The prize was presented at a ceremony at Adipec by Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology. Wam
The prize was presented at a ceremony at Adipec by Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology. Wam
The prize was presented at a ceremony at Adipec by Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology. Wam
The prize was presented at a ceremony at Adipec by Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology. Wam

Life-saving ultrasound used for offshore treatment wins award at Adipec


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Norway’s University of Stavanger has been awarded $1 million for pioneering innovative solutions that advance mental and physical health.

The Human Energy Health and Wellbeing Award was presented during a ceremony at Adipec 2025 by Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, on Tuesday.

The winning initiative enables medics working in remote offshore environments to perform real-time ultrasound diagnostics under the supervision of onshore specialists.

The system allows medics to determine whether an injured or ill worker can be safely treated offshore or requires emergency evacuation, a process that can save critical time and lives.

'Safe and efficient'

“It’s safe and efficient to use ultrasound technology offshore when people are injured or have unexpected health issues,” Nina Hjertvikrem, head of quality and health technology at the university, told The National. “It helps determine whether they can be treated safely offshore or need to be evacuated.”

She explained that ultrasound scans, supported by digital connectivity, enable faster, data-backed decisions in isolated environments.

Giving an example, she said: “When someone offshore reports chest pain, for example, the nurse can use ultrasound to decide whether it’s indigestion or a serious heart condition. That precision allows faster, safer decisions about evacuation or treatment.”

Ms Hjertvikrem said the university plans to reinvest the prize money in training programmes that will allow nurses and medical teams to build ultrasound expertise.

“Most nurses aren’t trained to use ultrasound, so this will help them learn diagnostic imaging in isolated environments,” she said.

“Ultrasound is portable and efficient – it allows for more precise diagnosis and helps decide whether someone needs hospital care or can be treated on site. In places like offshore rigs or other remote areas, that can make all the difference.”

The university also aims to expand the programme across other sectors. “We’ll be widening participation, using ultrasound not only in the energy sector but also in other remote industries,” Ms Hjertvikrem said. “The technology is compact and adaptable, which makes them ideal for emergency environments.”

Steven Wines, CEO of Prometheus Medical International, with Nina Hjertvikrem, of the University of Stavanger. Handout
Steven Wines, CEO of Prometheus Medical International, with Nina Hjertvikrem, of the University of Stavanger. Handout

What is the award?

The Human Energy Award is being touted as first such initiative, established to honour organisations in the energy sector that place employee health and well-being at the heart of strategies.

The winner was picked by an independent international jury made up of experts in energy, health and well-being.

According to Steven Wines, chief executive of Prometheus Medical International, the award attracted more than 100 applications from around the world – including from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, India, Turkey, Norway and the UK.

“The energy sector operates in austere and challenging environments,” he said. “It’s about preparing people to succeed – building resilience, awareness of mental health issues and ensuring there’s a structure of support.”

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Get inspired

Here are a couple of Valentine’s Day food products that may or may not go the distance (but have got the internet talking anyway).

Sourdough sentiments: Marks & Spencer in the United Kingdom has introduced a slow-baked sourdough loaf dusted with flour to spell out I (heart) you, at £2 (Dh9.5). While it’s not available in the UAE, there’s nothing to stop you taking the idea and creating your own message of love, stencilled on breakfast-inbed toast.  

Crisps playing cupid: Crisp company Tyrells has added a spicy addition to its range for Valentine’s Day. The brand describes the new honey and chilli flavour on Twitter as: “A tenderly bracing duo of the tantalising tingle of chilli with sweet and sticky honey. A helping hand to get your heart racing.” Again, not on sale here, but if you’re tempted you could certainly fashion your own flavour mix (spicy Cheetos and caramel popcorn, anyone?). 

Jewel of the Expo 2020

252 projectors installed on Al Wasl dome

13.6km of steel used in the structure that makes it equal in length to 16 Burj Khalifas

550 tonnes of moulded steel were raised last year to cap the dome

724,000 cubic metres is the space it encloses

Stands taller than the leaning tower of Pisa

Steel trellis dome is one of the largest single structures on site

The size of 16 tennis courts and weighs as much as 500 elephants

Al Wasl means connection in Arabic

World’s largest 360-degree projection surface

MATCH INFO

Uefa Nations League

League A, Group 4
Spain v England, 10.45pm (UAE)

Expo details

Expo 2020 Dubai will be the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia

The world fair will run for six months from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021.

It is expected to attract 25 million visits

Some 70 per cent visitors are projected to come from outside the UAE, the largest proportion of international visitors in the 167-year history of World Expos.

More than 30,000 volunteers are required for Expo 2020

The site covers a total of 4.38 sqkm, including a 2 sqkm gated area

It is located adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai South

Brief scoreline:

Liverpool 2

Keita 5', Firmino 26'

Porto 0

White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogenChromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxideUltramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica contentOphiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on landOlivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour

'The worst thing you can eat'

Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.

Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines: 

Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.

Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.

Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.

Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.

Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Company%20Profile
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One in nine do not have enough to eat

Created in 1961, the World Food Programme is pledged to fight hunger worldwide as well as providing emergency food assistance in a crisis.

One of the organisation’s goals is the Zero Hunger Pledge, adopted by the international community in 2015 as one of the 17 Sustainable Goals for Sustainable Development, to end world hunger by 2030.

The WFP, a branch of the United Nations, is funded by voluntary donations from governments, businesses and private donations.

Almost two thirds of its operations currently take place in conflict zones, where it is calculated that people are more than three times likely to suffer from malnutrition than in peaceful countries.

It is currently estimated that one in nine people globally do not have enough to eat.

On any one day, the WFP estimates that it has 5,000 lorries, 20 ships and 70 aircraft on the move.

Outside emergencies, the WFP provides school meals to up to 25 million children in 63 countries, while working with communities to improve nutrition. Where possible, it buys supplies from developing countries to cut down transport cost and boost local economies.

 

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What the law says

Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.

“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.

“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”

If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.

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Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

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Most wins by a jockey: Jerry Bailey(4)

Most wins by an owner: Godolphin(9)

Most wins by a horse: Godolphin’s Thunder Snow(2)

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Famous left-handers

- Marie Curie

- Jimi Hendrix

- Leonardo Di Vinci

- David Bowie

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- Albert Einstein

- Jack the Ripper

- Barack Obama

- Helen Keller

- Joan of Arc

Expert advice

“Join in with a group like Cycle Safe Dubai or TrainYAS, where you’ll meet like-minded people and always have support on hand.”

Stewart Howison, co-founder of Cycle Safe Dubai and owner of Revolution Cycles

“When you sweat a lot, you lose a lot of salt and other electrolytes from your body. If your electrolytes drop enough, you will be at risk of cramping. To prevent salt deficiency, simply add an electrolyte mix to your water.”

Cornelia Gloor, head of RAK Hospital’s Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy Centre 

“Don’t make the mistake of thinking you can ride as fast or as far during the summer as you do in cooler weather. The heat will make you expend more energy to maintain a speed that might normally be comfortable, so pace yourself when riding during the hotter parts of the day.”

Chandrashekar Nandi, physiotherapist at Burjeel Hospital in Dubai
 

Updated: November 05, 2025, 4:23 PM