Day: March 3, 2024

SHARJAH: Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, President of the American University of Sharjah (AUS), inaugurated the AUS Global Day, marking the start of the festivities held under the theme ‘Peace Around the World.’

In attendance was Hussain Muhammad, Consul General of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in Dubai; Dr. Tod Laursen, Chancellor of AUS, and other high-level university officials.

The AUS Main Plaza received visitors who wandered among more than 29 cultural and student-interest club pavilions, and participated in the event’s various activities.

‘Hosting AUS Global Day to celebrate the diverse cultures on our campus enriches the student experience and fosters a sense of belonging and understanding among diverse communities. We have seen the amazing work of our students in setting up their booths and organising their performances. These extracurricular activities serve as invaluable extensions of education outside the classroom, offering students the opportunity to broaden their perspectives, embra
ce diversity and cultivate lifelong skills in communication, collaboration and cultural competence,’ said Shaima bn Taliah, Executive Director of Student Experience at AUS.

The Emirati Cultural Club took a non-traditional approach to design its booth, which this year has taken the shape of a book.

‘We decided to display information and pictures of the buildings that have appeared on UAE currency from the 1700s until today. We realised that not many people know what these buildings signify, and they do tell a story about the UAE and its history. The display also shows how far we have come as a country,’ said Yousef Mansour Algargawi, President of the UAE Cultural Club.

The booth featured various vendors, among them Racks, which debuted a new board game inspired by the city of Sharjah. Additionally, Racks created special desserts infused with Emirati flavours exclusively for the Emirati Cultural Club display.

Other highlights at the Emirati display were a piano and guitar rendition of Allah ya dar Zayed, an
d Yola and Zarf dance performances.

‘Global Day tests the cultural clubs’ creativity and opens a window to exploring other cultures. It also offers visitors an opportunity to get a taste of home,’ said Algargawi.

Honouring Palestinian heritage, the Palestinian Cultural Club intricately weaved together the art of Palestinian embroidery, the flavours of its cuisine, the elegance of its traditional dress and the rhythm of its vibrant dances, with Gaza at its heart.

‘Visitors had a taste of everything – from olive oil and maqloubeh to musakhan, Al Quds Kaak and coffee. We also choreographed Dabkeh dances, staged a play portraying life in Gaza, included a Palestinian Tarweedah performance and a special performance by four children from the AUS Choir. We wanted to show the different aspects of Palestine. The AUS Global Day is a beautiful opportunity to learn about different cultures. I always go around the different booths and learn something new,’ said Abdallah Darwish, President of the Palestinian Cultural Clu
b.

As one of the most active clubs on campus, the Indian Cultural Club this year designed its booth to emulate The Palace of Mirrors, Sheesh Mahal, in Jaipur, India. The booth featured a mesmerising seven-meter-long arc adorned with 30,000 meticulously placed pieces of mirror that were assembled by the club’s student committee members. Adorning the left wall of the booth were 26 canvases masterfully painted by talented student members, while the right wall featured 15 intricately crafted jharokhas, traditional Indian windows, fashioned from cardboard to add a touch of authenticity to the display.

‘We have also prepared a grand performance to take visitors on a nostalgic journey through the various eras of Bollywood. We traversed iconic eras of Indian cinema, stepping back into the vibrant 80s, where the dynamic duo of Govinda and Karishma Kapoor graced the silver screen, captivating audiences with their infectious energy. We then ventured into the enchanting 90s, a golden era defined by the mesmerising perf
ormances of Madhuri Dixit and Salman Khan, whose on-screen chemistry left an indelible mark on cinematic history. We later transitioned into the 2000s, celebrating fan-favorite songs and memorable moments that have stood the test of time, capturing the essence of a generation,’ said Siraj Mecci, President of the Indian Cultural Club.

He added, ‘We pride ourselves on showcasing the rich diversity of India by incorporating elements from all corners of the nation. Our dancers seamlessly blended the distinct styles of North and South India, creating a mesmerising fusion that celebrated the cultural tapestry of our incredible country.’

Source: Emirates News Agency

DUBAI: The third edition of the World Police Summit features various accompanying events such as the Tech Expo, conferences, exhibitions, and workshops.

These initiatives are designed to foster collaboration and facilitate meaningful discussions among police, security delegations, and organisational representatives. The ultimate goal is to generate recommendations and outcomes that align with the objectives of the World Police Summit.

Four roundtable discussions will be held during the Summit as part of the agenda. One of these will specifically address the formulation of roadmaps to tackle urgent issues in law enforcement. Additionally, the Dubai Police will receive a delegation from the International Corrections and Prisons Association (ICPA) Board of Directors on the Summit’s sidelines, as a preparatory step towards hosting ICPA conferences in Dubai by the year 2027.

The roundtable discussions of the ICPA will delve into various topics to enhance the development of penal institutions through sustainable
and resilient approaches in the ever-evolving world of technology. Key topics will include the ‘Modernisation of Correctional Practices’, ‘Resilient Staffing Practices’, ‘Staff Culture and Mental Resilience’, ‘Staff Training for Resilience and Sustainability’, ‘Digital Maturity in Prison’, ‘Artificial Intelligence and the Future World of Technology in Corrections’. Furthermore, recommendations will be put forth for the main tracks to be addressed during the 2027 conferences.

Furthermore, the Summit will host the annual meeting of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP). This gathering will bring together representatives from the seven regions, namely Europe, North America, South America, Africa, Central Deserts, Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, and the Caribbean.

The Dubai Police will also host the second seminar of the International Action Learning Group (IALG) on the sidelines of the World Police Summit in 2024.

Hosted for the first time by Dubai Police, the Seminar will feature the
participation of Captain Dr. Abdullah Al Bastaki from the General Department of Forensics and Criminology, and Lieutenant Abdullah Al Dabal from the General Department of Criminal Investigation.

The IALG programme supports the strategic, professional, and personal growth of 20 distinguished law enforcement officials selected from organisations across the globe.

Over nine months, the participants convene thrice in various locations worldwide to undertake their missions, employing innovative and forward-thinking approaches. The focus is on exploring a pertinent emerging strategic issue related to the future of policing. The programme culminates with the IALG presenting its outcomes to the participants at the forthcoming IALG conference, slated to commence in early June.

During the IALG programme, the participants gather thrice for seven days each. The Australian Federal Police hosted the inaugural seminar in Sydney from 12th to 18th November, 2023. This seminar fostered connections among participants and sig
nificantly focused on mission-related content.

Dubai Police hosted the second seminar from 27th February to 4th March, 2024, while the third seminar is scheduled to take place in Vancouver, Canada, from 2nd to 9th June, 2024, and will be hosted by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

The IALG programme aims to develop a greater knowledge of global law enforcement’s threats and challenges while preparing participants to be better-equipped professionals who can effectively work within diverse international environments. It also aims to help them better understand the global, political, economic, social, and technological factors that influence law enforcement worldwide. The programme focuses on introducing participants to future-oriented methodologies and techniques while focusing on their personal development and leadership skills. Ultimately, it empowers them to become integral members of a strong network of international law enforcement leaders.

On its sidelines, the summit will organise an international ex
hibition featuring state-of-the-art technologies and advanced tools for law enforcement and security operations. It offers a comprehensive marketplace with over 230 exhibitors showcasing the latest technological advancements and services.

The exhibition will feature various sectors and fields, including cutting-edge technological solutions, law enforcement, military supplies, rescue equipment, information technology, and smart and digital training and data management solutions. It will also cover cybersecurity, imaging equipment, forensic, aviation, traffic, public safety, security systems, software and training, anti-money laundering, blockchain, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, electronic components, drones, police dogs, vehicles, biometric technology, anti-narcotics, resilience and sustainability, mounted police and various other sectors and fields.

The Athletic Caravan, a collaborative initiative between the Dubai Police and the Dubai Sports Council, will be participating in the World Police Summit wi
th a first-of-its-kind practical study in the Middle East and the Arab world. It will present a visionary outlook on the future of sports in the country. It will be showcased in a dedicated pavilion at the Summit.

The Caravan will showcase the best sporting practices of the Dubai Police, including disciplines such as cycling, shooting, equestrianism, obstacle courses, gymnasiums, and marine sports, and highlighting notable achievements.

In addition, the Caravan provides daily opportunities for engaging in sports activities, such as walking in the City Walk, shooting sports at Al Ruwayyah training city, and cycling at the Kite Beach.

In Crime and Criminal Justice, the summit will organise a workshop titled ‘Responsible AI Innovation in Law Enforcement’. This workshop will be conducted by UNICRI and INTERPOL, who will introduce the concept of responsible AI innovation, describing what it is and why it is essential for the law enforcement community.

Furthermore, in the realm of Anti-Narcotics, the summit wil
l host two workshops. The first workshop is titled ‘Achieving Public Health and Public Safety in the Management of Drug Addicted Offenders’. In contrast, the second workshop is titled ‘The Role of officers of Security and School Institutions in Confronting Student Challenges in Educational Settings’.

Meanwhile, regarding Forensics, the summit will host two workshops. The first workshop is ‘Doing Applied Research in Forensic Linguistics – A Focus on Online Child Protection’. The second workshop is titled ‘Proficiency Testing in the Field of Forensic Genetics’.

In terms of police K9 units, two workshops will be conducted. The first workshop is titled ‘AI in K9’, while the second is titled ‘K9 Integration into SWAT Operations£.

In addition, in the domain of Resilience and Sustainability, a workshop titled ‘How GPT and ChatGPT Change Law Enforcement’ will be organised during the World Police Summit.

Furthermore, in the realm of Drones, collaborative workshops with INTERPOL will address technical aspects, fo
rensic analysis techniques, fundamental analysis principles, advanced analysis, and other pertinent topics.

Source: Emirates News Agency

SHARJAH: The Sharjah Real Estate Registration Department (SRERD) celebrated 24 real estate companies and institutions that won the ‘Real Estate Excellence Award,’ which aims to support and stimulate the real estate sector in the emirate, and to enhance Sharjah’s well-established position in the region’s real estate market.

This came during the 12th “Annual Forum’ organised by the Department at ‘Al-Jawaher Reception and Convention Centre’, under the slogan ‘Ambition and Giving… Excellence and Leadership,’ as part of its continuous endeavour to support real estate institutions and companies, to celebrate its strategic partners, and to encourage its distinguished employees.

The ceremony began with the Emirati national anthem, followed by the recitation of fragrant verses from the Holy Qur’an, followed by a screening of the films ‘Own Happiness, own in Sharjah’ and ‘Harvest of the Department,’ which reviewed the department’s achievements and projects over the past year. The films were followed by honouring th
e Department’s strategic partners, the sponsors, the winners of the ‘Real Estate Excellence Award’, the distinguished leader, distinguished employees, cooperating employees from government and private agencies, suppliers, in addition to media professionals cooperating with the Department.

The forum was attended by Abdul Aziz Ahmed Al-Shamsi, Director General Sharjah Real Estate Registration Department (SRERD), Abdul Aziz Rashid Al-Saleh, Director of Sharjah Real Estate Registration Department, in addition to directors and heads of SRERD’s departments, and a number of directors and employees of government institutions in the emirate.

The forum also witnessed celebrating the winners of the ‘Real Estate Excellence Award’, which the department launched for the first time back in 2019, and became keen to organize it every year in order to stimulate companies and institutions operating in the real estate sector in the emirate. In details, the ‘Real Estate Offices’ category in Sharjah was won by: ‘Al-Junaidi Real
Estate’, ‘Salim Ali Al-Shamsi Real Estate Company’, ‘Sama Al-Sharjah Real Estate’, and ‘Bizlink Real Estate Office’. In Khor Fakkan, the same award category was won by: ‘Al-Shahiq Real Estate Office’ and ‘AL-Sahel AL-Sharqi Real Estate’. As for the City Kalba, the award went to ‘Leicester Real Estate Office’. Furthermore, and for the category of the ‘Real Estate Development Companies’, it was won by: ‘Asas Real Estate’ and ‘Al-Thuraya Real Estate’ companies.

As for the ‘Best Board of Directors of the Owners’ Union Association’ category, it went to the Owners’ Union Association of the following Towers: the ‘Pearl Tower’, ‘Rose Tower 1’, ‘Manazil Tower 2’, ‘Manazil Tower 5’, ‘Sahara Tower 2’, ‘Lulu Tower’, ‘Asas Tower’, ‘Al-Muhanad Tower’, ‘Al-Ghanem Business Center Tower’, ‘Bu Khamseen Tower’, ‘Riviera Tower’, ‘Burj Tower’, and ‘Beach Tower 2’. While the award for the category of ‘Administrative Supervision Services Companies for Owners’ Associations’ was awarded to: ‘Al-Mudeer Owners Association Management S
upervision’, and the ‘Pluto Company for Administrative Supervision’.

At the beginning of the ceremony, Abdul Aziz Ahmed Al Shamsi welcomed the strategic partners of the Department and all its collaborators, and stated that ‘The forum comes as an implementation of the directives and visions of our wise leadership, and it is within the framework of strengthening the sustainable partnership between the Department and its partners. It aims to serve the interests of the real estate sector, and to accomplish the emirate’s goals in developing the real estate market, in addition to promoting sustainable development, diversifying the sources of income, and attracting local, regional, and international capital to invest in this vital sector of the emirate’s and the UAE’s economy’.

Regarding the ‘Real Estate Excellence Award’, Al Shamsi said, ‘This award is organised annually by the Department, and it comes as a continuation of its efforts aimed at spreading the cultures of Excellence and Leadership among institutions
and companies operating in the real estate in Sharjah. Moreover, it represents our endeavor to support the successful experiences of these entities, and to exchange the best real estate practices and the innovative initiatives in this field, which is reflected in enhancing positive competition and improving the real estate performance system in the emirate in general’.

Al Shamsi congratulated the winners of the award in its different categories, and extended his deep appreciation to the strategic partners, the media professionals, and the institutions supporting the Department’s activities, events, and various initiatives over the past year’.

Source: Emirates News Agency

ABU DHABI: The Sheikh Zayed Festival 2023-2024, held in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi, will host the 4th Abu Dhabi Firefighter Challenge 2024 from 5th to 7th March, with the participation of 200 firefighters from 16 entities

The three-day event is organised by the Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority in collaboration with ‘911 Challenge’.

The 4th Abu Dhabi Firefighter Challenge is the largest specialised civil defence and rescue competition in the UAE. It brings together the fastest and strongest firefighters and rescuers from government, semi-government, and private sectors, with the aim of improving physical and mental fitness, highlighting the role of firefighters and rescuers in society, raising awareness of fire safety, and building community trust in firefighters and rescuers in various sectors.

The participating entities include Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority, General Directorate of Civil Defence in Dubai, Dubai Police, Sharjah Civil Defence Authority, General Directorate of Civil Defence in Ajman, General C
ommand of the Civil Defence in Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah Civil Defence, Umm Al Qaiwain Civil Defence, Al Ain Civil Defence, Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (KIZAD), ADNOC, Abu Dhabi Airports, Dubai Airports, Sharjah Airports, Fujairah Free Zone, and Jaheziya.

The competition includes six challenges that focus on testing the participants’ strength and endurance.

The Sheikh Zayed Festival is open to visitors daily until 9th March 2024, from 16:00 to 00:00 on weekdays and 01:00 on weekends and public holidays.

Source: Emirates News Agency

SHARJAH: The way conflicts are covered has undergone a transformation so profound that it is reshaping every aspect of reporting, said photojournalist Nicole Tung during her talk, ‘What is Left’, on Saturday at Xposure International Photography Festival (Xposure 2024)’s Stage X.

‘The immediate power to report and spread information has irreversibly altered the way conflicts are covered. The internet and social media have quickly become conduits for news delivery and audience engagement. Accessibility to technology has granted individuals the authority to voice their experiences directly to a global audience, often bypassing traditional journalistic channels,” she said, underlining the challenge for photojournalists.

“Today’s photojournalists must be as proficient with modern tools such as smartphones and social media as they are with their eye for capturing evocative images,” she noted.

For years, Nicole has used the power of her lens to capture the despair, misery, challenges, small joys, and hopes of peo
ple caught in societies that were transforming in ways beyond the control of the collective conscience, such as in Iraq and Syria.

Talking about the impact of conflicts on the psyche of photojournalists, she shared that covering these situations can be hard and takes an emotional toll. ‘When I become a little overwhelmed, I accept the feeling. I step outside the room, if I have to. But I don’t go there trying to be emotionless because I think that affects the photos. You have to absorb what’s going on around you.”

The eighth and biggest edition of Xposure runs until 5th March at Expo Centre Sharjah. More than 400 visual storytellers from over 50 nations are participating with 2,500 of their best images at the weeklong festival.

Source: Emirates News Agency

ABU DHABI: Culture Summit Abu Dhabi kicked off today in the UAE capital with an exceptional programme of keynote speeches, creative talks, panel discussions and cultural performances. The sixth edition brings over participants from 90 countries under the theme of ‘A Matter of Time’.

On the first day of the three-day event, the Summit explored the role of culture in creating collective memories while looking at alternatives to the linear concept of time.

In his welcoming remarks, Mohamed Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), said, ‘A Matter of Time is the theme for this year’s Culture Summit Abu Dhabi, which serves as an invitation for us all to reflect and pause. Culture Summit is more than just words – issues will be discussed and tangible solutions will be found for global communities. Culture will allow us to understand each other, respect each other, accept and preserve each other’s culture. Once we attain this level of harmony, we will create a world
of understanding.”

While commenting on the importance of the Culture Summit Abu Dhabi, Al Mubarak added, ‘It is a great honour for us to bring so many nationalities under one roof. We have an exceptional collective of thinkers, artists, changemakers and leaders with us today – at Culture Summit everybody’s voice is heard.’

Al Mubarak introduced world-renowned poet and philosopher Adonis, who gave the Summit’s first keynote speech where he framed the relationship between people and time, exploring both their creative potential and the capabilities of technology in realising human aspirations. ‘Time is a creation, and we are living in an era of technological advancements and modernism, enslaving us where it should have set us free. At the culture summit, we share one common goal with distinct yet similar views on culture, poetry and art. We are living in an era where nature and creativity are the need of the hour. Technology cannot be creative, cannot think, breathe or feel – technology is not the problem but
relying too much on it is,’ said Adonis.

Emirati celebrity singer and Goodwill Ambassador at Large Hussain Al Jassmi also took part in a creative conversation with renowned Egyptian Talk Show host Mona Al Shazly, where they discussed the significant role of time in shaping an artist’s journey, the UAE’s support for creative individuals and the impact of artificial intelligence on Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs). ‘The UAE is a strong enabler for creative talents, including emerging artists. I personally received great support from the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who I believe was the first supporter of creative talents in the UAE. In addition, the UAE is the best example of coexistence and harmony, embracing residents of more than 200 nationalities – you can walk across any walkway in the UAE and come across five different dialects and languages.’

Nobel Prize Literature winner, playwright, and Professor of Theatre at NYU Abu Dhabi Wole Soyinka sat in conversation with Manthia Diawara, Pro
fessor in the Department of Cinema Studies at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts to discuss the intricacies of African culture as well as issues around identity as well as differences in ideologies across the continent due to slavery and the looting of artworks and artefacts.

One session titled ‘First people’s knowledge on living in the everywhen’ explored an alternative perspective on the notion of time. Speaking with artists and practitioners from several First People’s communities, the session invited the audience to deconstruct Western conceptions of time and space, moving away from linearity. The work of the four hosted artists (Erena Baker-Arapere and Sarah Hudson of Mataaho Collective, Daniel Boyd of Daniel Boyd Arts, and Nicholas Galanin) demonstrate that time can be perceived as a continuum, where living knowledge is connected through collective memories and possibilities.

Culture Summit Abu Dhabi, which runs until 5th March, is organised by DCT Abu Dhabi in collaboration with global pa
rtner organisations bringing expertise in diverse fields, from culture and arts to media and technology. The event’s key global partners include UNESCO, Economist Impact, Design Museum, Google, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and Foundation, and the Recording Academy. Additional event partners include Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy, Arab World Institute, Berklee Abu Dhabi, Club de Madrid, Cultural Foundation, IFACCA, Image Nation Abu Dhabi, Louvre Abu Dhabi, NYUAD and World Cities Culture Forum, among others.

Source: Emirates News Agency

ABU DHABI: President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan today visited Captain Mohammed Salem Al Nuaimi, who is receiving treatment at Zayed Military Hospital for injuries sustained in the recent terrorist attack in the Republic of Somalia.

The incident claimed the lives of several members of the UAE armed forces who were providing training to the Somali armed forces as part of the military cooperation between the two countries. His Highness inquired about Captain Al Nuaimi’s health and wished him a speedy recovery, and was briefed by doctors on the progress of his treatment.

His Highness lauded the resilient spirit and exceptional morale of members of the nation’s armed forces, acknowledging their dedication, loyalty, and unwavering commitment to elevating the country’s stature and honour.

His Highness was accompanied during the visit by H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Advisor for Special Affairs at the Pre
sidential Court; Major General Sheikh Ahmed bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Deputy Chief of Staff of the UAE Armed Forces, and a number of senior officials and high-ranking Armed Forces officers.

Source: Emirates News Agency