The plans were agreed under the orders of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed and based on a proposal made by the head of the Department of Education and Knowledge. Jeffrey E Biteng / The National
The plans were agreed under the orders of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed and based on a proposal made by the head of the Department of Education and Knowledge. Jeffrey E Biteng / The National

Do universities have a responsibility to train students for the workplace?



Are this country's graduates ready for the workplace when they leave university? Addressing the Arab Knowledge Forum in Dubai on Tuesday, Essam Al Tamimi, the head of the Middle East's largest law firm said that it was "challenging for me and my law firm to hire from local universities". Mr Al Tamimi bemoaned the lack of a world-class university in the region. As a result, he said, there is a "mismatch" between what students learn and "what the workforce needs". He said that "a difficulty in our education system" means this country does not produce world-renowned lawyers, doctors and engineers.

It is a complex discussion. Those who subscribe to Mr Al Tamimi's thesis will say that the country is  young and the investment it made in its educational system is yet to bear fruit. But there is also an alternative view. Many of the jobs that today's young may end up pursuing haven't been invented yet. The students of today will not only be doctors and engineers, they will work in industries and occupations that may now be niche but will one day be mainstream. Our education system should focus on developing and producing rounded, adaptable and inquisitive students who are able to fill a wide basket of roles. As such, NYU Abu Dhabi Vice Chancellor Prof Alfred Bloom disagrees with Mr Al Tamimi.

This country is encouraging its citizens to think outside the constraints of convention, investing in the economy of the future and training men and women to become the leaders of tomorrow. At the same time, the government's focus is on using education as a means to uncork the full potential of today's pupils. There is certainly room for improvement at the UAE's universities, as there would be at almost every university anywhere in the world. We must never be complacent, but let us also recognise how far the country has come in a short space of time. There is work to be done, but much has already been achieved.

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German intelligence warnings
  • 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
  • 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
  • 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250 

Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution

How to avoid crypto fraud
  • Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
  • Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
  • Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
  • Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
  • Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
  • Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
  • Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
 
Started: 2020
 
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
 
Based: Dubai, UAE
 
Sector: Entertainment 
 
Number of staff: 210 
 
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Hydrogen: Market potential

Hydrogen has an estimated $11 trillion market potential, according to Bank of America Securities and is expected to generate $2.5tn in direct revenues and $11tn of indirect infrastructure by 2050 as its production increases six-fold.

"We believe we are reaching the point of harnessing the element that comprises 90 per cent of the universe, effectively and economically,” the bank said in a recent report.

Falling costs of renewable energy and electrolysers used in green hydrogen production is one of the main catalysts for the increasingly bullish sentiment over the element.

The cost of electrolysers used in green hydrogen production has halved over the last five years and will fall to 60 to 90 per cent by the end of the decade, acceding to Haim Israel, equity strategist at Merrill Lynch. A global focus on decarbonisation and sustainability is also a big driver in its development.

MO
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: ARDH Collective
Based: Dubai
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Sector: Sustainability
Total funding: Self funded
Number of employees: 4
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
 
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Nepotism is the name of the game

Salman Khan’s father, Salim Khan, is one of Bollywood’s most legendary screenwriters. Through his partnership with co-writer Javed Akhtar, Salim is credited with having paved the path for the Indian film industry’s blockbuster format in the 1970s. Something his son now rules the roost of. More importantly, the Salim-Javed duo also created the persona of the “angry young man” for Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan in the 1970s, reflecting the angst of the average Indian. In choosing to be the ordinary man’s “hero” as opposed to a thespian in new Bollywood, Salman Khan remains tightly linked to his father’s oeuvre. Thanks dad. 

Fixtures and results:

Wed, Aug 29:

  • Malaysia bt Hong Kong by 3 wickets
  • Oman bt Nepal by 7 wickets
  • UAE bt Singapore by 215 runs

Thu, Aug 30: UAE v Nepal; Hong Kong v Singapore; Malaysia v Oman

Sat, Sep 1: UAE v Hong Kong; Oman v Singapore; Malaysia v Nepal

Sun, Sep 2: Hong Kong v Oman; Malaysia v UAE; Nepal v Singapore

Tue, Sep 4: Malaysia v Singapore; UAE v Oman; Nepal v Hong Kong

Thu, Sep 6: Final

COMPANY%20PROFILE
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