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Champions of Tomorrow 2015, Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi Education Council concludes ‘Champions of Tomorrow 2015’ with the participation of 84,244 students
  
·       Initiative held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan
·       18 schools honored with ‘Shield of Excellence 2015,’ while six were declared Sports Day 2015 winners
·       180 students and 72 teachers from 18 schools & 24 principals received ‘Excellence Shield 2015’ award
·       24 physical education teachers from six schools recognized for nurturing students’ athletic skills as part of preparation for Sports Day 2015
Abu Dhabi, May 18, 2015 – The Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) concluded the ‘Champions of Tomorrow 2015’ initiative today, (May 18th 2015), which involved a series of sports competitions for top student athletes across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the Western Region.
A special awarding ceremony was held at the Paris-Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi to honor the winners as well as the participating schools and teachers. The much-praised competitions displayed the skills and strong performance of 84,244 students from across the UAE.
Her Excellency Dr. Amal Al Qubaisi, Director General at ADEC, said: “We thank all those who contributed to ensure the success of this year’s campaign, from ADEC members to students, parents, faculty members and all administrative staff of participating schools. We also extend our appreciation to the Abu Dhabi Sports Council whose support greatly helped us achieve the goals of the initiative. The ‘Champions of Tomorrow’ represents the visions of H.H. Sheikh Khalifa and H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who is also the Chairman of ADEC, in terms of human capacity development to build a generation capable of securing Abu Dhabi’s global leadership and making the capital city an influential force in the world stage.”
“The positive results of ‘Champions of Tomorrow’ boost our aspirations to discover new young talents who will join our national teams in raising the Emirates flag in international sporting events. The campaign successfully reached more than 50 per cent of public school students in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the Western Region. We are planning to include private schools in our future editions as we continue our efforts to discover more promising athletes, teach them the Olympic principles, and prepare them for international competitions. These form part of ADEC’s vision of developing the education system to produce a generation that can compete globally,” said Dr. Al Qubaisi.
H.E. Aref Hamad Al Awani, Secretary General, Abu Dhabi Sports Council, said: “The ADEC-organized ‘Champions of Tomorrow’ initiative was held in strategic partnership with Abu Dhabi Sports Council. Staging the competitions reflects our support for the Abu Dhabi Government’s efforts to implement programs that encourage physical activities, contribute to the development of sports programs within academic institutions and support the sports sector through training of the country’s future professional athletes.”    
“The Abu Dhabi Sports Council is keen on developing scientific programs to discover new recruits and prepare and revitalize the entire sports industry by coordinating with concerned education entities. Additionally, we support programs and sports competitions that serve the aspirations of all segments of society such as the ‘Champions of Tomorrow’ initiative, which plays an important role in developing sports at the school level in Abu Dhabi. ‘Champions of Tomorrow’ also prepares and trains the young generation in accordance with our sports agenda,” Mr. Al Awani added. 
A total of 24 schools were honored during the ceremony, 18 of which won the ‘Shield of Excellence 2015’ while six were recognized for winning at Sports Day 2015.  Other recipients of the ‘Shield of Excellence 2015’ award included 180 students, 72 teachers from 18 academic institutions, and school principals. In addition, 24 physical education teachers from six schools were honored for their untiring efforts in nurturing the athletic skills of young students to help them deliver an excellent performance during Sports Day 2015. This year’s Sports Day featured a host of events aimed at building a new generation that possesses leadership and social skills and is actively involved in sports and other physical activities. 

The ‘Shield of Excellence 2015’ awardees included the Al Tamouh School; Al Shahama School; Khalid Bin Al Walid School; Al Nokhba School; Al Houtayn School; Khalifa Bin Zayed School; Bayaat Al Radwan School; Salama Bint Butti School; Almregib School; Hamouda Bin Ali School; Al Saqour School; Al Jahili School; Al Tafawok School; Al Ain School; Al Mottahid School; and Al Ghaith School.
‘Champions of Tomorrow 2015’ promoted sports awareness among students, activated the role of schools in nurturing the skills of young athletes, and provided an ideal platform to achieve excellence at local, regional and international levels. Among its most notable activities were Sports Day, which attracted 140,000 participants from across the UAE; the Abu Dhabi Education Council Marathon, which witnessed the participation of 3,000 students at Yas Marina Circuit; and the Beach Festival 2015, which brought together 140 high school students. The campaign’s sports competitions were held in three categories, namely the ‘Mandatory Games’ (football, athletics), the ‘Individual Games’ (swimming, gymnastics, fencing, judo), and the ‘Complementary Games (handball, basketball and volleyball). 


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Abu Dhabi School of Management – Training Program for Government

Abu Dhabi School of Management to conduct Balanced Scorecard Institute Certification Training
Programme tailored for government entities for the first time
UAE, May 10, 2015 –The Abu Dhabi School of Management (ADSM), an educational institution dedicated to developing the UAE’s future entrepreneurial leaders, has announced that it will be conducting Balance Scorecard for Government Professional Certification BootCamp in collaboration with the Balanced Scorecard Institute (BSI). This marks the first time that the BSI certification is being tailored for government entities.
The first government version of the five-day Balanced Scorecard Certified Practitioner BootCamp will run from June 7 to 11, 2015 at the ADSM campus and will be delivered by the BSI Co-Founder and CEO Howard Rohm. Howard Rohm is a former U.S. government executive and the original developer of the Institute’s balanced scorecard framework, used worldwide by governments, industry and nonprofit organizations.
BSI will provide the training and certification materials for the course, which is based on the Institute’s proprietary framework for developing balanced scorecard systems, called the Nine Steps to SuccessTM. Those who complete the course and pass the certification examination will be certified jointly by BSI and the George Washington University College of Professional Studies at the level of Certified Balanced Scorecard Practitioner.
Sophia Korayim, Director of the Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Abu Dhabi School of Management, said: “The Balance Scorecard is an empowering tool that enables organizations to determine if they are getting the results they expect and need from their team. The courses we will co-deliver with BSI will enable the leadership of local government entities to ensure that deliverables are met according to international standards and in line with the strategies of their respective organizations.  This is the first time that a Balanced Scorecard certification training of this level is being offered for government entities so we expect the programme to have a considerable impact on the quality of governance across the emirate.”
The Balanced Scorecard is a strategy performance management tool that everyone in the organization can use to align strategy to mission and vision, align employees and the work they do to the strategy, and focus on improved program and service efficiency, effectiveness and delivery to citizens. Managers use to monitor how staff under their supervision perform their duties and the outcomes of their actions. It is used by businesses, governments and nonprofit organizations to align business activities to the vision and strategy of the organization, enhance internal and external communications, and benchmark organizational performance against strategic goals.
BSI is the original certifying body for balanced scorecard practitioners. Its award-winning framework, Nine Steps to SuccessTM, is a disciplined and practical approach to developing a strategic planning and management system based on the Balanced Scorecard. The Institute’s Certified Balanced Scorecard Practitioner programme is recognized worldwide, with around 2,000 practitioners from over 70 countries granted this level of proficiency so far since the program was launched in 2007.
“Around the world, our certification training continues to make a difference in the ability of organizations to improve their performance, align the work of their people with their strategies and vision, and gain valuable operational insights through well-designed metrics. By combining our 18 years of experience with government and other mission-driven organizations we have been able to customize a program unique to the culture and goals of government. Through our partnership with ADSM we aim to help Abu Dhabi’s government entities and employees achieve these results and incorporate the Balanced Scorecard as an essential part of their management,” added Howard Rohm.


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New York Times Best-Selling Author, Renowned Speaker and Thought Leader to Empower the Region’s Youth to be Leaders in the 21st Century

Global education practice leader Sean Covey’s first ever Middle East tour to focus on ‘The Leader in Me’ program: creating leaders, one child at a time

UAE, March 18th, 2015 – FranklinCovey Middle East, a global company that specializes in performance improvement of organizations, has announced the first ever visit of world renowned author and motivational speaker Sean Covey to the Middle East. During his pioneering tour, Sean will discuss how The leader In Me whole-school transformation model – developed in partnership with educators – empowers students with the skills they need to thrive in the 21st Century. The Leader In Me, builds on the work of Dr Stephen R Covey’s The 7Habits of Highly Effective People and redefines what school greatness means by focusing on culture, leadership and academics.

Sean Covey, who is also the Executive Vice President Global Solutions and Partnerships and Education Practice Leader of  FranklinCovey, will be visiting Riyadh on March 22nd & 23rd, 2015, Abu Dhabi on March 24th and Dubai on March 25th, 2015.
Today’s changing world has a whole new set of rules, to which our youth will need to adapt. Key skills businesses and educators identified as vital to the futures of today’s students are developed within The Leader in Me process. These skills include: Leadership, Accountability, Adaptability, Initiative and Self-Direction, Cross-Cultural skills, Responsibility, Problem Solving, Communication Skills, Creativity and Teamwork.
‘The Leader in Me’ is a school-wide process that develops staff and students as leaders and thereby transforms the culture and performance of the school. While raising pedagogical standards, The Leader in Me draws on the world-class content of FranklinCovey, including The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, which staff, students and parents adopt as a common language. The Leader in Me schools seamlessly integrate leadership development into their daily curriculum, activities and systems; it becomes the school’s operating system. A school culture is created where every student is encouraged to set and achieve meaningful goals, to be a positive influence on others and to use his or her individual gifts to better the world. ‘The Leader in Me’ process strives ‘to build leaders, one child at a time.’
Sean said, “The Middle East represents a diverse geographic spread and a fantastic opportunity to build on the engagement of students, staff and parents. The education sector in the Middle East is highly viable thanks to a population heavily skewed towards youth. The Leader in Me is producing transformational results in over 2,000 schools worldwide and we are excited to bring the process to the Middle East.
Our vision is that one day our entire community will be impacted with citizens who are lifelong leaders and learners.”
In Riyadh, Sean is set to meet with officials from Saudi Arabia’s Educational sector and large corporate organizations. In the UAE he will meet the principals, teachers and parents from various schools under the Abu Dhabi Education Council in the country’s capital and with deans and senior executives of colleges and universities to be hosted at the American University in Dubai (AUD) to highlight the ‘7 Habits for College Students,’ which will empower them with the tools for achieving success in the future.
Sean graduated from Brigham Young University (BYU) with a degree in English and later earned his MBA from Harvard Business School and is known for writing motivational books for children and teens like Fourth Down and Life to Go: How to Turn Life’s Setbacks into Triumphs as his 1st motivational work published in 1990, The 6 Most Important Decisions You’ll Ever Make: A Guide for Teens, The 7 Habits of Happy Kids, ‘The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens’ which became a New York Times Best Seller.
Sean lives by the common saying, “You’re only young once, but you can be immature forever”, He acknowledges that we only get one chance to prepare our students for a future none of us can predict. But the question is what are we going to do with that one chance?


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The Abu Dhabi Education Marathon Kicks Off at Yas Marina Circuit with 3,000 Students Participating

Abu Dhabi, February 28, 2015 – In the presence of H.E. Dr. Amal Al Qubaisi, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) and Mr. Aref Al Awani Abu Dhabi Sport Council General Secretary, over 3,000 students from Cycle 1 and Cycle 3 schools took part in the Abu Dhabi Education Marathon, as part of ADEC’s Champions of Tomorrow campaign.
The marathon, which was hosted at the Yas Marina Circuit, aims to instill a culture of sports among students and develop a pool of top athletes capable of representing and honoring the UAE in regional and international athletic tournaments.

Her Excellency said: “The marathon is an important event that will help drive the success of the ‘Champions of Tomorrow’ campaign since it represents ADEC’s commitment to providing national teams with talented athletes who will help raise the UAE flag in regional and international sport forums. The wide turnout of the marathon reflects the confidence schools have in the education reform, which continues to add quality initiatives that help support development and competitiveness.”
Mr. Mohammed Salem Al Dhaheri, ADEC’s School Operations Executive Director, added: “The Abu Dhabi Education Marathon is an important addition to our tireless efforts to foster a favorable environment for sports in schools which can help identify and encourage promising talents that can support our national Olympic teams. The broad participation of students and parents along with the educational and social community reflects the effectiveness of this initiative in creating a positive impact in the development of sports across schools in accordance with the highest standards of excellence and professionalism.”
“We are proud of what has been achieved by students who participated in the Abu Dhabi Education Marathon. In line with the vision and directives of our leadership, we are committed to provide the necessary support for the outstanding talents and pave their way to attain the highest quality achievements in the local and the international sporting arenas in the future,” concluded Mr. Al Dhaheri.
The marathon featured a highly competitive field of students aged eight to ten years old for the 1 km run. The second race spanned a distance of 3 km, while students enthusiastically completed the third segment’s 5-km length.
Al Tareq Al Ameri, CEO of Yas Marina Circuit said: “We are delighted to welcome so many budding young athletes to the circuit today.  We work very closely with the local community encouraging all to lead a more active and healthy lifestyle and it is particularly important to see the next generation taking part in sports with such enthusiasm.  Our partnership with ADEC to host this inaugural ADEC Schools Marathon is a great honor for us and we are pleased to be supporting the UAE Government¹s initiative to build a generation of talented athletes.”
Salem Al Odd and Hamda Khaled won first place in the 1K race, while Hazaah Souud and Taif Al Jesmi topped the marathon’s 3K race and Khalif Al Nasri headed the 5K run.
The marathon was not limited to students of Abu Dhabi schools only, but also included an ‘Open Race’ comprising parents, administrative faculty, staff members, and employees from ADEC along with the local community. Moreover, there were other activities conducted within the marathon, including a free art stand, heritage village, challenging games,  walking  the circuit, and Jiu-Jitsu.
ADEC continues to launch quality initiatives under the umbrella of the Champions of Tomorrow campaign, which aims to promote awareness about the importance of sports among schools in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the Western Region. It also seeks to encourage schools to be more responsible in nurturing sports talents and in establishing it internationally.
The campaign includes a series of sports competitions which will be held in four categories, namely, Mandatory Games (football and athletics), Individual Games (swimming, gymnastics, fencing and judo), Complementary Games (handball, basketball and volleyball), and Competitions and Special events such as racing, cycling, and a beach festival.
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About Abu Dhabi Education Council:
Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) was established in accordance with law No. 24 of 2005, issued by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, the UAE President, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and the Ruler of Abu Dhabi. The Chairman of ADEC is H.H. Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and the Vice-Chairman is H.H. Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, Minister of Presidential Affairs. The Council seeks to develop education and educational institutions in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, implement innovative educational policies, plans and programs that aim to improve education, and support educational institutions and staff to achieve the objectives of national development in accordance with the highest international standards.
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For more information about ADEC please call its headquarters at +971 (2) 6150 000 or visit our website:
About Yas Marina Circuit:
Yas Marina Circuit is the United Arab Emirates’ most exciting sporting and entertainment multi-purpose venue.  Located on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, the circuit is home to the annual FORMULA 1 ETIHAD AIRWAYS ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX and much more.  In addition to the extensive year-round program of professional and grassroots motorsport events and experiences including Dragand Yas Track Nights, the circuit has emerged as a thriving hub for entertainment and community events in the UAE. As the region’s most technologically advanced facility, the circuit is also a leading MICEvenue, regularly hosting a diverse range of corporate meetings, conferences and events.  Whether you want to experience the thrill of karting at our Kartzone, driving an Aston Martin GT4 at over 200km/hour on an F1 circuit, work towards your racing license at the Yas Racing School, get fit at TrainYasor GoYas, participate in one of our many sporting events, or simply catch up with friends at Yas Central, Yas Marina Circuit truly is The Meeting Place of Champions.


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Education Key to Realising ENDP Employment Goals

UAE’s goal of 1% unemployment requires renewed focus on 21stCentury Skills.
Dubai, UAE, 17 February 2015 – A global expert on workforce education and training has welcomed the commitment of the Emirates National Development Programme (ENDP) to significantly reduce unemployment rates in the Emirates by 2021.  Mr Frank Edwards, Workforce Development Director at Pearson, has said embedding 21st Century skills in the country’s education system will be crucial to realising this commendable goal.
The ENDP has said that it wants the unemployment rate of Emirati nationals to fall below one percent by 2021, in line with the country’s 2021 National Vision. The ENDP believes that encouraging Emiratis to join the private sector in greater numbers, and seek jobs in burgeoning industries such as healthcare, construction, education and logistics, will help to achieve this target.
Government efforts to reduce unemployment rates in the UAE have been largely successful to date, with unemployment falling from 10.7 percent to just 2.6 percent over the past 10 years. However, it is widely accepted that improvements can still be made, particularly in lowering rates of unemployment amongst those under 30 years of age, which are high by both national and international standards.
Mr Edwards, who has significant expertise in Middle East youth unemployment, believes that closer alignment between education outcomes and workforce needs is essential to improving employment statistics in the UAE. He says:
“What we are seeing as countries seek to align around the world is a clear gap between the skills and knowledge being provided to students in their formal education, and the capabilities that modern businesses require from entrants to the workplace in order to perform successfully in globally orientated, rapidly changing markets. Business leaders have done much, but more needs to be done and employers need to be working more closely alongside policy makers and education providers, across the entire education spectrum, to develop pedagogies, curricula and resources that provide today’s learners with an education that maps more closely to the business and the ever changing workforce needs of the future”.
The Pearson-backed, Effective Education for Employment study looked at the key challenges facing workforces in fulfilling the needs of businesses, industry sectors and economies in 25 countries around the world. As part of the global study, the UAE was selected as one of five countries for special analysis. The authors of a report produced as part of the study identified 10 key traits that business leaders in the UAE were seeking when recruiting employees, which included:
• Self-awareness
• A high level of emotional intelligence
• The ability to do the job they are employed to do
• The ability to communicate knowledge
• The ability to manage well
• Commitment
• Personal accountability
• The willingness to take ownership of the business
• Discipline in terms of delivery
• The ability to learn
Mr Edwards believes more can and should be done to ensure learners not only in the GCC, but other countries around the world, are being given the opportunity to learn, and practically apply these skills:
“Today’s learners are going to experience a variety of jobs and careers in their lifetime, many of which don’t even exist today. One way we can help them to thrive in the workforce of the future is to give them adaptable, useable skills that can be transferred across professions and industries. We cannot possibly give our current generation of learners all the knowledge and information that they will need for life after they have completed their formal educations. However, what we can do is to prepare learners how to learn, how to apply information and how to adapt. This is what will give them strong employability prospects in both the public and private sectors and maximise their value and potential to future employers”.


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Around 140,000 Participants Expected to Take Part in the Event, Which Takes Place February 18th 2015

ADEC organizes sports day to encourage students and the wider community to maintain healthy fit lifestyle habits
  
UAE, February 15, 2015 – The Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) has completed preparations for the launch of ‘Sports Day’ activities scheduled to take part on February 18th 2015 in efforts to raise awareness on the importance of sports, while maintaining healthy lifestyle habits.
The event includes a series of sporting activities which will take place simultaneously across Abu Dhabi’s public schools with around 140,000 participants expected. It is intended to remove stress, promote physical fitness, and help people achieve self-fulfillment.
Sports Day targets students, faculty and administrative members, parents, and employees from ADEC’s regional offices.
Sports Day is a special project affiliated with the ‘Champions of Tomorrow’ campaign which seeks to transform schools into a sports-friendly environment, while encouraging Abu Dhabi and the UAE to become part of the international sports scene.
Mr. Mohammed Salem Al Dhaheri, ADEC’s School Operations Executive Director said that the ADEC took part in this initiative to emphasize the importance of sports in improving mental and physical health and supporting a healthy lifestyle. He pointed out that the initiative promotes fair competition and teamwork skills, important physical education concepts, as well as strengthens the bond among parents, school officials, and ADEC.
He further explained that ADEC is the first public entity to develop and implement ‘hiking trails’ within its institutional facilities, and added that the move encourages interactivity as part of a person’s daily lifestyle.
“Sports Day is a pioneering initiative that meets ADEC’s high standards and supports Abu Dhabi and the entire UAE in becoming healthy and productive. Through this event we aim to encourage behaviors that have a positive impact on the community, education, employment and that help promote greater human capital, which is a pillar for achieving a comprehensive and balanced development,” said Mr. Al Dhaheri. 


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Autodesk University Extension Dubai 2014 Opens

More than 1000 top design, engineering professionals, and students to attend 3rdedition of AUx Dubai, one of Middle East’s premier learning and networking event
Dubai, UAE, December 17th, 2014 – The third edition of Autodesk University Extension (AUx) Dubai 2014, the Middle East region’s premier learning and networking event for design and engineering professionals, is set to open today at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC)–with the hope of attracting more than 1,000 participants from all over the terrain. Organized by Omnix International, a leading distributor of Autodesk design software in the UAE, this year’s edition promise participants a full day worth of interactive workshops, demonstrations, sessions and an exhibition, which is being held under the theme, ‘Learn, Connect, Explore.’ AUx Dubai 2014 has received enthusiastic response from the industry with top IT brands like Lenovo (Platinum); HP (Gold), Canon (Gold); Dell, NVIDIA, and AGA CAD (Silver) endorsing the event.
Sessions to be held today include showcase of futuristic 3D Design technologies, engaging training sessions and projects done using 3D Design Technologies. It will also offer professionals the opportunity to network with international experts and peers across the industry. In addition, AUx Dubai will also provide opportunity to industry professionals and students to validate their skills by obtaining free Autodesk Certifications at the event on Autodesk’s key range of 3D Design software like Autodesk® Revit® Architecture, Autodesk® AutoCAD Civil 3D®, AutoCAD®, Autodesk® 3ds Max®, Autodesk® Inventor® Professional.

“We are delighted to bring you the third edition of Autodesk University Extension Dubai,” said Louay Dahmash, Head, Autodesk Middle East. “AUx Dubai will help design and engineering professionals to learn new technologies, deepen their industry connect and enhance their skills and boost the creative economy in the region. We are happy at the enthusiastic response from the industry and look forward to an increased number of attendees at this year’s event.”
Jon Pittman, Vice President, Corporate Strategy, Autodesk Inc. giving the key note address at ‘Autodesk University Extension Dubai 2014’
Today’s sessions will feature talks and presentations from some of the world’s leading design experts and professionals including,
  • Jon Pittman, Vice President, Corporate Strategy, Autodesk, Inc.
  • Lynn Allen, Cadalyst Columnist and Autodesk Technical Evangelist, Autodesk
  • Robert Green, Owner, Robert Green Consulting
  • Gerry McFadden, BIM Manager, WSP Group
  • Alex Horst, Product Specialist, Autodesk
  • Tony Archibold, Design Director, Bluehaus Group
  • Dave Evans, Technical Specialist, Autodesk
  • Ayman Nicola, Technical Sales Lead Engineer, Autodesk
Participants will be able to choose from numerous industry sessions covering a wide range of interesting topics and subjects which among others includes:
  • Tips & Tricks in using the new AutoCAD® 2015 the latest version of the world’s top drafting and architectural software
  • Training session on Autodesk® BIM for infrastructure that would focus on how Autodesk BIM solutions help you plan, design, build and manage an infrastructure project from start to finish
  • Session on how to simplify your designs while gaining hands on experience with the Free Form Modeling resource in the Autodesk Inventor® software
  • Session on industry leading 3ds Max® 3D modeling software and how it helps accelerate performance, streamline workflows and help increase overall productivity
“AUx Dubai 2014 could not have come at a better time–as the Middle East region is currently witnessing a large influx of construction and development projects wherein companies are looking at Autodesk and its diverse range of software to gain competitive advantages and meet customer demands. Aiming to address these demands, AUx Dubai 2014 has positioned itself as a cost-effective venue to receive advanced training, certification, learnings on important industry trends and networking to meet potential clients and collaborators,” concluded Dr Jayant Deshpande, Director – CAE Division, Omnix International.
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About Autodesk
Autodesk helps people imagine, design and create a better world. Everyone—from design professionals, engineers and architects to digital artists, students and hobbyists—uses Autodesk software to unlock their creativity and solve important challenges. For more information visit autodesk.com or follow @autodesk
Autodesk, AutoCAD, Inventor, Navisworks, AutoCAD Civil 3D Revit and 3ds Max are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. Autodesk is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document. 


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HBMSU launches digital version of ‘Those Who Inspire: UAE’ book for learners & staff in the presence of French authors

In collaboration with the Office of H.H. the Crown Prince of Dubai and in line with University’s efforts to enrich knowledge & promote culture of creativity
   
The book documents experiences of 60 innovative Emiratis to inspire future generations and highlights citizens’ role in driving UAE’s cultural, intellectual and humanitarian development

[UAE, December 8, 2014] – Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University (HBMSU) has launched the digital edition of the book, ‘Those Who Inspire: UAE,’ authored and published by French nationals Delphine Barets and Marlene Plomik. HBMSU’s learners and staff will be able to access the digital edition at the university’s e-library and Virtual Executive Club. The venture is part of a joint initiative between the book’s authors and the Office of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council and President of HBMSU. The two parties aim to pass on knowledge about Emirati culture to the local community and inspire the younger generation to pursue excellence, leadership and creativity in a bid to position the UAE among the world’s developed countries.

Attending the launching of the book’s digital version were H.E. Saif Bin Markhan Al Ketbi, Director General of the Office of H.H. the Crown Prince of Dubai, Dr. Mansoor Al Awar, HBMSU Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Board of the UNESCO Institute for Information Technologies in Education (IITE), Dr. Khalid Mohammed Al
Zahed, CEO of Strategy and Development Sector of the Office of H.H. the Crown Prince, and authors Barets and Plomik.
The newly launched book, which celebrates the successful accomplishments of 60 successful Emiratis, was received positively in the UAE. It acts as an inspiration for excellence and leadership in the administrative, economic, artistic, medical, sports, charitable, humanitarian, and various other segments.
Dr. Al Awar thanked the Dubai Crown Prince’s Office for entrusting the digital edition to HBMSU. He lauded the book for portraying some of the most inspiring experiences of select Emiratis. He also commended the book for reflecting the high level of excellence and creativity that the Emirati community has achieved, saying it contributes to the country’s cultural, intellectual and humanitarian development.
Dr. Al Awar said: “We are honored to launch the digital edition of the book which will be accessible through the HBMSU portal as part of our ongoing commitment to enrich knowledge and consolidate the culture of innovation in the Arab World. We look forward to passing on the culture of creativity as a key pillar of the ambitious objectives of the National Innovation Strategy launched by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The strategy aims to make the UAE one of the world’s most innovative countries in the next seven years. For our part, we are intensifying our efforts to contribute effectively to the strategy by encouraging innovation in the education industry and providing the skills of the 21st century to build a young generation capable of consolidating the UAE’s position as an international model of creativity, excellence and growth.”
Al Awar concluded: “The book sheds light on the creations of our Emirati intellectuals, doctors, artists, educators, scientists, athletes and entrepreneurs. It highlights that success, creativity and excellence are not limited to a certain domain but are open to everyone with different interests. We are confident that the book, with all the leading experiences
and achievements it documents, will inspire readers to pursue leadership and excellence in their field of expertise. This will make a positive impact on our society.”

‘Those Who Inspire: UAE’ was officially launched in the UAE on October  29, 2014 under the patronage of H.E. Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development. The 284-page book is the second of a series included in the ‘Those Who Inspire’ collection. The first was the Oman-based edition launched in 2012. The authors are planning to launch the book in Bahrain, Greece, France, Nigeria, and Hong Kong, among other places. Barets and Plomik gave 1,000 complimentary copies to the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research for distribution among universities and colleges across the UAE in the hopes of encouraging, inspiring and motivating students to achieve academic, professional and personal success. 


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3rd Edition of Autodesk University Extension Dubai Announced

Middle East’s premier event for design and engineering professionals to learn new technologies, connect with industry peers and enhance industry skills
UAE, November 27th, 2014 – Omnix  International, the leading distributor of Autodesk design software in the UAE, announced that it is set to host the third edition of Autodesk University Extension (AUx) Dubai 2014, the Middle East region’s premier learning and networking event for design and engineering professionals. Promising professionals an experience to “Learn, Connect, Explore,” this full-day interactive conference and exhibition will be held on December 17, 2014 at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) and expects to attract over 600 design and engineering professionals from the entire GCC region.
AUx Dubai is part of ‘Autodesk University’, an annual series of Autodesk in-person and virtual user conferences that has already enjoyed two decades of success in the US. Brazil, Russia, Germany, India, Indonesia, Australia are some other regions that get to host an Autodesk University or an Autodesk University Extension annually. The event will feature futuristic 3D Design technologies, engaging training sessions and showcase of innovative projects and will also offer professionals the opportunity to network with international experts and peers from the industry.
This year, AUx Dubai will see participation from industry experts, thought leaders and innovators from the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC), Manufacturing and Media and Entertainment (M&E) industries from across the Middle East. In addition, AUx Dubai will also offer the opportunity for industry professionals to validate their skills by obtaining free Autodesk Certifications at the event on Autodesk’s range of 3D Design software like Autodesk® Revit® Architecture, Autodesk® AutoCAD Civil 3D®, AutoCAD®, Autodesk® 3ds Max®, Autodesk® Inventor® Professional. There will also be industry focused workshops on newer technologies, hands-on lad sessions and partner exhibits on the day of the event. 
From captivating AU Extension Dubai keynote speakers to knowledgeable class instructors, AU Extension Dubai conference feature speakers who are experts in their industries and include,
  • Jon Pittman, Vice President, Corporate Strategy, Autodesk, Inc.
  • Lynn Allen, Cadalyst Columnist and Autodesk Technical Evangelist, Autodesk
  • Robert Green, Owner, Robert Green Consulting
  • Gerry McFadden, BIM Manager, WSP Group
  • Alex Horst, Product Specialist, Autodesk
  • Tony Archibold, Design Director, Bluehaus Group
  • Dave Evans, Technical Specialist, Autodesk
  • Ayman Nicola, Technical Sales Lead Engineer, Autodesk
Participants will be able to choose from numerous industry sessions covering a wide range of interesting topics and subjects which include among others sessions on
  • Tips & Tricks in using the new AutoCAD® 2015 the latest version of the world’s top drafting and architectural software
  • Training session on Autodesk® BIM for infrastructure that would focus on how Autodesk BIM solutions help you plan, design, build and manage an infrastructure project from start to finish
  • Session on how to simplify your designs while gaining hands on experience with the Free Form Modeling resource in the Autodesk Inventor® software
  • Session on industry leading 3ds Max® 3D modeling software and how it helps accelerate performance, streamline workflows and help increase overall productivity
Registration for AUx Dubai 2014 is now open at:  AUx Dubai
Commenting on the 3rd edition of AUx Dubai, Louay Dahmash, Head of Autodesk Middle East, said, “Autodesk University extension offers design and engineering professionals from Middle East the unique opportunity to learn about latest industry developments, hone their skills on Autodesk’s industry leading 3D Design software and network with leading international experts. We are delighted to offer this unique platform to the region’s design ecosystem to ‘learn, connect and explore’ which would accelerate adoption of new technologies and improve user productivity as well.”
Dr. Jayant Deshpande, Director – CAE Division, Omnix International, said, “Omnix International is proud to host the third edition of Autodesk University Extension Dubai, which has become a ‘must-see, must attend’ event for the region’s design professionals. This event takes the focus on professionals who are serious about creating—how to come up with world-class, fully efficient and highly durable designs, drawings and the like that will be benchmarks for architecture, interior design and multimedia. The event proves to be very timely and strategic as the region is currently seeing a large influx of construction and development projects wherein companies are looking at Autodesk to gain competitive advantages and meet customer demands. To address this challenge, Autodesk University Extension acts as a cost-effective venue to receive advanced training, certification, learning about important trends in the industry and networking to meet potential clients and collaborators.