India’s prestigious Indian Institute of Technology, better known as IIT, will begin courses in Abu Dhabi next year, the country's envoy to the UAE has said.
Sunjay Sudhir, Indian ambassador to the UAE, outlined details about the IIT’s first campus outside India.
There are 23 IITs in India and the institute is famous for producing graduates ranked among the world’s most successful innovators, engineers and entrepreneurs.
Alumni include Sundar Pichai, Google's chief executive and Narayana Murthy, founder of software giant Infosys.
“We can expect the commencement of courses at IIT Abu Dhabi within a year’s time,” Mr Sudhir told The National in an interview on milestones reached since the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between the UAE and India on February 18 last year.
“It would be an independent IIT so initially it would offer a few academic programmes but eventually it will have all the academic programmes like undergraduate, post-graduate and PhD courses.”
IITs are premier educational institutes in India, known for a rigorous curriculum in engineering and technology.
Often called the MIT and Harvard of India, the acceptance rate is only about 1.7 per cent, with more than 900,000 students vying for about 16,600 places last year.
Truly global campus
The IIT Delhi, one of the oldest and most respected, will mentor IIT Abu Dhabi.
“The idea behind setting up of IIT Abu Dhabi is to bring the academic excellence of IITs to the wide international community. Therefore, IIT Abu Dhabi will also aspire to be a truly global campus having good mix of Indian, Emirati and other nationalities,” Mr Sudhir said
“IIT Abu Dhabi is a landmark project which reflects the vision of our leaders and it will be a tribute to the people of India and the UAE who are the backbone of our historic relationship.”
A joint working group will identify the location for the temporary and permanent campuses in Abu Dhabi, finalise the start date and qualification criteria.
The group with experts from IIT Delhi and the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (Adek) has held regular meetings and an agreement is close to being finalised to chart out specific roles and responsibilities.
The first official reference to the UAE being home to an IIT was made last February when President Sheikh Mohamed, at the time Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a joint vision statement.
Huge job opportunities
The historic trade agreement that came into force on May 1 last year has sparked job creation opening up opportunities in both countries.
Mr Sudhir said the agreement resulted in notable 27.5 per cent growth in bilateral trade.
Early gains are apparent with bilateral trade rising to $57.8 billion from April to November 2022 from $45.3 billion in the same period the year before.
“There has been impressive growth in all major sectors like gems and jewellery, mineral products, engineering goods, electronics, plastic and rubber,” Mr Sudhir said.
“Cepa will create huge job opportunities in India as India’s exports are poised to grow.
“The impressive growth of $12.5 billion in bilateral trade would have resulted in many new job opportunities in both countries.”
India’s exports over eight months registered about 19 per cent growth, reaching $20.8 billion from $17.45 billion in labour-intensive sectors such as gems and jewellery, food and agricultural sectors.
Wider market access
The business community in both countries has benefitted from duty waivers and better market access.
“Cepa is particularly beneficial for small and medium enterprises in both countries,” Mr Sudhir said.
“The agreement enables them to use the duty waivers to boost their standing and scale up.”
The agreement is also critical for access to affordable medicines.
“Both nations have agreed to facilitate quick market access of finished pharmaceutical products to improve the health of their populations,” Mr Sudhir said.
The UAE and India have decided to grant fast-track approval for the registration of medicines that are cleared by at least one regulatory authority in countries such as Australia, Canada, Japan, the US, the UK or the EU.
Committees are being finalised to oversee implementation.
The pact covers all economic interactions with the UAE, including jewellery, trade, investment, healthcare and digital trade.
“The gems and jewellery sector is among the industries which are poised to gain considerably from Cepa,” the ambassador said.
“The agreement has come at an opportune time when both countries are looking to rebound from the Covid-19 setback and realign their common business interests.”
India’s jewellery exports to the UAE, in a negative trajectory during the pandemic, have rebounded.
From April to November, India’s gems and jewellery exports to the UAE reached $3,761 million from $3,105 million over the same period the year before, registering an increase of 21 per cent.
Cultural dialogue
Education co-operation is key with progress made on exchanging information on qualifications issued by educational institutions so training and certificates are mutually recognised.
Plans are moving ahead for an India-UAE Cultural Council Forum for more dialogue and visits between artists, poets and authors.
Mr Sudhir said the new council would draw two creative communities closer, and “promote a common cultural heritage and strong ties that lie deeply rooted in history.”
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Dubai World Cup Carnival card
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 Group 1 (PA) US$75,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
7.05pm: Al Rashidiya Group 2 (TB) $250,000 (Turf) 1,800m
7.40pm: Meydan Cup Listed Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 2,810m
8.15pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (D) 1,600m
8.50pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m
9.25pm: Al Shindagha Sprint Group 3 (TB) $200,000 (D) 1,200m
10pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 2,000m
The National selections:
6.30pm - Ziyadd; 7.05pm - Barney Roy; 7.40pm - Dee Ex Bee; 8.15pm - Dubai Legacy; 8.50pm - Good Fortune; 9.25pm - Drafted; 10pm - Simsir
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Draw for Europa League last-16
Istanbul Basaksehir v Copenhagen; Olympiakos Piraeus v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Rangers v Bayer Leverkusen; VfL Wolfsburg v Shakhtar Donetsk; Inter Milan v Getafe
Sevilla v AS Roma; Eintracht Frankfurt or Salzburg v Basel; LASK v Manchester United
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Profile of Whizkey
Date founded: 04 November 2017
Founders: Abdulaziz AlBlooshi and Harsh Hirani
Based: Dubai, UAE
Number of employees: 10
Sector: AI, software
Cashflow: Dh2.5 Million
Funding stage: Series A
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- 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
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The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Day 3 stumps
New Zealand 153 & 249
Pakistan 227 & 37-0 (target 176)
Pakistan require another 139 runs with 10 wickets remaining
The Specs
Price, base Dh379,000
Engine 2.9-litre, twin-turbo V6
Gearbox eight-speed automatic
Power 503bhp
Torque 443Nm
On sale now
Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
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.
Listen to Extra Time
Asia Cup 2018 final
Who: India v Bangladesh
When: Friday, 3.30pm, Dubai International Stadium
Watch: Live on OSN Cricket HD
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Zayed Sustainability Prize
The biog
Favourite films: Casablanca and Lawrence of Arabia
Favourite books: Start with Why by Simon Sinek and Good to be Great by Jim Collins
Favourite dish: Grilled fish
Inspiration: Sheikh Zayed's visionary leadership taught me to embrace new challenges.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Zayed Sustainability Prize
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
Healthcare spending to double to $2.2 trillion rupees
Launched a 641billion-rupee federal health scheme
Allotted 200 billion rupees for the recapitalisation of state-run banks
Around 1.75 trillion rupees allotted for privatisation and stake sales in state-owned assets
SPECS
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Defined benefit and defined contribution schemes explained
Defined Benefit Plan (DB)
A defined benefit plan is where the benefit is defined by a formula, typically length of service to and salary at date of leaving.
Defined Contribution Plan (DC)
A defined contribution plan is where the benefit depends on the amount of money put into the plan for an employee, and how much investment return is earned on those contributions.
If you go...
Fly from Dubai or Abu Dhabi to Chiang Mai in Thailand, via Bangkok, before taking a five-hour bus ride across the Laos border to Huay Xai. The land border crossing at Huay Xai is a well-trodden route, meaning entry is swift, though travellers should be aware of visa requirements for both countries.
Flights from Dubai start at Dh4,000 return with Emirates, while Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi start at Dh2,000. Local buses can be booked in Chiang Mai from around Dh50
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
LAST-16 FIXTURES
Sunday, January 20
3pm: Jordan v Vietnam at Al Maktoum Stadium, Dubai
6pm: Thailand v China at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
9pm: Iran v Oman at Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Monday, January 21
3pm: Japan v Saudi Arabia at Sharjah Stadium
6pm: Australia v Uzbekistan at Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
9pm: UAE v Kyrgyzstan at Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Tuesday, January 22
5pm: South Korea v Bahrain at Rashid Stadium, Dubai
8pm: Qatar v Iraq at Al Nahyan Stadium, Abu Dhabi
GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
