A nurse in Jeddah has developed an interactive game to help peers in the healthcare sector hone their skills.
Abdullah Alosaimi said his “Syringe and Pandemic” game requires players to find a syringe to administer medicine to save the life of a patient in an operating room.
Mr Alosaimi said many healthcare organisations around the world were struggling to deal with a shortage of medical staff.
“The idea of the immersive VR [virtual reality] game came to me after seeing the shortage of nursing staff in the healthcare sector, which is not only a national issue but a global issue,” he said.
He presented his game at the King Abdulaziz Centre for World Culture, better known as Ithra.
Mr Alosaimi began to develop the prototype with the help of an Ithra Creative Solutions team last year.
“By employing this immersive technology, we can address this global challenge in this healthcare sector and attract teens to join the … industry,” he said.
“I’m looking to take this project forward and grow it by developing it with other studios experts.”
Ithra participants received a grant from the Host Unity Centre of Excellence.
The shortlist of 10 participants was selected by Emmy-winning creative director Kim-Leigh Pontin and Anne McKinnon, co-founder and chief executive of metaverse platform Ristband.
Miznah AlZamil, head of creativity and innovation at Ithra, said the aim was to create meaningful cultural content that represents the kingdom internationally.
“The projects truly are a global showcase of Saudi innovation,” she said.
Women leading in projects
Eight in 10 submissions came from young Saudi women. Ms AlZamil said she was proud of the young women leading the projects.
“We empower talent and a lot of people — men and women — worked together to get the projects done and we highlighted the lead in the projects,” she told The National.
“I think the creativity and commitment shown by all is amazing.”
The projects were led by innovators in education, health care, art, tourism and technology, all of whom came up a diverse and interactive gaming experience.
Apart from interactive games featuring puzzles, some of the projects are accompanied by storytelling while others help users to trace art techniques and explore recently opened tourist destinations in the kingdom.
Speaking during the event, Nick Rosa, author of Understanding the Metaverse, said the metaverse would change the concept of reality, and “Saudi Arabia is at the front and centre [of initiatives] to change the world.”
Creative Solutions is a year-round programme open to citizens and residents of Saudi Arabia over the age of 18. Participants can pitch for projects for the 2023 programme, which runs until April 13, at www.ithra.com
Terror attacks in Paris, November 13, 2015
- At 9.16pm, three suicide attackers killed one person outside the Atade de France during a foootball match between France and Germany
- At 9.25pm, three attackers opened fire on restaurants and cafes over 20 minutes, killing 39 people
- Shortly after 9.40pm, three other attackers launched a three-hour raid on the Bataclan, in which 1,500 people had gathered to watch a rock concert. In total, 90 people were killed
- Salah Abdeslam, the only survivor of the terrorists, did not directly participate in the attacks, thought to be due to a technical glitch in his suicide vest
- He fled to Belgium and was involved in attacks on Brussels in March 2016. He is serving a life sentence in France
Top investing tips for UAE residents in 2021
Build an emergency fund: Make sure you have enough cash to cover six months of expenses as a buffer against unexpected problems before you begin investing, advises Steve Cronin, the founder of DeadSimpleSaving.com.
Think long-term: When you invest, you need to have a long-term mindset, so don’t worry about momentary ups and downs in the stock market.
Invest worldwide: Diversify your investments globally, ideally by way of a global stock index fund.
Is your money tied up: Avoid anything where you cannot get your money back in full within a month at any time without any penalty.
Skip past the promises: “If an investment product is offering more than 10 per cent return per year, it is either extremely risky or a scam,” Mr Cronin says.
Choose plans with low fees: Make sure that any funds you buy do not charge more than 1 per cent in fees, Mr Cronin says. “If you invest by yourself, you can easily stay below this figure.” Managed funds and commissionable investments often come with higher fees.
Be sceptical about recommendations: If someone suggests an investment to you, ask if they stand to gain, advises Mr Cronin. “If they are receiving commission, they are unlikely to recommend an investment that’s best for you.”
Get financially independent: Mr Cronin advises UAE residents to pursue financial independence. Start with a Google search and improve your knowledge via expat investing websites or Facebook groups such as SimplyFI.
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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United States
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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Norway
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Canada
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Singapore
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Australia
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Saudi Arabia
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South Korea
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The specs: 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor
Price, base / as tested Dh220,000 / Dh320,000
Engine 3.5L V6
Transmission 10-speed automatic
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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- Australian Vet in Abu Dhabi (with locations in Khalifa City A and Reem Island) will have a 15 per cent off all store items (excluding medications)
White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
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2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
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Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: Blah
Started: 2018
Founder: Aliyah Al Abbar and Hend Al Marri
Based: Dubai
Industry: Technology and talent management
Initial investment: Dh20,000
Investors: Self-funded
Total customers: 40
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The biog
Family: Parents and four sisters
Education: Bachelor’s degree in business management and marketing at American University of Sharjah
A self-confessed foodie, she enjoys trying out new cuisines, her current favourite is the poke superfood bowls
Likes reading: autobiographies and fiction
Favourite holiday destination: Italy
Posts information about challenges, events, runs in other emirates on the group's Instagram account @Anagowrunning
Has created a database of Emirati and GCC sportspeople on Instagram @abeermk, highlight: Athletes
Apart from training, also talks to women about nutrition, healthy lifestyle, diabetes, cholesterol, blood pressure
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Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
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Rating: 3.5/5
Test squad: Azhar Ali (captain), Abid Ali, Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Haris Sohail, Imam-ul-Haq, Imran Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Kashif Bhatti, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan(wicketkeeper), Musa Khan, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Shan Masood, Yasir Shah
Twenty20 squad: Babar Azam (captain), Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Sohail, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Irfan, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Musa Khan, Shadab Khan, Usman Qadir, Wahab Riaz
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
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- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The specs: 2019 Haval H6
Price, base: Dh69,900
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 197hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 315Nm @ 2,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km
The Baghdad Clock
Shahad Al Rawi, Oneworld
