DUBAI // Officials can now predict when a sandstorm will sweep across the country thanks to new technology unveiled in Dubai.
The Sandstorm Forecasting/Prediction system, the first of its kind in the UAE, was launched on Sunday as part of Gitex Technology Week. It is based on a 3D weather prediction model that uses satellite imagery to forecast storms.
“First results of the dust storm prediction system are very promising and indicate that the system will help prepare the public for dust storm events,” said Eman Al Falasi, head of Dubai Municipality’s Geodesy and Hydrographic Survey section.
The project is a joint venture between the Geodesy and Hydrographic Survey Section of the Dubai Municipality and Unique System FZE, a maritime group company.
The system uses geostationary and orbiting satellites, lidar and aerodrome reports to present real-time satellite images of upcoming dust storms, Ms Al Falasi said.
Previously, Dubai had five coastal stations. In 2010, eight inland stations, a 3D weather model and 1D fog model were launched. Satellite imagery and remote meteorologist services were added in 2012. New buoys, cameras, rain gauges and sandstorm monitoring systems will be available soon.
Iraq, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia are significant sources of dust affecting the UAE, according to a Dubai Government news release.
“We are very proud with the results of this project which is useful to the whole nation and for the people living here,” said Eng Mohammed Mashroom, director of the survey department of the municipality.
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How will Gen Alpha invest?
Mark Chahwan, co-founder and chief executive of robo-advisory firm Sarwa, forecasts that Generation Alpha (born between 2010 and 2024) will start investing in their teenage years and therefore benefit from compound interest.
“Technology and education should be the main drivers to make this happen, whether it’s investing in a few clicks or their schools/parents stepping up their personal finance education skills,” he adds.
Mr Chahwan says younger generations have a higher capacity to take on risk, but for some their appetite can be more cautious because they are investing for the first time. “Schools still do not teach personal finance and stock market investing, so a lot of the learning journey can feel daunting and intimidating,” he says.
He advises millennials to not always start with an aggressive portfolio even if they can afford to take risks. “We always advise to work your way up to your risk capacity, that way you experience volatility and get used to it. Given the higher risk capacity for the younger generations, stocks are a favourite,” says Mr Chahwan.
Highlighting the role technology has played in encouraging millennials and Gen Z to invest, he says: “They were often excluded, but with lower account minimums ... a customer with $1,000 [Dh3,672] in their account has their money working for them just as hard as the portfolio of a high get-worth individual.”
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Date started: January 2017, app launched November 2017
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Private/Retail/Leisure
Number of Employees: 18 employees, including full-time and flexible workers
Funding stage and size: Seed round completed Q4 2019 - $1m raised
Funders: Oman Technology Fund, 500 Startups, Vision Ventures, Seedstars, Mindshift Capital, Delta Partners Ventures, with support from the OQAL Angel Investor Network and UAE Business Angels