• LONDON, 6th June, 2024 (WAM) — e& attained the highest position in Brand Finance’s inaugural Employer Brand Report 2024 with its UAE entity ranking as the Top Global Telecoms Employer.
  The group also secured the 16th spot among the Top 20 Employer Brands across measured employer brands across financial services, telco, media, and tech (TMT), oil, gas, and energy, professional services, retail, automotive, and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the United States.
  Ali Al Mansoori, Group Chief People Officer, e&, said: “This recognition as an employer of choice reflects the incredible dedication and passion of our people, who are our greatest assets. It also reaffirms our commitment to cultivating a unified company culture where every employee is empowered to think differently, experiment fearlessly, and innovate continuously. In today’s rapidly evolving landscape, having a talented workforce is more critical than ever.”
  David Haigh, CEO of Brand Finance, said: “Middle Eastern telecom brands are increasingly overtaking their European and American counterparts as desirable places to work. This reflects the career opportunities and exciting technological developments created by consistent, high-quality investment in the Middle East.”
  Leading the way in employer branding and talent development in UAE, the group scored highly across several considerations, including as a ‘prestigious brand,’ an ‘inspiring vision,’ ‘enjoyable and rewarding work,’ and a ‘well-managed and governed company.’ e&’s achievement reflects the broader reputation of the UAE as a global talent hub and the preferred destination for people seeking to shape a prosperous future.
  “At e&, we are committed to equipping our team with the skills necessary to navigate and thrive in the digital age. Our vision is not just to keep pace with change, but to lead it. We are building a resilient, forward-thinking workforce capable of driving our company and our community towards greater heights. Our strategy includes comprehensive training programs, partnerships with educational institutions, and an environment that rewards creativity and bold thinking. We are dedicated to creating opportunities for professional growth and supporting our team as they develop the technological skills and mindset essential for the future,” added Al Mansoori.
  The inaugural “Employer Brand Index” report showcases the world’s top brands with global and regional league tables. The research-driven study is the first of its kind, measuring internal and external perceptions of employer brands from 16 countries. The Index is derived from responses from an anonymous survey of the public across various industries conducted via independent online panels.
  The Brand Finance 2024 Employer Brand Index follows the release in January of the global brand rankings in which e& UAE was rated the strongest telecom brand globally (AAA rating) and the strongest brand in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) across all categories.
  Brand Finance is the world’s leading brand valuation consultancy. For more than 25 years, it has been bridging the gap between marketing and finance by evaluating the strength of brands and quantifying their financial value to help organisations of all kinds make strategic decisions. Every year, Brand Finance conducts more than 5,000 brand valuations, supported by original market research, and publishes over 100 reports that rank brands across all sectors and countries.

DUBAI, 6th June, 2024 (WAM) – A recognised senior leader of city planning and transportation has commended the “remarkable developments witnessed by Dubai’s transportation networks over the past 20 years.”

Speaking on the sidelines of the 13th Dubai Award for Sustainable Transport, Richard de Cani, Director and Global Cities, Planning and Design Leader at Arup, said, “I have seen great investments in public transportation in Dubai and I believe that the metro system is the best in the world.”

There is a real focus on innovation, new technology, and a willingness to experiment and adopt new ideas, he added.

He pointed out that Dubai is at the forefront of showcasing the possibilities of sustainable transportation through innovative ideas.

ABU DHABI, 3rd June, 2024 (WAM) – Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, attended a reception hosted yesterday by Lorenzo Fanara, Ambassador of the Italian Republic to the UAE, on the occasion of his country’s National Day.

The ceremony, which was held at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, was also attended by a number of officials and heads of Arab and foreign diplomatic missions, in addition to a number of Italian community members in the UAE.

In his speech on the occasion, the Italian Ambassador highlighted the UAE-Italy relations, which, he said, are witnessing continuous development and growth across all fields, noting that the UAE is Italy’s most important trading partner in the Middle East.

MADRID, 3rd June, 2024 (WAM) — Real Madrid have strengthened their squad with Kylian Mbappé, according to a statement published by the Spanish Club’s website today.

At the age of 25, Kylian Mbappé enjoyed his highest scoring season with Paris Saint-Germain, 44 goals, and finished as top scorer of the French league for the sixth consecutive season, 27 goals.

SHARJAH, 4th June, 2024 (WAM) — A Sharjah delegation to the People’s Republic of China recently participated in high-level meetings with senior Chinese officials to explore cooperation opportunities and strengthen economic, cultural, and academic ties during their first stop in the capital of Beijing.

Led by the Department of Government Relations (DGR), the delegation, comprising 18 departments and institutions representing Sharjah, travelled to Shandong Province, a significant hub of historic and modern trade routes in China, to discuss ways to strengthen collaboration with relevant Chinese entities.

Sheikh Fahim Al Qasimi, Chairman of DGR, highlighted that the delegation’s visit to China reflects the vision of H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, to solidify governmental relations and deepen the ties between Sharjah and Asian nations, particularly China.

The delegation aims to foster comprehensive cooperation across all sectors, leveraging successful global expertise while showcasing Sharjah’s strategic assets, its role as a representative of Emirati and Arab culture, and its notable contributions to promoting global scientific, knowledge, economic, and cultural exchange.

The delegation’s visit, concluding on 8th June, included several meetings between Sharjah officials and their Chinese counterparts. Participants include Hamad Ali Al Mahmoud, Chairman of Sharjah Economic Development Department; and Ali Mohammed Al Naqbi, CEO of Weqaya, Beeah Group.

Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer, CEO of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq); Mohammed Juma Al Musharrakh, CEO of Sharjah FDI Office; and Omar Al Mulla, Chief Investment at Sharjah Asset Management, are also present.

During the visit, the Sharjah delegation held several meetings regarding trade, including discussions with the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) and representatives from the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products. These meetings centred on strengthening trade ties and exploring opportunities for mutual development.

The delegation also met with representatives from leading Chinese technology companies, such as Xiaomi, and visited the Huawei Beijing Research Centre, showcasing the emirate’s interest in fostering partnerships in the tech sector.

Additionally, DGR, Shurooq, and the Sharjah FDI Office held a meeting with Pan Asia Capital to explore potential collaboration in the business and investment domains.

In the fields of culture, tourism, and heritage, Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman of the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCDTA); Eisa Yousif, Director-General of the Sharjah Archaeology Authority; Aisha Rashid Deemas, Director-General of the Sharjah Museums Authority (SMA); Dr. Abdulaziz Al Musallam, Chairman of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage; and Marwa Obaid Al Aqroubi, Executive Director of House of Wisdom, met with representatives from the National Cultural Heritage Administration (NCHA), an administrative agency affiliated with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China.

The meeting, attended by Li Kun, Director of NCHA, and Wang Xiaodong, Secretary of the Palace Museum, aimed to strengthen cultural ties between Sharjah and China.

In the fields of science, technology, and education, Abdulaziz Ibrahim Al Mulla, Business Development Executive at the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SRTIP); Dr. Khawla Al Najjar, Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering at the University of Sharjah; Dr. Abdulrahman Al Yasi, Director of Sharjah Youth, an affiliate of Rubu’ Qarn Foundation for Creating Future Leaders and Innovators; and Khaled Al Nakhi, Director of the Sharjah Institute for Capacity Development, conducted field visits to Peking University, Tsinghua University, and the China Soong Ching Ling Science & Culture Centre for Young People.

In the healthcare sector, Sheikh Fahim Al Qasimi, Dr. Abdelaziz Saeed Obaid bin Butti Almheiri, Chairman of the Sharjah Health Authority and Sharjah Healthcare City Authority; and Dr. Abdulaziz Al Noman, Advisor to Sharjah Women’s Sports Foundation, met with representatives from the Chinese National Health Commission.

This was followed by separate meetings with Fosun International and Sinopharm representatives, which concluded with a visit to the Peking University Health Science Centre.

Regarding the aviation sector, a meeting was held between Sheikh Fahim Al Qasimi, Mohammed Rashid Al Sharif, Assistant Director of the Commercial Affairs Department at Sharjah International Airport; and Miao Qian, Director of the Civil Aviation Administration of China, as well as airline representatives, including China Eastern Airlines.

They also met with Shan Chuan, Deputy Director of the China Tourism Group, to discuss the development of mutual relations in the aviation sector, followed by a visit to Beijing Daxing International Airport.

The Sharjah programme included visits to iconic historical landmarks such as the Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City, and the Palace Museum, which boasts an impressive collection of over a million rare artefacts.

JEDDAH, 4th June, 2024 (WAM) — The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (MoHU), in cooperation with the Saudi National Bank (SNB AlAhli), on Monday launched “Nusuk Wallet”, the first international digital wallet of its kind to serve Umrah and Hajj pilgrims.

According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), this digital wallet allows the management of the money and expenses of pilgrims, and it is supported by a banking infrastructure.

Nusuk Wallet uses the latest emerging technologies and encryption techniques to ensure the highest security standards for users.

The American University of Sharjah’s (AUS) College of Architecture, Art and Design (CAAD) celebrated the impressive work of its 98 graduating students at its annual graduate show and industry night, Six Degrees.

Her Excellency Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, President of AUS, inaugurated the event at the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park on June 1, in the presence of industry representatives and members of the various creative communities in the UAE.

The exhibition showcased the works of graduates in architecture, interior design, design management, multimedia design, visual communication and urban planning. A Six Degrees catalog accompanied the exhibition, highlighting works selected by each graduating student.

Fourteen students and three faculty members were also recognized for their outstanding work during the academic year at a special ceremony during the event.

“We take deep pride in the accomplishments of our graduating students that are showcased at the annual Six Degrees exhibition. This flagship event highlights our students’ exceptional talent and creativity and emphasizes their commitment as designers to pushing the boundaries of what is possible. The show demonstrates the level of rigorous academic training and mentoring they have received at CAAD,” said Dr. Varkki Pallathucheril, Dean of CAAD.

The exhibition showcased a myriad of creative student projects that tackled diverse themes such as a Sharjah Center for Film and Media; a night, hidden market in Beirut; a resilient oasis harnessing ground and quarry water for Gulf resource autonomy; alternative mapping methods physically documenting social-environmental interactions within Sharjah’s industrial areas; UAE urban coalescence; creation of design-build spaces for design education; a housing project that blends Emirati community traditions with an emphasis on privacy; and many more.  

“Our students have demonstrated a remarkable ability to address complex challenges through their projects, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of our programs. The Six Degrees exhibition serves as a platform to engage with professionals and the wider community, fostering collaborations and opening doors to future opportunities. It reflects the great potential our students have for making significant contributions as design professionals,” said Dr. Pallathucheril.

During a special recognition ceremony at the exhibition, students Yara Moustafa Soliman (architecture), Leen Mamoun Afaneh (interior design), Carol Maher Bebawy (multimedia design), Bettina Frana Rodricks (visual communication), Tasneem Zafer Husami (design management) and Sania Parambathkandy Shanavaz (urban planning) received the Dean’s Award for Academic Excellence for their exceptional accomplishments over the course of their years at CAAD and AUS.

The M.A.D. Award (Motivation + Attitude + Dedication) went to students Sara Mohamed Mohamed (architecture), Shahd Husni Shalak (interior design), Yomna Badr Badr (multimedia design), Ayesha Maria Fernandes (visual communication), Rokaya El Lakis (design management) and Maram Mubarak Ali (urban planning). The award is given to one student from each of the college’s degree programs who exhibits motivation, attitude and dedication to their work.

Awarded for their exemplary organizational leadership, service to the university, enlargement of the college purpose, citizenship and contributions to the community, students Salma Ashraf Ibrahim (multimedia design) and Zainab Oghai Gawhari (architecture) received the Dean’s Service Award.

The American Institute of Architects medal for Academic Excellence recognizes the top architecture graduates whose imagination and design thinking will influence the future of the built environment; this year’s recipient is Yara Moustafa Soliman. Furthermore, CAAD students Tala Alsakka Amini and Habiba Mohamed were recognized by global architecture and design practice Aedas. They received the Aedas Award in recognition of the importance of drawings and graphic representation as the language of architecture and for their unique, risk-taking and provocative work.

The Best Faculty Award 2024 went to Dr. Christopher Kaltenbach, Associate Professor of Art and Design; Camilo Cerro, Associate Professor of Architecture; and Patrick Rhodes, Associate Professor of Architecture (Foundations Year). The awardees were voted by CAAD students for the academic year.

Six Degrees will be on view from June 1 to 8 in Wing B at the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park.

To learn more about the AUS College of Architecture, Art and Design, visit www.aus.edu/caad.

-ENDS-

Attached Photos: 

1-6 H.E Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi at (CAAD)’s annual graduate show and industry night, in the presence of industry representatives and members of the various creative communities in the UAE.

7-8 Part of the special recognition ceremony at the exhibition.

High Quality and Additional Photos: https://we.tl/t-hpSBEOxqKZ

Video Link: https://we.tl/t-ssbOp2u4wz