Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - Wednesday, 16. April 2025
AI Drone Beats Human Pilot in Most Sophisticated and Challenging Series set up by A2RL x DCL Autonomous Drone Championship, Marking a Breakthrough in Autonomous Flight Innovation
Over 2500 Spectators Watch Best Autonomous Drone Racers Battle it Out for $1M Prize Pool Across Four Cutting-Edge Race Formats,
Mavlab (TU Delft) Dominates the Championship with Three Wins in the AI Grand Challenge, AI Drag Race and AI Vs Human; TII Racing (Technology Innovation Institute, Abu Dhabi) Wins the AI Multi-Autonomous Drone Race
The Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League (A2RL), part of the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), in collaboration with the Drone Champions League (DCL), concluded the inaugural A2RL x DCL Autonomous Drone Championship in the Middle East, at ADNEC Marina Hall, Abu Dhabi, UAE. In a major breakthrough for autonomous flight and aerial robotics, Team MavLab’s AI drone outpaced a world-leading human pilot to win the AI vs Human Challenge. The head-to-head duel was the most complex ever staged, featuring finalists from the DCL Falcon Cup—some of the top drone pilots in the world.
Over two high-intensity days, 14 international teams qualified for the finals week, with the top four advancing to compete across multiple challenging race formats. Teams from the UAE, Netherlands, Austria, South Korea, the Czech Republic, Mexico, Turkey, China, Spain, Canada and the USA represented a mix of university labs, research institutes, and startup innovators.
Each team raced a standardized drone equipped with the compact yet powerful NVIDIA Jetson Orin NX computing module, a forward-facing camera, and an inertial measurement unit (IMU) for onboard perception and control. With no human input, the drones relied entirely on real-time processing and AI-driven decision-making to reach speeds exceeding 150 km/h through a complex race environment.
The course design pushed the boundaries of perception-based autonomy—featuring wide gate spacing, irregular lighting, and minimal visual markers. The use of rolling shutter cameras further heightened the difficulty, testing each team’s ability to deliver fast, stable performance under demanding conditions. This marked the first time an autonomous drone race of this scale and complexity was staged on such a visually sparse track, underscoring the ambition and technical challenge of the event.
Championship Highlights
AI Grand Challenge Winner: MavLab (TU Delft) set the fastest time on the 170-meter course, completing two laps (22 gates) in just 17 seconds.
AI vs Human Showdown Winner: MavLab’s autonomous drone outpaced top human pilot—in a landmark AI vs Human showdown.
Multi-Autonomous Drone Race Winner: TII Racing emerged victorious in the multi-drone format, in a high-speed test of AI coordination and collision avoidance.
Autonomous Drag Race Winner: MavLab (TU Delft) claimed victory in the world’s first AI-only drag race, demonstrating straight-line speed and control under high acceleration against the championship’s top teams.
“At ATRC, we believe innovation must be proven in the real world, not just promised,” said H.E. Faisal Al Bannai, Adviser to the UAE President for Strategic Research and Advanced Technology Affairs, and Secretary-General of ATRC. “A2RL is more than a race, it’s a global testbed for high-performance autonomy and reflects the UAE’s commitment to advancing AI, robotics, and next-gen mobility responsibly.”
“The future of flight doesn’t live in a lab – it lives on the racetrack,” said Stephane Timpano, CEO of ASPIRE, the hosting entity of the Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League. “What we saw this weekend brings us closer to scaling autonomous systems in everyday life.” Markus Stampfer, Executive Chairman of DCL, added: “We brought elite racing conditions to autonomous flight—and the AI rose to the challenge. This was a major leap for both sport and technology.”
Ecstatic after clinching three top titles, Christophe De Wagter, team principal of MavLab, shared “Winning the AI Grand Challenge and the AI vs Human race is a huge milestone for our team. It validates years of research and experimentation in autonomous flight. To see our algorithms outperform in such a high-pressure environment and take home the largest share of the prize pool, is incredibly rewarding."
The A2RL X DCL Drone STEM Program, designed in collaboration with UNICEF and under the supervision of the ATRC, has trained over 100 Emirati students this year. Over 60% earned the prestigious Trusted Operator Program certification and 24 achieved perfect scores, showcasing the cutting-edge aviation skills being developed as part of the program.
With the drone finale now in the books, all eyes turn to Season 2 of A2RL’s autonomous car racing series, set for Q4 2025 at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi.
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https://www.aetoswire.com/en/news/a2rl1642025en
Contacts
Thushara Mohanan
thushara.mohanan@tii.ae
Thursday, April 17, 2025
Abu Dhabi Launches Life Sciences Cluster to Advance Healthcare Innovation Worldwide, tapping a $25.3 trillion market
Abu Dhabi’s new Health, Endurance, Longevity, and Medicine (HELM) cluster to bolster life sciences ecosystem in Abu Dhabi, cementing the emirate’s position as the leading global hub for biotechnology, MedTech and digital health innovation
The cluster is projected to contribute $25.6 billion to Abu Dhabi’s GDP, unlock 30,000 new jobs, and attract $11.5 billion in investment by 2045
Abu Dhabi has launched the groundbreaking life sciences cluster, reinforcing its position as a global hub for biotechnology, MedTech, and digital health. Developed by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) and the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, the Health, Endurance, Longevity, and Medicine (HELM) cluster is designed to drive healthcare innovation, attract international investment, and deliver lasting benefits to global populations.
Announced during Abu Dhabi Global Health Week, the HELM cluster will serve as a platform for the research, development, manufacturing and commercialisation of advanced health and life science solutions. From AI-powered diagnostics and pharmaceutical manufacturing to gene therapies and precision medicine, the cluster is poised to enable global companies to transform breakthrough science into scalable and accessible, patient-focused solutions.
With its world-class infrastructure, progressive regulations, and strategic geographic location, Abu Dhabi offers unparalleled access to global markets. The emirate’s multicultural talent base, advanced biomanufacturing facilities, and commitment to innovation make it an ideal launchpad for life sciences companies looking to scale globally.
His Excellency Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, said: “The Abu Dhabi Health, Endurance, Longevity, and Medicine (HELM) cluster will provide global and local stakeholders with a wide range of benefits, including access to cutting-edge technologies, world-class infrastructure and progressive regulatory frameworks. By creating a globally competitive life sciences hub, we are not only accelerating economic growth and diversification, but we are also ensuring that Abu Dhabi remains at the forefront of developing breakthrough healthcare solutions that will benefit humanity at large.”
Built to meet the rising global demand for advanced healthcare, the cluster is designed to tackle some of the world’s most pressing health challenges, including chronic and non-communicable diseases, which account for over 70% of deaths globally, as well as the healthcare needs of ageing populations. It is tapping growth opportunities in the global healthcare market, which is projected to reach $25.3 trillion (AED93 trillion) by 2045.
His Excellency Mansoor Ibrahim Al Mansoori, Chairman of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, said: “The launch of Abu Dhabi’s Health, Endurance, Longevity, and Medicine cluster is a bold leap forward in how the world delivers healthcare. We are not just investing in infrastructure, we’re investing in human potential, in breakthroughs that will redefine longevity, and in solutions that will reach far beyond our borders. This is where innovation meets impact.”
Leveraging an innovation-friendly regulatory framework, Abu Dhabi empowers companies to bring breakthrough technologies to market faster, shaping the future of healthcare at speed and scale. Its AI-powered health system and leadership in precision medicine create an environment where innovation thrives across the entire value chain.
As home to one of the world’s largest national genomics programme, the emirate supports research and development by fostering insights from a uniquely diverse genomic landscape, accelerating innovation and advancing the global shift toward personalised treatments." At the same time, Abu Dhabi is strengthening its role in the global pharmaceutical supply chain, offering reliable infrastructure, strategic connectivity, and long-term partnership opportunities for companies navigating an increasingly complex global landscape.
By 2045, the HELM cluster is expected to contribute $25.6 billion (AED 94 billion) to Abu Dhabi’s GDP, attract $11.5 billion (AED 42 billion) in investment, and create 30,000 high-value jobs, supporting the diversification of the emirate’s economy while enabling long-term global health impact.
The cluster is part of Abu Dhabi’s broader strategy to lead globally in emerging industries. It follows the successful launch of the Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industries (SAVI) cluster in 2023, which addresses smart urban mobility across air, land, and sea– and the AgriFood Growth and Water Abundance (AGWA) cluster in 2024, which addresses food security and water sustainability challenges.
Permalink
https://www.aetoswire.com/en/news/1604202545958
Contacts
Chase Burns
ADIO@edelman.com
Tigo Energy Expands EI Residential with Smart Heating Integration at Intersolar Europe
MONTEVARCHI, Italy - Wednesday, 16. April 2025 AETOSWire
Tigo to showcase new GO Junction and TS4-X platform, as well as fully integrated solar, storage, mobility, and heating solution for evolving needs of the European market.
(BUSINESS WIRE) -- Tigo Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ: TYGO) (“Tigo,” “Company”), a leading provider of intelligent solar and energy software solutions, will feature its latest innovations for residential as well as Commercial and Industrial (C&I) solar installers at Intersolar Europe, in Munich, Germany from May 7-9. Highlighted products will include the new Tigo GO Junction, the latest addition to the EI Residential solar and storage ecosystem and the key connection between photovoltaic (PV) generation, energy management, and home heating, which completes the Tigo residential solution.
With more than one million heat pumps installed in Germany over the past five years – and projections pointing to as many as ten million units by 2030 – the residential heating market has entered a phase of convergence between clean energy and smart technologies. In this new landscape, systems can now intelligently manage PV production, energy storage, and household loads, unlocking new methods to accelerate the transition to solar while also addressing the economic impact of heating gas expenses. To automate this energy arbitrage, Tigo introduces the GO Junction to the European market as an innovative add-on device that extends the EI Residential ecosystem to smart heating. Just as the Tigo GO EV Charger brings e-mobility into the residential energy ecosystem, GO Junction enables the seamless integration and intelligent management of third-party heat pumps within the Energy Intelligence software platform, completing the vision of a fully integrated home energy system.
“We know the EI Residential solution well because we’ve been installing it regularly for some time, and we have always appreciated the reliability and integration between all of its components,” said Georg Kreitmair, Managing Director at Weiss-Blau GmbH, a Tigo-Advanced Installer in Germany. “A direct connection to the heat pump was the next logical step, but it was also increasingly requested by customers focused on maximizing self-consumption. With the arrival of the Tigo GO Junction, we can now deliver a truly holistic solution where energy generation, storage, and management work together in a simple and coordinated way. A fully integrated Tigo system also makes installation more straightforward and brings real added value to the end user.”
The Tigo booth at Intersolar will include a fully operational EI Residential system to showcase a cohesive solution that brings together every element of solar generation, storage, and energy management. The system features TS4 Flex MLPE, single- and three-phase inverters, modular battery storage, and the EI Link which consolidates all system wiring, communication, and a full backup system into a single, compact cabinet. Visitors can see the two latest Tigo ecosystem extensions: the GO EV Charger, which integrates e-mobility directly into the platform, and the brand-new GO Junction, designed to bring heat pumps into the energy management mix. Together, these innovations demonstrate that the EI Residential system has evolved into a truly all-in-one energy solution for modern homes – smart, scalable, and energy transition-ready.
“The Tigo GO Junction represents more than a technological evolution, it’s a solution that originates directly from the experiences and needs the installers who work with our systems daily shared with us,” said Mirko Bindi, Senior VP of Sales EMEA & MD Europe at Tigo Energy. “By turning installer input into real solutions through ongoing dialogue, we close an important feedback loop with the market. Our commitment to Total Quality Solar (TQS) guides us in delivering excellence at every stage of the solar supply chain–from product development and manufacturing to installation and long-term serviceability. As a continuous process, the TQS spirit defines the standard to which we hold our operations, even beyond the corporate walls.”
European PV professionals visiting Intersolar in Munich can also learn about the full range of TS4 Flex MLPE products, including the TS4-X, which delivers a powerful new platform with advanced functionality in a family of modular devices. Designed to meet the demands of today’s high-power solar modules, TS4-X combines optimization, monitoring, and rapid shutdown–or a combination thereof–in one flexible solution. All performance data, as well as the amount of energy recovered with optimization (Reclaimed Energy) can be viewed and analyzed through the Energy Intelligence software platform, which provides both installers and system owners with enhanced control, comprehensive diagnostics, and smarter energy management across the entire PV fleet.
For updates on the latest developments related to Tigo solutions, installation best practices, or the Green Glove service program, schedule a meeting with the Tigo Customer Success technical team at Intersolar Europe at Messe München, Hall B4, Booth 160, from May 7-9, 2025 by filling out a short form on the dedicated trade show page.
About Tigo Energy
Founded in 2007, Tigo Energy, Inc. (Nasdaq: TYGO) is a worldwide leader in the development and provider of smart hardware and software solutions that enhance safety, increase energy yield, and lower operating costs of residential, commercial, and utility-scale solar systems. Tigo combines its Flex MLPE (Module Level Power Electronics) and solar optimizer technology with intelligent, cloud-based software capabilities for advanced energy monitoring and control. Tigo MLPE products maximize performance, enable real-time energy monitoring, and provide code-required rapid shutdown at the module level. The company also develops and manufactures products such as inverters and battery storage systems for the residential solar-plus-storage market. For more information, please visit www.tigoenergy.com.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250415065293/en/
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https://www.aetoswire.com/en/news/1604202545947
Contacts
Technica Communications for Tigo Energy
Luis de Leon
Email: tigoenergy@technica.inc
Hoor Al Qasimi recognised as Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters by the Embassy of France in the UAE
Hoor Al Qasimi, President and Director of Sharjah Art Foundation, today received the insignia of Officier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters), conferred by His Excellency Nicolas Niemtchinow, Ambassador of France to the UAE, during a ceremony at The Flying Saucer, Sharjah.
Since 1957, this award has honoured individuals who have made significant contributions to the arts. The insignia of the Order of Arts and Letters is an expression of France's recognition of those who have actively worked to promote art and culture both in France and abroad.
Al Qasimi remarked, ‘It is with great honour that I receive this award granted by the Embassy of France in the UAE. The insignia of Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters is a wonderful reflection of the collaborations and cultural exchanges that have shaped my work, in Sharjah, the UAE and internationally. It reaffirms the importance of continuing to build cultural dialogue through the arts. I accept this recognition, not only for myself, but for all those who have supported, guided and inspired me throughout my journey.’
His Excellency Nicolas Niemtchinow, Ambassador from France to the UAE and Jean-Christophe Paris, Consul General of France in Dubai, together with French Embassy staff Stéphanie Salha, Advisor for Cooperation and Cultural action of the Embassy of France in the UAE and the Director of the Institut Français in the UAE and Marie Lozon de Cantelmi, Cultural Attaché, were present for the official conferment of the award.
Niemtchinow commented, ‘It is a great honor to award Her Excellency Sheikha Hoor Al Qassimi the insignia of Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters today in Sharjah. This award is a recognition of Sheikha Hoor’s remarkable contribution to strengthening cultural and artistic ties between France and Sharjah and, more generally, between France and the UAE. Sheikha Hoor's commitment to Franco-Emirati friendship is further exemplified by her role within the Alliance Française of Sharjah. I also commend the Sharjah Biennial, which has become a reference in the world of contemporary art. Her Excellency Sheikha Hoor has always worked to showcase French and Francophone artists in this Biennial.’
Also in attendance were a number of distinguished guests, including His Excellency Sheikh Fahim Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Government Relations Department; Her Excellency Sheikha Nawar Al Qassimi, Vice President of Sharjah Art Foundation; Her Excellency Sheikha Noora Al Mualla, Director of Learning and Research at Sharjah Art Foundation; Her Excellency Sheikha Rad Alqasimi, Secretary General of the International French Association in Sharjah; Audrey Leseigneur, Director of Alliance Française Sharjah; and Mona El-Mousfy, Advisor to the Sharjah Architecture Triennial.
Alongside her role at Sharjah Art Foundation, Al Qasimi also serves as President of the International Biennial Association; President of The Africa Institute, Sharjah; Director of the Sharjah Architecture Triennial; head of Sharjah’s Global Studies University; and President of the Sharjah Creative Quarter. She is also the Artistic Director of the upcoming 6th Aichi Triennale (2025) and the 25th Biennale of Sydney (2026).
About Sharjah Art Foundation
Sharjah Art Foundation is an advocate, catalyst and producer of contemporary art within the Emirate of Sharjah and the surrounding region, in dialogue with the international arts community. The Foundation advances an experimental and wide-ranging programmatic model that supports the production and presentation of contemporary art, preserves and celebrates the distinct culture of the region and encourages a shared understanding of the transformational role of art. The Foundation’s core initiatives include the long-running Sharjah Biennial, featuring contemporary artists from around the world; the annual March Meeting, a convening of international arts professionals and artists; grants and residencies for artists, curators and cultural producers; ambitious and experimental commissions and a range of travelling exhibitions and scholarly publications.
Established in 2009 to expand programmes beyond the Sharjah Biennial, which launched in 1993, the Foundation is a critical resource for artists and cultural organisations in the Gulf and a conduit for local, regional and international developments in contemporary art. The Foundation’s deep commitment to developing and sustaining the cultural life and heritage of Sharjah is reflected through year-round exhibitions, performances, screenings and educational programmes in the city of Sharjah and across the Emirate, often hosted in historic buildings that have been repurposed as cultural and community centres. A growing collection reflects the Foundation’s support of contemporary artists in the realisation of new work and its recognition of the contributions made by pioneering modern artists from the region and around the world.
Sharjah Art Foundation is a legally independent public body established by Emiri Decree and supported by government funding, grants from national and international nonprofits and cultural organisations, corporate sponsors and individual patrons. Hoor Al Qasimi serves as President and Director. All exhibitions are free and open to the public.
About Sharjah
Sharjah is the third largest of the seven United Arab Emirates and the only one bridging the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Reflecting the deep commitment to the arts, architectural preservation and cultural education embraced by its ruler, Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Sharjah is home to more than 20 museums and has long been known as the cultural hub of the United Arab Emirates. In 1998, it was named UNESCO's 'Arab Capital of Culture' and has been designated the UNESCO ‘World Book Capital’ for the year 2019.
Contacts
Sharjah Government Media Bureau
Hussain Al Mulla, 00971563980067
VeriSilicon Launches Ultra-Low Power OpenGL ES GPU with Hybrid 3D/2.5D Rendering for Wearables
SHANGHAI - Wednesday, 16. April 2025 AETOSWire
GCNano3DVG GPU IP introduces content-aware rendering to maximize efficiency in wearable applications
(BUSINESS WIRE) -- VeriSilicon (688521.SH) today announced the launch of GCNano3DVG, a new ultra-low power graphics processing unit (GPU) IP designed specifically for wearable and other compact, battery-powered devices requiring dynamic graphics rendering. Featuring both 3D and 2.5D graphics rendering capabilities, GCNano3DVG delivers an optimal balance between visual performance and power efficiency, making it ideal for a wide range of applications including smartwatches, smart bracelets, and AI/AR glasses.
VeriSilicon’s GCNano3DVG IP combines optimized hardware pipelines with a lightweight and configurable software stack to deliver efficient, low-power graphics processing. It features separate rendering pipelines for 3D and 2.5D graphics, accelerating the rendering of complex scenes composed of 3D objects and vector graphics. These pipelines are fine-tuned for improved performance, power, and area (PPA). Additionally, the unified command engine and multiple CPU-GPU synchronization mechanisms further reduce system overhead, while DDR-less configurations utilizing Static Random-Access Memory (SRAM) or Pseudo-Static Random-Access Memory (PSRAM) offer a cost-effective and low-power solution for embedded graphics processing.
GCNano3DVG supports VeriSilicon’s GLLite and VGLite Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) for 3D and 2.5D/2D graphics rendering. The GLLite driver is highly configurable, providing full OpenGL ES 2.0 compliance with an optional runtime OpenGL Shading Language (GLSL) shader compiler, or operating in OpenGL ES 1.1 fixed-function pipeline mode for minimal memory usage. It also supports rendering of Khronos’ Graphics Library Transmission Format (glTF), enabling efficient handling of 3D assets for modern applications. The VGLite driver is compatible with popular vector graphics libraries such as LVGL and NanoVG. GLLite and VGLite APIs can be used flexibly and synchronously within a single application, providing versatile and high-performance graphics solutions across diverse embedded use cases.
“As wearable applications continue to expand, the demand for more immersive user interfaces featuring 3D-rendered content is growing, while ultra-low power consumption is still expected,” said Weijin Dai, Chief Strategy Officer, Executive Vice President, and General Manager of the IP Division at VeriSilicon. “To address these demands, we designed a hybrid GPU architecture built upon our ultra-low power Nano 3D and Nano 2.5D GPU technologies. This innovation enables efficient rendering of mixed 3D and 2.5D content with minimal power consumption.”
VeriSilicon’s GCNano3DVG GPU IP is now available for licensing. For more information or collaboration inquiries, please visit www.verisilicon.com/en/ContactUs.
About VeriSilicon
VeriSilicon is committed to providing customers with platform-based, all-around, one-stop custom silicon services and semiconductor IP licensing services leveraging its in-house semiconductor IP. For more information, please visit: www.verisilicon.com
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250415061424/en/
Permalink
https://www.aetoswire.com/en/news/1604202545943
Contacts
Media Contact: press@verisilicon.com
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
Sultan bin Ahmed tours Palestinian refugee camp in Jordan
His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Humanitarian Envoy of The Big Heart Foundation, emphasised that responding to the escalating humanitarian crisis facing Palestinians—particularly in the Gaza Strip—requires a united mobilisation of resources to implement sustainable development projects. These must target sectors such as healthcare, education, and food security to ensure the basic needs of the Palestinian people are met. His Highness called upon charitable individuals and organisations to support these efforts, which embody the highest humanitarian responsibility towards those who are displaced, injured, or in need.
These remarks were delivered during His Highness’s visit to the Marka refugee camp in Jordan, home to over 70,000 Palestinian refugees. He led a delegation from the Emirate of Sharjah comprising senior officials and representatives from The Big Heart Foundation, as well as UAE government entities and private sector organisations. The visit aimed to study leading examples of sustainable humanitarian projects, particularly in health, education, and food security, and to rally both human and financial resources to implement similar initiatives in Gaza and in countries hosting Palestinian refugees, ensuring their sustainability and responsiveness to critical needs.
His Highness stressed that the suffering endured by the Palestinian people and their homeland is indescribable, and that offering support and consolidating all humanitarian efforts is the minimum that can be done. He affirmed that the United Arab Emirates, at both leadership and public levels, has always stood by the Palestinian cause. He also praised Jordan’s long-standing humanitarian role, having hosted over four million Palestinian and Arab refugees, providing them with the means to live with dignity despite challenging circumstances.
His Highness further noted that the Palestinian people have experienced decades of displacement and forced migration, and today the people of Gaza are enduring one of the harshest humanitarian crises due to the ongoing conflict. This has resulted in the breakdown of their social and institutional infrastructure, depriving them of fundamental rights including access to education, healthcare, and basic public services. Thus, the foundation’s humanitarian strategy is focused not only on emergency relief, but also on implementing sustainable initiatives in healthcare and education. He stated that access to healthcare builds thriving communities, while education protects future generations from the lasting psychological and physical impacts of war—even if the situation eventually improves.
Describing the current crisis as a pivotal test for the entire humanitarian ecosystem, His Highness stressed that all those who are committed to humanitarian principles must now step up and act. Despite the immense challenges, he said the mission must continue, supported by devoted individuals and organisations across the world. He added that humanitarian work is not just a moral or ethical responsibility, but a religious obligation and a fundamental right for the vulnerable and disadvantaged.
This visit comes as part of the ongoing “For the Children of Olives” campaign launched last Ramadan by Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of The Big Heart Foundation. The campaign aims to provide holistic support for more than 20,000 orphans living in Gaza. It guarantees their right to education, healthcare, psychological support, nutrition, and adequate shelter.
During the visit, His Highness toured the Marka Girls Preparatory School, operated by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). There, he met with a delegation including UNRWA Deputy Commissioner-General Natalie Boucly, UNRWA Jordan Field Director Olaf Becker, and Engineer Rafiq Kharfan, Director-General of the Department of Palestinian Affairs at Jordan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The discussions focused on ways to strengthen collaboration and build partnerships to support humanitarian projects benefiting Palestinians in Gaza and refugees in Jordan—particularly in the areas of education, health, and community welfare.
His Highness visited several classrooms, engaged with teaching staff and students, and reviewed the learning environment. He examined how the educational process is managed, discussed future infrastructure needs in the camp, and explored the school’s key scientific laboratories and facilities that support hands-on learning and enhance the educational experience.
His Highness also met with several male and female students representing the "Student Parliament" at Marka Camp. During the meeting, His Highness listened to a detailed presentation from the students about the educational process and the challenges they face, as well as their academic needs that would help improve the quality and efficiency of education in line with the rapid advancements across various fields.
The Deputy Ruler of Sharjah then visited the food security project run by the humanitarian organisation ANERA, which supports refugees and conflict-affected populations in Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan. His Highness was briefed on the project’s approach, which focuses on transforming aid into sustainable food production within refugee communities. This is achieved through year-round farming initiatives using greenhouses, enabling communities to grow their own food. The model aligns closely with the sustainable development goals of The Big Heart Foundation for Gaza, given its vital role in enhancing self-reliance among refugee and displaced populations and reducing dependency on external aid. The absence of food is often among the fastest and most devastating humanitarian consequences during conflicts and disasters.
His Highness explored the farming techniques used in the project and reviewed the main crops produced using modern methods that conserve water and soil while ensuring sustainable output. These efforts are key to securing food supplies for those affected and establishing long-term food security.
Following this, His Highness, in his capacity as Humanitarian Envoy of The Big Heart Foundation, along with the accompanying delegation, visited the Taawun Foundation—The Big Heart’s partner in the "For the Children of Olives" humanitarian campaign. The visit included a consultative meeting to discuss recent humanitarian developments concerning Palestinian refugees in Jordan and displaced persons in Gaza and the West Bank, in light of ongoing tragic conditions. The discussions also addressed ways to respond quickly and effectively to secure essential living conditions and explored future plans to provide critical services across sectors.
During the visit, His Highness and the delegation viewed a series of video materials recorded inside Gaza, depicting the painful reality and suffering of its people, who are deprived of the most basic human rights.
During the meeting, Dr Nabil Qaddumi, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Taawun Foundation, delivered a speech welcoming the Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and his accompanying delegation. He praised The Big Heart Foundation’s significant efforts and the fruitful humanitarian partnership with Taawun in serving Palestinian refugees.
The Taawun Board of Directors presented the "Noor Programme for Orphan Care", which the foundation launched in Gaza. The war has left more than 39,000 children in the Gaza Strip orphaned. The delegation also listened to several recorded and live contributions from programme staff based in Gaza and the Arab Republic of Egypt.
His Highness concluded the visit with a meeting alongside the accompanying delegation, during which they reviewed the outcomes of the visits and examined the best humanitarian models currently implemented in Jordan’s refugee camps. They discussed how to adapt these experiences to benefit refugees and displaced people within the occupied Palestinian territories. His Highness noted that the world today is in urgent need of evolving humanitarian programmes and initiatives to meet the unprecedented challenges facing the region.
The Sharjah delegation accompanying the Humanitarian Envoy of The Big Heart Foundation included: Sheikh Fahim bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Department of Government Relations; Sheikh Sultan bin Saud Al Qasimi, Founder of the Barjeel Art Foundation; Major General Abdullah Mubarak bin Amer, Commander-in-Chief of Sharjah Police; Badr Jafar, Special Envoy for Business and Philanthropy to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Advisory Board Member of The Big Heart Foundation; Hassan Yaqoub Al Mansouri, Secretary-General of the Sharjah Media Council; Mariam Al Hammadi, Director General of NAMA Women Advancement Establishment and Advisory Board Member of The Big Heart Foundation; Rashid Abdullah Al Obaid, Director of Sharjah Media City "Shams"; Alya Obaid Al-Musaybi, Director of The Big Heart Foundation; along with several officials and representatives of supporting private sector companies.
The Big Heart Foundation is among the world’s leading humanitarian organisations, continuing to provide support for Palestinian families in the West Bank, Gaza, and refugee camps in host countries. The foundation delivers a broad range of development projects across vital sectors to ensure dignified living for displaced and vulnerable communities.
Contacts
Sharjah Government Media Bureau
Hussain Al Mulla, 00971563980067
Dubai AI Week 2025 to Host World’s Largest Generative AI Championship with $272K Prize
Dubai, United Arab Emirates - Wednesday, 16. April 2025
Dubai is set to unite the global AI ecosystem and advance its future-readiness during a bold exploration of how artificial intelligence is reshaping our world at Dubai AI Week, taking place April 21 to 25.
The inaugural event will bring together over 10,000 participants, AI pioneers and policymakers from 100 countries to explore AI’s transformative role in business, governance, and society.
Featuring global championships, high-level summits, hackathons and an expo zone, the Week will set the stage for the future of global AI innovation.
With collaboration being integral to the success of the global AI landscape, the event joins forces with key government entities, global tech organisations and industry pioneers including Meta, IBM, Google, Microsoft, Gartner, OpenAI, Swift, Nvidia, Palantir, Cohere, and ElevenLabs.
The week opens with the AI Retreat on April 21, a closed-door gathering of global AI leaders, policymakers, and industry experts focusing on shaping AI strategies and governance frameworks.
The Dubai Assembly for AI takes place on April 21–24, where global policymakers, CEOs, and academics will shape AI’s evolving role in economies and societies.
The Global Prompt Engineering Championship will bring together leading AI practitioners to compete for a $272,000 prize pool during two days of challenges on April 22–23. Finalists will go head-to-head in four categories: Art, Video, Gaming, and Coding, showcasing their expertise in AI-driven content creation.
Advancing AI policy and governance, the Machines Can See Summit on April 23–24 will convene over 1000 participants, 20 keynotes, and expert-led discussions under the theme ‘Good AI: Making the World a Safer Place’. It will be one of the region’s most influential AI policy and ethics forums.
The Dubai AI Festival 2025 on April 23–24 will bring together 5,000 attendees, 500 investors, and 100 exhibitors under the theme ‘Enabling Digital Economies’. The festival will connect AI leaders, investors, and decision-makers to drive AI-powered transformations across industries, fostering collaboration, investment, and the unveiling of pioneering AI projects that will redefine the digital economy.
Beyond industry discussions and competitions, the Week will also focus on advancing AI literacy among students and educators through the AI Week in Schools, running April 21–25. The initiative, taking place across schools in Dubai, aims to equip future generations with fundamental AI skills.
Permalink
https://www.aetoswire.com/en/news/daw01642025en
Contacts
Sara Al Qarout
Salqarout@apcoworldwide.com
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