Day: June 2, 2022

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National Service and Reserve Authority, Khalifa University to expand cooperation in academic, research areas

ABU DHABI, The UAE National Service and Reserve (NSR) Authority and Khalifa University of Science and Technology have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on expanding cooperation in academic, scientific and research areas, including robotics and smart systems.

The MoU was signed by Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Executive Vice President of Khalifa University, and Brigadier-General Obaid Ali Al-Mansoori, Director, Directorate of Information and Corporate Communication at NSR Authority, in the presence of Major-General Pilot Sheikh Ahmed bin Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Chairman of NSR Authority; and Homaid Al Shimmari, Vice Chairman of the Executive Committee of Khalifa University Board of Trustees.

Major General Pilot Tahnoun viewed the projects developed by the third batch of 16 Al Nokhba-NSRs that were displayed as part of the “Khalifa University Innovation Day 2022”, the annual exhibition that celebrates the innovative essence of senior graduating students. The Al Nokhba-NSRs were later presented with certificates of completion on the successful conclusion of their assignments with Khalifa University.

Sheikh Ahmed stressed the importance of this MoU as it enhances the strategic partnership between the NSR Authority and Khalifa University, which is considered one of the leading scientific and academic institutions in the country.

He added that areas of cooperation outlined in the MoU focus on benefiting from the scientific capabilities of NSR recruits who will acquire scientific specialisations and postgraduate studies through training, qualifying and refining their skills in many practical fields that prepare them for scientific research, which is the fastest way to progress and prosperity.

Major General Pilot Sheikh Ahmed also emphasised the importance of the Ministry of Defence’s ambition in preparing a strong group of UAE National researchers capable of serving the military, while providing innovative solutions in logistic, technical and medical areas. At the same time, the MoU will also develop a group of recruits to support the military industry sector, as one of the most critical and strategic sectors supported by our wise leadership under President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bi Zayed Al Nahyan.

Humaid Al Shimmari said, “We believe this MoU will pave the way for many UAE national students to gain knowledge while enhancing their skill sets and become full-fledged professionals, adequately equipped to tackle future challenges.”

The MoU will expand cooperation on the Al-Nokhba and Tomooh programmes and aim to cover 30 to 50 participants annually, including students and NSR recruits, to hone their skills and prepare them for scientific research. Recently, the third batch of 16 Al-Nokbha-NSR graduates received their certificates of completion on the successful conclusion of their assignments with Khalifa University.

The MoU will develop effective technical solutions based on the latest technologies and operations research to support decision-making, thus enhancing performance efficiency in the military sector.

According to the MoU, Khalifa University will create an online platform for all eligible candidates in the NSR to apply for admission to the Tomooh and Elite programmes. The Tomooh programme targets high school graduates, based on their grades approved by the university in English Language EmSAT, Mathematics and Physics. Students will have the opportunity to study two different subjects, which will be credited as academic hours. In addition, scholarships will be granted to distinguished students who fulfil the criteria set by Khalifa University.

The research-intensive Elite programme, which is focused on developing solutions to current challenges, targets university students, especially those graduating from the top 300 universities in the world. Participants are allowed to take a subject from accredited graduate programmes if they meet admission requirements.

Moreover, the MoU paves way for students to enrol in training programmes and courses that hone skills while introducing them to technical, research and development fields. They will also be acquainted with the Khalifa University research centres.

The Al Nokhba-NSR projects viewed by Major General Pilot Tahnoun at Khalifa University Innovation Day 2022 included Arabic automatic speech recognition, Risk-Aware AVs on EasyMile Platform, Risk-Aware AVs: Nissan Leaf Platform, a base prediction module (iPredict) for resource planning with iPlan, Optimisation of ring design for Etisalat planning challenges, Hexapod walking robot building and control, Control and data analysis of pipeline inspection robot, Build-and-Control drone for package delivery, and Design and implementation of an agile autonomous UAV platform.

Source: Emirates News Agency

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SEHA implements new AI technology at 11 centres

ABU DHABI, Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA) has implemented artificial intelligence (AI) at 11 of its healthcare centres for significantly faster reading and interpretation of retinal images.

In line with SEHA’s commitment to enhancing patient outcomes through the latest innovations, the new service will largely benefit SEHA’s diabetic patients and facilitate early detection and intervention of retinopathy – a condition resulting in impairment or loss of vision.

As the leading provider of preventive care with a focus on prevalent chronic diseases, SEHA healthcare centres regularly conduct retinal screening for diabetic patients to detect retinopathy. In the past, retinal scans needed to be read and interpreted by ophthalmologists. Even without referring to an ophthalmologist, the results were available after three days. The integration of AI means the results are now available after just three seconds and will facilitate faster intervention.

Speaking about SEHA’s efforts in creating a tech-integrated healthcare ecosystem, Dr. Noura Al Ghaithi, Acting Chief Executive Officer at Ambulatory Healthcare Services, said, “As awareness and acceptance of screening increases among diabetic patients, and with the increasing numbers of diabetic patients who need to be screened over the years, we invested in new technology to provide faster results. By further integrating this technology with SEHA’s electronic medical record system, Salamtak, we are building a truly unified healthcare ecosystem with patients at its core.”

Adding to this, Bader Al Qubaisi, Group Chief Information Officer at SEHA, said, “In our role as a leader in preventive care, we are constantly discovering new ways to enhance and accelerate early detection and treatment of diseases. AI is a powerful tool for the healthcare industry in improving the speed of diagnosis, and the launch of this new technology is a model example of how AI can benefit our patients. Receiving retinal scan results in a mere three seconds is a fantastic step and one that will allow for faster patient referrals to relevant subspecialties for treatment.”

The service is now available at the following healthcare centres in Abu Dhabi (Al Bahia Healthcare Centre, Al Maqtaa Healthcare Centre, Al Zafaranah Diagnostic & Screening Centre, Madinat Mohamed bin Zayed Healthcare Centre); in Al Ain (Al Hili Healthcare Centre, Al Jahili Healthcare Centre, Al Muwaiji Healthcare Centre, Al Quaa Healthcare Centre, Al Yahar Healthcare Centre, Ain Mezyad Healthcare Centre, Oud Al Touba Diagnostic & Screening Centre).

The retinal imaging services at SEHA are an integral part of the network’s care delivery model called Patient-Centred Medical Home (PCMH), branded locally as Baytona Al Tebbi. The programme links a patient or a family with a primary healthcare provider to keep track of their health throughout their lifespan. Using a multi-disciplinary approach, the programme aims at providing patients with comprehensive care including coordination with tertiary care hospitals. It ensures that patients, especially those with chronic diseases, undergo regular screenings.

Source: Emirates News Agency

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UAE announces 575 new COVID-19 cases, 449 recoveries, no deaths in last 24 hours

ABU DHABI, The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) announced that it conducted 242,364 additional COVID-19 tests over the past 24 hours, using state-of-the-art medical testing equipment.

In a statement, the Ministry stressed its aim to continue expanding the scope of testing nationwide to facilitate the early detection of coronavirus cases and carry out the necessary treatment. As part of its intensified testing campaign, MoHAP announced 575 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of recorded cases in the UAE to 909,222.

According to the Ministry, the infected individuals are from various nationalities, are in a stable condition, and receiving the necessary care.

The Ministry added that no COVID-19-related deaths have been recorded in the past 24 hours, leaving the total number of deaths unchanged at 2,305.

MoHAP also noted that an additional 449 individuals had fully recovered from COVID-19, bringing the total number of recoveries to 892,687.

Source: Emirates News Agency

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ADNOC L&S acquires 3 additional new-build LNG vessels

ABU DHABI, ADNOC Logistics & Services (ADNOC L&S), the shipping and maritime logistics arm of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and the region’s largest shipping and logistics company, announced today its decision to purchase three additional liquefied natural gas (LNG) vessels.

ADNOC L&S is the region’s largest shipping and integrated logistics company and the state-of-the-art new-build vessels will bolster the company’s capacity as it responds to the growing global demand for LNG.

The new-build LNG vessels, each with a capacity of 175,000 m3, are significantly larger than the current ADNOC L&S fleet which have a capacity of 137,000 m3 each. ADNOC L&S previously announced in April 2022 that it will acquire two LNG vessels which brings the total number of new-build LNG vessels ordered to five, with the vessels scheduled for delivery in 2025 and 2026.

Captain Abdulkareem Al Masabi, CEO of ADNOC L&S, said, “ADNOC is an active player in the evolving global energy landscape, where natural gas and LNG are playing an increasingly important role. ADNOC L&S’ strategic acquisition of five state-of-the-art LNG vessels will support ADNOC’s existing LNG business as well as its significant growth plans.

“Several dynamics are strengthening the LNG market which makes the timing of these acquisitions particularly significant. This includes a renewed emphasis on energy access and security, as well as new environmental regulations that favor more fuel-efficient vessels, such as the new-builds that we are purchasing.”

All five new-build LNG vessels will be built at the Jiangnan Shipyard in China. Jiangnan Shipyard was also previously commissioned by ADNOC L&S in 2020 to build five Very Large Gas Carriers (VLGC) for AW Shipping, ADNOC L&S’ Joint Venture company with China’s Wanhua Chemical Group.

Lin Ou, Chairman of Jiangnan Shipyard, said, “We would like to thank ADNOC L&S for its continued collaboration with Jiangnan. We are committed to the promotion of new efficient, energy-saving and environmentally-conscious vessels and proud to be able to support ADNOC L&S’ growth strategy for the future.”

The acquisition of larger, more energy efficient vessels will allow ADNOC L&S to meet growing customer demand while improving the environmental footprint of its fleet. The new vessels’ engine technology will reduce emissions (CO2, NOX and SOX) and in combination with the innovative Air Lubrication System, further reduce fuel consumption by at least 10 percent.

Source: Emirates News Agency

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NYU Abu Dhabi students win The Christo and Jeanne-Claude Award 2022

ABU DHABI, Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikha Shamsa bint Hamdan Al Nahyan, NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), in partnership with Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF), has announced the winners of the tenth edition of The Christo and Jeanne-Claude Award 2022.

NYUAD sophomore undergraduate students Roudhah Al Mazrouei, an Emirati national, Gerald Jason Cruz from the Philippines, and Jennifer Tsai from Taiwan are the winning artists.

Their submission, titled Urban Fabric, is a series of four sculptures resembling pieces of thread. These forms are intertwined and interlaced into the ground, turning the physical environment around the art piece into a canvas that the thread is woven into, linking each piece together. The installation is designed in a way that encourages interaction as it seeks to create a dynamic and thought-provoking space. It will be available for viewing throughout November at NYUAD’s campus.

The winning trio hail from a diverse range of majors, from Civil Engineering to Arts and Art History. They formed a group to combine their expertise of engineering, visual arts, and architecture to create unique and intricate works of design. Al Mazrouei, Cruz, and Tsai were the recipients of the 2021 Abu Dhabi Art Pavilion Prize where their proposal, Impermanence, was built and exhibited during the Abu Dhabi Art Fair in November 2021.

Huda I. Alkhamis-Kanoo, Founder of ADMAF, said, “The Christo & Jeanne-Claude Award is an integral part of ADMAF’s commitment to nurturing creativity and innovation among the nation’s youth. The award is a platform for the UAE’s young artists to exhibit their work and provides guidance and support to help them realise their dreams and ambitions. This year’s winning submission, Urban Fabric, by NYUAD students Roudhah Al Mazrouei, Jason Cruz and Jennifer Tsai represents connection, diversity, and the inclusive nature of our beloved city and we are delighted to partner with NYU Abu Dhabi once more to help bring their unique project to life.”

Executive Director of The NYUAD Art Gallery and the University’s Chief Curator Maya Allison, said, “This year, we are delighted to have NYUAD students being awarded for an art piece that in their own words embodies the overarching idea of interconnectedness. I love the idea of four sculptures that play with the environment of the site, suggesting landscape itself as a kind of fabric. The decentralised nature of the design connects locations that are far away from each other and yet linked through the fabric that is the city of Abu Dhabi.”

The Christo and Jeanne-Claude Award Director Emily Doherty added, “Christo was committed to supporting the next generation of artists and creative practitioners in the UAE. This year is our tenth edition of the Award and in the spirit of Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s legacy, Urban Fabric is a public art installation that can be enjoyed by everyone.”

The winning artists have been awarded US$10,000 to complete their installation with the guidance of experts including the Award’s Director Emily Doherty, The NYUAD Art Gallery team, NYUAD’s Visual Arts faculty, and the award team at ADMAF.

Source: Emirates News Agency

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