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Pottermore Publishing to Release the Harry Potter Audio Books in Arabic on Storytel

  • Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone audiobook to be available on Storytel platform in spring 2019
  • Top voice-over artist Samaan Ferizali picked as narrator of audio book

Dubai, UAE, January 23rd, 2019 –Storytel, the division of one of Europe’s leading platform for audio books, is set to debut the much-anticipated Harry Potter audiobooks in Arabic at Cairo International Book Fair today, a landmark move that will Storytel’s first ever participation in the largest and oldest book fair in the Arab World. The first book, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, will be available on the Storytel platform this spring, while the remaining books series will be gradually released throughout 2019. Fans of the Harry Potter book series in the Arab region are in for a major treat as the Arabic audio format is narrated by top voice-over artist Samaan Ferizali.

Pottermore, the global digital publisher of stories from the Wizarding World™, and Storytel have partnered to make the Arabic audio book version of the stories about The Boy Who Lived exclusively available on the latter’s platform. The collaboration is expected to expand Storytel’s audience and bring the Harry Potter series to listeners in the Arab world.

Ammar Mardawi, Country Manager of Storytel Arabia, said: “Harry Potter is a unique global phenomenon which helped many people around the world to become regular book consumers by captivating their imagination and emotions. The debut of the Arabic audio book version of Harry Potter is a major milestone for Storytel Arabia as it will introduce them to the audio book experience for the first time. We are announcing the Arabic audiobooks of Harry Potter at the Cairo book fair because of the outstanding Harry Potter fan base among Egyptian young people.” 

“We are very pleased with Ferizali’s work in this project. It took us several months of auditions and evaluations as well as series of surveys among Harry Potter fans before we arrived at our final decision. Ferizali is doing a fantastic job in bringing over 150 characters to life in the series,” Mardawi added.

About Storytel:

Storytel is the world’s first streaming service for unlimited listening/reading on the mobile phone. The service was launched in 2005 and Storytel has had more than 53 million consumed audio books and ebooks up to this date. Storytel works with all smartphones, and has an offline function which makes it possible to listen to audio books even when there’s no internet connection available. In the past four years, Storytel has had a compound annual growth rate (“CAGR”) of 62 percent and continues to grow year after year. The company is headquartered in Stockholm and operates in 15 markets: Sweden, Norway, Denmark, The Netherlands, Finland, Russia, Poland, Iceland, Turkey, Italy, Spain, India, United Arab Emirates, Mexico and Bulgaria.

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Ministry of Health and Prevention Launches ‘Kids’ Community Program to Increase Children’s Knowledge on Diabetes

UAE, November 19th, 2018 – As part of its commitment to educate children about diabetes, the Ministry of Health and Prevention, in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Sanofi, hosted an awareness event at the Dubai Festival City Mall in line with its ‘Kids and Diabetes in Schools’ (Kids) program.

The program aims to promote better understanding of the impact of the disease on kids and highlight the role of families and the entire community members in the effective management of diabetes. This year, the reach of the initiative went beyond the confines of the schools to raise community awareness about key health issues. Continue reading “Ministry of Health and Prevention Launches ‘Kids’ Community Program to Increase Children’s Knowledge on Diabetes”

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‘Hackathon’ Competition Winners

Mansoor Bin Mohammed Honors Outstanding Winners of ‘Hackathon’ Competition

‘Emirati Programmer’ gives young local talents an opportunity to join global programming competitions

  • 4 young Emirati talents win the title of ‘Innovative Emirati Programmer’
  • International jury evaluates creative applications in line with UAE’s national policies
  • Local contestants demonstrate high-level skills in programming, computer thinking systems, digital applications, & electronic games

UAE, November 12, 2017 – H.H. Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum honored the ‘Innovative Emirati Programmer’ winners of the ‘Hackathon’ competition organized by the Emirates Talent Association and Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University (HBMSU). The recognition marked the culmination of the successful first batch of the ‘Emirati Programmer,’ the first-of-its-kind national initiative in the UAE launched to enhance the skills of Emirati programmers in programming languages, computer thinking systems, the basics of digital application and electronic games development. Continue reading “‘Hackathon’ Competition Winners”

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DEWA Organises 1st Summer Camp for Young Engineers

Dubai, UAE, August 4th, 2016 – Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has organised a summer camp for children under the theme ‘Engineers of the Future.’ The summer camp features specialised training programmes to develop children’s communication skills, helping them cope with pressure, face obstacles, and enhance teamwork. This promotes innovation among children, and creates a platform by which they can improve their skills, with a focus on electrical and mechanical engineering, science, and mathematics.

DEWA’s summer camp is open to all citizens and residents between the ages of 12-15, and will be held from 7-18 August 2016 at DEWA’s Reading Tent, which is located at Gate 2 of Zabeel Park. The camp features a host of activities and entertainment programmes, to prepare children for a promising future career, while developing their technical skills, and encouraging research by students, to harvest a new generation focused on science and technology. Continue reading “DEWA Organises 1st Summer Camp for Young Engineers”

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Reading is Positive Energy exhibition by Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA)

DEWA hosts Ramadan activities at Reading is Positive Energy exhibition

Dubai, UAE, June 19th 2016 – Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has organised a range of activities during the Holy Month of Ramadan at the Reading is Positive Energy exhibition. These include lectures, seminars, poetry readings, awareness sessions, and other activities for anyone.

DEWA launched the year-long exhibition last month in collaboration with Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation, at Zabeel Park. The move is part of DEWA’s efforts to support the directives of the wise leadership that 2016 is the Year of Reading. Continue reading “Reading is Positive Energy exhibition by Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA)”

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Taqaddam Helps to Inspire Young UAE Nationals

Youth-development programme concludes with high profile national competition

Pristine Private School takes the honours with competition win

Dubai, UAE, May 17th 2016 – Over 240 students from 12 Dubai schools have been inspired to reach greater personal heights after successfully completing the youth development programme Taqaddam.

HSBC Bank Middle East Ltd and the British Council have worked in partnership to deliver the new initiative that has helped young men and women in the UAE to build their self-confidence and develop the life skills they need to fulfil their potential.

Capping the seven week programme was the ‘Future Ideas’ competition,  which asked the students to devise an innovative idea that addressed key global challenges. Continue reading “Taqaddam Helps to Inspire Young UAE Nationals”

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Pearson launches School Improvement Service to align with UAE School Inspection Framework

Pearson aims to help schools meet new national standards and embed world-class systems and processes in UAE schools
Dubai, UAE, 14 May, 2016 – Pearson has announced a new School Improvement Service, designed to help UAE schools perform against the standards set out in the UAE’s new School Inspection Framework. The Framework is designed to help meet the country’s national agenda for education reform set about the UAE’s 2021 vision.

The UAE School Inspection Framework was rolled out in 2015, unifying the many inspection and school improvement models that had previously been in place throughout the country. The Framework is an evaluation system that measures the quality of a school’s performance, supporting school improvements through regular inspections. School inspections are structured around six performance standards including student achievement; personal and social development of students; teaching and assessment; curriculum; protection, care, guidance and support of students; and leadership and management.
The 2015-2016 Framework Guide, released by the UAE Ministry of Education, the Abu Dhabi Education Council, the Dubai Knowledge and Human Development Authority, and the Abu Dhabi Centre for Technical and Vocational Training, states:
“To achieve the world-class education system to which it aspires, the UAE must apply a high quality evaluation system to measure reliably the quality of school performance and to support school improvements and students’ outcomes through rigorous and regular school inspection. The UAE School Inspection Framework is based on comprehensive performance standards that define the essential aspects of a quality education”.
International school improvement expert, Dr Brad Ermeling, Principal Research Scientist at Pearson, believes there are four key elements to achieving optimal school improvement outcomes. He says:
“Research conducted through the Pearson Research and Innovation Network has shown that the best results come from school improvement programmes when four considerations are taken into account. These are:
1.      Emphasis needs to be placed on doing the “ordinary”, day-to-day work well. It is often these seemingly insignificant tasks that have the greatest impact on how well a school performs overall;
2.      The detail is exceedingly important – it is one thing to come up with a great idea or vision, but often the most difficult aspects of reform is in figuring out the details that will actually make the plan work.
3.      Successful action (that is, getting things done) begets improved attitudes, beliefs and knowledge, and;
4.      Everyone needs to be involved and school leaders are instrumental in bringing the entire school community on board with necessary changes.
Therefore, a holistic approach to school improvement that looks beyond individual areas of school improvement is necessary”.
Amanda Collins, Pearson’s Regional Director for School Services, says that the new Pearson School Improvement Service maps this international research with the specific needs of institutions in the UAE. She says the Service is designed to meet the challenges faced by UAE schools in preparing for inspection and help them along the path of continuous improvement.
“Schools are consistently looking for ways to improve to give learners the best possible chance of meeting their potential, both academically and in other important areas of development. The new School Improvement Service helps schools to achieve that goal, whilst mapping against the specific criteria set out in the Inspection Framework. We work closely with schools to identify what areas require attention through a school-wide needs assessment. The team, which includes certified school inspectors, then sets about creating a tailored plan. This plan includes face to face and online professional development, policy support, in-class support and coaching that improves performance in identified areas, with on-going consultation and monitoring the cornerstone of the service”.
Ms Collins goes on to say that improving learner outcomes is the overarching aim of the School Improvement Service.
“There are many elements of a successful school improvement programme, professional development, staff appraisals and targeted teaching interventions to name just a few. However, improving learner outcomes is the ultimate goal of the whole process. We want to help create schools where learning thrives and where learners are excited about the future they can achieve”.
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DSOA and Imdaad Organize Be’ati School Programme at Indian International School

 
DSO based IIS third and fourth grade students learn about environment sustainability
 
Dubai, UAE – 04 April, 2016 – Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA), the regulatory body for Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO), the integrated free zone technology park, in partnership with Imdaad, a leading provider of integrated facilities, environment, and energy management solutions in the GCC region, recently hosted the ‘Be’ati School Programme at the DSO based Indian International School (IIS).

Be’ati, which means ‘My Environment,’ is Imdaad’s flagship corporate social responsibility initiative that was rolled out in 2009. Since then, the programme has been visiting schools in the UAE to host quizzes, short films and competitions for raising awareness on the significance of a sustainable environment. As part of the initiative, concepts such as waste segregation at source, recycling, reducing carbon emissions, and preserving natural resources to make the earth a clean and green planet are given particular emphasis. Imdaad has set a target of educating and transforming more than 30,000 school children into active partners of environment preservation for the benefit of future generations.
 
The latest edition of the green campaign was conducted in two sessions and included tailor-made fun activities for more than 500 students from Grades 3 and 4 of the Indian International School. Through interactive presentations, Imdaad and DSOA illustrated thebenefits of environment-friendly practices and a green lifestyle. Khaddour, the fun-loving leaf character and the mascot of Be’ati was also present to encourage and motivate the children to adopt eco-friendly waysincluding recycling as a daily practice.
 
Commenting on this initiative, Eng. Khalil Shalan, Senior Vice President – Operations & Facilities at Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority, said: “We congratulate Imdaad for organizing the fun and educational sessions at the Indian International School that underlined the importance of maintaining a green and clean environment. DSOA strongly supports eco-initiatives in line with its CSR strategy that is based on three comprehensive pillars – the environment, human capital, and community. As part of this priority, we are committed to supporting entities such as Imdaad to increase young people’s awareness of environmental and sustainability practices. We are confident that such inspiring initiatives will help children assume ownership of preserving the natural resources within their communities, and eventually take on more vital roles as responsible citizens.”
 
Jamal Abdullah Lootah, CEO, Imdaad, said: “As a leading entity for the management of facilities, environment and energy, Imdaad considers it a personal responsibility to launch environmental initiatives. The Be’ati School Programme is our flagship campaign that teaches school children about the importance of environmental sustainability. We extend our gratitude to DSOA for partnering with us in organizing this outreach campaign at the Indian International School. We also commend the school’s management for supporting our cause and enabling us to relay the public welfare message to their students. The sessions gave us anopportunity to interact with the young leaders of tomorrow. Their enthusiasm clearly indicated their resolve to play valuable and participatory roles in preserving our precious environment.”
 
-Ends-
 
About Imdaad
 

 

Imdaad, a multi-awarded, fully integrated facilities, environment, and energy management solutions company in the GCC, is owned by the Investment Corporation of Dubai, the investment arm of the Government of Dubai.  It provides turnkey solutions under Hard and Soft Facilities Management (FM), Waste and Environment, Power and Energy portfolios and is recognised in the market for its innovative, professional, and quality-driven services. Imdaad also offers 24X7 home maintenance service under its HomePro portfolio. The company has received several prominent industry awards and recognitions, including ‘Green Facility Management Organization of the Year’ at the 2015 Emirates Green Building Council (EGBC) Awards and the ‘Sheikh Khalifa Excellence Award (SKEA), among others. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a core value for Imdaad and its community-focused programs such as Be’ati (My Environment) – a flagship CSR initiative and Khaddour – the fun-loving green leaf character, reinforces its strong commitment to environmental sustainability.

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Out of the 14 Outstanding Schools in Dubai, 10 follow the British Curriculum

British Council’s ‘Schools Now! Conference’ concludes in Abu Dhabi
Emirates Nationals Development Programme (ENDP) inducted 13,500 UAE nationals into the UAE private sector over 10 years; Goal is to reduce unemployment rate to less than 1 per cent, from the current 2.6 per cent says Executive Director
Abu Dhabi, UAE, 2 March 2016 – There are more than 350 private schools in the UAE catering to over 470, 000 students, of which 81,000 (17%) are Emirati. Interestingly, of the top 14 outstanding schools in Dubai, 10 follow British Curriculum.

These statistics were highlighted on the concluding day of the ‘Schools Now! Conference’ organised by British Council in Abu Dhabi.
The concluding day of the international event revealed that 32 percent of UAE private schools follow British Curriculum, which, according to Adrian Chadwick, Regional Director MENA, British Council, speaks volumes for the value parents place in a British curriculum schools in the UAE.
‘Schools Now! Conference’ organised by British Council in Abu Dhabi.

The opening session on the second day was attended by Ros Marshall, CEO of Taaleem Schools, UAE, and Essa Al Mulla, Executive Director, Emirates Nationals Development Programme (ENDP), among other decision makers from the field of education from across the world.

Al Mulla revealed that ENDP has inducted 13,500 UAE nationals into the UAE private sector over the past 10 years.
He said Emiratisation is a top priority for the UAE, and added that ENDP has a goal of reducing the UAE unemployment rate to less than 1 per cent, from  the current 2.6 percent (according to Dubai Statistics Centre figures) by 2021.
He lauded the British Council’s role in bringing innovative, world-class and highly relevant topics into the education arena.
The conference featured a number of keynote speeches, plenary papers, panel discussions and short paper presentations. The three Plenary sessions on the concluding day were “Redefining School Leadership– Challenging the status quo”, “Measuring Effectiveness, Improving Outcomes – what do examinations tell us?” and “Student Insight”.
The second day highlighted that for a school to be successful, the traditional head teacher/ teacher/ student hierarchy needs to be revisited and challenged. Head teachers cannot be the only leaders; teachers must do more than impart knowledge and students need to be able to take responsibility for their learning as well as the environment and culture of their school.
“We are glad that the conference has achieved its goals of focusing on contemporary approaches to empowering school leaders and teachers around the world” added Chadwick. “From the discussions that took place in Abu Dhabi over the past two days, and from the insight and relationships shared and created, the British Council will continue to work with ministries and school leaders across MENA to support greater quality in the classroom, and better learning outcomes for all.”
The conference focused on the importance of measuring effectiveness and improving outcomes as participants underscored that assessment is essential to allow learners to get the appropriate educational support and interventions and to evaluate the effectiveness of different educational pedagogies. The conference said that with the advent of new technologies, examinations should serve their role in measuring a learner’s mastery of knowledge as well as chart the ongoing growth and development in learning over a period of time.
The conference also tackled highly relevant topics such as the changing role of an academic leader as an educationalist, the leadership dynamics of contemporary schooling and the emerging role of school leaders as security administrators as well as the importance of quality assurance.
The conference in its final plenary presented the student perspective on key issues and opportunities. Speakers urged academic leaders, policy makers and employers to sit up and listen to each other for the benefit of all.
Among the participants in the ‘Schools Now! Conference’ were global leaders and experts from the British Council offices from across the globe, as well as prestigious international organisations such as Pearson, Cambridge International Examinations, UK; Royal Society of Arts (RSA), UK; Presidium Group of Institutions, India; HSBC Bank Middle East Limited plus many others. Local entities from the UAE also took part in the event, including Taaleem, UAE; Emirates Nationals Development Programme (ENDP); INJAZ – UAE and Heriot-Watt University Dubai.
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Autodesk Empowers Students to Bring their Ideas to Life at GESS Dubai 2016

Leading software company throws the spotlight on design solutions Memento and Fusion 360 as strategic tools to help nurture and enhance student creativity
Dubai, UAE, March 3rd, 2016 – Autodesk, a leading design software company that is playing a very innovative role in the education sector, globally and in the Middle East region, has expressed its eagerness to help empower students in bringing their creative ideas to life.

The statement came during the company’s participation at Global Educational Supplies and Solutions Dubai 2016 (GESS Dubai 2016), the region’s only event dedicated to the entire spectrum of educational supplies and solutions, which opened last March 1, 2016 and will run until March 3, 2016 at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC). The company has revealed that 3D technology has now become a more common part of today’s classrooms, which has resulted in the discovery that students are making significant contributions to the world around them at young ages. Looking to further nurture their creative talents, Autodesk will be holding specialized workshops for students visiting GESS Dubai 2016—throwing the spotlight on its key design solutions Memento and Fusion 360.

During the show, the company will be leveraging Fusion 360 and Memento as the perfect complement in further encouraging and developing the design skills of today’s students. These powerful and easy-to-use solutions converts photos and laser scans into 3D meshes that can be cleaned up, transformed and 3D printed so that anyone, even the young, can explore captured objects from across the world.  In the US, students as young as 13 years old have used Fusion 360 to conceptualize and 3D print prosthetic devices to college teams developing environmentally sustainable homes using BIM 360 Glue. Young talents are pushing the boundaries of design and innovation both inside and outside of the classroom using the same design software used by professionals every day. With Autodesk’s education business model, there is now more than 680 million students and educators from over 800,000 secondary and post-secondary schools in 188 countries taking advantage of free access to Autodesk’s professional software and services for use in classrooms, labs and at home. The company has affirmed its continued commitment in investing in the next generation—offering free access to Autodesk software to students, educators, and academic institutions worldwide.

Autodesk continues to provide free access to industry-standard professional 3D design software and learning content to students, educators and schools worldwide. The move demonstrates the company’s commitment towards providing today’s youth with the necessary tools and resources needed in helping them achieve success in their academic and future careers. Autodesk originally offered free software to college students but has now also started to provide it free to middle school and high school students in the UAE. To ensure wider reach, the company maintains active collaborations with ADVETI Institutes, Secondary Technical School (STS) and many universities. In fact, the success of this initiative can be seen in Autodesk’s move to empower 16-year-old Emirati girl students to design next generation mini-F1 cars.