Emirates Press

DUBAI: Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Education, highlighted that the ministry is working towards revamping legal programmes in the country’s universities, ensuring they meet the evolving demands of the job market. This is aimed at providing the new generations of lawyers and legal professionals with the knowledge, experience, critical and analytical thinking skills, and understanding of artificial intelligence needed to succeed in the ever-changing world around them.

This came during his participation in a high-level seminar on the future of legal education in the UAE organised by Al Tamimi and Company and its legal partners. This forum was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Education, as well as leading local and international law firms. The discussions were moderated by Essam Al Tamimi, Chairman of Al Tamimi and Company.

During his opening remarks, Dr. Al Falasi highlighted the Ministry’s commitment to enhancing cooperation with local and international law firms and legal consulti
ng companies. This commitment aims to develop practical training programmes bridging the gap between theory and practice, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of new generations of lawyers and legal professionals. This initiative aims to elevate their social awareness, enabling them to make positive contributions across various sectors, while also equipping them with the skills and experiences necessary for easy integration into the job market after graduation.

He emphasised the importance of law for stability and success in life, serving as the cornerstone in regulating the relationship between institutions, individuals, and entities. Therefore, it is important to restructure the legal programmes in the country’s universities to be of higher quality, modernity, and innovation, aligning with governmental targets to make the legal system in the country transparent, efficient, fair and advanced.

Essam Al Tamimi said: “The meeting between law firms and the UAE Ministry of Education is of utmost importance and
common interest as it concerns the future of legal education and the role, we, private sector law firms, can play in supporting it. I firmly believe that it is our duty to collaborate with the UAE government and our peers in order to ensure the best possible platform and experience for the next generation of lawyers. This includes providing training opportunities, offering guest lectures, and exposing young lawyers to the best practical experiences with a view to providing the best exposure and legal education.’

During the forum, the Ministry of Education’s team reviewed a project aimed at enhancing the quality of law programmes in the country’s universities. The project focuses on improving the curriculum to include international law, business law, and laws related to financial technology companies. It also aims to develop the capabilities of legal faculty members by providing them with practical experience and offering academic courses in law for graduates from scientific disciplines.

The forum’s particip
ants discussed ways through which private sector law firms can contribute to this project in terms of training law students, contributing international legal expertise by lecturing at law schools and being members of university advisory councils. Discussions also highlighted the significance of experienced lawyers from private firms and legal companies sharing their insights with new law school graduates.

During the forum, it was agreed to form a joint committee that brings together the Ministry of Education’s team and representatives from leading local and international law firms. The joint committee aims to contribute to the advancement of the legal education system by identifying the necessary skills for law students in the job market. Additionally, it seeks to provide students enrolled in law programmes at local universities with practical training opportunities, recommend legal experts for teaching positions at these institutions, and introduce students to the latest developments in the legal field.

Th
e forum’s participants emphasised the need to bridge the gaps in legal education in order to modernise it through practical and applied programmes tailored to various specialisations. These initiatives aim to equip students with relevant knowledge, acknowledging the extensive overlap between the legal sector, the workplace and daily life.

Source: Emirates News Agency

ABU DHABI: President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan conferred ‘Zayed the Second Medal’ on Madiar Menilikov, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the UAE, in appreciation for his efforts during his tenure in the UAE, which contributed to the development and advancement of ties between the two friendly countries in various sectors.

Ahmed bin Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of State, awarded the Ambassador the medal during a reception ceremony at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abu Dhabi.

During the meeting, Al Sayegh affirmed the UAE’s keenness to strengthen relations with the Republic of Kazakhstan across all fields, and commended the Ambassador’s role in solidifying bilateral cooperation during his tenure. H.E. Al Sayegh also expressed his gratitude to the Ambassador, and wished him luck and success.

For his part, Menilikov expressed his gratitude and appreciation to His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE President, highlighting the UAE’s accomplishments
, which demonstrate the leadership’s keenness and ambitions to elevate the country’s position and enhance its reputation within the international community.

Menilikov expressed his gratitude to all government entities of the UAE for their cooperation that positively contributed to the success of his mission, which aimed to enhance relations between both nations.

Source: Emirates News Agency

CHONGQING: A greater number of vessels operating in the Yangtze River Economic Belt are using shore power, signifying progress is being made on the low-carbon development of the belt across its nine regions.

According to a report by China Daily, the Changjiang River Administration of Navigational Affairs and the Ministry of Transport indicated that the consumption of shore power by ships at berth totaled 120 million kilowatt-hours last year, marking a 64 percent increase from the figures recorded in 2022.

This means the belt has surpassed its target of reaching 100 million kWh two years ahead of schedule, the administration said.

It said the number of ships fueled by new and clean energies in watercourses in the Yangtze River Basin had reached more than 300 as of the end of last year.

Shore power allows ships to connect to the local electricity grid while at port, instead of turning to diesel engines to generate electricity. This can significantly reduce emissions from vessels, contributing to cleaner air
and the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions.

The Yangtze River Economic Belt covers nine of the 11 regions in the Yangtze’s main flow. The flow through Qinghai province and the Xizang autonomous region are the exceptions. It also includes Zhejiang and Guizhou provinces, which are home to several important tributaries of the Yangtze.

Li Guoyun, captain of the cruise ship Century Glory, said the consumption of shore power is not only environmentally friendly but also costs less.

“Generating electricity with oil creates a loud noise and results in poor passenger experience. The cost from that is high, too,” he said while his ship berthed at Chaotianmen Port in Chongqing. The vessel was connected to shore power via a floating transformer substation.

The use of shore power helps reduce electricity costs at berth by half, he added.

China saw the first batch of shore power facilities installed in 2015 in Hubei province’s Yichang city, home to the Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest hydropower project.

As a
senior executive with the shore power service provider in Yichang, Wan Zhiyong said there has been a significant increase in their business.

When the first batch of shore power facilities was put into operation at the Shawan anchorage ground in April 2015, only 10,000 kWh of shore power was consumed that year, which was only 1 percent of the supply capability.

Now, the daily power consumption in Yichang’s Zigui Port alone reaches more than 6,000 kWh, he said. Last year, the total shore power consumption in Yichang surpassed 1.2 million kWh, which avoided the consumption of 2,857 metric tons of oil for power generation and reduced emissions of harmful substances by 8,998 tons, according to Wan.

“Previously, we had to beg ships to use shore power, but now they are eager to use it,” he said.

Source: Emirates News Agency

SHARJAH: Ali Salim Al Midfa, Chairman of Sharjah Airport Authority (SAA), presided over the coordination meeting for the concerned work teams at the airport, in the presence of Sheikh Faisal bin Saud Al Qasimi, Director of SAA, and several department managers, and representatives from the SAA’s strategic partners from the Sharjah Civil Aviation Department, the Airport Passengers Customs Centre, and the Ports and Airports Police Department at Sharjah Police, in addition to the Sharjah Airport Immigration Control Center, and the Sharjah Aviation Services company, with the aim of discussing the proactive and precautionary action plans adopted in emergency situations and crises and ways to develop them.

Al Midfa valued the efforts of all teams working at Sharjah Airport during the recent weather conditions experienced by the UAE in mid-April, stressing the importance of cooperation to ensure the continuity and efficiency of operations under various exceptional circumstances, and continuing to provide the highest
standards of security and safety for airport goers, including passengers and staff, in line with the highest global practices and standards in the aviation and travel sector.

The meeting’s agenda included discussing the roles of the concerned parties and the mechanism for their activation in all facilities of Sharjah Airport, including the passenger, cargo buildings, and surrounding areas, and reviewing the key challenges faced by the concerned teams during the weather conditions regarding receiving passengers and the services provided to them inside the airport, and the situation of flight operations and aircraft movement.

The attendees also discussed a package of developmental proposals and potential improvement opportunities, and strategies for efficient and effective proactive plans to ensure further readiness for all future emergency situations at all levels, thereby enhancing the provision of the best services to customers and passengers, maintaining their safety and comfort under all circumstances.

S
ource: Emirates News Agency

SHARJAH: H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and the Ruler of Sharjah, has signed Emiri Decree No. 15 of 2024 to establish the University of Al Dhaid.

The announcement was made during H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan’s visit to the Al Dhaid University building on Thursday morning.

“We are pleased to announce the establishment of the University of Dhaid, a non-profit scientific institution in the Arab region specialising in agriculture, environment, food, and livestock. We have developed various facilities and projects to support its scientific mission and achieve its goals, including the wheat farm, the Saba Sanabel project, the vegetable farm, the dairy farm, the seed bank, and other facilities, centres, laboratories, and projects. We look forward to witnessing the construction of these developments soon,” Sheikh Dr. Sultan said.

He expressed that, by the grace of God, the university will commence the registration and admission of both male and female students at the beginning of t
he academic year 2024-2025, and he wished all those responsible for the university and the incoming male and female students great success.

An Arab non-profit academic institute is required to be established in the Emirate of Sharjah as per the decree. The institute will be known as the ‘University of Al Dhaid’. It will possess the legal status and capability to fulfill its goals and exercise its powers, as well as financial and administrative autonomy.

Sheikh Dr. Sultan has been appointed as the president of the university, as per the Decree. Furthermore, a law that will organise the university, including its colleges, departments, administration, and all its affairs, will be issued.

The Ruler of Sharjah signed the Decision of the President of the University of Dhaid No. (1) of 2024 concerning the establishment of the Board of Trustees of the University of Dhaid. It has been specified that the Board of Trustees will be constituted in its inaugural meeting under the leadership of His Highness, and will inc
lude the following members Dr. Peter McCaffery, Vice-Chancellor of the Royal Agricultural University in UK; Dr. Khalifa Musabah bin Ahmed Al Tunaiji, Member of the Executive Council – Head of the Department of Agriculture and Livestock; Ali Saeed bin Shaheen Al Suwaidi, Member of the Executive Council – Head of the Public Works Department; Dr. Muhadditha Yahya Al Hashemi, Head of the Sharjah Private Education Authority; Dr. Aisha Ahmed Mohammed Abu Shlaibi, Chancellor of the University of Al Dhaid; Dr. Warwick Bayly is Professor at College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University; Dr. Mohammad Abdullah bin Howaiden Al Ketbi, Chairman of the Municipal Council of Al Dhaid; Dr. Salem Zayed Khalifa Al Tunaiji, Head of the Department of Arabic Language and Emirati Studies at the Higher Colleges of Technology in Sharjah; Dr. Saeed Musabah Al Kaabi, former Chairman of the Sharjah Education Council; Sultan Mohammed bin Howaiden Al Ketbi, Chairman of the Municipal Council of Al Madam; Dr. Khalifa Musabah Al
Ketbi, Director of the Engineering Department in the Municipality of Al Madam; Dr. Saeed Hareb Dhahi Al Mansouri, Head of the Human Resources Planning Department at the Sharjah Police General Command; Dr. Ahmed Saeed Al Khasouni Al Ketbi, officer in the Security Media Department at the Ministry of Interior; Dr. Khalfan Khamis Khalfan Al Razi Al Shamsi, Assistant Dean for Scientific Research – Abu Dhabi Police College; and Dr. Musabah Saeed Al Ketbi, member of the Board of Trustees of the Sharjah Award for Voluntary Work.

Sheikh Dr. Sultan also signed President of the University of Dhaid’s Decision No. (2) of 2024 appointing Dr. Aisha Ahmed Mohammed Abu Shlaibi as Chancellor of the University of Dhaid, as well as Decision No. (3) of 2024 made by the President of the University of Dhaid, appointing Dr. Melissa Fitzgerald as the Dean of the College of Agriculture at the University of Dhaid.

He explained that Al Dhaid University would stand out based on its faculties, areas of study, and the educational and pra
ctical opportunities it offers to its students in their chosen fields, equipping them with comprehensive hands-on experience upon graduation.

Sheikh Dr. Sultan discussed the distinguishing factors of the College of Agriculture at the University of Dhaid, highlighting its interconnected departments which offer a wealth of knowledge. His Highness’s vast experience in planning, study, and specialisation will form the basis of this knowledge.

‘I am one of those who graduated from the College of Agriculture in 1970, and I still hold the knowledge to this day. The College of Agriculture comprises eight departments, each having three courses, and each course will produce for us a specialised engineer. If one student, from the College of Agriculture at this university, graduated from each course, we would have 24 scientists and experts. I hope that everyone who is here will spread the word on our behalf that the President of Al Dhaid University invites you and says to everyone who seeks knowledge: Come and be the e
xpert, be the scientist. This university was designed for you,’ he said.

He reviewed the departments in the College of Agriculture, noting that they cover all the departments required for the specialisations they contain and are complementary to each other.

Moreover, Sheikh Dr. Sultan announced that Al Dhaid University has made all necessary preparations for its agriculture and veterinary medicine students to acquire theoretical and practical knowledge. The university will provide classrooms in established projects, allowing students to study and learn directly from engineers and specialists on the farms. Furthermore, each student will be granted a plot of agricultural land to cultivate, supervise, and market the produce, providing valuable hands-on experience and preparing them for their future careers.

Source: Emirates News Agency

ABU DHABI: Mohamed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director General of Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), highlighted the UAE’s extensive experience in sustainable development and humanitarian work and the ADFD’s sustainable economic and social impacts in developing countries for more than 50 years.

Speaking on the ADFD’s participation in the AVPN Global Conference 2024, held in Abu Dhabi from April 23 to 25, Al Suwaidi said: ‘The global event highlights Abu Dhabi’s role as a premier hub for addressing international humanitarian concerns, demonstrating our steadfast commitment to harmonising efforts that advance comprehensive development objectives.’

He also emphasised the UAE’s extensive experience in sustainable development and humanitarian work, adding that hosting this conference reflects its commitment to leveraging all resources to anticipate the future, achieve sustainable development, and improve the quality of life for societies.

He highlighted that ADFD had been making sustainable economic and social impact
s in developing countries for more than 50 years. It has achieved this through the implementation and development of strategic projects in vital sectors such as infrastructure, clean energy, agriculture, water, healthcare, and education services, which contribute to the prosperity of societies.

It was the first time the conference was held in the West Asia region, bringing together more than 1,500 investment leaders and social gatherings from around the world under the banner of ‘One Asia, One Future’.

The conference focused on key topics, including attracting necessary funds to accelerate development, finding innovative solutions to address economic, social, and environmental challenges in developing countries, exchanging experiences, learning about best practices, and working together to build a sustainable and prosperous future for all.

The conference welcomed experts, prominent figures, and decision-makers from various countries who have made significant contributions to global development, social impa
ct investments, and charitable and humanitarian businesses.

Source: Emirates News Agency