ABU DHABI // Holding a hairdryer over rows of knotted metal, Saif al Ateeqi demonstrated to onlookers how the hot air produced enough energy to light a small lamp.
By also fanning up cool air through the collection of iron and constantan, a copper-nickel alloy, the opposing currents distribute the electrons in the metals, creating a thermoelectric generator.
"This can be used for cars, refrigerators, air conditioners, exhaust systems," said Saif, a Grade 12 pupil at Glenelg School of Abu Dhabi. "In a hot place like Abu Dhabi, it can be very useful."
He was among about 200 high-school pupils who presented projects ranging from clean energy to water conservation at the second annual Emirates Science Fair, held yesterday at the Abu Dhabi Armed Forces Officers Club.
The winners of the event, sponsored jointly by the Abu Dhabi Education Council and the philanthropic organisation the Emirates Foundation, are scheduled to be announced today.
Science fairs are a staple of school life worldwide, a chance for the engineers and physicists of the future to hone their calculating minds. And the Abu Dhabi fair featured a wide range of fields - biology, chemistry, physics, geology and environmental projects -to test the next generation of scientists.
Wadeema al Nayadi, a Grade 10 pupil at Al Shohub Private School, designed a water system that prevents overuse by dividing the resources into tablets and using sensors that monitor water pressure.Her classmates designed similar water distribution systems, as well as solar-powered street lamps, one with a sensor that would save energy when not in use.
"We are aware that some resources such as water are scarce, especially in the UAE, and we wanted to make something that could help conserve them," Wadeema said.
Several projects used the galvanic cell technique to build batteries, including one with local seawater. The salinity reacts to zinc and aluminium to create an electrical current strong enough to power a small motor.
"Here in the Emirates, it is important to look at ways to create energy without pollution, and that can be used with seawater that is very much available," said Ahmed Ali Ali, a 12th grader at Al Abbas bin Abdul Mutaleb Secondary School for Boys.
Not all of the projects were focused on energy or the environment. Pupils from Abdul Jaleel al Fahim Primary School built a remote-controlled vacuum cleaner on wheels, which they said could help people with disabilities. A pupil from Al Hosn Secondary School for Boys in Al Shamkha linked a smoke detector to an electric door lock, bell and fire exit sign.
"This idea will stop the habit of having fire exits used when there is not a fire and then cause them to be locked when there is an emergency," said Abdulrahman al Ali, a 12th grader. Such technology already exists but his product is affordable to make at a cost of Dh330, he said.
He was not the only pupil pitching his product as ready for market. Abdullah al Jabri and Saeed Abdullah al Sharif, both in Grade 11 science at Al Dahma'a Model School, created a remote-controlled magnetic machine for mixing dangerous concoctions from as far away as 150 metres.
Magnetic plates spinning inside the machine's motor react to a magnetic object placed in a jar.
"If you are mixing chemical compounds or dangerous products that are contaminated for humans, then this machine is the perfect solution," Saeed said.
econroy@thenational.ae
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)
Ads on social media can 'normalise' drugs
A UK report on youth social media habits commissioned by advocacy group Volteface found a quarter of young people were exposed to illegal drug dealers on social media.
The poll of 2,006 people aged 16-24 assessed their exposure to drug dealers online in a nationally representative survey.
Of those admitting to seeing drugs for sale online, 56 per cent saw them advertised on Snapchat, 55 per cent on Instagram and 47 per cent on Facebook.
Cannabis was the drug most pushed by online dealers, with 63 per cent of survey respondents claiming to have seen adverts on social media for the drug, followed by cocaine (26 per cent) and MDMA/ecstasy, with 24 per cent of people.
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.”
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
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Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
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WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
10 tips for entry-level job seekers
- Have an up-to-date, professional LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up today. Avoid poor-quality profile pictures with distracting backgrounds. Include a professional summary and begin to grow your network.
- Keep track of the job trends in your sector through the news. Apply for job alerts at your dream organisations and the types of jobs you want – LinkedIn uses AI to share similar relevant jobs based on your selections.
- Double check that you’ve highlighted relevant skills on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- For most entry-level jobs, your resume will first be filtered by an applicant tracking system for keywords. Look closely at the description of the job you are applying for and mirror the language as much as possible (while being honest and accurate about your skills and experience).
- Keep your CV professional and in a simple format – make sure you tailor your cover letter and application to the company and role.
- Go online and look for details on job specifications for your target position. Make a list of skills required and set yourself some learning goals to tick off all the necessary skills one by one.
- Don’t be afraid to reach outside your immediate friends and family to other acquaintances and let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
- Make sure you’ve set your LinkedIn profile to signal that you are “open to opportunities”. Also be sure to use LinkedIn to search for people who are still actively hiring by searching for those that have the headline “I’m hiring” or “We’re hiring” in their profile.
- Prepare for online interviews using mock interview tools. Even before landing interviews, it can be useful to start practising.
- Be professional and patient. Always be professional with whoever you are interacting with throughout your search process, this will be remembered. You need to be patient, dedicated and not give up on your search. Candidates need to make sure they are following up appropriately for roles they have applied.
Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz
