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Bridgestone hosts STS Group CSR IFTAR under ‘Eyes on Road’ campaign

by Madaline Dunn 1 year ago

written by Madaline Dunn

Bridgestone recently hosted the STS Group CSR IFTAR event under its ‘Eyes on Road’ campaign to promote road safety awareness.

The annual ‘Eyes on Road’ campaign aims to raise health and safety awareness among fleet drivers who work long hours.

It provides free health exams and opportunities for drivers to take breaks, engage in activities, and celebrate together as a community.

Building on this, the STS Group CSR IFTAR was organised to allow school transportation drivers to gain insights into health and safety.

The company shared that the ‘Eyes on Road’ campaign convened key team members from Bridgestone and drivers from STS Group, a school transportation service provider, with participants breaking their fast together.

Jacques Fourie, President of Bridgestone Middle East and Africa, commented: “We are honoured to convene this Iftar gathering as it serves as an ideal platform to celebrate the commitment of these school bus drivers while fostering road safety and community bonds. At Bridgestone, our dedication to community welfare and road safety remains steadfast, aligning with our core values and E8 commitment. Through initiatives like these, we strive to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those we serve.”

Steve Burnell, Managing Director of STS Group, added: “As a trusted GCC transport provider, we are dedicated to delivering a Safe, Timely, Smart passenger experience while championing health and safety standards in the communities we serve. Our commitment to employee well-being and road safety management aligns with Bridgestone values. The STS Group CSR IFTAR event hosted by Bridgestone served as an ideal platform for promoting community while highlighting the critical importance of road safety. Together with Bridgestone, we are committed to making a positive impact on our community.”

The Iftar gathering enabled participants to gain insights into optimal tyre maintenance and its role in vehicle performance and safety.

The event also saw Bridgestone express its gratitude to the drivers for their “commitment to excellence and their key role in promoting safe transportation practices,” it said.

1 year ago 0 comments

SIARA draws participation from 527 organisations from 53 countries

by Madaline Dunn 1 year ago

written by Madaline Dunn

The Sharjah International Award for Refugee Advocacy and Support (SIARA), now in its eighth edition, has received 527 applications from 53 countries, it has announced.

This is up from 423 submissions from 41 countries in 2023, which itself saw a 135 per cent increase compared to 2022.

The SIARA shared that its aim is to change the popular perception of refugees and displaced peoples from “faceless statistical representations” to “equally capable members of the community.”

SIARA acknowledges NGOs across Asia, the Middle East, and Africa whose efforts positively impact the lives of refugees, the forcibly displaced, and marginalised communities.

The award, it said, has also mainstreamed refugees’ needs to access cultural and creative avenues, quality education, skilled jobs, and more by highlighting projects and campaigns that extend beyond providing emergency aid to improve quality of life by dedicating their resources, skills, and capabilities for the good of others.

Organised annually by The Big Heart Foundation (TBHF) in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), SIARA is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of TBHF and UNHCR Eminent Advocate for Refugee Children.

Mariam Al Hammadi, Director General of TBHF, commented: “SIARA personifies the power of human passion for influencing positive change, and demonstrates the collective impact of compassion, empathy, creativity and innovation in transforming despair to hope. While celebrating those who are making a compelling impact in their communities, this award serves as a call to action, encouraging broader participation in humanitarian efforts worldwide, inspiring a collective commitment to building a more inclusive and compassionate global society.”

The 2024 edition includes:

331 nominations from Africa,
163 from Asia,
13 from Europe,
17 from North America, and
3 from Oceania.

Notable submissions came from countries such as Nigeria (69), Uganda (66), Ethiopia (44), Pakistan (41), Kenya (41), Lebanon (29), and Palestine (17), among others.

Other countries from which nominations were received include UAE, USA, Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, Yemen, Afghanistan, Cameroon and UK.

The cash prize pool for the awards of AED 500,000 (US$136,000) remains a special contribution by TBHF and does not represent any share of the donations made to the foundation, it noted.

1 year ago 0 comments

Innovation & Education Latest News Social

M42 to open Imperial College London Diabetes Centre

by Madaline Dunn 1 year ago

written by Madaline Dunn

The Imperial College London Diabetes Centre (ICLDC), part of the M42 group, has announced it will open a dedicated facility in Madinat Zayed to provide comprehensive care for diabetes and endocrine patients.

Set to open in the second half of this year, the new centre in Al Dhafra will provide targeted prevention and intervention for more than 6,000 diabetes sufferers in the region, cutting travel time by more than 75 per cent.

It will be equipped with the latest diagnostic and management facilities supported by a multi-specialty team, with “state-of-the-art” outpatient services, providing specialised care for diabetes and endocrine-related complications.

It was shared that the flagship ICLDC in Abu Dhabi currently serves around 9 per cent of the Al Dhafra patient population, while the facility in Madinat Zayed will provide greater access to those across the Al Dhafra region, including residents of Liwa, Mirfa, Gayathi, Ruwais, and Tarif.

ICLDC will also continue to promote preventive solutions for Type 2 diabetes, with an extensive community outreach programme including:

Workshops,
Health screenings,
Educational programmes for schools and organisations, and
The promotion of an active lifestyle and healthy eating.

Hasan Jasem Al Nowais, Managing Director, and Group Chief Executive Officer, M42, said: “M42 is committed to providing world-class preventive and personalised health solutions that enable individuals to put their health back in their own hands. As a leader in diabetes and endocrine management and prevention, the Imperial College London Diabetes Centre is positively impacting lives across the UAE. Expanding our one-stop services to Al Dhafra presents an opportunity to serve a much greater number of UAE residents with an innovative model that provides premium, tech-enabled health solutions that result in tangible positive clinical outcomes.”

Dr. Mai Al Jaber, Chief Executive Officer of ICLDC, commented: “Today, the need for accessible and comprehensive diabetes care has never been more apparent. Serving more of the Al Dhafra population is an honour and a duty we are fully committed to. Our aim is to provide patients with the best patient-centric and comprehensive diabetes and endocrinology solutions, under one roof and closer to home.”

ICLDC’s Madinat Zayed facility will be the fourth dedicated facility in the UAE, in addition to a satellite clinic based in Mubadala Health Dubai, which offers integrated diabetes and endocrine treatment services.

1 year ago 0 comments

Social Special Reports

Outsized: Third annual Talent-On-Demand 2024 report

by Madaline Dunn 1 year ago

written by Madaline Dunn

Outsized has released the findings from its third annual Talent-On-Demand 2024 report, based on proprietary data collected from its platform.

The report revealed that the MENA region is now one of the fastest-growing freelance economies, having seen a 142 per cent growth in freelancer registrations from 2022.

Indeed, diverging from the global downturn seen in the US and Europe, the MENA is witnessing a boost in freelance talent demand, with a focus on diversifying oil dependency into a knowledge and skills economy.

It was shared that this spans a range of sectors, including IT, banking, finance, real estate, construction, energy, and hospitality.

Further, companies in the MENA, APAC, and Africa are now actively implementing agile workforce models to adapt to market fluctuations and unforeseen challenges.

The Talent-On-Demand 2024 report identifies the top skills in demand, as evidenced by MENA enterprises that have used Outsized.

The findings show that the MENA region is embracing a broader scope compared to global trends, where tech and data analysis dominate.

In the MENA, finance, risk, product and proposition, sales, marketing, and change management skills are increasingly sought after.

In addition, this year, new macro trends such as ESG and sustainability, data analytics, and procurement are expected to rise in importance,

This is set to further accelerate demand for local and international skilled independent talent.

The on-demand talent pool in the MENA region also has the highest average expertise, at 10.1 years, according to the report, outperforming the larger APAC and African regions.

Day rates for MENA professionals also stand at US$309, ranking third behind Southeast Asia (US$544) and Africa (US$316).

The report also notes that as the undergoes rapid modernisation and digital transformation, the shift towards agile work models is essential to capitalise on growing opportunities.

However, it shared that companies face challenges due to a lack of niche expertise and the limitations of traditional hiring practices.

The technology sector, in particular, it shared, is experiencing acute capacity and capability gaps, stalling adoption and driving investments in retraining and reskilling.

Consulting firms, especially in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, that struggle with the local scarcity of specialised skills, are sourcing talent globally through secondments or new hires to maintain competitiveness, it noted.

It was also found that companies in MENA are increasingly prioritising employee well-being, acknowledging high burnout rates and evolving expectations around work-life balance and mental health.

Finally, in 2024, companies are anticipated to further progress towards a more holistic approach to agile talent.

However, employers will not only leverage independents for specific projects but instead see them as a competitive advantage to be used at scale, proactively.

For the full Talent On-Demand 2024 report, head here.

1 year ago 0 comments

Canon collaborates with DBWC to launch ‘Women Who Empower’ campaign

by Madaline Dunn 1 year ago

written by Madaline Dunn

Canon has announced its collaboration with the Dubai Business Women Council (DBWC) to launch the ‘Women Who Empower’ campaign.

It was shared that the initiative aims to uplift and support women in the imaging and print industries through webinars, mentorship opportunities, and networking events.

The programme includes three modules: printing, photography, and content creation. Each module has four sessions: two theory and two practical.

The classes include technical instruction, foundational theory, and a month of supervised Canon equipment practice in the chosen field.

The third module, on content creation, is led by award-winning Emirati film director and producer Nahla Al Fahad, who will provide extensive training on the fundamental abilities and knowledge required to produce engaging video material. During the sessions, those involved will gain competence with cameras, narrative strategies, and hands-on video production experience, the two said.

Jorge Ferrari, sport, action, commercial photographer, and a Canon Ambassador will lead the photography curriculum, with sessions exploring the principles of photography, focusing on narrative and offering hands-on activities to refine photographic techniques.

Ayman Ali, Marketing Director, B2B, Canon Middle East, will lead the printing module, providing insights on printing options for applications such as customised interior décor, studio settings, and photography portfolios.

Upon completing the program, participants will produce and present a portfolio showcasing their work.

Canon will provide resources, including imaging and printing equipment, and will identify and provide trainers, it noted.

At the end of the program, participants will be rewarded with Canon products and featured on Canon’s official platforms.

The interactive workshops will be conducted at Nahla Al Fahad’s Beyond Studio’s and one of UAE’s ArtPlus studios.

Commenting on the program, Venkatasubramanian (Subbu) Hariharan, Managing Director, Canon Middle East, and Turkey, said: “Women Who Empower initiative embodies Canon’s unwavering dedication to diversity, inclusivity, and women empowerment. We believe that by providing women with the necessary resources, training, and support, we can drive positive change and unlock their full potential in these dynamic industries.”

“We are delighted to collaborate with Canon on the “Women Who Empower” campaign, a game-changing project highlighting our shared dedication to empowering women in the print and imaging divisions. By working together, we hope to give women the resources and chances they need to excel in these sectors, advancing inclusiveness and social change,” said Nadine Halabi, Business Development Manager at Dubai Business Women Council (DBWC), at the launch event for the initiative.

1 year ago 0 comments

PureHealth launches Emirati Women Chapter (EWC)

by Madaline Dunn 1 year ago

written by Madaline Dunn

Middle East healthcare platform, PureHealth, has launched the Emirati Women Chapter (EWC) in association with General Women’s Union.

The EWC is a mentorship and upskilling initiative aimed at empowering Emirati women in their personal and professional growth journeys across a range of industries.

The pilot will offer 28 Emirati women the opportunity to work alongside mentors to achieve their goals, with each participant receiving guidance and support.

Following the completion of the programme, participants will have the chance to transition into mentors themselves, it was shared.

Commenting on the initiative, H.E. Noura Al Suwaidi, Secretary General of the General Women’s Union, said: “Thanks to the support, care, and encouragement of H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, the ‘Mother of the Nation’, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union (GWU), President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation (FDF), we have come a long way in female empowerment in the UAE. The launch of the Emirati Women’s Chapter is a major milestone in this journey, and we appreciate the efforts of PureHealth in empowering Emirati women and enhancing their roles in the society.”

Shaista Asif, Group Chief Executive Officer of PureHealth, added: “Cultivating the potential of Emirati women is not just a commitment for PureHealth, but also a strategic imperative that underscores our dedication to progress and inclusivity in the UAE. The Emirati Women’s Chapter represents our unwavering belief in the transformative influence of Emirati women within all sectors and the UAE society and we are thankful to the General Women’s Union for their support and patronage.”

“By investing in the development of Emirati talent and providing them invaluable guidance, we are strategically shaping a brighter future that is not only equitable but also exemplifies the strength of diversity and empowerment. At PureHealth, we champion diversity and inclusion because we operate in a sector that demands inputs from the full breadth and depth of talent available to us,” said Asif.

1 year ago 0 comments

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