Mubadala funds chair in governance at Insead

Abu Dhabi // The Mubadala Development Company announced a grant of Dh15 million (US$4m) to the international business school Insead's endowment. The money will establish the Mubadala Chair in corporate governance and strategy at the Insead Centre for Executive Education and Research in Abu Dhabi, which opened in Sept 2007.

Insead, which was founded in France in 1957, has two main campuses, one in Fontainebleau, France, and the other in Singapore. It also has a research centre in Israel. On its main campuses, Insead offers MBA, doctoral and executive-education programmes. The Abu Dhabi branch offers executive education courses. It also runs custom programmes for companies. More than 500 executives have participated in these programmes in Abu Dhabi, of which 60 were from Mubadala. Next week 20 employees of the Department of Civil Service will start an 18-month master's programme.

Part of the government's strategy for higher education is to establish institutions in Abu Dhabi that can offer students education of a quality previously available only overseas. The partnership with Insead is intended to fulfil the desire to have a dedicated business research centre in Abu Dhabi. "We need this kind of institution to help us develop our people skills in the private and the public sector," said Dr Mugheer al Khaili, director general of the Abu Dhabi Education Council.

Mubadala's endowment will allow the school to hire a professor with expertise in corporate governance and strategy, and to fund research. "We are conscious of the importance of good corporate governance and its impact on the development and diversification of Abu Dhabi's economy," Khaldoon al Mubarak, chief executive of Mubadala, said in a statement. When the Insead centre opened last year, it said it wanted to hire a faculty and staff of 30 in 18 months. It now has one full-time faculty member and seven resident researchers.

"One of our challenges in building our Insead centre here in Abu Dhabi is to recruit faculty," said Peter Jadersten, executive director of Insead Abu Dhabi. "The Mubadala Chair makes it possible for us to attract faculty to come and live in Abu Dhabi." @Email:klewis@thenational.ae

if you go

The flights

Flydubai flies to Podgorica or nearby Tivat via Sarajevo from Dh2,155 return including taxes. Turkish Airlines flies from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Podgorica via Istanbul; alternatively, fly with Flydubai from Dubai to Belgrade and take a short flight with Montenegro Air to Podgorica. Etihad flies from Abu Dhabi to Podgorica via Belgrade. Flights cost from about Dh3,000 return including taxes. There are buses from Podgorica to Plav.

The tour

While you can apply for a permit for the route yourself, it’s best to travel with an agency that will arrange it for you. These include Zbulo in Albania (www.zbulo.org) or Zalaz in Montenegro (www.zalaz.me).

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets

The specs

Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cyl turbo

Power: 217hp at 5,750rpm

Torque: 300Nm at 1,900rpm

Transmission: eight-speed auto

Price: from Dh130,000

On sale: now

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Water waste

In the UAE’s arid climate, small shrubs, bushes and flower beds usually require about six litres of water per square metre, daily. That increases to 12 litres per square metre a day for small trees, and 300 litres for palm trees.

Horticulturists suggest the best time for watering is before 8am or after 6pm, when water won't be dried up by the sun.

A global report published by the Water Resources Institute in August, ranked the UAE 10th out of 164 nations where water supplies are most stretched.

The Emirates is the world’s third largest per capita water consumer after the US and Canada.

What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE

Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.