• President Sheikh Mohamed, who was Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces at the time, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, speak with Mohammed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Undersecretary of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince's Court, during the National Experts Programme graduation ceremony at Qasr Al Watan in 2019. All photos: Ministry of Presidential Affairs
    President Sheikh Mohamed, who was Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces at the time, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, speak with Mohammed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Undersecretary of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince's Court, during the National Experts Programme graduation ceremony at Qasr Al Watan in 2019. All photos: Ministry of Presidential Affairs
  • Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, listens to a Capstone project presentation by a National Experts Programme graduate.
    Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, listens to a Capstone project presentation by a National Experts Programme graduate.
  • President Sheikh Mohamed and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, show off their Expo2020 wristbands at the graduation ceremony in 2019.
    President Sheikh Mohamed and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, show off their Expo2020 wristbands at the graduation ceremony in 2019.
  • Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, and Abdulrahman Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention, listen to a Capstone project presentation by a graduate.
    Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, and Abdulrahman Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention, listen to a Capstone project presentation by a graduate.
  • President Sheikh Mohamed; Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai; and Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, listen to a Capstone project presentation.
    President Sheikh Mohamed; Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai; and Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, listen to a Capstone project presentation.
  • Ahmed Taleb Al Shamsi, director of the National Experts Programme, far left, speaks with President Sheikh Mohamed, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Mohammed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Undersecretary of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince's Court.
    Ahmed Taleb Al Shamsi, director of the National Experts Programme, far left, speaks with President Sheikh Mohamed, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Mohammed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Undersecretary of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince's Court.
  • Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, attends the graduation ceremony alongside Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Minister of Interior, and Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, Minister of State for Tolerance.
    Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, attends the graduation ceremony alongside Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Minister of Interior, and Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, Minister of State for Tolerance.
  • Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, Minister of State for Tolerance, speaks with Matar Al Tayer, chairman of the board and executive director of RTA, right, during a Capstone project presentation.
    Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, Minister of State for Tolerance, speaks with Matar Al Tayer, chairman of the board and executive director of RTA, right, during a Capstone project presentation.
  • Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, listens to a Capstone project presentation.
    Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, listens to a Capstone project presentation.
  • Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Minister of Interior, speaks with a National Experts Programme graduate.
    Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Minister of Interior, speaks with a National Experts Programme graduate.
  • Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, listens to a Capstone project presentation.
    Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, listens to a Capstone project presentation.
  • President Sheikh Mohamed, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and other senior figures attend the National Experts Programme graduation ceremony in 2019.
    President Sheikh Mohamed, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and other senior figures attend the National Experts Programme graduation ceremony in 2019.

UAE programme for shaping future leaders to accept applications from Friday


Patrick Ryan
  • English
  • Arabic

A UAE programme that aims to groom future Emirati leaders will start accepting applications from Friday.

The National Experts Programme, launched in 2019, will pair some of the brightest Emiratis from across the country with industry leaders as part of a mentorship programme, transforming them into experts who will drive the country’s development.

Applicants must have 10 years of experience, including five in their sector, and should have contributed to important national projects.

They can apply through the programme website

Those chosen for the programme will receive mentorship and training in three sectors: economic growth, social development, and sustainability and infrastructure.

“As the UAE continues its journey of positioning itself as a key global player for trade, tourism and business, the National Experts Programme provides a truly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for aspiring Emiratis to play a central role in shaping a better future for citizens and residents by joining a unique initiative that is aligned with the UAE’s national priorities,” said Ahmed Talib Al Shamsi, chief executive of the Emirates Foundation and director of the National Experts Programme.

“We continue to focus on developing our leaders of tomorrow while also ensuring those leaders have deep expertise and specialisation in the sectors that are the foundation of our future economy.”

So far, 46 Emiratis have successfully taken part in the initiative.

“It is a testament to everyone involved in the programme that these projects continue to have such a great impact and it is why we are pleased to launch the third edition that will not only change the lives of the participants who will be able to go on and serve the nation as leaders but also help contribute to the development of the UAE for years to come,” said Mr Al Shamsi.

After a candidate's application is approved, he or she will go through an in-depth interview process in which the applicant will need to establish knowledge of a particular sector, a strong desire to serve the nation and a long-term commitment to personal development.

Throughout the eight-month programme, candidates will take part in both classroom-based and off-site learning taught by experts.

With their advisers and mentors, participants will chart a unique course that aligns with their professional, personal and sector-specific development needs.

They will be expected to contribute to transformative projects of national importance after their training.

SHAITTAN
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Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.

Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.

“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.

Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.

From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.

Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.

BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.

Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.

Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.

“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.

“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.

“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”

Heather, the Totality
Matthew Weiner,
Canongate 

Who's who in Yemen conflict

Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

The specs: Hyundai Ionic Hybrid

Price, base: Dh117,000 (estimate)

Engine: 1.6L four-cylinder, with 1.56kWh battery

Transmission: Six-speed automatic

Power: 105hp (engine), plus 43.5hp (battery)

Torque: 147Nm (engine), plus 170Nm (battery)

Fuel economy, combined: 3.4L / 100km

T10 Cricket League
Sharjah Cricket Stadium
December 14- 17
6pm, Opening ceremony, followed by:
Bengal Tigers v Kerala Kings 
Maratha Arabians v Pakhtoons
Tickets available online at q-tickets.com/t10

BULKWHIZ PROFILE

Date started: February 2017

Founders: Amira Rashad (CEO), Yusuf Saber (CTO), Mahmoud Sayedahmed (adviser), Reda Bouraoui (adviser)

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: E-commerce 

Size: 50 employees

Funding: approximately $6m

Investors: Beco Capital, Enabling Future and Wain in the UAE; China's MSA Capital; 500 Startups; Faith Capital and Savour Ventures in Kuwait

How to improve Arabic reading in early years

One 45-minute class per week in Standard Arabic is not sufficient

The goal should be for grade 1 and 2 students to become fluent readers

Subjects like technology, social studies, science can be taught in later grades

Grade 1 curricula should include oral instruction in Standard Arabic

First graders must regularly practice individual letters and combinations

Time should be slotted in class to read longer passages in early grades

Improve the appearance of textbooks

Revision of curriculum should be undertaken as per research findings

Conjugations of most common verb forms should be taught

Systematic learning of Standard Arabic grammar

JOKE'S%20ON%20YOU
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Electoral College Victory

Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate. 

 

Popular Vote Tally

The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.

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Sholay: a 1975 Indian action-adventure film. It follows the adventures of two criminals hired by police to catch a vagabond. The film was panned on release but is now considered a classic.

Lucifer: is a 2019 Malayalam-language action film. It dives into the gritty world of Kerala’s politics and has become one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films of all time.

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Updated: June 30, 2022, 3:55 PM