THE ENGLISH COLLEGE CELEBRATES KHDA RATING
The English College, a world-class British curriculum school in Dubai is celebrating its new inspection report from the KHDA.
The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) is the government body charged with rating the city’s private schools and other educational establishments, with five levels of rating from weak to outstanding.
Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau (DSIB) is the inspection arm of KHDA. DSIB assessed The English College as outstanding in 24 areas. 80% of the assessed areas were given a rating of outstanding or very good, leading to an overall rating of Very Good.
The school has previously been rated ‘Good’ by DSIB, since it began school inspections in 2007.
School inspection reports deliver a comprehensive review of the performance and standards of private schools in Dubai. The reports include a new ‘Parent Report’ section which gives parents detailed information about the quality of education provided by their child’s school, helping them to make better informed decisions on where to send their children to school.
Principal Mark Ford says: “Our new rating is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team, our incredible students and our wonderful parents. It is good that the high quality education provided by The English College has been validated by the DSIB report and we were pleased that the DSIB team identified so many areas of outstanding and very good practice.
The Principal added that the Very Good rating will not cause the school to rest on its laurels, with the senior leadership team constantly striving to maintain and improve the high standards pupils and parents have come to expect from the school – which first opened its doors in 1992.
While 20% of pupils hail from the UK, the school celebrates the diversity of many other cultures, with more than 79 different nationalities represented by more than 1000 students.
Since 2019 schools haven’t been inspected due to the pandemic, but now the Umm Suqeim school has received two new excellent inspection reports.
The higher KHDA rating comes just after a British Schools Overseas (BSO) outstanding rating, delivered in late 2022 after an inspection by Penta International, a company approved by the British Government to inspect schools overseas.
This means The English College is now one of fewer than 200 elite British Curriculum schools around the world to be recognised by the BSO.
Dubai Residents and UAE Nationals Lead Short-Term Rental Bookings During Ramadan and Eid 2023, says GuestReady
GuestReady reports that Dubai residents and citizens are driving the short-term rental market during Ramadan 2023 and the upcoming Eid holidays. The rental specialist notes a robust booking season, with UAE nationals and residents seeking short breaks in the city. According to Reem Alkhatib, GuestReady’s Regional Managing Director, Ramadan is the ideal time to visit Dubai and reflects in the bookings by UAE nationals and residents in the premium AirBnB-style short-term rental accommodation that the company manages. The top five neighborhoods for short-term rental bookings in Dubai are Bluewater Island, Palm Jumeirah, Jumeirah Beach Residences, Marina, and Downtown. GuestReady reports a 220% year-on-year sales growth in the UAE in 2022, with bookings particularly strong in its top five neighborhoods.
The UAE’s annual growth and outlook align with United Nations World Travel Organisation (UNWTO) figures, which show that inbound tourism in the Middle East has had the strongest relative increase in 2022 at 83% of pre-pandemic levels, with expected growth to continue to pre-pandemic levels throughout the year.
UAE sees massive increase in job market due to labour law changes and recruitment trends
The UAE job market has experienced significant growth due to changes in labour laws and recruitment trends. According to state news agency WAM, the number of work permits issued last year saw a substantial uptick, attributed in part to an 11% increase in private sector firms and more women joining the workforce. Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, credited legislative infrastructure for attracting both Emirati and international talents, improving the labour market’s flexibility, competitiveness, and productivity, and strengthening the private sector’s role in building a knowledge-based economy.
The private sector saw a 13% increase in employees, with 51% of work permits issued for professional levels (1-5). Notably, women’s participation in the private sector increased by 20% in 2022, demonstrating the UAE’s commitment to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. The increase in Emirati workers in the private sector also saw a 70% rise in 2022 compared to the previous year, reflecting the strength and diversity of job opportunities in the sector.
St. Regis Residences in Dubai Sell Out in One Hour, Setting a New Luxury Real Estate Record
XBD Collective, the designers behind the St. Regis Residences in Downtown Dubai, have confirmed that every unit in the luxury development was sold within an hour of sales opening. Marc Roca, the project’s lead designer, credits the success to the emphasis on storytelling, drawing inspiration from the region’s iconic landscape.
The St. Regis Residences, which are licensed by Marriott but not owned or developed by the company, will be part of the Opera District and offer one to three-bedroom apartments. Other branded properties in the area include the Ritz-Carlton Residences, Creekside Dubai, and W Residences Dubai – Downtown.
Arabian Travel Market 2023 Focuses on Sustainability with Impressive Lineup of Speakers and New Sustainability Pledge.
Arabian Travel Market 2023 has confirmed a lineup of speakers for the event, which includes tourism leaders, government officials, and giga-project executives. The theme for this year’s ATM is sustainability, and the event will take place from May 1 to 4 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The 30th edition of ATM will focus on the theme of “Working Towards Net Zero,” addressing one of the most significant challenges facing the sector. The event will feature a diverse selection of ministerial and industry speakers who will discuss how they are working towards achieving net zero in their respective tourism markets.
To mark its 30th anniversary, ATM and its organiser, RX Global, will unveil a dedicated sustainability pledge comprising 30 goals that will guide the show’s journey towards decarbonisation. The Best Stand Awards will also feature a sustainability category for the first time, recognising exhibiting organisations based on their efforts to reduce their carbon footprint.
ATM 2023 is held in conjunction with Dubai World Trade Centre and has strategic partners such as Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism, Emirates, IHG Hotels & Resorts, and Al Rais Travel. The show is a part of Arabian Travel Week, a 10-day-long festival of travel and tourism events.
Saudi Arabia Launches Trial Phase of Autonomous Vehicle ‘Dhahaina’ in Riyadh to Boost Awareness and Adoption of AV Technology
he trial phase of ‘Dhahaina’ (Smart), a new self-driving electric vehicle (EV), has been launched in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with the goal of raising awareness and promoting adoption of autonomous vehicle technology. Additionally, the initiative seeks to reduce the number of transport-related accidents and fatalities, improve intracity mobility, and reduce the transportation sector’s environmental impact. The launch event is viewed as one of the first steps toward establishing AV legislation, regulations, and systems in Saudi Arabia. The Ministry of Transport and Logistics Services’ AV program aligns with its goal of providing solutions for smart mobility and anticipating future market developments. The ministry aims to establish a national regulatory framework for AVs in collaboration with relevant entities, prioritizing user safety, simplifying procedures, and attracting investors. It is also working to integrate modern technologies into all transport sectors, including land, rail, sea, air, and logistics services.
In addition, NEOM has invested $175 million in Volocopter, a leading provider of urban air mobility systems, with the aim of operating electric air taxi services in NEOM to connect various regions in Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority is working to establish a comprehensive framework for the operation of flying taxis in Dubai, in line with the Dubai Self-Driving Transport Strategy.
Yango Delivery launches on-demand service in UAE, offering 15-minute delivery window
Yango Delivery has unveiled a new on-demand consumer-to-consumer delivery service in Dubai that promises to deliver goods across the city within 60 minutes. The global last-mile delivery platform aims to have riders arrive within 15 minutes of a customer request and will accept items up to 40x40x40cm and 15kg. The service costs Dhs15 ($4.08) and offers a transparent pricing structure with no hidden fees. The company plans to offer promotions for new customers.
The Yango app will provide real-time tracking of riders during transit, with photo-card and digital postcard features included. The service will be available to corporate customers and the company will offer branded rider icons later in the year. Yango Delivery operates in over 20 countries, with its platform offering optimised customer service and fleet utilisation.
Fitch upgrades Saudi Arabia’s sovereign debt rating to ‘A+’ citing robust fiscal and external balance sheets and significant reform momentum
Saudi Arabia’s sovereign debt rating has been upgraded by Fitch Ratings to ‘A+’ from ‘A’, due to the country’s strong fiscal and external balance sheets, as well as significant reform momentum in recent years. The rating agency revised its estimate of the 2025 fiscal break-even oil price to $76 a barrel, up from $70 a barrel, and cautioned that oil dependence remains a rating weakness, as oil revenues are expected to account for about 60% of total government income in 2023/24. The country’s GDP expanded by 8.7% in 2022, the highest among G20 countries, as its non-oil sector and positive developments in the hydrocarbon market helped to evade the global slowdown.
Fitch expects the Public Investment Fund to moderate its external investments, and non-oil growth to slow to around 4% in 2024 and 2025, although investments in new projects pose a “medium-term risk” to the country’s balance sheet strengths.
UAE ICP Launches One Touch Golden Visa Service to Simplify Application and Renewal Process.
The UAE ICP has introduced a new service called the ‘One Touch Golden Visa’, aimed at simplifying the process of applying and renewing a golden residency visa. The service seeks to assist applicants with their visa applications, issuance of other visas, status regularisation, as well as the issuance of residency and identity documents, all in a single step. The UAE government’s digital transformation has unified all visa services through integrated packages. The visa system represents a significant advancement in the entry and residence of foreigners in the region and the world, aligned with the UAE’s fifty-year plan to advance the country.
The Golden Visa program, launched in 2021, grants 10-year residency in the UAE to certain professionals, specialized degree-holders, and investors, including real estate investors and entrepreneurs. Golden Visa holders are entitled to a discount Esaad card with exclusive offers and discounts. The UAE aims to attract and retain global talent and skilled workers while boosting the country’s competitiveness and flexibility in the job market.