Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, has merged Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park (SRTIP) with Sharjah Oasis for Technology and Innovation (SOTI).
Under the merger, SRTIP will absorb SOTI and combine the organisations’ resources and expertise to form an independent free zone authority.
Since Sheikh Dr Sultan established SRTIP in 2016, it has operated as a collaboration between industry, government and academia with oversight from the American University of Sharjah (AUS) Enterprise Programme.
Under a new decree, AUS's oversight will be replaced by an independent board of directors to be chaired by Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi that will manage and represent the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park Free Zone Authority.
"Merging SRTIP and SOTI, and formalising SRTIP’s role as an independent Free Zone Authority means we can make bigger strides in our mission to support the entrepreneurship ecosystem and develop the knowledge economy in Sharjah and the UAE," said Sheikha Bodour.
“Under the stewardship of AUS, SRTIP has been hugely successful in enhancing Sharjah’s standing as an innovator in the technology sector.
"It has created an attractive and dynamic business environment for more than 2,000 companies specialising in advanced innovative technologies, which have invested more than $100 million in their research.
"The time is right to reach higher and underscore Sharjah’s position as a leading global destination for innovation, business, and entrepreneurship. The establishment of a diverse and experienced board of directors to guide and support the vision of SRTIP is an important step on that path."
The new board will support and develop innovation at the park, as well as improve the emirate's position as a global destination for research and technology.
It will develop talent and enhance the emirate's competitiveness by attracting and encouraging institutions and companies specialised in the field of innovation.
The board will attract investment and support local innovators and support them in establishing their own companies.
It will also look to support and encourage research ideas that can be transformed into tangible products.
The new board will put together legislation that contributes to the involvement of teaching staff and students in launching their own projects.
The board will also determine and organise the businesses and activities that are licensed to be practised within the park and prepare the rules, conditions, requirements and procedures for licensing such businesses and activities.
It will also invest in start-up companies registered in the park.
The board will also be able to sign agreements with other free zones to enable the companies and institutions of the park to conduct business in those zones or vice versa.
The new board members are: Prince Khaled bin Waleed, founding chairman, KBW Investments and founder and chief executive of KBW Ventures; Sheikh Dr Majid Al Qassimi, founding partner of Soma Mater; Dr Abdelaziz Almheiri, chairman of the Sharjah Health Authority; Adel Ali, chief executive of Air Arabia Group; Ahmed Al Qaseer, chief executive of Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq); Najla Al Midfa, chief executive of Sharjah Entrepreneurship Centre (Sheraa); Khaled Al Huraimel, chief executive of BEEAH Group; Dr Aisha bin Bishr, vice chairman of Emaar Development; Alisha Moopen, deputy managing director, Aster DM Healthcare; Abdulaziz Loughani, chief executive of Floward; Faizal Kottikollon, founder and chairman of KEF Holdings; Samer Sayegh, managing director of National Paints Factories and Mudassir Sheikha, co-founder and chief executive of Careem.
To ensure a smooth leadership transition, senior officials from University of Sharjah, AUS and SRTIP are also invited to join the new board of directors: Hamid Al Naimiy, chancellor of the University of Sharjah; Dr Susan Mumm, chancellor of AUS, and Hussain Al Mahmoudi, chief executive of (SRTIP.
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Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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How to join and use Abu Dhabi’s public libraries
• There are six libraries in Abu Dhabi emirate run by the Department of Culture and Tourism, including one in Al Ain and Al Dhafra.
• Libraries are free to visit and visitors can consult books, use online resources and study there. Most are open from 8am to 8pm on weekdays, closed on Fridays and have variable hours on Saturdays, except for Qasr Al Watan which is open from 10am to 8pm every day.
• In order to borrow books, visitors must join the service by providing a passport photograph, Emirates ID and a refundable deposit of Dh400. Members can borrow five books for three weeks, all of which are renewable up to two times online.
• If users do not wish to pay the fee, they can still use the library’s electronic resources for free by simply registering on the website. Once registered, a username and password is provided, allowing remote access.
• For more information visit the library network's website.
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The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
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.
Company profile
Name: Thndr
Started: October 2020
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Based: Cairo, Egypt
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Initial investment: pre-seed of $800,000
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Investors: Tiger Global, Beco Capital, Prosus Ventures, Y Combinator, Global Ventures, Abdul Latif Jameel, Endure Capital, 4DX Ventures, Plus VC, Rabacap and MSA Capital
Game Changer
Director: Shankar
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The fake news generation
288,000 – the number of posts reported as hate speech that were deleted by Facebook globally each month in May and June this year
11% – the number of Americans who said they trusted the news they read on Snapchat as of June 2017, according to Statista. Over a quarter stated that they ‘rarely trusted’ the news they read on social media in general
31% - the number of young people in the US aged between 10 and 18 who said they had shared a news story online in the last six months that they later found out was wrong or inaccurate
63% - percentage of Arab nationals who said they get their news from social media every single day.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
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Fuel consumption: 9.7L/100km
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Price: Dh149,000
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
