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Challenges around ‘Big Data’ Management to be discussed at NYUAD / Polytechnic Institute of NYU / Injazat Data Systems conference in Abu Dhabi

Exponential growth of data changing the global business landscape
Abu Dhabi, March 07, 2013 – Leading researchers from around the world will converge in Abu Dhabi to discuss information technology challenges in big data — the term for a collection of large, complex data sets that are difficult to process with existing data management and processing applications. The NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) Institute, the Polytechnic Institute of NYU, and Injazat Data Systems — an industry-recognized market leader in the region for information technology and cloud and data center managed services — will host a conference on “Big Data Systems, Applications, and Privacy” to discuss the business, government, education, and entertainment impacts of the big data phenomenon. The event will be open to the public and will run from March 10 to 11, 2013, at Injazat’s headquarters in Mohammed Bin Zayed City, Abu Dhabi.

Big data is changing IT frameworks around the world. According to IBM, in 2012, 2.5 exabytes (quintillion bytes) of data were created every day. This massive influx of information requires a re-thinking of data security, handling, and delivery across various types of organizations and industries.

Technology experts from prestigious international and local organizations, including AT&T Labs, IBM, Google, Cisco Systems, Duke University, Huawei, Bell Labs, UAE University, and the Emirates Identity Authority, will share expertise and insights on diverse topics ranging from large-scale data mining and social information filtering to crisis informatics and data in developing regions. The conference will also include a presentation from Injazat’s Head of Information Security Kamran Ahsan on “Big Data, effective utilization for security intelligence.”
Torsten Suel, Professor of Computer Science and Engineering at the Polytechnic Institute of NYU and chair of the conference, said: “Effective and intelligent data management is a critical concern for modern society, particularly as current levels of data production are outpacing the ability of our existing systems to manage voluminous information. NYUAD’s Data Center and Cloud Computing Laboratory was established with the aim of consolidating the efforts of multiple research groups to promote creativity, innovation, education, and entrepreneurship in this field to help answer underlying challenges.”
“At present, the volume of data created worldwide every two days is around the same as that created between the beginning of civilization and the early 2000s. Clearly there is a need to evaluate and enhance current methods of data management, delivery, and protection to address such exponential growth. The conference organized by NYU Abu Dhabi and the Polytechnic Institute of NYU is an important platform for sharing and gaining strategies on how big data should be approached at the regional and global levels,” said Ibrahim Lari, CEO of Injazat Data Systems.
Injazat Data Systems is developing solutions to meet the challenges posed by big data in areas such as capture, curation, storage, search, sharing, analysis, and visualization. It taps its local and international partnerships with major private and academic organizations to find the answers to some of the technology field’s most pressing issues.
Members of the public can RSVP to attend the event here: http://nyuad.nyu.edu/news-events/abu-dhabi-events.html.
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About NYU Abu Dhabi Institute

NYU Abu Dhabi, through the NYU Abu Dhabi Institute, is a world-class center of cutting-edge research, scholarship, and cultural activity. The Institute creates singular opportunities for leading faculty members from across the arts, humanities, social sciences, sciences, engineering, and the professions to carry out creative scholarship and conduct research on issues of major disciplinary, multidisciplinary, and global significance.
About Injazat Data Systems

Injazat Data Systems is an industry recognized market leader in the region for Information Technology, Data Center and Managed Services delivered from the region’s most sophisticated and advanced facility, the Tier IV design certified Premier Data Center facility. As a local company with a global experience, Injazat continues to develop market-leading services to meet the dynamic needs of customers today and in the future.


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Sharjah’s Major Educational Event Plots Well-Rounded Developmental Path for UAE Nationals

ALHOSN University Discusses Modern Youths’ Learning Needs with Academic Elite at 3rd Universities Forum
UAE, February 24th, 2013 – ALHOSN University, a leading Abu Dhabi-based university dedicated to high-quality, value-based education, joined some of the UAE’s top educational institutions and experts in discussing important issues affecting the learning environment and abilities of youths – particularly UAE Nationals – during the 3rd Universities forum which ran from February 19 to 20, 2013 at the Waset Youth Center in Al Sweihat, Sharjah.
Organized by the Youth Centers Department of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, Sharjah, this year’s Forum enlightened student attendees on their career options and the right attitudes they need to bring into college and through employment.  Daily sessions were held from 8am to 1pm and 4pm to 10pm.
ALHOSN took this opportunity to inform participants of its holistic approach to personal and professional development under its philosophy of ‘global knowledge with local vision’ and shared its views on the growth of young Emiratis. The university encouraged students to consider unique programs for both genders and entertained inquiries from top students interested in the ALHOSN brand and mission.
“The UAE needs bright, young, driven leaders to sustain the success it has amassed over just four decades of existence. Sharjah’s Universities Forum has always been an important platform for ALHOSN University to determine how to best empower Emirati youths with the knowledge, skills and character they need to continue building this country’s future. As usual we were very pleased with the warm response from the participants and we hope to see many of these faces become part of our university’s family soon,” said Professor Abdul Rahim Sabouni, Vice Chancellor and CEO of ALHOSN University.
The annual Universities Forum in Sharjah was first held in 2011 to support the UAE’s Emiratization program and has since grown into one of Sharjah’s leading special events. The Forum has consistently drawn over 1,500 attendees every year since its inception.
Founded in 2005 by the Abu Dhabi Holding Company to provide high-quality, value-based education to students of all nationalities, ALHOSN University has been at the forefront of dialogue on meaningful and education-driven Emiratization. The university offers 12 officially certified undergraduate and 7 graduate programs under the Faculties of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Business, and Arts and Social Sciences.
About ALHOSN University:
ALHOSN University is a leading private university dedicated to high-quality, value-based education under the slogan “Global Knowledge with Local Vision.” The Abu Dhabi-based institution is owned and supported by the Abu Dhabi Holding Company and is fully accredited by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
ALHOSN University manages accredited programs (12 undergraduate and 7 graduate) in three faculties, all of which were developed by top North American educational experts. Undergraduate academic degrees are offered as four-year programs and taught in English, except for the Arabic education component.
The University’s City Campus includes the Men’s Campus, the Women’s Campus, the Engineering Lab Building, the Library Building, and the Lectures Building, all located at the heart of Abu Dhabi. A main campus with world-class, state-of-the-art facilities will soon be constructed. ALHOSN is open to students from all nationalities.


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English Premier League & British Council Support ‘Premier Skills’ Initiative to Use Football to Develop UAE Youth Skills

Over 1,100 coaches in 20 countries engaged in the Premier Skills programme targeting 500,000 young people
London, United Kingdom, Dubai, UAE, 14 February 2013 – The English Premier League, Bolton Wanderers FC and the British Council today unveiled their support the ‘Premier Skills Community Coaching Initiative’, an innovative programme that will use football as a tool to engage with and develop the skills of young people in the UAE.

The English Premier League’s Premier Skills Programme will be visiting Dubai from March 30 to April 4, 2013, to look at the scenario and challenges in the UAE in using football for education and social inclusion, as well as to explore the scope for a Premier Skills project between the UAE and the UK. 
Between 2010-2013, more than 1,100 coaches are being trained and by the summer of 2013 the target of the Premier Skills programme is to reach more than 500,000 young people through coaches in 20 countries, including the UAE.
In partnership with E-Sports the six-day, full-time Programme, to be held at GEMS World Academy, will offer students aged 16 and above a community coaching award endorsed by and branded under the English Premier League.
Ian Laithwaite – Head of Bolton Wanders Community Trust said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for young people in the UAE to gain an internationally recognised qualification and also enhance their personal profile with a worldwide football brand.”
Since the first pilot in 2007, Premier Skills has been delivered across 20 countries, including Botswana, Brazil, Cameroon, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Malawi, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, South Korea, Sudan, Tunisia (including Libyan participants), Uganda and Vietnam.
James Tucker, Director of Education, Bolton Wanderers Football Club said: “This innovative programme we are unveiling today in the UAE uses the ‘football for good’ concept, leveraging the interest in the Premier League to address wider educational and social issues in local communities. This concept is being successfully delivered by Premier League clubs across the UK.”
“The programme is about learning from some of the innovative and successful work being delivered in the UK and applying some of the learning to the UAE,” added Tucker.
Tucker added: “UAE partners will play a crucial role in the Premier Skills programme. Premier Skills looks to work with existing partners, programmes or networks to build on the current work and look to share expertise and training in ‘football for good’. We are looking for UAE partners who have an interest in supporting the concept of Football for Good and community development. These partners will provide access to venues and equipment which can be used during the course. Other roles could be around putting forward participants to attend the course as well as access to networks of community coaches or sports clubs. The important aspect is that partners have the potential to apply and embed the learning from the course within their networks and in local communities.”
Premier Skills will use the global pulling power of football as a tool for the development of wider skills, community development and English Language learning.  It builds upon research that shows there is a high demand worldwide for community coaching and leadership development through sport.


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UAE among top 20 countries that have students studying in UK.

Enrolments expected to grow 45% until 2020: EDUKEX 2012
Lara Khouri of British Council says: ‘This is remarkable considering UAE’s small population compared with counties like India and China’
Dubai, UAE, 19th November 2012: The 13th edition of the annual Education UK Exhibition “EDUKEX 2012”, organised by the British Council, concluded in Dubai with a message that UK remains the top higher education destination for UAE-domiciled students, despite the variety of higher education options available locally and internationally.

The show organizers said that tuition fees have remained unchanged this year for international students and the UAE belongs to the top 20 countries in the world in terms of the number of students enrolled in UK universities.
Lara Khouri, Education UK Marketing Manager, British Council UAE, described this status as remarkable considering the small population size of the UAE, compared to other counties like India and China.
The show attracted a large number of parents and students who visited the three-day event to learn more about the wide range of Foundation Year, Bachelors and Masters courses from representatives of the over 50 UK education providers that participated at the show in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
H.E Dominic Jermey, UK Ambassador to the UAE, inaugurated the exhibition in Abu Dhabi, while H.E Edward Hobart, HM British Consul General in Dubai, opened the show in Dubai.
HE Hobart said: “This show reaffirmed UK’s traditionally leading position as a great place to continue university studies. UAE students are warmly welcomed in the UK as an important part of the community. The UK education system remains highly appealing to parents and students from across the world. This is where shows like EDUKEX play a central part in sustaining this understanding and advocacy.”
HE Hobart added: “The UK has four out of the top six global universities as per a recent study. Another reputable study shows that for the top ten universities worldwide, there are two from the UK. We actually have the best and the largest variety of institutions in the world, not to mention the multicultural education ambience offered in the UK.”
Khouri noted: “Visitors to the exhibition were introduced to a wide range of courses. The professionalism and outstanding presentation skills of the university executives at the booths were impressive, as reflected in the manner of assessing students’ needs and shortlisting programmes.”
A 5 per cent increase in UAE students going to the UK is expected over next year.  A growth rate of 45 per cent is projected until 2020 in numbers. By providing prospective students across the UAE with opportunities to achieve UK qualifications, the British Council is enabling them to return to the UAE and develop both society and economy through their entrepreneurial plans and ideas.
Khouri said: “The British Council’s education initiatives played a key role in promoting the UK education offerings to the students in the UAE, and EDUKEX is no different to this direction. The show raises awareness of the quality of life and study options across the UK education spectrum. It also worked on creating mutual understanding between education providers and students to create a professional bond between both.”
Simon Foster, International Liaison Officer, Aston University: “The UAE is an important market for Aston. Students who visited Edukex were of very high calibre. We came here to promote our courses and we got positive response mainly for chemical and mechanical engineering courses. Other subjects like business management are increasingly becoming more popular among UAE students.”
Jo Sayahi, International Officer University of Brighton: “Edukex gives us access to the UAE market. Business and Engineering majors are high in demand. This is our second participation and we are receiving well-rounded students to study abroad because of the international schools present here. The education system offered to the UAE students is of highest standards.”
Peter Muncey, International Officer & Student Advisor, University of Surrey: “We have received good quality students mainly from Indian schools. We are happy with the way UK universities are being promoted. As a 140 year old institution it is important for us to be part of Edukex. The most popular courses among students here are mechanical engineering, science and computer studies.”
Rolf Jespersen, Senior International Officer, City University London: “We were here to increase exposure in the key UAE market. Most of the courses that students ask about are business, engineering and economics. Most of the students here are well prepared. We have been participating in Edukex for the last 6 years and we are keen to be present in the next edition.”
Stephanie Wood, International Recruitment Officer, University of Bristol: “We were founded 103 years ago and we have around 180 undergraduate courses. Engineering, medicine and law in addition to modern languages are very popular among students. We received a decent number of interested visitors and we look forward to more successful participation in the future.”


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British Council Appoints Virtue PR to Highlight Strengths of UK Higher Education

EDUKEX 2012 the right platform to raise awareness of standards and legacy of UK education, says Virtue
Dubai, UAE, 13th November 2012: The British Council, the United Kingdom’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities, has appointed Virtue PR & Marketing Communications to run a PR programme focused on highlighting the superior levels of UK higher education for the UAE market.

Virtue’s main brief was to drive the PR strategy for the 13th edition of the Education UK Exhibition “EDUKEX”, an annual event that provides UAE students with the opportunity to meet representatives from a large number of UK universities and colleges.
“We were looking for the right PR consultancy to manage this PR programme that would highlight the legacy of the UK education system and update potential students on options for continuing their studies in the UK. Virtue demonstrated the right credentials for the job, mainly through their structured and strategic approach as well as their understanding of our and our audience’s needs,” said Lara Khouri, Middle East & Africa Education UK Marketing Manager, British Council UAE.
Mirvat Naba, Director, Virtue PR & Marketing Communications added: “We are extremely pleased to be appointed by British Council to handle this PR programme. Our strategy is to communicate to stakeholders what UK education system has to offers vis a vis other players. We are a leading PR agency with proven record in managing education clients as well as handling exhibitions and fairs across different specializations.”
At this year’s event from 11th to 13th November 2012 (in Abu Dhabi on first day and in Dubai on second and third day), more than 50 UK universities and specialist colleges have showcased a wide range of bachelors and masters courses, as well as foundation year courses. The UK Border Agency and British Council executives were also present to answer visa-related, English language and IELTS queries.
Khouri added: “There are a few universities in the UAE that offer UK-based degrees. UK universities in Dubai currently hold the highest proportion of postgraduate students and there are more than 50 UK higher and further education qualifications available for study at both Emirati institutions and UK branch campus institutions.”
Naba added: “The British Council’s education initiatives have long been a part of the UAE education landscape. This show supported the British Council high level objectives of highlighting the opportunities presented by UK universities as well as building long-term institutional and individual links between higher education institutions in the UAE and the United Kingdom.”
The show provided a platform at which students considering higher education, whether in the UK or, as yet, undecided locations, have met representatives and learnt more about courses, entry requirements and application procedures. Moreover, it provided both UAE and UK institutions an opportunity to meet potential partners for collaboration.
EDUKEX is part of the British Council’s initiative to enhance cultural and educational relations between the UAE and UK by helping create a knowledge-based economy.
Virtue is a marketing communications agency that is led by credibility, innovation and transparency. The consultancy is committed to providing an integrated communications campaign focused on empowering British Council to achieve its goals. Headquartered in Dubai, Virtue PR & Marketing Communications is one of the Middle East’s fastest growing public relations, marketing and communications agencies. 


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Skyline University College (video)

Skyline University College (SUC) was established in 1990 in Sharjah, a city that has been recognized as a hub for education, culture and heritage by UNESCO. The SUC was established under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, the member of the UAE Supreme Council and the Ruler of Sharjah. H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qassimi has always supported SUC in its pursuit to offer high quality education. SUC believes in responding innovatively and effectively to train human resources and fulfill educational needs of industries like Aviation, Hospitality, Travel & Tourism, Information Systems, Marketing, Business Management and Finance sectors, and is presently one of the leading Universities in Northern Emirates.



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HBMeU Board of Governors underlines value of Dubai Crown Prince initiative to launch academic scholarship in his name

Board of Governors calls for better understanding of its academic programs
July 10, 2012
Hamdan Bin Mohammed e-University (HBMeU), a leader in the field of e-Learning and quality management in the Arab World, has recently concluded the fourth meeting of its Board of Governors for the academic year 2011-2012, touching on various matters such as the adoption of the previous meeting’s proceedings.

The Board of Governors of Hamdan Bin Mohammed e-University, has expressed its gratitude to H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and President of HBMeU, for launching an academic scholarship in his name. The scholarships will be awarded to 20 excelling high school students in the UAE who may pursue any undergraduate program at HBMeU. The members of the Board emphasized the importance of the generous initiative in enhancing the position of the university as a pioneer in e-learning and as the premier academic choice in the UAE and the Arab world. Recipients of the new academic scholarship will be chosen based on their GPA and their academic performance in high school.

H.E. Lieutenant General Dahi Khalfan Tamim, Dubai Police Chief and Chairman of the HBMeU Board of Governors, expressed his sincere gratitude and appreciation to H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum for launching the academic scholarship, which supports the aspirations of the University’s Board of Governors to consolidate the role of the university in shaping the future of education, and contributing to professional and human development, based on best practices adopted in the field of e-learning and distance learning. His Excellency also lauded the university for its pioneering position through the continued support of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan, in his belief in the need to achieve excellence in education and to make the young generation ideally qualified to be competitive in the global job market, and ultimately nurture a generation that is able to continue to lay the foundations of growth and development, and contribute to the UAE’s overall progress.
In response to the last meeting’s directives of the HBMeU Board of Governors to promote better understanding of the University’s programs by intensifying field visits to public and private institutions across the country, the University presented an elaborate report on the visits and the response they have generated from government departments and private institutions in Dubai.
The Board of Governors has further called for a better demonstration and promotion of the University’s academic programs in Arab countries to spread the University’s message on a much larger scale. It also recommended conducting four meetings throughout the entire academic year to support the University’s focus on excellence.
HBMeU is the first e-learning institute in the Arab World that was established with the vision to develop a new learning process through the implementation of learning practices characterised by flexibility, quality and diversity to strengthen self-leadership among learners and prepare them socially and academically for a future career through integration in the job market. HBMeU’s philosophy is based on vital methods that have been developed through extensive research and development by specialists from all over the world. These methods include offering high quality programs, supporting the pursuit of lifelong learning, promoting the freedom of information, reinforcing the culture of excellence and innovation and providing education for everyone in line with the highest standards of comprehensiveness and credibility. The university, which is accredited by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, seeks to constantly identify knowledge needs, support research and development programs and create an outstanding environment for e-learning.


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Dubai Judicial Institute honours its strategic partners

Move reaffirms role of partners in strengthening UAE’s increasing footprint in international legal affairs
 In line with its strategy to promote a culture of excellence, innovation and creativity, Dubai Judicial Institute (DJI), a leading centre for legal studies and judicial training in Dubai and a member of the General Network for Government Communication, today (Thursday, May 24, 2012) organised a special ceremony to honour its strategic partners whose contributions enabled DJI to successfully achieve its strategic plan for 2011. The plan focused on promoting the ongoing training and development programs, leveraging the best judicial practices and establishing agreements and partnerships with key local, regional and global institutions and authorities to serve the Emirati community. 

Held at the DJI premises, the ceremony reflected the Institute’s commitment to reward partners from the media, governmental bodies, academia and the business community for their support towards various training initiatives undertaken by DJI. The training programs are aimed at boosting efficiencies at the national level by emphasizing on the highest standards of integrity, while reaffirming the role of law in achieving comprehensive development, which in turn positively impacts the community as a whole.

Moreover, DJI also honoured the authors and researchers for their intellectual work in the fields of law and justice, which enabled DJI to bring out 16 new publications, along with 83 research and study papers in various fields of UAE law.
During the event, honorary plaques were presented to prominent media and government bodies, including the Dubai Attorney General, Dubai Police, Dubai Courts, Department of Economic Development, DIFC Courts, Dubai Customs and Mohammed bin Rashid Center for Leadership Development. Several judges, DJI employees, volunteers from Ajman University and members of DJI’s Scientific Council were also honoured for their supporting role and excellent performance.  
Dr. Jamal Al Sumaiti, Director General of Dubai Judicial Institute,said, “Honouring our strategic partners reaffirms our total commitment to the vision of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed of enhancing government integration and ensuring closer collaboration between government, private, educational and media institutions to achieve national goals and comprehensive development. We would like to thank our strategic partners and underline our ongoing quest for excellence in order to provide the judicial community with the necessary knowledge resources, while also guiding the Emirati community towards a better future. The emphasis will be on building a legal culture, research, training and habilitation programs for the development of human resources in the areas of law and jurisdiction, under the best international practices.”
The Dubai Judicial Institute was established in 1996 to help educate and train aspiring judges, prosecutors and their assistants, legal experts and lawyers. DJI also offers habilitation programs for public prosecutors to enhance their efficiency. The Institute provides training and consultancy services to various public and private sector agencies and institutions and conducts local, regional and global research and studies on all areas of law and jurisdiction.

For more information about DJI, please visit www.facebook.com/dubaijudicial, www.twitter.com/dubaijudicial. Video clips about DJI are also available on www.youtube.com/dubaijudicial.