• Expo City Dubai is set to open in phases from September 2022, with a full relaunch in October. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National
    Expo City Dubai is set to open in phases from September 2022, with a full relaunch in October. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National
  • Visitors can take a trip on the Garden in the Sky from September 1 for Dh30.
    Visitors can take a trip on the Garden in the Sky from September 1 for Dh30.
  • Later, as residential sectors open, the district will become a '24-hour neighbourhood' in which people live and work, and can visit.
    Later, as residential sectors open, the district will become a '24-hour neighbourhood' in which people live and work, and can visit.
  • The Expo metro station in June 2022.
    The Expo metro station in June 2022.
  • Dubai Exhibition Centre in June 2022.
    Dubai Exhibition Centre in June 2022.
  • Ahmed Al Khatib, chief development and delivery officer and Marjan Faraidooni, chief visitor experience officer at Expo 2020 Dubai, at a news conference in June 2022 to announce Expo City Dubai.
    Ahmed Al Khatib, chief development and delivery officer and Marjan Faraidooni, chief visitor experience officer at Expo 2020 Dubai, at a news conference in June 2022 to announce Expo City Dubai.
  • The entrance gates await new residents and businesses.
    The entrance gates await new residents and businesses.
  • Ahmed Al Khatib said the district would be free of single plastics and was built with an emphasis on the environment.
    Ahmed Al Khatib said the district would be free of single plastics and was built with an emphasis on the environment.
  • Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed, chairman of Dubai Airports, speaking at a press conference welcoming the next chapter at Expo City Dubai.
    Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed, chairman of Dubai Airports, speaking at a press conference welcoming the next chapter at Expo City Dubai.

Malaysia's Expo 2020 Dubai pavilion to become a tech and innovation hub


Ian Oxborrow
  • English
  • Arabic

The Malaysia Pavilion at the Expo 2020 Dubai site is being transformed into an innovation hub as the legacy site gets ready to reopen soon as Expo City.

The pavilion, renamed Malaysia's Technology and Innovation Hub, is participating in expo’s five-year legacy programme.

It will be used by Aerodyne Group, a Malaysian company that specialises in drone and data technology and digital transformation, as its second international headquarters, a statement on Monday said.

The facility will “become a hub for all things drones, a conduit for innovation and a space for all drone enthusiasts”, Aerodyne's founder and group chief executive, Rabih Bou Rached, said.

Malaysia's participation in Expo 2020 Dubai was led by its Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (Mosti), which created a 1,234 square metre, two-and-a-half storey structure featuring a rainforest canopy. About 40 solar panels on the roof of the pavilion provided 10 per cent of its energy requirements.

It received more than a million visitors during the six-month long Expo period.

  • Malaysia’s tropical rainforest and the urgent need to save the ancient trees in the battle against climate change will be the story of the country’s pavilion at the Expo 2020 Dubai. Courtesy: Malaysia Pavilion Expo 2020 Dubai
    Malaysia’s tropical rainforest and the urgent need to save the ancient trees in the battle against climate change will be the story of the country’s pavilion at the Expo 2020 Dubai. Courtesy: Malaysia Pavilion Expo 2020 Dubai
  • The wooden poles at the Malaysia pavilion represent the trees of the rainforest and will be lit up at night to represent the fireflies in mangroves found in certain areas of the country. Courtesy: Malaysia Pavilion Expo 2020 Dubai
    The wooden poles at the Malaysia pavilion represent the trees of the rainforest and will be lit up at night to represent the fireflies in mangroves found in certain areas of the country. Courtesy: Malaysia Pavilion Expo 2020 Dubai
  • The roof of the Malaysia pavilion has 40 solar panels attached as part of energy efficiency plans for the structure. Courtesy: Malaysia Pavilion Expo 2020 Dubai
    The roof of the Malaysia pavilion has 40 solar panels attached as part of energy efficiency plans for the structure. Courtesy: Malaysia Pavilion Expo 2020 Dubai
  • Exhibition halls, business centre and a cafe will be housed in the suspended sections and in the sunken basement gardens that will make up the Malaysia pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. Courtesy: Malaysia Pavilion Expo 2020 Dubai
    Exhibition halls, business centre and a cafe will be housed in the suspended sections and in the sunken basement gardens that will make up the Malaysia pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. Courtesy: Malaysia Pavilion Expo 2020 Dubai

“The UAE is a major hub in the West Asian region, which serves as a gateway for Malaysian companies to explore new markets,” said Datuk Abu Hassan, secretary general of Mosti.

“Therefore, our participation in the five-year-legacy programme can also help facilitate Malaysian companies' access to the global market and highlight Malaysia's comprehensive ecosystem, support and infrastructure to investors.

“Through the concept of public-private partnership, Mosti, together with the ministries, government agencies and state governments that focus on technology development, will continue to promote activities and market products and services to the UAE market,” he said.

Expo City will retain many of the fair's popular attractions, such as Al Wasl Dome.

The 4.38 square kilometre site will be car free, and will open in phases from October.

The UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan, India, Morocco, Luxembourg and Australia pavilions are among those that will stay open and provide new experiences to visitors.

  • Expo City Dubai is set to open in phases from September 2022, with a full relaunch in October. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National
    Expo City Dubai is set to open in phases from September 2022, with a full relaunch in October. All photos: Pawan Singh / The National
  • Visitors can take a trip on the Garden in the Sky from September 1 for Dh30.
    Visitors can take a trip on the Garden in the Sky from September 1 for Dh30.
  • Later, as residential sectors open, the district will become a '24-hour neighbourhood' in which people live and work, and can visit.
    Later, as residential sectors open, the district will become a '24-hour neighbourhood' in which people live and work, and can visit.
  • The Expo metro station in June 2022.
    The Expo metro station in June 2022.
  • Dubai Exhibition Centre in June 2022.
    Dubai Exhibition Centre in June 2022.
  • Ahmed Al Khatib, chief development and delivery officer and Marjan Faraidooni, chief visitor experience officer at Expo 2020 Dubai, at a news conference in June 2022 to announce Expo City Dubai.
    Ahmed Al Khatib, chief development and delivery officer and Marjan Faraidooni, chief visitor experience officer at Expo 2020 Dubai, at a news conference in June 2022 to announce Expo City Dubai.
  • The entrance gates await new residents and businesses.
    The entrance gates await new residents and businesses.
  • Ahmed Al Khatib said the district would be free of single plastics and was built with an emphasis on the environment.
    Ahmed Al Khatib said the district would be free of single plastics and was built with an emphasis on the environment.
  • Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed, chairman of Dubai Airports, speaking at a press conference welcoming the next chapter at Expo City Dubai.
    Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed, chairman of Dubai Airports, speaking at a press conference welcoming the next chapter at Expo City Dubai.
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The biog

Nickname: Mama Nadia to children, staff and parents

Education: Bachelors degree in English Literature with Social work from UAE University

As a child: Kept sweets on the window sill for workers, set aside money to pay for education of needy families

Holidays: Spends most of her days off at Senses often with her family who describe the centre as part of their life too

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Quick pearls of wisdom

Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”

Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.” 

What is cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying or online bullying could take many forms such as sending unkind or rude messages to someone, socially isolating people from groups, sharing embarrassing pictures of them, or spreading rumors about them.

Cyberbullying can take place on various platforms such as messages, on social media, on group chats, or games.

Parents should watch out for behavioural changes in their children.

When children are being bullied they they may be feel embarrassed and isolated, so parents should watch out for signs of signs of depression and anxiety

The National in Davos

We are bringing you the inside story from the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos, a gathering of hundreds of world leaders, top executives and billionaires.

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UAE v Gibraltar

What: International friendly

When: 7pm kick off

Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City

Admission: Free

Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page

UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)

Jetour T1 specs

Engine: 2-litre turbocharged

Power: 254hp

Torque: 390Nm

Price: From Dh126,000

Available: Now

The biog

Favourite film: The Notebook  

Favourite book: What I know for sure by Oprah Winfrey

Favourite quote: “Social equality is the only basis of human happiness” Nelson Madela.           Hometown: Emmen, The Netherlands

Favourite activities: Walking on the beach, eating at restaurants and spending time with friends

Job: Founder and Managing Director of Mawaheb from Beautiful Peopl

DMZ facts
  • The DMZ was created as a buffer after the 1950-53 Korean War.
  • It runs 248 kilometers across the Korean Peninsula and is 4km wide.
  • The zone is jointly overseen by the US-led United Nations Command and North Korea.
  • It is littered with an estimated 2 million mines, tank traps, razor wire fences and guard posts.
  • Donald Trump and Kim Jong-Un met at a building in Panmunjom, where an armistice was signed to stop the Korean War.
  • Panmunjom is 52km north of the Korean capital Seoul and 147km south of Pyongyang, North Korea’s capital.
  • Former US president Bill Clinton visited Panmunjom in 1993, while Ronald Reagan visited the DMZ in 1983, George W. Bush in 2002 and Barack Obama visited a nearby military camp in 2012. 
  • Mr Trump planned to visit in November 2017, but heavy fog that prevented his helicopter from landing.
The specs: 2018 Chevrolet Equinox

Price, base / as tested: Dh76,900 / Dh110,900

Engine: 2.0L, turbocharged in-line four-cylinder

Gearbox: Nine-speed automatic

Power: 252hp @ 5,500rpm

Torque: Torque: 352Nm @ 2,500rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 8.5L / 100km

The Gandhi Murder
  • 71 - Years since the death of MK Gandhi, also christened India's Father of the Nation
  • 34 - Nationalities featured in the film The Gandhi Murder
  • 7 - million dollars, the film's budget 
Updated: June 27, 2022, 11:26 AM