Fiker Institute founder Dubai Abulhoul, left, and Global Security Programme director Dr Annette Idler sign the agreement. Photo: Fiker Institute
Fiker Institute founder Dubai Abulhoul, left, and Global Security Programme director Dr Annette Idler sign the agreement. Photo: Fiker Institute
Fiker Institute founder Dubai Abulhoul, left, and Global Security Programme director Dr Annette Idler sign the agreement. Photo: Fiker Institute
Fiker Institute founder Dubai Abulhoul, left, and Global Security Programme director Dr Annette Idler sign the agreement. Photo: Fiker Institute

Dubai's Fiker Institute announces University of Oxford research partnership


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The Fiker Institute in Dubai is teaming up with the Global Security Programme at the University of Oxford to research global governance and international security issues.

The partnership was signed at the Dubai-based think tank this week.

It will bring together “two institutions at the forefront of rigorous research and innovative policy dialogue, creating a shared platform for collaboration on some of the most pressing challenges facing the international community”, a joint statement said.

“This collaboration with the University of Oxford’s Global Security Programme reflects our shared commitment to pushing the boundaries of research and policy analysis on global governance reform and security, across multiple streams,” said Fiker founder Dubai Abulhoul.

“At a time of shifting geopolitical realities, we see it as vital to elevate voices from across the Global South and to forge innovative approaches that respond to the realities of today’s world.”

The agreement will enable both bodies to study diplomacy and governance in the Gulf region, said GSP director Dr Annette Idler.

“We are delighted to partner with Fiker Institute, whose work is transforming contextual discourse on diplomacy and governance in the Gulf and beyond,” Dr Idler said.

“This collaboration offers an invaluable opportunity to link rigorous scholarship with the unique policy perspectives emerging from the region, ensuring that global debates benefit from greater inclusivity and relevance.”

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By Sean Penn
Simon & Schuster

Why it pays to compare

A comparison of sending Dh20,000 from the UAE using two different routes at the same time - the first direct from a UAE bank to a bank in Germany, and the second from the same UAE bank via an online platform to Germany - found key differences in cost and speed. The transfers were both initiated on January 30.

Route 1: bank transfer

The UAE bank charged Dh152.25 for the Dh20,000 transfer. On top of that, their exchange rate margin added a difference of around Dh415, compared with the mid-market rate.

Total cost: Dh567.25 - around 2.9 per cent of the total amount

Total received: €4,670.30 

Route 2: online platform

The UAE bank’s charge for sending Dh20,000 to a UK dirham-denominated account was Dh2.10. The exchange rate margin cost was Dh60, plus a Dh12 fee.

Total cost: Dh74.10, around 0.4 per cent of the transaction

Total received: €4,756

The UAE bank transfer was far quicker – around two to three working days, while the online platform took around four to five days, but was considerably cheaper. In the online platform transfer, the funds were also exposed to currency risk during the period it took for them to arrive.

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Milestones on the road to union

1970

October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar. 

December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.

1971

March 1:  Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.

July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.

July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.

August 6:  The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.

August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.

September 3: Qatar becomes independent.

November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.

November 29:  At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.

November 30: Despite  a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa. 

November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties

December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.

December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.

F1 drivers' standings

1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes 281

2. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari 247

3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes 222

4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull 177

5. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari 138

6. Max Verstappen, Red Bull 93

7. Sergio Perez, Force India 86

8. Esteban Ocon, Force India 56

UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

Updated: October 01, 2025, 12:46 PM