وتقييمها.

وقال مأمون صبيح، رئيس شركة آبكو في منطقة الشرق الأوسط وشمال أفريقيا: "بينما تستمر الابتكارات التكنولوجية في تحويل مشهد التواصل، فإن هذا التعاون سيزود عملاءنا وزملاءنا بالأدوات والرؤى اللازمة للنجاح في بيئات العمل المختلفة. ومن هنا تأتي أهمية هذه المبادرة التي ستعمل على تمكين فرقنا وعملائنا من تحقيق أهدافهم وتعظيم الأثر المحقق".

وبدورها، قالت البروفسورة كريستين بيلماير، مديرة برنامج الماجستير في التواصل الاستراتيجي في جامعة كولومبيا: "للتواصل الاستراتيجي أهمية بالغة في تحقيق رسالة المؤسسات ووظائفها الجوهرية. فهو يقود أهداف العمل ويعزز السمعة في مختلف الصناعات والقطاعات حول العالم. ونتطلع إلى تعزيز العلاقات مع المتخصصين بمجال العلاقات العامة في هذه المنطقة المهمة من العالم. ويعتمد برنامج التواصل الاستراتيجي في كولومبيا على وجهات نظر عالمية، ونحن نرحب بهذه الفرصة لتبادل الأفكار والتعلم المشترك."

ويركز معهد آبكو، الذي تأسس عام 2022 في الرياض، على بناء قدرات التواصل الاستراتيجي لتزويد المتخصصين بمجال التواصل في السعودية وفي جميع أنحاء المنطقة بالأدوات والمعارف والخبرات والممارسات الدولية المثلى لتلبية المطالب المتزايدة بالوصول إلى الجماهير محليًا ودوليًا. كما يوفر معهد آبكو خدمات التدريب لكبار المديرين التنفيذيين والمسؤولين الحكوميين والخبراء التقنيين للتواصل مع أصحاب المصلحة الرئيسيين بشكل فعال.

ويتعاون معهد آبكو بشكل منتظم مع الجامعات المحلية والعالمية لتقديم برامج فريدة للطلبة الراغبين بالعمل في مجال الإعلام والتواصل. كما يعقد ورش تنفيذية مستهدفة لتمكين كبار محترفي الأعمال من استغلال إمكانات التواصل كأداة وظيفية لتحقيق أهداف العمل ومعالجة الأزمات المحتملة.

باحث وأستاذ في أمريكية الشارقة يعمل على تطوير تقنية الطباعة ثلاثية الأبعاد للخرسانية من خلال التعاون مع الصناعات

 

الشارقة، الإمارات العربية المتحدة،  27مايو 2023— يجري الباحث في الجامعة الأمريكية في الشارقة وأستاذ الهندسة المدنية الدكتور عادل التميمي أبحاثًا حول استخدامات تكنولوجيا الروبوتات في الطباعة ثلاثية الأبعاد للخرسانة في البناء.

 

وقد بين الدكتور التميمي أهمية هذا النوع من الأبحاث قائلاً: "بما أن قطاع البناء يلعب دورًا رئيسيًا في النمو الاقتصادي لدولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة، فإننا نجري أبحاثًا في مجال الطباعة ثلاثية الأبعاد للخرسانة باعتبارها إحدى وسائل أتمتة هذه الصناعة، وهو ما يعزز الإنتاجية والسلامة والاستدامة والسرعة والتخصيص والتكلفة".

 

وضمن سياق سعي دولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة نحو أن تصبح مركزًا عالميًا للطباعة ثلاثية الأبعاد، عمل الدكتور التميمي على تطوير نظام شبه آلي في مختبر الهندسة المدنية في الجامعة الأمريكية في الشارقة لإجراء تجارب بحثية وإنتاج عينات من الخرسانة المركبة، فضلاُ عن توظيفه لهذا النظام لتقييم جودة خلطات الخرسانة التجريبية المختلفة. وكانت غالبية الأبحاث التي أجريت على الطباعة ثلاثية الأبعاد للخرسانة تستخدم البثق اليدوي، وهي عملية تشكيل مواد مختلفة عن طريق إجبارها لتأخذ شكل تصميمات معينة تحت ضغط عالية. إلا أن الدكتور التميمي صار اليوم يركز أكثر فعلى استخدام النظام شبة الآلي في مختبرات كلية الهندسة في الجامعة.

 

ويعمل حاليًا مع الدكتور التميمي 10 طلبة من طلبة الدراسات العليا الذين يشاركون في بحثه في الطباعة ثلاثية الأبعاد للخرسانة، فضلاً عن نشر العديد من المقالات حول هذا البحث. ومن بين النتائج التي خرجت من بحوث الدكتور التميمي بناء فيلا بخرسانة مطبوعة ثلاثية الأبعاد في الشارقة، حيث تم تنفيذ هذا المشروع بالتعاون مع مجمع الشارقة للأبحاث والتكنولوجيا والابتكار وبالتنسيق مع خريج الهندسة المدنية من أمريكية الشارقة حيدر الحيدري الذي عينته شركة "ميت" للبناء بالتعاون مع "سابي" للبناء" للإشراف على بناء الفيلا. وهي عملية شارك فيها أيضًا عدد من طلبة الهندسة في الجامعة الأمريكية في الشارقة مقدمة لهم فرصة تدريب عملي.

 

كما تم إجراء العديد من المشاريع البحثية تحت مظلة عمل الدكتور التميمي والتي أشرف عليها والتي أدت إلى جهود تعاون صناعية أخرى. وشملت هذه الأبحاث مشروعين للتخرج في عام 2020 تناولا حركة الأذرع الروبوتية المستخدمة في طلاء الخرسانة بطبقة ذاتية التنظيف، مما يسمح للخرسانة بالاحتفاظ بلونها الفاتح لفترة أطول وإزالة السموم المحمولة بالهواء، ورسالتي ماجستير في عامي 2020 و2021 حول الطباعة الثلاثية الأبعاد للخرسانة لعوارض هيكلية متعددة الطبقات.

 

وقد عمل الدكتور التميمي في سعيه نجو دفع عملياته البحثية مع الصناعات المحلية لاستخدام الأذرع الروبوتية في بثق الخرسانة، وإعادة تصميم رؤوس / فوهات الطباعة، ودمج آليات الطباعة في المعدات الموجودة في مواقع البناء واستخدام الألياف لتعزيز قوة البثق. قال الدكتور التميمي: "نحن نرحب باستمرار بالتعاون مع المؤسسات الحكومية والقطاع الخاص للعمل على إرشادات السلامة الهيكلية وأمنها والأداء طويل الأمد للخرسانة المطبوعة ثلاثية الأبعاد لتسهيل الاستخدام الواسع لهذه الصناعة المؤتمتة".

 

يُعرف قسم الهندسة المدنية في جميع أنحاء المنطقة بالتعليم المتميز الذي يقدمه عبر برامج البكالوريوس والدراسات العليا التي يطرحها. يذكر أنه تم تصنيف الجامعة الأمريكية في الشارقة في المرتبة الأولى في دولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة ومن بين أفضل 150 جامعة على مستوى العالم في مجال الهندسة المدنية والإنشائية وفقًا لتصنيفات "كيو إس" العالمية للمواد الجامعية لعام 2023.

 

لمزيد من المعلومات حول قسم الهندسة المدنية وما يقدمه، يرجى زيارة الموقع الإلكتروني www.aus.edu/cen/bsce.

MBRF continues knowledge activities on second day of Abu Dhabi International Book Fair

 

25 May 2023- The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF) organized several events and seminars on the second day of its participation in the 32^nd edition of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF), which is being held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre from 22 to 28 May 2023. Along with stressing its role in fostering knowledge pathways and empowering future generations to develop sustainable solutions, MBRF further showcased its knowledge initiatives and programs to visitors.

His Excellency Jamal bin Huwaireb, CEO of the MBRF, discussed the Foundation’s efforts and projects during a visit by Major General Khalifa Mohammed Al Khaili, the Director of the Finance and Services Sector in Abu Dhabi Police, to the MBRF's pavilion at ADIBF. In addition to stressing the significance of focusing on the role of knowledge in the world in a way that enables societies to keep pace with the ongoing transformations and face challenges in the world, the CEO highlighted that the event is an opportunity to promote relationships and communication with decision-makers in the publishing and knowledge industries.

Bin Huwaireb said, “The MBRF’s mission is to establish a dynamic and forward-thinking learning environment that develops people's intellectual and creative capacities and helps establish a sustainable knowledge-based society. By putting in place a number of cutting-edge educational initiatives and programs, we can accomplish these aims.”

He added: “We aim at increasing the value of books and reading as part of our participation in ADIBF by providing a variety of engaging knowledge events. Through the Digital Knowledge Hub, sessions, and seminars of Knowledge Lounge and KnowTalks, we hope to draw in young people, families, and people who enjoy reading and learning. These individuals will have the opportunity to explore various cultures and engage with participating authors and intellectuals. The Dubai International Program for Writing (DIPW) and other initiatives that support the goals and aspirations of the MBRF in knowledge areas are another way that we are highlighting innovation and excellence in writing and publishing.”

On the second day of ADIBF, Dr. Khaled Abdel-Fattah, Digital and Knowledge Solutions Consultant at the MBRF, reviewed the Digital Knowledge Hub and its function as an e-platform based on content analytics that is accessible to everyone, as well as a digital repository for more than 27 governmental entities and a platform that offers a significant amount of in-depth analysis of content. He praised the hub’s reading synchronization and AI features that help with information finding and restoration. As part of the KnowTalks series, another session was hosted by Emma Brudett, founder of WILD Network, titled ‘Breaking barriers: Achieving gender equality,’ which stressed the value of investing in women to boost innovation and productivity. She further underlined the necessity of taking risks in order to reach our goals and the need to stop discussing issues rather than finding solutions. She pointed out that while running a business may look attractive, success requires sacrifice. She also stated that the Middle East is not making enough progress toward gender equality and that young people must lead the way for change.

As part of DIPW, a session titled 'Translation and its Role in Transmitting World Cultures' was held. Dr. Ghanem Al-Samarrai hosted the session and was interviewed by Professor Hussein Darwish. Al-Samarrai highlighted that translation is now a component of a nation's soft power and that a dedicated translator will work tirelessly on a project regardless of the potential financial gain. He emphasized that translation now serves a new, creative purpose, in addition to its previous, mechanical one of idea transmission. He also stated that a translator's enthusiasm encourages readers to read new literature from other cultures and languages and explained that translating ancient texts requires subject experts and the assistance of people with experience.

A session titled ‘The Narrative Biography and Defining Memory’ was held as a part of the Knowledge Lounge's activities. Writer Jalal Barjas attended the session and was interviewed by Sayed Mahmoud. Using a set of axes that author Sayed Mahmoud had brought into the discussion, Barjas described his experiences in the book ‘The Crying of the Duduk.’ According to Barjas, there is a significant journey between the journey of childhood and the journey and completion that are full of questions about art, writing, memory, the family, and fear that led the writer to begin and listen to his inner noise, which transformed into a space for asking questions and dealing with the transient things in his life to create a special contemplative text about the relationship between life and writing as well as about memory and the opportunities it presents, which can be invested in writing an alternative text for the novel.

The third day of the event will witness a number of sessions, including a workshop by Dr. Jamal Moqabala on ‘Critical Thinking for the Novelist’. Additionally, the ‘Book in a Minute’ event will also take place on this day, with Yazen Al Kodmani, Partner, 3Y AgTech, and Deputy General Manager, Emirates Bio Farm, participating in the KnowTalks session. 'Strategies for Effective Reading' will be the topic of a Knowledge Lounge discussion with Dr. Khaled Abdel-Fattah. An official signing ceremony for the translation workshop will be held with Kholoud Al-Khatib and Maryam Al-Yamahi under the aegis of the DIPW.

-Ends-

 

 

شركة "تدوير" تطرح حاويات إعادة التدوير الجديدة

  

 

22 مايو 2023، أبوظبي، الإمارات العربية المتحدة: أعلنت شركة أبوظبي لإدارة النفايات "تدوير" عن إطلاق مبادرة جديدة بهدف تحسين عملية فرز النفايات وتعزيز سلوكيّات إعادة التدوير في جميع أنحاء أبوظبي. وتأتي هذه المبادرة استكمالاً لالتزام "تدوير" بجعل مدينتي أبوظبي والعين من المدن الأكثر نظافة والأكثر استدامة على مستوى العالم.

 

الاستراتيجية الجديدة التي اعتمدتها "تدوير" لتحسين عملية فرز النفايات تتضمّن طرح حاويات إعادة تدوير جديدة ذات سعة أكبر في مواقع مركزية محدّدة بحيث تكون هذه الحاويات مخصّصة فقط للمواد القابلة لإعادة التدوير، بينما تتوافر الحاويات الخاصة بالنفايات العامّة في مواقع محدّدة لباقي المواد غير القابلة لإعادة التدوير.

 

وفي سبيل ضمان فرز النفايات ومعالجتها بشكل صحيح، ستخصّص "تدوير" مركبات منفصلة لتجميع النفايات العامّة ومركبات أخرى لتجميع النفايات القابلة لإعادة التدوير والتي سيتم نقلها إلى المنشأة الخاصة بإعادة التدوير لتخضع لمزيد من الفصل والمعالجة الصحيحة.

 

يمكن للسكّان كذلك أن يكونوا جزءاً أساسياً في إنجاح مهمة "تدوير" من خلال استخدام الحاويات الجديدة المخصّصة لإعادة التدوير للتخلّص من المواد الجافة المُعاد تدويرها مثل الورق، الورق المقوّى، العبوات البلاستيكية والزجاجية إضافة إلى العلب المعدنية، فيما تُستخدم حاويات النفايات العامّة من أجل المواد البلاستيكية ذات الاستخدام الواحد كالأعواد والأكياس البلاستيكية، وكذلك بقايا الطعام. أمّا فيما يخص الزجاج المكسور والذي يشكّل خطراً على عمّال النظافة عند جمعه، فيجب تغليفه بالورق قبل رميه في حاوية النفايات العامّة.

 

في الهدف المتعلّق بتعزيز سلوكيّات إعادة التدوير، تمّ نشر 20 مركزاً من مراكز تجميع المواد القابلة لإعادة التدوير في جميع أنحاء الإمارة، حيث يمكن لأيّ شخص أن يزور إحدى هذه المراكز ويضع فيها كلّ ما لديه من مواد قابلة لإعادة التدوير كالمنسوجات، النفايات الإلكترونية، الأدوية منتهية الصلاحية، النفايات المنزلية الخطرة وغيرها الكثير.

 

وفي هذا الصدد، قال الرئيس التنفيذي لقسم العمليات في تدوير، نات براينت: " يأتي إطلاق هذه المبادرة في إطار جهودنا لتعزيز الوعي بأهمية فرز النفايات وتبني ثقافة إعادة التدوير في مختلف أنحاء إمارة أبوظبي، وذلك عبر توفير حاويات لإعادة التدوير بأحجام أكبر وصديقة للبيئة تسهم في تشجيع أفراد المجتمع على اتباع أفضل الممارسات البيئية والمستدامة عند التخلص من النفايات. وتدعم هذه الخطوة مساعينا لجعل مدينتي أبوظبي والعين من أنظف المدن وأكثرها استدامة في العالم."

 

نجاح المبادرة الجديدة يتطّلب وعياً مجتمعياً وهو ما تسعى إليه شركة "تدوير" من خلال حملة توعوية تقودها في العاصمة أبوظبي في سبيل نشر هذه الاستراتيجية والحصول على دعم السكّان، ما يضمن تنفيذها وتحقيق أهدافها إلى جانب تعزيز مشاركة المجتمع في زيادة إعادة التدوير.

 

كما تسعى "تدوير" من خلال مبادرتها الجديدة لتعزيز مفهوم "عام الاستدامة" في دولة الإمارات من خلال تشجيع الناس على تبني عادات أكثر استدامة وسلوكيّات يوميّة تقلّل من تأثير الإنسان السلبي على البيئة وتعمل على حماية كوكبنا والحفاظ عليه.

 

ومن المتوقع أن تعزّز هذه الحملة الجديدة الوعي المجتمعي حول البيئة والفوائد الكبيرة لإعادة التدوير، ما ينعكس إيجاباً على تشجيع السكّان للتعاون بشكل دائم مع "تدوير" في تقليل النفايات وإدارتها بالشكل الصحيح.

Bait Al-Batterjee Launches Make-A-Wish ® in Saudi Arabia

 

KSA, 21 May 2023-, Bait Al-Batterjee is pleased to announce the launch of ‘Make-A-Wish’ for the first time in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Make-A-Wish ^® is one of the most prominent establishments in the world, granting life-changing wishes to children diagnosed with critical illnesses. The non-profit entity operates in 50 countries has granted over 550,000 wishes to children since its inception in 1980 and has been endorsed by large organizations and celebrities across the world. The main purpose of Make-A-Wish is to deliver hope and joy to children and their families when they need it most.

The initiative to bring the initiative to Saudi Arabia for the first time was established by Bait Al-Batterjee under the leadership of Sobhi Batterjee and Makarem Sobhi Batterjee. This is in line with the group’s philanthropic commitment toward society and the Batterjee family purpose of relieving people’s suffering.

The launch event took place on May 20^th, under the patronage of the Governor of Riyadh Region, His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and was attended by celebrities, prominent businessmen, members of the media and representatives from various government entities.

Luciano Manzo, President and CEO of Make-A-Wish International, said: “As a family, the Bait Al Batterjee have always displayed compassion and empathy to those in need and have made it their mission to create a positive impact on the lives of people in Saudi Arabia. The launch of Make-A-Wish Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a testament to their unwavering commitment to this mission and Make-A-Wish International looks forward to working closely with Bait Al-Batterjee to make more wishes come true for children.”

Makarem Sobhi Batterjee, Chairman of the board of Make-A-Wish Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, said: “We are delighted to launch Make-A-Wish’s new affiliate in Saudi Arabia, which strongly aligns with our family mission of ‘relieving people’s suffering’. Bait Al-Batterjee is committed to supporting the health and wellbeing of children in the Kingdom, and we believe that ‘Make-A-Wish’ will be an excellent addition to our efforts. When I was younger, while studying in the United States I read an article about the mission and impact of ‘Make-A-Wish’, it became my dream to establish an Affiliate in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Today, this dream has become a reality.”

“Additionally, I would like to acknowledge my father, Engineer Sobhi Batterjee, who recognizes the values of helping others and sees it as our primary duty to society. Every program and initiative of our organisation represents this vision” he added.

The launch of this initiative in Saudi Arabia will enable Make-A-Wish to work with local hospitals to identify children with critical illnesses and grant their wishes. The presence of Make-A-Wish in the Kingdom will also create opportunities for the local community to engage and lend support to this noble cause.

As a family, the Bait Al Batterjee family has always displayed compassion and empathy for those in need and have made it their mission to create a positive impact on the lives of people in Saudi Arabia. The launch of Make-A-Wish in the Kingdom is a testament to their unwavering commitment to this mission, and Bait Al-Batterjee looks forward to working closely with Make-A-Wish to make more wishes come true for children.

HBMSU promotes Sustainable Education at UAE Education Interface Exhibition and Middle East Youth Conference 2023

Dubai, May 21, 2023 - Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University (HBMSU) participated in the 9th edition of the UAE Education Interface Exhibition and the Middle East Youth Conference 2023. The event was held at Marina Hall in ADNEC, Abu Dhabi, under the patronage of Lieutenant General His Highness Sheikh Saif bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, and in the presence of H.H Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence. HBMSU's participation aligned with the objectives of the 'We the UAE 2031' vision and underscored the university's commitment to the development of a knowledge-based economy and a sustainable future, while also promoting the educational sector regionally and globally.

 

During the conference, His Excellency Dr. Mansoor Al Awar, Chancellor of HBMSU, delivered a speech titled ‘Education for Sustainable Development,’ where Dr. Al Awar emphasised the importance of incorporating sustainable practices into education and fostering a culture of innovation, entrepreneurship, and technological advancement. His Excellency further highlighted HBMSU’s efforts towards empowering learners with the right tools to contribute to the 'We the UAE 2031' vision and promoting innovation and technology-driven learning throughout its journey.

 

The event served as a platform for educational entities to showcase their institutions, study programs, scholarships, financial aid programs, and other educational services to a diverse audience, including over 15,000 learners, parents, and higher education professionals. Through its participation, HBMSU continues to pave the way for smart and sustainable education, in addition to advancing the educational landscape to newer heights in the region and worldwide.

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Senior AUS engineering students harness technological innovations at Senior Design Projects Competition

Sharjah, UAE. May 18, 2023 – In a creative display of innovation, technology and engineering, final year students in the American University of Sharjah (AUS) College of Engineering (CEN) presented an array of industry-based projects as part of the annual CEN Senior Design Projects Competition.
 
Sponsored by BEEAH, Emaar, Petrofac and the Sharjah National Oil Corporation (SNOC), the competition featured the culmination of the academic and intellectual experience for engineering students in their final year at AUS. Students worked in groups under the guidance of their CEN academic advisors and industry mentors for a whole year to complete their projects and qualify for the competition.
 
Eighty student projects competed and the top three from each of the college’s six departments were announced as winners at the end of the competition.
 
“Our mission in CEN is to graduate students who have the most advanced technical skills, who are aware of the latest industry trends and demands and who possess strong transferable and soft skills that make them excel in any field they enter, and I can proudly say that we are on the right track in fulfilling our mission. I saw young professionals, scientists and innovators at the CEN Senior Design Projects Competition who are more than capable of making a difference in any career path they choose to follow. The projects we saw this year were industry-based with impressive topics that are trending globally and locally, particularly sustainability. They are ready to join their fellow alumni who themselves have been creating waves locally, regionally and internationally as ministers, entrepreneurs, industry experts and academics. The caliber of our students and alumni is the reason they are the top choice of employers in the UAE,” said Dr. Fadi Aloul, Dean of CEN.
Winning first place in chemical and biological engineering was the project “Carbon Dioxide Capture Using Algae with Innovative Bioreactor Technology” by students Fizza Shaheer, Kelly Percival, Maria Nassif, Rafia Talukder and Syed Talha Mukarram. The project was overseen by Dr. Zarook Shareefdeen, Professor in Chemical and Biological Engineering, and Dr. Ahmed Aidan, Senior Laboratory Instructor in Chemical and Biological Engineering.
The project aims to reduce carbon dioxide levels in the air and produce green fuel. Through this project, the student team focused on the absorption of carbon dioxide by algae and the extraction of biofuel from the aquatic plant.
In second place came the project “MXene-based Membranes for High Temperature Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells” by students Asma Mohgoub, Bana Al Kurdi, Hafsah Khan and Rama Selo. The project was overseen by Dr. Amani Al-Othman, Associate Professor in Chemical and Biological Engineering, and Dr. Karnail Singh, Senior Lecturer in Chemical and Biological Engineering.

In third place came the project “Process and Product Design of Propylammonium Formate as Phase Change Materials for Solar Water Heating Systems.” Overseen by Dr. Paul Nancarrow, Professor in Chemical and Biological Engineering, and Dr. Singh; the project was by students Haya Hammoud, Nayla Aldoseri, Zeina Elshahawi and Zeina Yasin.
 
In computer science and engineering, the winning project was “Brain Computer Interface (BCI)-Virtual Reality (VR)-based Rehabilitation System for Upper Limb Impairments” by students Reem Aldossary, Salma Hassan, Reda Mashood and Alvee Mir. The project was overseen by Dr. Hicham Hallal, Senior Lecturer in Computer Science and Engineering, and Dr. Assim Sagahyroon, Professor in Computer Science and Engineering and Associate Dean for Undergraduate Affairs.
 
Having spoken to physiotherapists prior to designing their model, the students employed virtual reality to help patients with upper limb impairment visualize themselves moving based on a brain computer interface system that reads the brain signals and the movements patients intend to make. Electrodes are also attached to patients’ muscles during the process to help physiotherapists measure their progress without the need to be present in-person with the patients.
 
Coming in second place were students Pierre Abdelsayed, Hamad Al Hammadi, Hamed Al Mulla and Louay Mohaisen for the project “Drone-based IoT Solution for Plant Monitoring in Greenhouses,” which was supervised by Dr. Hallal and Dr. Michel Pasquier, Associate Professor in Computer Science and Engineering.

In third place came the project “IoT-based Black Box for Monitoring Delivery Motorcyclists” by students Mariam Elsayeh, Fatema Elwy, Alaa Takrek and Ameen Ayub. It was overseen by Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Ali, Professor in Computer Science and Engineering, and Dr. Ra’afat Abu-Rukba, Assistant Professor in Computer Science and Engineering.
 
In civil engineering, and under the guidance of Dr. Tarig Ali, Professor in Civil Engineering, student  team of Nouf Alnaqbi, Ibrahim Alhammadi, Alya Alhammadi and Rashed Almarzooqi won first place for the project “Geographic Information System (GIS)-based Road Surface Condition Assessment Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Images and Deep Learning.”

The project proposes the use of a drone to monitor cracks and defects in roads using a system developed by the student team based on deep learning and GIS to detect and determine the type, depth and number of cracks in roads leading to a more efficient and cost-effective approach to road maintenance.
 
In second place came students Abdallah Rabah, Yousef Milhem, Zaid Basalat and Mohamed Alsaddik for their project “The Use of HSS Bars in RC Structures; Design and Experimental Testing.” The project was supervised by Dr. Farid Abed, Professor in Civil Engineering.

In third place came the team Lilian Firas Alawar, Anas Mohamed Saber, Mohamed Sherif Said and Sara Nezar Al Armouti for their project “Rubble Mound Breakwater Design Using Rocks and Accropode in Dubai Coast.” The project was overseen by professors in civil engineering Dr. Serter Atabay and Dr. Maruf Mortula.  

In electrical engineering, the project “Microwave-based Vibration Monitoring Smart Robot” came in first. Designed by students Tala Al-Abweh, Yasser Juran, Zaineh Al Nasser and Ramzi Al-Sharawi, the project aimed to achieve predictive maintenance of machines through a microwave sensor installed in a robotic system that can detect changes in vibrations in machinery, which indicate problems that require immediate attention. The project was supervised by Dr. Nasser Qaddoumi, Professor in Electrical Engineering; and associate professors in electrical engineering Dr. Shayok Mukhopadhyay and Dr. Amer Zakaria.

Achieving second place was the project “IoT Water Pollution Monitoring System” for students Muath Mohammed and Mahmoud Hudaib, who were overseen by Dr. Mahmoud Ibrahim, Professor in Electrical Engineering, and Dr. Zakaria. In third place came the project “Smart Solar Electric Car” by students Maryam AlMalik, Mira Almualla and Osama Alalawi, under the supervision of Dr. Mostafa Shaaban, Associate Professor and Interim Head of the Department of Electrical Engineering, and Dr. Ibrahim.

In industrial engineering, student team Marwa Saadat, Adel AlOmar, Noura Al Ali and Omar AlNimer won first place for the project “General Electric (GE) Operation Cost Reduction.” The project was overseen by Dr. Zied Bahroun, Associate Professor in Industrial Engineering.
 
The focus of the project was on tools and consumables used to repair gas turbine components as they made up 10 percent of GE’s total quarterly cost. The team implemented a shadow board system to make it easier for operators to find the tools they require, Kanban and Andon systems to avoid stock-outs and tool coating to increase the lifespan of carbide burrs. The project saved GE a potential of $4,700 per month.
 
In second place came students Lara Abdelsamad, Yusur Al Mnaseer, Yaser Akailla and Sara Abu Iktish for their project “Barriers to Primary Healthcare Access in the UAE,” followed by students Anas Barakji, Aya Al Shair, Mohammad Samha and Youmna Enein in third place for their project “Artificial Intelligence for Enhanced Drilling Defects Prediction in Manufactured AlSiC.” The second project was supervised by Dr. Hussam Alshraideh, Associate Professor in Industrial Engineering. The third project was supervised by Dr. Noha Hassan, Associate Professor in Industrial Engineering.
 
In mechanical engineering, the project “Designing and Manufacturing a Solar-Water Electrolyzer to Reduce Fuel Consumption in Natural Gas Vehicles” by students Kareem Morsi, Hadj Babouhoun Kerrouchi, Murtaza Hasan and Abdeali Kapadia won first place. The project was supervised by Dr. Mohammad Hamdan, Professor in Mechanical Engineering.
 
The project proposes installing solar panels on the surface of a vehicle’s trunk, hood and roof  to absorb sunlight and store it in a special battery. The energy will be used to power an electrolytic cell that will break water into hydrogen and oxygen, and then pump the hydrogen into the engine with the fuel to reduce emissions by producing water vapor.
 
Winning second place was the project “Oil Spill Cleaning Autonomous Robot (OSCAR)” by students Vishwesh Kumar Maheshwari, Muhammad Mubeen, Shaikha Al Zarroni and Hassan Sajid under the supervision of Dr. Mohammad Jaradat, Professor in Mechanical Engineering.

In third place came the project “Turbocharger-based Turbojet Engine” by students Ali Younes, Majed Wardeh, Walid Elmeshad and Motasem Ghanem who were supervised by Dr. Hamdan.
 
The College of Engineering at American University of Sharjah is a leader in engineering education in the UAE and region. It boasts state-of-the-art facilities and faculty members who are internationally recognized for their research. CEN is committed to providing quality education through its undergraduate and graduate programs.
 
For more information about the College of Engineering at AUS, please visit www.aus.edu/cen.