March 2010 DH 5

Published from Dubai Media City

OPTIMISM
On the sunny side
EDUCATION HORSE RACING
Old v. new ways
FOOD
Meydan, ready for
Tasty gourmet portions crowds on the big day

BUSINESSMAN
DUBAI DUTY FREE
An Indian bedouin 25 years & more..
 Dubai enjoys its celebrity status
W ithin minutes of a crack in the Dubai
Aquarium being reported, the inter-
national media got into the act, splashing the
‘sensational’ news all over. Most of these reports
carried much more than the news, many of them
spiced up with a tinge of derision about the ‘in-
door ocean’. One heading screamed: ‘Shark-filled
aquarium in Dubai cracks open’. Coming within
days of the deadly attack on Sea World trainer
Dawn Brancheau by a killer whale, the reports
seemed to conjure up an imagery of panicking By K Raveendran approach typically seeks out a positive in every
shoppers trooping out of Dubai’s – and the
world’s largest shopping mall - to escape shark
attacks.
Invariably, the stories made it a point to note that
the mall is operated by the same company that owns the
world’s tallest tower Burj Khalifa, where a malfunction-
ing lift forced the closure of the observation deck atop the
grand structure a couple of weeks ago.
Of course, the Telegraph report takes the trophy.
‘Dubai aquarium springs the world’s most dramatic water
leak,’ it declared. The opening of the story was even more
dramatic.
‘If assassinations, financial meltdown and exploding
lifts in the world’s tallest building were not enough, the
struggling emirate of Dubai faced a new crisis on Thurs-
day – the world’s most dramatic water leak’.
The report, filed from Dubai, also cited ‘jokes spread
through the internet about the availability of cheap shark
steaks as water shot through a crack in the glass front of
the Dubai Aquarium, home to 33,000 fish’.
Whatever be the thought behind these reports, there
is something very obvious about them. The international
media seems to be obsessed with Dubai, for good or bad.
While the underlying tone of all this campaign is a tad
negative, Dubai need not be unduly worried about it.
Irrespective of the reasons, being in the news all the time
has its own advantages. As long as it brings top-of-the-
mind recall, it is advantageous.
The closest parallel for this could perhaps be found
in Europe’s gossip press, which feeds on trivia and other
nauseating stuff about celebrities. The paparazzi
that follow these people indeed do a nasty job,
but on the flip side one must see why these people
are after their victims so dangerously, and at
times in a life-threatening fashion. After all, like
everything else, fame must also come with a price
tag.
The international media’s obsession with
Dubai has, for all practical purposes, given it a
celebrity status. And considering that the Dubai
thing it has to contend with, this is not at all a
bad thing. There is no need to read too much into
the somersault by the media because the media generally
tend to be like time-servers.
When the going was good, the international media
was getting delirious when it came to reporting about
Dubai. Teams of journalists and camera crew were landing
here on a daily basis to chronicle the incredible feats of
the place. Awe-struck by the mind-blowing projects that
characterised Dubai’s boom phase, these people were fall-
ing over each other to heap praise on the city-state and the
vision of its leadership. Now that the chips are down, they
are trying to find fault with everything that is going on.
But the fact remains that the change is more in the
perception about the place than the place itself, which
continues to have the attributes that put it on the radar
screens of global attention in the first place.
Take the case of the sensational ‘leak’, for instance. The
small crack in the huge aquarium, capable of holding 10
million litres of water, has been repaired without much
fuss. And contrary to fears expressed in various quarters
about a threat to the rare collection of fish and water
animals, no harm has been done to the stock. Similarly,
the widely-reported problem with one of the elevators of
Burj Khalifa does not make the structure lose its grandeur
or its place in the record books.
When existing capabilities are challenged – which is
what feats like Burj Khalifa represent—these are small op-
erational issues that will routinely get sorted out and in no
way do they cast a shadow on Dubai’s great achievements.
UAE Digest, March 2010 l 1

MANAGING EDITOR
PUBLIShER & MANAGING DIRECTOR :
GENERAL MANAGER
DIRECTOR FINANCE
EDitorial
Editor
Deputy Editor
Associate Editor
Staff Writer
DEsign
salEs anD MarkEting
Account Manager
Accounts
Circulation Supervisor
2 l UAE Digest, March 2010
March 2010 DH 5
Published from Dubai Media City
OPTIMISM
On the sunny side
EDUCATION HORSE RACING
Old v. new ways
FOOD
Meydan, ready for
Tasty gourmet portions crowds on the big day
BUSINESSMAN
DUBAI DUTY FREE
An Indian bedouin 25 years & more..
: K Raveendran
ravi@sterlingp.ae
Sankaranarayanan
sankar@sterlingp.ae
: Radhika Natu
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 Contents

30
A day at the turf
Dubai’s big race day – during which Dubai World Cup will be awarded to
a winning thoroughbred – will be held at the newly completed Meydan
racecourse, grandstand and resort at Nad Al Sheba.

12
Changing education
The country is now all geared to take up the
challenge of the next stage of its development
process – the setting up of top quality
educational institutions, both public and
private.

46
Relishing the flavours
Where are you able to taste so many
different samples of haute cuisine such
as that served in top quality, expensive
restaurants, for just a small fraction of
the cost of a meal?

42
6 Indian bedouin
Gregarious, outspoken, fun-loving and
Positively speaking ‘rebellious’, the Regional Manager of the
There is a general return of confidence into Jashanmal National Company (Abu Dhabi),
the market place with hopes for a good 2010. carries a UAE residency visa that expires in 2999.
54
Growth in fashion
industry
Fashion houses identify the UAE as an
emerging global fashion hub; a survey
revealed that UAE residents are some of the
most prolific buyers of designer apparel and
accessories.

UAE Digest, March 2010 l 3

 IN THE
Red Line stations to be completed in April
Al Tayer: “Seven Metro stations on the Red Line to be operational on 25
April 2010”
h
E Mattar Al Tayer,
Chairman of the Board and
Executive Director of Roads
& Transport Authority
(RTA), has stated that the contractor of
Dubai Metro Project; Dubai Rail Link
(DURL) Consortium; will complete all the
remaining works in the stations on the Red
Line (18 stations) on April 25, 2010, and
that all works in the stations on the Green
Line will be completed in August 2011.
“The operation of Red Line stations
will be in phases starting from April 25th,
2010; where several key stations will be
operational; namely Emirates Station,
Airport Terminal 1 Station, GGICO
Station, Al Karama Station, World Trade
Centre Station, Marina Station, and Ibn
Battuta Station. The remaining stations will
be operated over the following months of
2010” added Al Tayer.
“RTA will provide the biggest portion of
cash injections out of its budget allocated by
the Government of Dubai to cover the cost
of the additional works on the Red & Green
lines, add new stations to meet the needs of
property development projects, add a depot
to accommodate the resultant increase in
the capacity, and increase the number of
footbridges linking with the metro stations
to enable the public to use the metro easily,”
said Al Tayer in a final remark.
4 l UAE Digest, March 2010
Completion of main works at the metro stations
Equity Derivatives
Training Courses
Training supports growing investor
interest in derivatives strategies
Nasdaq Dubai Academy will deliver two
training courses on equity derivatives this
month in conjunction with London-based
training company ‘7city Learning’. The
one-day courses will support the growing
regional interest in trading equity derivatives,
including those listed on Nasdaq Dubai’s
market.
The Fundamentals of Trading Equity
Derivatives course on March 17 provides an
Jeff Singer, CEO of Nasdaq Dubai
introduction to futures and options as well
as margining and the concept of fair value. It
includes a case study of how to hedge risk, one
of the primary uses of derivatives.
Exotics, Strategies, Greeks and Managing
Option Risk in a Trading Book on March
18 is an advanced course that looks at tools
for calculating risk positions and composite
derivatives strategies. It examines volatility and
the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The
first course is aimed at anyone seeking a basic
understanding of derivatives, and the second at
industry professionals only.
Growth at the free zone
Dubai Airport Freezone recorded remark-
able growth rates in 2009 compared to the
previous year with the revenue rising by
30 per cent, part of which has come as a
result of considerable expansion in office
space by major European and American
companies based in the Free zone.
hE Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al
Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai
Airport Freezone, said that the Freezone
is expanding its capacity due to increas-
ing demand. “Expansion plans in 2010,
which is to provide extra office spaces, is
on track. The project, West Wing No 7 is
near completion, and it will be ready for
tenants to move in by the first quarter of
next year”.
Joint mass wedding of
government staff
Deputy Ruler of Dubai, UAE Minister of
Finance and Chairman of Dubai Munici-
pality His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin
Rashid Al Maktoum recently attended
the first joint Mass Wedding of 79 em-
ployees of three government departments
in Dubai, i.e. Dubai Municipality, Dubai
Water and Electricity Authority (DEWA)
HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum congratulates a groom
and the Department of Islamic Affairs
and Charitable Activities (DIACA) im-
plementing directives to rationalise wed- nounced at the free zone’s headquarters Half Marathon got a lot of us hooked on
ding expenses, and to avoid extravagance in Nakheel. RAK FTZ Team 7, com- a healthy exercise regimen courtesy of
and waste that burden grooms in the early posed of Suresh Yadav, Pradeep Kumar, the regular training, and it also gave us
stages of their life Bader Nazeer and Veeramuthu Nani, the opportunity to hold our own healthy,
Sheikh Hamdan congratulated the who managed to bag ninth place overall friendly competition to set the best
grooms and wished them a happy fam- in the RAK Half Marathon Relay record.”
ily life crowned by success. A colourful Category, came in first in the RAK FTZ He added, “I am very proud of RAK
ceremony marked the occasion, which Internal competition with a recorded FTZ Team 7 for placing amongst the
included performance of songs by a tra- time of 1:40:20. top ten teams overall in the Team Relay
ditional troupe, folklore dances, military RAK FTZ Team 4, composed of category, and I am also proud of each and
band as well as laser shows and fireworks. Yahya Abdo Ali, Saeed Sarhan, Habeeb every one of our staff who came out here
The wedding was attended by a large K and Jyothish Kumar, came in second to run or give moral support. This just
number of guests including dignitaries in the RAK FTZ internal competition, shows what RAK FTZ is all about – great
and relatives of bridegrooms. finishing at 1:55:09, while Team 6, com- team work and indomitable team spirit, at
posed of Michael De Versoza, Amster work and at play.”
RAK FTZ employees live Fajardo, Shameer Khan and Mohan “We had an awesome day, and we all
Singh, came in third, with a recorded look forward to taking part in similar
the experience time of 1:57:31. events, like the Terry Fox Run in March,”
Friday, 19 February, before the sun had RAK FTZ CEO, Oussama El Omari, said one of the participants. But for now,
cast its first shimmering rays across the who ran for RAK FTZ Team 10, was the RAK FTZ employees who turned out
dunes of Ras Al Khaimah, more than 70 all smiles when he reached the finish for the race can proudly claim the RAK
RAK FTZ employees were already out line. Cooling down after his run, he Half Marathon slogan – we lived the
and about, warming up for the much- said, “What a fantastic event! The RAK experience!
awaited RAK Half-Marathon 2010,
together with the other more than 2,000
marathon participants and spectators. 
In full support of the emirate’s pre-
miere event, RAK FTZ was represented
by 13 teams, one for each department,
in the Team Relay Challenge Category.
Each team of four runners trained for
three months in preparation for the big
event and ran the 21.0975 kilometre with
a confidence and enthusiasm borne from
regular practice and coordination. – an
exhibition of true team spirit in play.
After all, the runners had crossed
the finish line and their times were duly
recorded, the winners of the RAK FTZ
internal relay competition were an-

UAE Digest, March 2010 l 5

 OPTIMISM

Positively speaking
There is a general return of confidence into the marketplace with hopes
for a good 2010
By Ambily Vijaykumar

M
any bus stops across A popular supermarket was swarming spending on luxuries.
Dubai are sporting a new with people on a weekend recently with “We have registered a very good
look. Eye-catching series many finding it difficult to get parking. footfall,” says Tom Miles, Director of
of advertisements listing The atmosphere was almost festive with Shopping Centres, Al Futtaim Group
out the many reasons why Dubai is the customers not only engaged in shop- Real Estate that runs Dubai Festival City.
place to be have sprung up. The tone is ping for essentials, but also indulging in “Footfall in 2009 has in fact risen to 2.5
casual yet catchy, signifying a times the level of 2008
new spring in the step of the and the trend continues
emirate that had till recently into 2010,” he informs.
been virtually sent to the Reality, however,
grave by doomsday theorists also has another facet.
eager to write its epitaph. Dubai retailers have
The place is being pro- been on a steep learning
jected as one whose map is curve since the start of
updated every day, a place to the downturn. Many
brush up your language skills, lessons on how to
a place to find a reason to go solidify market share
shopping, and many more. and streamline business
“It is an indicator that the have been learnt by
government is not willing both small and large
to let naysayers have the last groups in the region.
laugh,” says an Indian expat. While many retailers
“The times have been bad, believe that portions
and people have lost jobs, but of the industry will
that does not mean that it is continue to struggle
the end of the road for either for the next year or so,
the emirate or the country with growing consumer
that has set a benchmark for confidence and tourists
growth in such a short period. rediscovering Dubai as
Credit needs to be given a ‘cool holiday destina-
where it is due,” he argues. tion’, retail will experi-
Unlike the gloomy days ence a bounceback as
of 2009 with traffic in most well.
populated places of the emir- The bounceback
ate thinning, homes being is slowly beginning
vacated, cars being abandoned to show. Apart from
and malls facing significant the shopping experi-
dip in footfall, a weekend ence, Dubai Festival
outdoor trip now paints a City’s family-centered
different picture. activities like the Dubai

6 l UAE Digest, March 2010

Bike Week held last month broke previous also puts Dubai back on the world map landmark of this kind?” asks Jeff Stra-
records. with some good news. The city has taken chan, Vice President Sales and Marketing,
“The first half of the Dubai Shopping its share of hits in the last year and the Middle East and Africa of J W Marriott.
Festival has been record-breaking with opening of the Burj Khalifa as well as the “The opening of the Burj is a stimulant.
footfall for the Dubai Bike Week surpass- continued strengthening of the mall be- It shows that there has been a completion
ing 175,000 people. It was truly amazing. low it, eventually helps us all,” elaborates of the project and it tells the world, here
A huge crowd and a huge relief to see the Tom Miles. is another landmark. I would challenge to
property teaming with happy people,” The tourism sector has welcomed the quote as many things on the negative side
adds Tom Miles. new landmark as ‘significant’ and one for the country,” says Strachan.
And happy, it seems, is what people that has ‘helped to maintain Dubai’s With a buoyant beginning to the New
who have braved the crisis last year are status as a must-see destination during a Year for the hotel industry, they are also
feeling. The stabilisation of rentals in the time of economic challenges’. looking forward to a more rewarding year
market has come as a huge relief for many “Tourists love tall buildings, take this time. “The first month and the first
who were paying exorbi- period of the year
tant rates but compro- have performed
mising on the space they relatively well.
lived in. If you look at
A Bangladeshi forward look-
expat working with a ing indicators,
leading bank chose to those are healthy
switch to a bigger home compared to some
during the crisis rather numbers that we
than continue in the looked at during
“crammed space that various periods
cost us a bomb”. “The last year,” he adds.
crisis in fact came as a The Marriott saw
blessing for us,” she says. occupancy figures
Yet another family at the beginning
chose to buy a prop- of the year in the
erty around the newly low 80s which
unveiled Burj Khalifa is being viewed
thereby not only realis- as a very healthy
ing a dream that they number.
had nurtured for long The continued
but also reposing faith growth of the
in the long term success airline industry is
of the economy of the also being quoted
country. as an indicator
The opening of the landmark, the the Empire State Building or the Eiffel that the economy is on track and forging
world’s tallest tower, is being seen as a con- Tower, these are attractions that are ahead. “Take the ongoing construction of
fidence booster for the market in general always popular and the Burj Khalifa will the concourse 3 at Terminal 3 of Dubai In-
and is expected to revive investor interest always be one of the things that everyone ternational Airport. It is a positive sign that
and faith in the economy. The change of who visits Dubai will want to see,” says at a time when, internationally, airlines are
name notwithstanding, businesses are of Chris Crompton, General Manager, struggling, unable to continue operations
the opinion that the inauguration of the Double Decker Bus Tours. profitably, the UAE is marching ahead,
Burj Khalifa is definitely a strong signal “The Chinese, the Iranians, they all not just in terms of ordering new aircraft
that the government has sent out to the are coming here to see this marvel. It has but also taking delivery. The new terminal
world that the UAE is capable of keeping done a world of good to us cab drivers. I aimed to house A380s is a great example
its commitments. have lost count of the number of trips I of the country’s commitment to its airline
“Most retailers believe that consumer have made to drop these tourists to the and related industries. Etihad Airways
confidence has been very low for some new landmark ever since it opened,” says continues to grow, the creation and success
time in Dubai. This opening not only a cab driver. of fly dubai and Air Arabia are all positive
floats our confidence as residents, but “How many countries can boast of a indicators that the country has a positive

UAE Digest, March 2010 l 7

 outlook and is looking to continue on the
track of growth,” says Jeff Strachan.
The Marriott utilised the lean period
to make some significant investments in a
lot of their hotels globally. “Readdressing
certain issues within our popular restau-
rants and bars was a positive thing that
we did during the crisis and once we were
out of the uncertain period, we were able
to reposition our products and make good
use of the market rebound,” Strachan
elaborates.
Last year, the hotel chain took over
and opened more hotels. The year has also
begun on a positive note for them in the
region with the opening of a new hotel in
Oman. The focus still is that of continu-
ous growth since “there are opportunities
to be had”.
The wheels of business have to con-
tinue to turn and that is resulting in not
only specific sectors but related busi-
8 l UAE Digest, March 2010
nesses getting back on their feet. The
government’s initiative in ensuring that
the flow of people into the country con-
tinued despite the downturn has helped
several industries including the airline,
hotel, tourist and retail sectors to reach
stable grounds this year.
“I believe that the tourist market
will rebound much stronger and will be
a lot more stable than it was in previous
years. What we are presently seeing in
Dubai in particular is only an adjust-
ment, albeit a dramatic one, to a sustain-
able level of economic growth that will
provide a solid foundation for years to
come,” says Chris Crompton.
When businesses were asked what
they think the government should
do more of to ensure that there is a
sustained growth of business in the
country, they were largely of the opinion
that people need to “put some perspec-
tive around the UAE”.
For a country that is in its late thirties
to achieve the kind of growth that it has is
what they call “truly phenomenal”. “There
have been countries that have been around
for centuries and yet have been unable
to mobilise their billions. This country
and its leadership had the vision to realise
dreams that many other countries will
probably take decades to realise,” says
Jeff Strachan.
A real estate agent operating in
Dubai says that though the property
market has been the worst hit by the
crisis and continues to stay low at the
moment, it is impossible to erase the
vast infrastructure that has been set
up during the boom times. “It is an
investment for the future and one that
will stand the country in good stead,”
he says.
Continued investment in the
infrastructure projects by the federal
government has also spurred opportuni-
ties within the job market. The UAE tops
the list of countries in the region with a
growth prospect in the job market this
year. Saudi Arabia and Qatar are the other
two preferred markets.
“The latest job index shows that 50
per cent of employers are going to recruit
in the next three months,” says Amer
Zureikat, Regional Manager, Bayt.com a
leading job site in the Middle East.
Bayt.com says that there are at least
5,000 fresh jobs on offer every day on
their site alone and that is indicative that
the job market is still buzzing and there
are reasons to be hopeful for prospective
job seekers. Two major industries that
were hit badly during the crisis have been
the financial and real estate sectors. Now
the trend in these two industries is also
a return to confidence with the banking
industry looking at long-term investments
as their goal and hence looking for talent
that can help strengthen their market
presence.
But it is sectors like telecom, educa-
tion, oil and gas, energy, healthcare and
infrastructure that hold promise for
the future. The spillover of the news of
investments being done by governments
in the region is having a positive impact
on the job market already.
“With Abu Dhabi announcing several
projects on sustainable energy, Saudi
building its mega cities, North Africa
pushing its telecom and oil and gas sec-
tors, there is ample scope for not only
regional job seekers but international tal-
ent to explore the region in terms of op-
portunities,” elaborates Amer Zureikat.
These announcements apart, busi-
nesses have utilised a better part of 2009
to reassess their business strategies. This
has enabled them to operate in a market
that is more stable.
“The rate of recruitment in 2006-07
was extremely high. With the stabilisa-
tion happening in the market last year,
decision makers are not under pressure
to offer high salaries that largely resulted
from the high inflation rates and general
lack of talent in the market,” informs Amer
Zureikat.
Now there is a wide range of talent to
choose from and at a better price for the
employer. So the job market too is looking
to bounce back after a low last year.
“The most important that we are now
asking employers and decision makers to do
is to announce the vacancies that they have.
Many of them choose not to advertise and
go through the process of sifting through a
long list of database since they have become
very picky about the talent that they chose.
But we are telling them that this is the right
time to send the message out that there
are jobs to be had and it sends a positive
message about the job market outside,”
Zureikat elaborates.
People are taking note of the recovery
wave in the market. With focus on talent,
and quality, they are also looking at this
opportunity to build strong organisations
since availability of talent and cost of living
is coming down.
Business outlook too has undergone a
sea change with most of them wanting to
discuss means of forging ahead rather than
crying over spilt milk. Though the rosy pic-
ture being painted by most is “far removed
from reality” some say, there is a need to
“stop the overkill of bad news”.
Topping the list of reasons for the
doomsday theories has been the debt issues
pertaining to Dubai World, Dubai govern-
ment’s investment arm. The government on
its side has sought to settle fears by saying
that it is the debt of a company and not the
entire emirate and hence needs to be viewed
in that context. The news sent shockwaves
across the world financial markets, and to a
large extent dented investor confidence.
Many argue that it is again a question
of perspective. They say this debt can be
benchmarked against the national debt of
other countries and that the government
has capable minds to handle the issue.
But, as they say, every cloud has a silver
lining. Close on the heels of this contro-
versy came the news of Dubai discovering a
new offshore oil field. Named ‘Al Jalila’ the
government says that it will enter produc-
UAE Digest, March 2010 l 9
 tion in 2011.
“The oil industry will always be a criti-
cal component of the country’s economy.
That is the driving force of the country’s
GDP and this new discovery is a shot in
the arm for the government,” says Jeff
Strachan.
Future growth is also expected to come
from a diversification in the sectors that
will fuel them. The travel and tourism sec-
tor continues to gain from the investments
that have been made into realising projects
like the formula one circuit. Projects like
the Sadiyat and Yas Island in Abu Dhabi
are being viewed as “clear indication of
the government’s intentions to bolster the
tourism sector” as it is being viewed as a
future long-term revenue source.
The tourism sector says that though
the industry as a whole has been
“noticeably quieter than last year”, there
is an increase in passenger numbers. And
that is giving hope that the year 2010 will
be better for business as compared to the
previous year.
Of the many attractions being added
to the list, another achievement that
the government managed during the
economic downturn has been the Dubai
10 l UAE Digest, March 2010
Metro with ten million passengers using
it in the first five months since it was
launched in September last year.
For a country that was talking about
a mass transportation system not so long
back, to have the metro up and running
on the deadline set by the government is
also being viewed as a “laudable achieve-
ment”. Moreover, new stations are being
opened and that is expected to bolster
related businesses along the lines.
Largely, businesses say that 2009 was
by no means catastrophic. It has been a
year of taking stock. It was not that con-
sumers completely disappeared from the
market. They did spend, but it was only
a fraction of what they did earlier. That
is the reason several businesses have had
to readjust rates in order to stay active.
The overall sentiment for the year
2010 is optimistic. An indicator of the
slow yet steady change is “newspaper
advertisements,” says Tom Miles.
“Two years ago, when you picked up
the paper it was two inches thick. Last
year at this time, it was a fraction of that
size and had very few ads. Today, while
not nearly two inches thick, it does have
ads in it and does give the impression
that business is being done in the market-
place,” he adds.
The government’s initiatives involv-
ing supporting entrepreneurs by setting
up funds to assist the small and medium
business segment has received a positive
feedback from the market. Supporting
one of the most important segments of
the economy at a time when it needs it
has further helped strengthen the faith
that the market has in the government’s
initiatives.
The ‘cup is half empty’ perspective is
being slowly abandoned by businesses to
settle for the ‘half full’ perspective. Most
businesses operate on a calendar year basis.
They are viewing the New Year as a fresh
start where there is a need to go outside
and train themselves, launch new products
and start anew. The beginning of the year
generally sets the tone for the remainder
of the year. The year 2009 began with the
‘great unknown’ with people asking ques-
tions about how long the crisis would last.
In hindsight, the previous year was a time
when companies took stock of their busi-
ness models, finances and staff. And the
present year is being viewed by businesses
as a time to implement those strategies.

The seven-year itch
By Vanit Sethi
I
t was a crowded hall in hyderabad
airport where I was waiting to
board the Emirates flight to Dubai
on a warm March morning in 2002.
When my turn came, the guy behind the
counter took unusually long, fuelling my
worries. But a few minutes later, I was
pleased to discover I had been upgraded.
Thus began my first flight to Dubai in
Business Class.
Three hours later, after a good deal
of pampering, as we began the descent, I
could see miles of sand; everything else
looked tiny. Soon, skyscrapers became vis-
ible, which looked like matchboxes from a
greater height. As the flight touched terra
firma, the buildings appeared larger than
ever. Out in the terminal, I remember
walking and sliding in endless passage-
ways, until the rows of ‘overbusy’ counters
put a brake on the airport marathon.
Six months later, I was back in Dubai
appearing for a job interview at an English
daily. Another three months down the
line, I was ready to depart India for who
knows how long. On a clear December af-
ternoon, with a heavy heart, I headed to a
foreign shore. Thus began
my UAE adventure on
December 12, 2002.
Seven years later, sit-
ting in my office in DMC
and reminiscing about
my stay in the UAE, I
come up with interesting
recollections – some of
them seem so distant, as
time in Dubai flies really
fast. The pace of change
in Dubai is breathtaking,
and inevitably, you too
keep changing without
realising. It’s when you
go back home on vaca-
tions that you feel the change that has
overtaken you. In Dubai, change is a
supersonic flight. Except that you’re not
always on it and feel left out quite often.
Change is the only constant in
life, they say. But in Dubai, there’s
another constant – the cranes. They’re
everywhere. But don’t crane your neck
to see the world’s tallest building. It
only emphasises your ‘smallness’ in
the larger scheme of things. People
flip flats and change villas at the click
of a mouse, but my family remains
contented in a two-bedroom apartment
in downtown Sharjah we occupied in
May 2003. The commute from one end
of Sharjah to the other end of Dubai is
three hours both ways (on ‘rain-blessed’
days, it would be easier to catch a flight
to Mumbai than a cab to Dubai), but
I’m not complaining. It gives me ample
time to read a thriller, listen to my iPod,
chat with friends and catch a few winks
– the advantage of going to work on a
private bus service!
In Dubai, the momentum has been
shifting southwards over the years.
OPTIMISM
From Deira to Bur Dubai to Karama to
Sheikh Zayed Road, and now to New
Dubai. While buildings are getting taller
and commutes longer, memory spans are
getting much shorter. It’s Facebook that
periodically reminds you that your old
friends do exist, at least in the virtual
world. A few taps on the keyboard will
connect you... but wait, that PR gal is more
important – she may help bring the butter
to my table.
Size really matters.... the spam mail
reminds you and Dubai flaunts it. It’s all
about being taller, bigger, grander, faster,
and of course, richer. Yes, we’re all here
for the money, lest we forget! The RTA
woke up late – dirhams fell into its coffers
like shooting stars once they invented
Salik. Parking meters look cheerfully up
at the sun. The Global Village said, “Voila!
here, they come in droves. Listen to their
footfalls... it’s the sound of cash.”
And then one day, it all came crashing
down – sometime in the middle of 2008.
But not for too long; we’re back in busi-
ness now. Dubai never says die... it’s never
down and out. It’s a spring that bounces
back with force the harder
you press. Somebody said it’s
a ‘bubble’ - forget it! We’re
not an island - we create
islands - and worlds within
them. Someday, not too
far away, the world will see
Dubai far ahead. Why blame
me if you see mirages in the
desert? Your vision needs
correction. Get imbued with
that ‘Dubai vision’. Only
then you can see things in a
clearer perspective.
But heck, my seven-year
itch has started. Time to
shift residence? I wonder!
UAE Digest, March 2010 l 11
 EDUCATION

A new learning curve

Federal government earmarks a 10-year strategy to improve education
system in the country
By Ambily Vijaykumar

T
he topic has almost become
the flavour of the season.
With admissions, new school
openings and ratings, educa-
tion is once again getting the attention
that it deserves. With the federal govern-
ment keen on reviewing the education
system in the country, many debates have
been initiated to better contribute to the
overall decision making process.
Part of these efforts has been the an-
nouncement by the Education Ministry to
introduce a total of 50 new initiatives as
part of a 10-year strategy to improve the
education system in the UAE.
The initiatives include a recruitment
Raffles International School, part of Emaar Education, has opened two new nurseries in Dubai
Marina and The Lakes. Focused on play and exploratory learning with equal emphasis on parental
involvement, the two nurseries feature high-quality educational equipment and attractive play areas to
make the first step to education for the tiny tots as exciting and rewarding as possible.
system for the staff in public as well as
private schools in the UAE. The target
to achieve the new framework is 2020.
According to the new strategy, the
performance of teachers will be evaluated
with training programmes being set up
for each individual. There is also a plan
to introduce incentive systems linked to
performance.
Minister of Education hamid Al-
Qatami says, “Improving the educational
attainments of students to match the
highest global levels through curricula
restructuring and improving the com-
petencies of the teaching staff,” are top
priorities of the new initiatives.
Elaborating on the new strategy Al-
Qatami says, “This strategy is distinct in
focus on quality in implementing initia-
tives and achieving goals, leading to the
improvement in scientific output and the
elevation of the UAE’s global position in
the educational sphere.”
With kindergarten, primary and
secondary education being restructured
under the new plan, there will also be
initiatives to develop Islamic education
curriculum “to promote multi-cultural
tolerance among young Muslims.”
The thrust on the future of education
was also seen at this year’s GESS (Gulf
Educational Supplies and Services Exhi-
bition) held last month. With the focus
on “21st century learning”, the event
reflected what the country’s education
system is aiming to achieve in the years to
come. With the future classrooms chang-
ing to accommodate the strides that
technology has made, the focus is also on
making technology an integral part of
the education system.
“The interactive technology such as
whiteboards, 3D technology, SEN equip-
ment and video conferencing amongst
others will affect the way education is
delivered in a student-centric manner and
integrated into the classroom and home,”
says GESS spokesperson, Sue Rothwell.
The idea of upgrading the education
system in the country has been outlined
by the federal government, keeping in
mind the importance of education “con-
necting learners to communities”, since
this represents a fundamental pillar of
access to the concept of long-life learning.
Seen in the backdrop of studies that

12 l UAE Digest, March 2010

indicate that students, especially males, in That alone is not the challenge. At- with academics being of the view that it
UAE schools do not perceive education as tracting talent to this profession is also is essential to include newer techniques
having a significant impact on their lives a task that is growing. To keep teachers while teaching the language. Of the many
and future, the shifting focus on making motivated and to retain them is becom- concerns that have bogged the educa-
education relevant to the lives of pupils is ing a concern. While many experts argue tion debate, the amount of time spent on
getting focus. Studies also indicate that that monetary incentive alone is not the teaching the language, the preparedness
the students’ attitude towards schooling way out, others say it is essential to ensure of students to learn it, and the diminish-
largely results from a gap in the education that good talent continues to be attracted ing importance of Arabic as the primary
experience itself. to this stream. language of instruction while teaching key
The aim of the federal government’s Innovative techniques to reward concepts such as science and mathematics
initiative is to bridge these gaps and make teachers through “creative loyalty solu- are primary.
education more relevant in the lives of tions” are being marketed as an alterna- The academic fraternity is now looking
pupils. One of the steps in that direction tive method. Experts suggest that govern- for a “meaningful partnership” between
is also a shift from the teacher-centric, ment authorities can introduce licences the state, the education machinery
instruction-based learning to a more and certificates which can be awarded and other government entities to draft
student-centric and participatory teaching to teachers when they reach professional “defining policies” that impact children’s
method. benchmarks as a viable alternative to development.
A challenge that has also been identi- remuneration restructuring. Time and concerted effort are required
fied is that while preparing teachers for ca- Teaching Arabic has also become one to arrive on a common ground, but this is
reers in schools, it is of the key points being viewed as a step in the right direc-
not a usual practice of the debate tion.
for these teach-
ers to employ the
advanced teaching
techniques im-
parted by training
courses in their
classrooms. Since
the techniques fail
to reach the pupils,
there is no means
to assess their
relevance to them,
and hence make
necessary changes
to accommodate
new requirements.

UAE Digest, March 2010 l 13

 EDUCATION
Taking schooling to a new level
The process of transforming learning in the UAE has begun. While Dubai
is monitoring the quality of its educational establishments, Abu Dhabi is
building 18 new schools with creative designs
By Vanit Sethi
T
he importance given to
education by the UAE
Federal Government is borne
by the fact of the year-on-year
increases in the national budget to the
sector. For the past 20 years or so, the al-
locations for education have maintained a
steady increase. On an average, the federal
government spends above 20 per cent of
the total budget on education. For 2010,
the UAE Cabinet had approved a record
Dh43.6 billion federal budget, out of
which Dh9.8 billion (22.5 per cent) will
be spent on projects in school and higher
education. The government had set a goal
of achieving full literacy within the year,
and with that objective in mind, the UAE
is powering ahead with its educational
schemes and programmes.
But along with quantity, the govern-
ment has not lost sight of quality. Both the
emirates of Dubai and Abu Dhabi have
set their own benchmarks for ensuring
the quality of primary and secondary
education. In Dubai, the Knowledge
14 l UAE Digest, March 2010
and human Development Authority
(KhDA) has begun a process of evaluat-
ing all the schools (public and private,
national and international) within the
emirate. Beginning last year, the KhDA
evaluated 189 private and public schools
combined (barring the Indian, Pakistani
and Iranian schools) on a four-level rating
system (Outstanding, Good, Acceptable
and Unsatisfactory). Very recently, the
Indian and Pakistani schools too have
been evaluated. The comprehensive rating
procedure is not without its detractors,
but overall, the system has ensured that
quality will remain the watchword in
education.
Rating Indian, Pak
schools
There are 21 Indian curriculum schools
and four Pakistani curriculum schools
in Dubai. These 25 schools were not
inspected in the first cycle of inspections
in Dubai as the calendar year in these
is different from other schools. Twenty
schools providing an Indian curriculum
and three schools providing a Pakistani
one were inspected between November
2009 and January 2010. One Pakistani
school, The School of Islamic Studies and
holy Quran, is due to close and therefore
did not receive a full inspection. One
 taking into view the overall
favourable comments
for indian schools, it is
a little surprising that
none of them made it to
the ‘outstanding’ rank,
including the prestigious
ones like Modern High,
indian High, and DPs

Indian institutions. They were particularly

impressed with the significant emphasis
Indian schools placed on environmental
issues like recycling and conservation.
In the subjects, the students’ progress in
English and Mathematics came in for
wholesome praise. What the KhDA
particularly liked about the Indian schools
An artist’s image of the new Modern High School building in Nad Al Sheba, Dubai was the behaviour of students, which they
mentioned as “the distinctive quality and
Indian school, JSS International School, is identify areas that needed significant notable strength of the Indian schools.”
in the first year of operation and therefore, improvement. In most of the Indian In most schools, inspectors found this
will be inspected for the first time next schools, the KhDA was not satisfied to be ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’. “Students
year. with the teaching of Arabic, the quality consistently display a positive approach
Inspectors observed around 2,500 and time devoted to it. But in almost to their learning. In classes and around
lessons in the 23 schools. Parents com- all the other areas, the KhDA was the school, both boys and girls are highly
pleted online questionnaires to inform impressed with the general standards motivated and conscientious,” the report
the inspection process and a total of of the Indian schools. In the detailed mentions. In fact, this is one of the main
22,487 were submitted. A total of 57,910 report on their website, they have clearly reasons - according to the KhDA - that
students currently attend these 23 Indian highlighted the achievements of the Indian students do well academically,
and Pakistani schools. This constitutes
approximately 28 per cent of Dubai’s total
student population. Three of the Indian
schools are very large, with a student
population of more than 5,000 on roll.
In the evaluation, unfortunately, none
of the Indian and Pakistani schools got
an ‘Outstanding’ rating, while four UK
schools had got the top rating last year
(the international schools’ evaluation too
has been completed just a month ago, and
the results are expected soon). But within
the two South Asian systems too, there
was a world of difference – while seven of
the 20 Indian schools got a ‘Good’ rating,
none of the three Pakistani schools were
‘Good’, with just one being ‘Acceptable’.
Overall, the KhDA had a good word
for the Indian schools, though they did
Delhi Private School, Jebel Ali

UAE Digest, March 2010 l 15

 despite the teaching not being
too ‘dynamic’ or ‘varied’. The
students also came in for praise
for their understanding of
Islam and local traditions.
Taking into view the
overall favourable comments
for Indian schools, it is a little
surprising that none of them
made it to the ‘Outstanding’
rank, including the prestig-
ious ones like Modern High,
Indian High, and DPS – all
of them falling in the ‘Good’
category. The reason, one
understands while reading the
KHDA report, lies perhaps
in the structural weaknesses
The Indian High School, Dubai
of the Indian curricula. There
is very little teacher-student interaction
in class, and most of the time learning is
a one-way process with students meekly School Name Curriculum Status
taking in what the teacher dishes out. And
though most schools do have a diverse Delhi Private School Dubai CBSE Good
range of extra-curricular activities, they Dubai Modern High School
are rarely monitored and assessed, leaving (A Branch of Premier Schools Intl LLC) CISCE Good
the students achievements in those areas Our Own English High School, Dubai
dependant largely on self-motivation. (A Branch of Premier Schools Intl LLC) CBSE Good
Even so, the KHDA acknowledged that Rajagiri International School CBSE Good
the standards in Indian schools varied The Indian High School CBSE Good
widely and it was difficult to paint all The Indian High School-Branch CBSE Good
of them with the same brush. However, The Millennium School
KHDA’s unsaid desire, perhaps, could (A Branch of Premier Schools Intl LLC) CBSE Good
be to see most of the ‘good’ schools move Crescent English School CBSE Acceptable
into the ‘outstanding’ category next year, Emirates English Speaking School CBSE Acceptable
and all the ‘unsatisfactory’ ones to become Gulf Indian High School CBSE Acceptable
‘acceptable’ at least. Gulf Model School CBSE Acceptable
As far as the Pakistani schools go, His Highness Shaikh Rashid Al
though there are only three of them, a lot Maktoum Pak School PAKISTANI Acceptable
left to be desired. With just one ‘accept- New Indian Model School CBSE Acceptable
able’ school and two ‘unsatisfactory’, it is Our Own High School, Dubai
no wonder that almost all rich, educated (A Branch of Premier Schools Intl LLC) CBSE Acceptable
Pakistanis put their children only in in- Our Own Indian School
ternational schools. Almost all the pupils (A Branch of Premier Schools Intl LLC) CBSE Acceptable
in Pakistani schools come from poor The Central School CBSE Acceptable
backgrounds, the very low amount of fees The Elite English School CBSE Acceptable
testifying to that. The Kindergarten Starters CBSE Acceptable
Across the three schools, around Al Farooq Pakistani Islamic School PAKISTANI Unsatisfactory
seven out of ten lessons observed were Al Majd Indian School CBSE Unsatisfactory
unsatisfactory. Teachers lack appropriate Buds Public School CBSE Unsatisfactory
skills, qualifications and experience and Little Flowers English school CBSE Unsatisfactory
often demonstrate little awareness of how Pakistan Education Academy PAKISTANI Unsatisfactory
students learn. Lessons are poorly planned

16 l UAE Digest, March 2010

and time is not used productively. No
resources are used other than textbooks
and teacher-talk. Teachers’ working con-
ditions in Pakistani schools are also often
unsatisfactory with minimal training
opportunities provided, poor contractual
arrangements and weak management sup-
port and guidance for staff.
All three Pakistani schools have seri-
ous weaknesses with regard to the health
and safety arrangements. This includes
unsatisfactory practices relating to school
transport, supervision and behaviour
management. Corporal punishment is
still used by teachers, even with children
as young as four years of age. A key
feature of the Pakistani schools is weak
leadership and ineffective professional
relationships between school owners and
school management, leading to lack of
clarity regarding key decision-making,
improvement planning, deployment of
resources and self-evaluation.
Again, while parents of students at-
tending Indian schools responded positively
to the opportunity to comment about their
children’s school, with most of them being
happy that their children enjoyed school,
Pakistani parents were less positive about
the performance of their children’s schools.
They commented critically about the links
between home and school, and did not feel
comfortable approaching the school nor
confident that the school would act on their
concerns. They also believed the curriculum
provided was narrow.

Capital’s bold For the first time, sustainability features - such as energy
new schools efficient air-conditioning systems and water saving devices -
While the KhDA can rest satisfied have been incorporated into the design of abu Dhabi’s new
with the enormity of the task they have
schools
completed (apparently, it is an ongoing
task, but the first is
always more difficult),
the Abu Dhabi Educa-
tion Council (ADEC)
was not way behind.
In December, ADEC
unveiled its school
facilities programme
at an exhibition in
the capital city. The
programme will see
the building of 18
new schools across the
emirate of Abu Dhabi
starting in mid-2010.
These are the first new
schools to be developed
under ADEC’s 10-Year
Strategic Plan.
The schools will
include seven Cycle 1
(Grade KG-5) schools,
Layout of a new design for Abu Dhabi’s schools
seven combined Cycle
2 and Cycle 3 schools (Grades 6-12), lem Al Sayeri, ADEC’s Acting Director- them, students will have a greater chance
two Cycle 3 schools (Grades 10-12), and General, said: “ADEC’s 10-Year Strategic of achieving their learning goals and will
two KG-12 schools. The programme Plan is a historic transformation of the be better able to help Abu Dhabi reach
will provide learning environments of education system that will deliver edu- its goal of economic diversification and
the highest quality that support current cational excellence. Providing students growth,” he added.
teaching methods and new curricula, with world-class learning environments Partnering with ADEC in this
while supporting the population growth is a key element of our 10-year plan and ambitious goal is Musanada, which
of the emirate. is the foundation for achieving excel- develops and manages cost-effective and
Commenting on the programme, Sa- lence. With the best facilities to support responsive services for the Government

UAE Digest, March 2010 l 17

 of Abu Dhabi. As part of its MoU with
ADEC, Musanada will provide design
and construction management services as
well as construction supervision for each
of the 18 sites. Musanada has enlisted the
support of a leading global firm to provide
premier technical, engineering, construc-
tion, and management support, while
the concept and schematic designs were
developed by ADEC with the support of
world-class architectural firms.
The new school designs will contain
features not seen at schools in Abu Dhabi
earlier, as ADEC had held an Internation-
al Concept Design competition, inviting a
number of prestigious architectural firms
to submit their proposals. After receiving
more than 27 proposals from firms around
the world and after careful examination,
ADEC selected three designs that will
serve as the model for future school devel-
opment in the emirate. The Planar Model
features classrooms arranged along the
perimeter of a building, with specialised
common spaces, such as labs and music
rooms, concentrated in the middle spine.
An artist’s image of children inside a new Abu Dhabi school
18 l UAE Digest, March 2010
The Studio E/Tawreed Model will be used
predominantly for Cycle 1 schools, and
features defined learning communities
set between outdoor learning facilities.
The Lumiset Model designed for Cycle
2 and Cycle 3 schools is organised along
a central space that has a triangular
shape and accommodates communal
facilities such as a library, ICT labs, and
a cafeteria.
The new school designs will be eco-
nomical, and easy to build and operate.
For the first time, sustainability features
have been incorporated into school
design such as energy efficient air-condi-
tioning systems and water saving devices.
Orientations, insulation and shading
devices have been carefully planned, and
all the electricity required for daily con-
sumption in classrooms will be generated
on the school site.
Other key features of the new school
designs include special attention to
maximising the use of daylight, and
maintaining indoor air quality acoustics
and thermal comfort to provide students
and teachers with a healthy, safe and
stimulating work environment. Labs
and ICT rooms will also be furnished
and equipped with the latest technology,
and every educational space in the new
school buildings will be fitted for wireless
Internet connections.
For the first time, there will also be
dedicated classrooms for music, art and
design, and technology that will be fully
equipped to support diverse learning op-
portunities. The new school designs will
include sports facilities, swimming pools,
auditoriums, libraries and other spaces,
which can be used by the community
after school hours.
Thus, both Dubai and Abu Dhabi are
taking the school education experience to
a new level. While Dubai’s KHDA hopes
to foster a spirit of healthy competition
among schools to better themselves with
every passing year, Abu Dhabi’s ADEC
plans on making schools a ‘fun place’, ig-
niting the creative and inquisitive minds
of children to fulfil the true purpose of
education.

Islands of excellence
Unesco names DIAC as the region’s leading education service provider,
hosting over 58 per cent of the foreign branch universities in the Arab world
By Vanit Sethi
D
ubai is now all geared to take
up the challenge of the next
stage of their development
process – the setting up of
top quality educational institutions. At the
higher education level, the city wants to be
a beacon of light that attracts students from
across the Middle East. To fulfil that lofty
ambition, a free zone dedicated to inter-
national higher education was established
within the Dubai Academic City in May
2006, called the Dubai International
Academic City (DIAC). Thus the DIAC is,
in a manner, the crème de la crème of higher
education – an exclusive, inner charmed
circle of prestige, perhaps the world’s only
higher education free zone. The project,
spread over an area of 129 million square
feet, is expected to be complete by 2012, and
is expected to house about 2,800 students.
All the higher education institutions within
the Dubai Knowledge Village (DKV) will
have moved to the DIAC by then.
The Unesco’s Regional Bureau for
Education, in its Guide to Universities in the
Arab Countries, names DIAC as the region’s
leading education service provider, hosting
over 58 per cent of the foreign branch uni-
versities in the Arab world. According to the
report - which covered 22 countries in the
Arab world - the UAE hosts the maximum
number of foreign universities. Of the 15.4
per cent of the universities based in the
UAE, 6.4 per cent operate under the DIAC.
Among the GCC countries, DIAC and
DKV together host 23 per cent of the total
number of universities.
DIAC currently hosts 32 institutions
from 13 different countries including US,
UK, Canada, Australia, India, France,
Singapore, Belgium, Russia, Pakistan, Iran,
Lebanon and the UAE. Some of the im-
portant names include the Michigan State
University, Manchester Business School,
University of Exeter, heriot-Watt Univer-
sity, hult International Business School,
BITS Pilani, and Manipal University.
Every year, around 3,500 students pass out
of DIAC. Approximately 12,500 students
are currently enrolled into the various pro-
grammes offered at the campuses - ranging
from engineering, computer science, fi-
nance, media and communication, fashion
and design, biotechnology, environmental
studies, child development, and business
management.
The free zone city provides an intellec-
tually inspiring environment for students
and faculty. This thriving knowledge com-
munity was founded as part of a long-term
economic strategy to develop the region’s
talent pool and to accelerate its move into
a knowledge economy. Free zone partners
enjoy special privileges, including 100 per
cent foreign ownership, tax-free status, full
repatriation of profits, and seamless visa
issuance procedures for students, faculty
and the staff. Recently, the DIAC Phase III
achieved a green status and was awarded
the Silver LEED certification.
however, not every foreign institution
wishing to set up base in the UAE can walk
right into the area. A stringent 34-point
selection criteria and a discerning screening
process ensure that only quality institutions
enter the cluster. Even after an institution
becomes part of the cluster, the Knowledge
and human Development Authority
(KhDA) periodically reviews its progress
to guarantee its operations remain aligned
with the mother campus.
“We have experienced consistently
EDUCATION
high demand from overseas institutions
for setting up their campuses in DIAC,”
says Dr Ayoub Kazim, Executive Direc-
tor, DIAC and DKV. “however, we aim
to create a proper balance of institutions
based on their standing and the quality of
programmes they offer,” he adds.
It is clear from the Unesco report
that the DIAC, as a cluster of prestigious
international institutions, is well on its
way to becoming a benchmark for similar
establishments across the region.
INSTITUTIONS IN THE DIAC
• American University in the emirates
• Birla Institute of technology and science
• Cambridge College International
• eHsAL
• French Fashion University esMoD
• Hamdan Bin Mohammed e-University
• Heriot-Watt University
• Hult International Business school
• Institute of Management technology
• Islamic Azad University
• Jss education Foundation
• Mahatma Gandhi University
• MAHe Manipal University Dubai
• Manchester Business school Worldwide
• Michigan state University Dubai
• Middlesex University-Dubai Campus
• Murdoch University Intl study Centre
• sP Jain Center of Management
• sAe University Dubai
• st. Petersburgh state University of
engineering and economics
• shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Institute of
science and technology
• syrian Virtual University
• the British University in Dubai
• the University of exeter
• the University of Wollongong
• Universitas 21 Global
• University of Bradford
• University of Phoenix
UAE Digest, March 2010 l 19
 EDUCATION

Standardising education
A large number of institutions have been accredited by the Council of
Academic Accreditation, Ministry for Higher Education and Research,
Govt. of UAE, but some institutes have decided not to go through the
litmus test
By Manju Ramanan

I
t is a list and not all higher
academic institutions in the UAE
are on there, for varying reasons.
Some didn’t qualify; some didn’t go
through the accreditation process at all
(since it is not mandatory yet), some found
the process too lengthy and opted out or
concluded that it wasn’t relevant to their
client pool. There is diversity in the way it
has been received because the process of
academic accreditation is not mandatory
to all institutions and is at the discretion
of the individual emirate.
The Council of Academic Accredita-
tion, Ministry of higher Education and
Research, to upgrade the standards of
higher education in the UAE, introduced
the Standards of Licensure and Accredita-
tion in 2001. Though it was revised several
times, the most recent one, in 2007, has
seen the greatest change. It is a combina-
tion of local and international experience
of the CAA and its consultants which re-
flect the ‘unique national circumstances
now prevailing in the UAE, while main-
taining international comparability’.
The move has been welcomed by a
large group of parents, graduates and
students as well as faculty. They can now
gauge whether the college or the univer-
sity in question, offers them value for
money as well as international standards
of quality.
“Students, graduates, their families,
and the UAE public can be confident
that licensed institutions and accredited
programmes will provide the highest
quality of higher education that they
expect and deserve,” says Maed Mazrouk,
a parent.
According to Manasa Bhatt, a parent
and administration manager from Al
Ghusais, “The move is well due and most
welcome. It has been a norm with many
expatriate families to send their children
back home for higher studies. Now that
we know that there is a list of accredited
institutions, we can educate our children
right here,” she says.
A fact, well espoused by hE Sheikh
Nahayan bin Mubarak Al Nahayan,
Minister of higher Education & Scien-
tific Research who states, “Colleges and
universities of the UAE, government-
supported and private alike, play an
essential role to realise the potential of a
knowledge-based future. It is therefore

20 l UAE Digest, March 2010

of the utmost importance that institu-
tions offer the highest quality academic
programmes which are recognised both
within the country and internationally for
their excellence”.
He states that the institutions that
seek accreditation from the accreditation
commission go through a very rigorous
evaluation and review by teams of inter-
nationally recognised evaluators for each
programme. “We apply for international
and pioneer standards to retain accredita-
tion. Those who get the nod of the ac-
creditation committee are guaranteed to
offer quality programmes,” he states and
adds that there are still those who are not
so particular about getting accreditation
and that this can only become manda-
tory if the emirate in which the university
is established seeks to enforce it. “Any
university can apply for accreditation after
the first batch of students has graduated,”
he adds.
There are merits galore for accredited
universities and institutes. Quite like the
Ivy League of institutions in the West.
Professor Badr Aboul Ela, Commissioner
at the CAA states that students who
enrol in the accredited institutes have a
guarantee that their certificates are valid
and accredited by the education ministry,
hence suitable to find employment after
graduation.
Dr Aboul-Ela, one of the founding
members of the Commission for Aca-
demic Accreditation, in the UAE when
it was established in 2000 was appointed
its Director in February 2007, and had
a leading role in developing its Stand-
ards for Licensure and Accreditation,
its e-Learning Standards for Licensure
and Accreditation, and its Standards for
Licensure and Accreditation of Technical
and Vocational Education and Train-
ing. Dr. Aboul-Ela is currently also the
Vice-President of the Arab Network for
Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher
Education (ANQAAHE) that is part of
the International Network for Quality
Assurance Agencies in Higher Educa-
tion.
According to the criterion of licensure
and accreditation, put together by his
team, that are part of the CAA website,
the first stage is aimed at ensuring the
institute has a clear vision and objectives,
adequate infrastructures and premises,
and the necessary resources to deliver the
programmes. It also includes an evaluation
of the structure of the academic pro-
gramme and states whether it is tailored
to suit the main objectives of the institute.
It evaluates the faculty and teaching staff
who have to meet the qualification re-
quirements needed to teach the curriculae.
The licensing process can take a period
of at least a year and a half and the CAA
makes sure that the institute in question
has built a mechanism for assessing its
quality and effectiveness of the academic
programme offered as well as the admin-
istrative requirements to support that
programme. Institutes have to undergo
this process every three years.
Accreditation takes from 3-6 months
and is carried out by a team of experts.
Plus all new programmes need to be
accredited before they are offered to stu-
UAE Digest, March 2010 l 21
 dents. In case of programmes which were
started before the establishment of the
accreditation, they are submitted to the
commission and it is the institute’s duty to
inform students about it.
Once the curriculum gets full accredi-
tation, it is re-evaluated every five years.
The institution may receive unscheduled
visits from the staff of the Commission
to ensure that it continues to meet the
requirements of the standards. Failure to
do so may result in loss of licensure, as de-
termined by the minister. If an institution
is denied licensure, those seeking licensure
may not resubmit an application under the
same institutional name or another name
for at least one year from the date of the
official letter of denial.
To dispense information, the ministry
has recently released a list of require-
ments to get a licence and accreditation
regardless of the mode of delivery with a
marked focus on the quality of education
and programmes. The guide is available at
the ministry and the CAA website that
also provides a list of institutes that are
accredited, as well as those undergoing
review, probation etc.
In a paper presented by Dr Aboul-Ela
in coordination with David Woodhouse,
Executive Director, AUQA, Australia;
and President,
IN-
22 l UAE Digest, March 2010
QAAHE, titled Quality Assurance at a
Distance, the duo explored issues related
to quality assurance (QA) of two models
of transnational education;
namely branch cam-
puses and distance
education.
According to cited
findings, in relation
to some universities in
the US and their branch
campuses, the dramatic increase
in the number of branch campuses led to
questions on their quality.
“A recent study (Yokoyama, 2008)
concluded that the meanings of ‘auton-
omy’ and ‘accountability’ substantially
differ between the US home and overseas
branch campuses because of different
operational modes of quality assurance.
Many reasons may contribute to such
differences involving both country of the
provider and the host country. Environ-
ment of the host country in terms of
cultural context, legal and regulatory
framework, and QA (quality assurance)
process are among the major factors
influencing the success of BC (branch
campus) operation and its QA,” the
research cited.
“In the UAE, experiences of the
Commission for Academic Ac-
creditation (CAA)
indicated that
some of the
BC’s(branch cam-
puses) which were
forced to close, had
their licensure revoked,
or put on probation, were
never visited by QA authorities
from their home countries. On
the other hand, having said that,
there were also examples of QA agen-
cies which carry their duties in reviewing
BC of their institutions located abroad
in a more effective manner,” cites the
research, suggesting the diversity among
institutions in the UAE when it comes to
quality assurance – all of which cannot be
covered under one blanket term.
The move to upgrade the quality of
higher education across the emirates has
had a mixed reaction among educational
institutes. Several have failed to reach
the required standards or have declined
to take a licence and accreditation. Some
cite that the process is very thorough and
will disturb existing courses being taught.
Others feel that the entire process
projects institutes without UAE accredi-
tation in a wrong light – and projects the
ones with accreditation positively.
“It is not as if institutes that are
functioning outside the purview are not
reliable. They have foreign accreditations
and some of them are branches of impor-
tant institutes in other countries,” states
the head of an institute that isn’t keen on
accreditation. Karamjit Kaur, Admissions
Coordinator for the Western Interna-
tional College that runs the University
of Bolton, Ras Al Khaimah states, “Most
of our clientele involves students who
are looking towards working outside the
UAE after their courses. So, a UK degree
works for them better because that is the
region they are looking at when it comes
to their future plans. This is the reason
why many students and their families
register with us,” she states.
“The very basis of the accreditation
standard needs a retake. The bodies that
have decided on the list need to be well
conversant with the dynamic nature of
educational institutions in the country.
It is important to know if the institute
or the college is judged on the basis of
its infrastructural facilities, the mental capability of its academic The availability of a sound business
staff, the student’s results or its brand value. At times we need to Licensure and
planaccreditation
feasibility study, including student
examine the very basis of the model that could be deeply rooted in The Ministry of Higherdemand, adequate
Education andlevel of financial
Research is the sup-
a western model of evaluation,” states the principal of an institute authority that grantsport, and its
licences to internal QA system,
non-national are all
educational
that hasn’t been accredited. institutions, degreeselements
and other which the QA
academic agency
awards, andshould
accred-
Another aspect is the growing number of licences given to edu- its their programmes. examine carefully before licensing a
cational institutes by the free zones. Their accreditation is done by branch campus
Any institution located to ensure
in the UAE the success
that provides
foreign institutes or by the parent branch of the institute or college regular, theoretical,of its operation,
practical, and to
or applied preventof
curricula BC one
it belongs to. collapse.
academic year or longer beyond the UAE Secondary School
“Educational institutes get their accreditation themselves and Certification (or the equivalent) and that leads to an
it is not the responsibility of the free zones in which they are regis- academic degree, certificate, or diploma, must be licensed
tered,” says Oussama El Omari, Chairman of the RAK Free Trade and have its programmes accredited in order to be officially
Zone (RAKFTZ). recognised by the ministry. Within the ministry, the Com-
There are debates galore regarding the topic of accreditation of mission for Academic Accreditation (the Commission) is
non-federal universities, colleges and schools of higher education. responsible for these quality assurance processes.
Perhaps one of the most important and valuable aspects of the There is an essential difference between Licensure and
CAA’s initiative is to sieve out institutions that have started their Accreditation. While Licensure is applied to the entire
ventures purely for profit-making rather than its ideal goal of dis- university or academic institution, accreditation applies to
seminating knowledge and empowering the student. its individual programmes.
“There have been times that a college or a university that is part A university can apply for accreditation for its pro-
of a branch of an illustrious parent organisation does not function grammes only after obtaining licensure. This also means
well in its chapter in the UAE. Many times, students who do not that not all courses taught at a particular university need be
get admission at a particular course in the parent organisation, fly accredited. However, the system is so transparent that you
down to the chapter here to secure admission because it is easy to can find information on each course online and evaluate its
get in. We need to change that. We need to have the one here as accreditation status.
competitive as the one in the home country so that there is no com- There are some licences issued by free trade zones and
promise when it comes to educational standards. It reflects well on allied bodies that might or might not have been reviewed for
the parent organisation as well as its branch here,” states a parent accreditation.
and former educator who doesn’t want to be named.
The accreditation is often taken as a gentle reminder to check

Service Providers
Name Location Name Location

• Advanced Studies and Training Center Dubai • Inner Universe Dubai

• Alexandria Center for Consultancies & • Innovation World Consultants Dubai
University Studies Ajman • International Group for University
• Australian Agency for Education Services (IGEC) Sharjah
& Training Dubai • International Management &
• Big Ben University Services Dubai Studies Marketing Center Ajman
• Career Consultants Dubai • International Placewell Consultants Dubai
• Center for Management Information • MU Consultants Dubai
Technology Dubai • Qadri International Educational
• Education Zone Dubai Consultancy Dubai
• German Academic Exchange Service • Qisan ASIC Abu Dhabi
(DAAD) Abu Dhabi • UniAdmission FZ LLC Dubai
• Global Educational Consultants Abu Dhabi • Westbound Educational Services Dubai
• IDP Education Australia Dubai - Abu Dhabi • Worldwide Education Services Center Dubai

UAE Digest, March 2010 l 23

 and verify the credentials of institutes
that are in the business of education. Of
course, the final decision rests with the
parents and students themselves. While
a non-accredited institution is not the
responsibility of the commission or the
government, the ball is in the student’s
court to evaluate and know better about
the institution she/he decides to invest
time and resources in. Some prefer ac-
credited universities and colleges and
some don’t mind them. Whatever be their
choice, their homework starts now!
What to look for
generally?
Ask if the institution or programme
has been accredited at its home campus.
Based on our experience, ask whether
the home Quality Assurance agency
has reviewed and approved the branch
campus and the criteria and process fol-
lowed in such review. The answer must
be evidence-based with detailed report to
the satisfaction of the local QA agency.
The responsibility of the host QA
agency is to check the institution’s fitness
both ‘for purpose’ and ‘of purpose’. Fit-
ness of purpose is looked at in terms of
the institution’s compatibility with any
national or regional strategic plan, the
suitability of the institution’s mission and
its programmes to serve the local educa-
tional and research needs, and job market
developments.

Number Of Licensed Institutions: 66

Name
• Abu Dhabi University • Higher Colleges Of Technology
• Ajman University of Science and Technology • Horizon International Flight Academy, Al Ain
• Al Ain International Aviation Academy • Imam Malik College for Islamic Sharia and Law
• Al Ain University of Science & Technology • Institute Of Management Technology-Dubai
• Al Ghurair University • Islamic And Arabic Studies College-Dubai
• Al Hosn University • Ittihad University
• Al Khawarizmi International College • Khalifa Bin Zayed Air College
• American College of Dubai • Khalifa University of Science, Technology And Research
• American University In Dubai • Masdar Institute of Science And Technology
• American University in the Emirates • Naval College
• American University of Ras Al Khaimah • New York Institute Of Technology
• American University of Sharjah • New York University
• Biotechnology University College • Nicolas & Asp University College
• Boston University Institute For Dental Research & Education • Paris Sorbonne University, Abu Dhabi
• British University in Dubai • Petroleum Institute
• Canadian University of Dubai • Police College, Abu Dhabi
• Computer College • Police Sciences Academy- Sharjah
• Dubai Medical College for Girls • Ras Al Khaimah Medical and Health Sciences University
• Dubai Pharmacy College • Rochester Institute of Technology- Dubai
• Dubai Police Academy • Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland- Dubai
• Dubai School of Government • Skyline University College
• Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management • Syscoms College
• Emirates Aviation College Aerospace and Academic Studies • The Logistics Academy
• Emirates Canadian University • Tufts University Friedman School- Rak
• Emirates College for Management and Information Technology • United Arab Emirates University
• Emirates College of Technology • University College of Mother and Family Sciences
• Emirates Institute for Banking and Financial Studies • University of Dubai
• European International College • University of Jazeera
• Fatima College of Health Sciences • University of Sharjah
• Fujairah College • University of Strathclyde Business School- Uae
• Fujairah National University • University of Wollongong In Dubai
• Gulf Medical University • Vocational Education and Training Institute, Abu Dhabi
• Hamdan bin Mohammed E-University • Zayed University

24 l UAE Digest, March 2010


Relearning education
Education in the UAE is increasingly concentrating on a ‘hands on’
practical approach rather than the tediously theoretical
By Manju Ramanan
‘A
daptability’ – the word
that embodies the UAE, is
a marked characteristic of
the country. People from all
over the world adapt to the UAE and the
UAE adapts to them, creating a symbiotic
relationship between the local and the
expatriate population. Like many other
aspects of adaptability which includes
living spaces, the rush to work, etc, educa-
tion too has adapted to the life and times
of the people of the region. While purists
might look the other way at the highly
debatable aspect of adaptability, what
matters to most educationists, parents
and teachers is that as long as
students understand what
they are taught, the purpose
of education is sorted.
Dr S. Gurumadhva Rao,
Vice-Chancellor of Ras Al
Khaimah Medical health
University, following the
vision of hh Sheikh Saud
bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown
Prince and Deputy Ruler
of RAK, has designed a
curriculum for his univer-
sity that focusses on the
practical aspects of medical
healthcare, rather than the
tediously theoretical.
“Our effort is to make
the RAK Medical and
health Sciences University
the leading one in the UAE
as well as the GCC. We
have adopted a problem-
based curriculum. Instead
of lectures, we get students
into a group of 6-10, give
them a problem and ask them to come
up with solutions. The faculty is the
facilitator. This promotes practical learn-
ing and children are more confident and
participative,” he says.
The university has devised an evidence
based medicine course where students are
encouraged to come to a conclusion based
on research and data.
“Medical care in this region has to be
improved and we are resolved to do just
that,” he says.
The university’s clinical skill lab has
trained patients and mannequins which
students learn from. “It is a lot like pilot
EDUCATION
training” he adds. “The students are
taught that when it comes to fields like
medicine, money, gender or religion is not
important but the disease is. Our aim is to
prepare them to treat patients with preci-
sion and compassion,” he says
Dr Peggy Blackwell, Dean, Zayed
University, Dubai, states that educational
institutes are showing openness to chang-
ing traditional ways of teaching students
and thinking outside the ‘we-don’t-do-it-
here’ approach.
“There are a lot of studies on modifi-
cations to curriculum done in the West
and we cannot lift them from there and
drop them here; but these
hypotheses and research
surely initiate discussions.
Students need to be given a
real world problem and be
involved in the process of
problem solving. In this way,
they remember it for life,”
she states.
Rema Menon, Visiting
Lecturer at the Sharjah
Women’s College, who is
an independent student
counsellor and owner of
Counselling Point based in
Dubai, states that, in her
role as a lecturer, for 2nd
year students at the Sharjah
Women’s College, she has
been part of practical train-
ing workshops that she feels
are imperative to them.
“It is important that
students know how the pro-
fessional world functions.
So, we equip them with job
UAE Digest, March 2010 l 25
 search skills, advise
them on careers and
put them through in-
ternship programmes.
They learn how to
present their CVs,
attend interviews,
and how to work
under senior people
in organisations,” she
adds.
Due to the expo-
sure, students narrow
down their choices of
careers and can focus
on what is really suit-
able for them.
“Though business
and IT are the largely
preferred choices by
children, there is a lot of interest in media,
mass communication, real estate manage-
ment, biotechnology etc since colleges and
institutions are offering these courses as
well,” she adds.
Prakash Muthuswamy, Project
Manager with Parsons is part of various
scholastic and philanthropic activities
in Dubai and Sharjah. He states that the
engineering curriculum in the UAE is
dynamic and can be enhanced with more
academic–industry interface.
“We have a number of engineering col-
leges and allied institutes in the UAE as
well as companies that are into manufac-
turing, biotechnology etc. Engineering
students who passout of these institutions
can greatly benefit from working there
as interns and the industry gets a fresher
crowd of people who could be trained and
be probable employees,” states Prakash
who agrees that summer training is hap-
pening within some industries and has
proven to be a win-win situation that
benefits both students and those in the
workplace.
An example of the amalgamation
of the industry-academics interface to
serve society as a whole is the upcoming
Masdar development – established by His
Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed
Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu
Dhabi. This is a logical development of
26 l UAE Digest, March 2010
the emirate’s long-standing commitment
to a sound environmental strategy and
continuing economic diversification.
Masdar, which means ‘the source’ in
Arabic, aims to become the source of en-
ergy, knowledge and innovation in order
to position Abu Dhabi as a global new
energy leader and is currently building
a zero carbon, zero waste city, investing
in a range of new energy technologies,
establishing a post-graduate research
institution and developing a carbon
management unit.
Yet another example is the recent
MoU between the The Dubai Courts and
the University of Wollongong in Dubai
(UOWD). The MoU covers a host of
areas of cooperation, including student
training programmes at Dubai Courts,
mutual field visits, collaboration in joint
projects in HR development and assist-
ance in executing a comparative judicial
KPI research study with Australian
courts and marks the start of a strong re-
lationship between the judicial structure
and academic bodies and private/public
sector organisations.
Student training initiatives have also
been carried out by Raqmiyat, the Dubai-
based company and the primary IT divi-
sion of the Al Ghurair business group,
following its new Corporate Social Re-
sponsibility (CSR) initiative called ‘Cam-
pus to Corporate’ that helps
new graduates from key colleges
and universities in the UAE to
equip and prepare themselves
for the country’s competitive
job market. At the University of
Sharjah, consultants and experts
from Raqmiyat guided graduates
on the challenges and appropri-
ate techniques to successfully
navigate the recruitment process.
Mabel Kuri, Human Resources
Manager at Raqmiyat, also gave
students demonstrations on CV
and cover letter writing, inter-
view etiquette and job search
techniques.
“Today’s generation of stu-
dents need to be aware that the
country’s job market has become
fierce and highly-competitive and one of
the ways to keep them one step ahead is
to be well-versed and knowledgeable on
new trends and innovations, within their
desired industries,” he states.
Dr. Paul J. Giguere, Director of Dis-
tance Learning at the Tufts University’s
Friedman School of Nutrition Science
and Policy based in RAK vouches on the
concept of hybrid learning which that
combines traditional face-to-face instruc-
tion with online learning, and feels that it
has the power to revolutionise the higher
education scenario in the UAE. Speak-
ing after co-presenting a paper at the
3rd Forum on e-Learning Excellence in
Middle East 2010 in Dubai, Dr Giguere
states, “There is so much interest in the
UAE and the Middle East for setting up
physical campuses of foreign universities
which often turn out to be extremely
expensive. Given the current state of the
global economy and the rising costs of
maintaining foreign varsity campuses, I
think hybrid learning would provide a
new model for the UAE and the Middle
East as they continue their pursuit to at-
tract more foreign universities.”
The one- year intensive Master’s
degree programme in Ras Al Khaimah
requires students to come together in
the emirate for three (10-day) residen-
cies for face-to-face classes taught by the
Tufts faculty and much of the remaining
course work is done online via interactive
learning management software and other
instructional tools.
Another aspect that has been ad-
dressed commonly in the UAE is the
teaching and speaking of English - an is-
sue that is gaining attention and support.
The British Council has designed a Train
the Trainer programme to support the
teaching of English in the public sector
throughout the Middle East region. In
fact it has completed the Train the Trainer
course with the Ministry of Education’s
Madares Al Ghad (Schools of Tomorrow)
programme that comprises of 50 hours
of direct training, involving 28 Teacher
Development Specialists (TDS) from the
16 Madares Al Ghad secondary schools.
The course provides participants with a
basic understanding of the principles and
practice of teacher training by taking part
in teacher-training and trainer-training
sessions, and supporting them to co-
design and deliver their own workshops.
“The British Council’s Train the
Trainer course builds teacher training ca-
pacity by supporting TDS to develop the
skills, expertise and confidence to train
others. The training that these Madares
Al Ghad trainers will now deliver in their
schools will help to raise the standard of
English language teaching across their sec-
ondary schools which will in turn benefit
the students at these schools,” said Karen
Ryan, English Projects Manager, British
Council UAE.
In the recently concluded seminar of
The Dubai School of Government (DSG),
a research and teaching institution focus-
ing on public policy in the Arab world
titled
‘Teachers and Teaching in the UAE,’
one of the panellists, Dr Ian R Haslam,
the Vice-Chancellor of Centre for
Advanced Education, Abu Dhabi, stated
that creative collaboration across various
sectors within all emirates, which includes
ADNEC, schools, teachers and service
providers, would be an ideal solution
to upgrade the teaching facilities in the
UAE.
According to Jane Truscott from the
Schools of Tommorrow, the modifica- datory is an important modification in the
tion is already happening in teaching the country’s education system.”
teachers. “We are looking at the change Also, there is a lot of attention being
from traditional classrooms and teacher paid to the way local history is taught in
centered learning to dynamic classrooms school curriculums. “In India too, a few
with child centered learning,” she states. years ago, a whole lot of emphasis on his-
Two assessment departments of the tory was focussed on the British version of
University of Cambridge will signifi- history. While it applies to British schools,
cantly boost support for teachers in the the local schools benefit being taught
Middle East from their new state-of-the- about the history of the Middle East. The
art Deira base. The modern facility, run UAE SST course in schools has been well
by University of Cambridge Internation- received by students as well as parents,”
al Examinations (CIE) and University she states.
of Cambridge ESOL Examinations However, parent Pragna Acharya, a
(ESOL), aims to improve communica- home-maker, feels that more emphasis can
tions between local teachers and examin- be given to Arabic language. “It is normal
ers based in the UK. This move will help to see 10th grade expatriate students learn
the departments of the University to con- Arabic throughout their entire academic
tinue to offer high-quality internationally life yet not understand the language fully
recognised qualifications for students and well or converse in it fluently. It shouldn’t
teachers of all ages in the region. Zara be restricted to being a subject that ‘you
Shahid Khan, Development Manager for also have to clear’ in the examination,” she
Cambridge ESOL – who offer English says. She suggests a more conversational
language examinations throughout the approach to the language involving the
region – says, “The expanded office will parent in the language learning proc-
act as a hub for the region which will help ess. “Often, the child comes home with
us to focus on improving opportunities homework in Arabic that the parent is ill-
here. In the current economic climate, it equipped to monitor since he/she doesn’t
is more important than ever for students understand the language. If there is paren-
to develop English language skills in tal involvement in the learning of Arabic,
order to remain competitive.” it will be greatly beneficial,” she adds.
Modifications to cur-
riculum in the UAE
haven’t really taken
place in a large way,
but the approach to
education has undergone
innovation within classrooms.
Maryum Salahuddin, Senior
Manager Operations, Star Edu-
cation Management Systems
that runs four international
schools and a number of
educational institutes
states that the biggest
modification of cur-
riculum that has hap-
pened in the UAE’s
education system is
the introduction of Arabic.
“Though the move was restricted
to local schools in the past, since the
last 10 years, Arabic language being man-
UAE Digest, March 2010 l 27
 HORSE RACING

Falcon car park - Image courtesy of Meydan and Teo A. Khing Design Consultants

A day at the turf

By Linda Benbow

I
wonder what the weather will be too for the many race-goers who like the sions when rain hit the area hard and a
like on race day? That is a question social atmosphere of the day and evening. lot of squelching shoes traipsed from car
that those interested in horse racing Dubai’s big race day – during which park to the Grandstand and then back
ask themselves each time the big Dubai World Cup will be awarded to a again. The television cameras thought it
day arrives, before their chosen quadra- winning thoroughbred – will be held on was amusing to watch women in their sun
peds are led onto the race track. Will the Saturday 27th at the newly completed dresses and stiletto shoes making the trek
going be hard, soft or maybe good-to- Meydan racecourse at Nad Al Sheba. It with the best poise they could muster.
soft? Which type of ground conditions is hoped that the day will be fine this This year will be different as the car
do the various horses prefer under their year, unlike a number of previous occa- parking area is under cover. Yes, work
feet? Which jockeys are
more comfortable with a Meydan Hotel - Image courtesy of Meydan and Teo A. Khing Design Consultants
cool breeze around them
rather than a hot shamal?
The hobby of horse racing
is a complicated one for all
concerned whether they be
owners, trainers, riders or
punters who love to watch
the competition.
The weather is a concern

28 l UAE Digest, March 2010

has been progressing at a smart pace to
ensure that visitors will enjoy all aspects
of the day, including the long trek from
car to track, protected from the weather.
This year, the racing will be at Meydan,
previously known as Nad Al Sheba, but
now built upon and improved beyond
recognition. Construction has been going
on from one end of the superb racing track
to the other – almost up to the AlAin
Road – as well as from the entrance to
the old access road. A huge tract of land
now houses Meydan’s hotel, grandstand
for 60,000 people, upper-level glassed-in
restaurants, lower level food court, Imax
cinema, museum and covered parking for
10,000 cars. Part of the grandstand is for
those who want to book a seat, while the
rest of it is free-seating.
The racing season is held during the
country’s cooler winter months, culmi-
nating with its final racing day at the end
of March. The lead up to the big day is
known as The Dubai International Racing
Carnival which is held weekly with seven
to eight races per night at 40-45 minute
intervals, starting at 6pm. A predic-
tion ‘Pick 7’ competition is held every
racenight which must be handed in prior
to the first race. Entry for the competi-
tion is free of charge and the winners are
announced on the night itself and must
present a photo ID in order to claim
their prize. Also, a car
raffle is conducted each
racenight with tickets
costing Dh20 each
and the winner is an-
nounced on the night.
What is the dress
code for the Dubai
International Racing
Carnival, you may well
ask? The answer is that
casual attire is okay for
those who go to the free
admission area; whereas
smart attire is a must
for those who enter
Meydan Grandstand
Smart. Jeans, t-shirts,
trainers and shorts are
strictly not permitted
in the grandstand. Women are encour-
aged to wear hats and race wear, although
this is optional. There will once again be
fiercely contested competitions for ‘Best
Dressed Lady,’ ‘Best Dressed Couple’ and
‘Best Hat’ as Dubai’s increasingly style
conscious racegoers battle it out for the
fantastic prizes on offer. Registration
forms will be available from all Apron
Views information booths.
The free admission area provides
access to limited areas within the new
Meydan grandstand. A large number of
seats with excellent views are available
and visitors are free to stretch their legs
on the vast apron area between the track
and the Grandstand and from the side
of the apron can get an up-close view
of the thoroughbred racehorses in the
Parade Ring for their pre-race parade and
when they return after the race is over.
A variety of food and beverage outlets
are available and they are situated in the
purpose-designed food court area with
dining tables. Admission is from 5pm.
All food and drinks on the premises must
be bought from one of the outlets at the
grounds, visitors are not permitted to
bring their own food and drinks.
Those who book to dine at the grand-
stand and view the races from hospitality
chalets can eat at a number of fine dining
restaurants, bars and a food court.
It is recom-
mended that
for getting
to and from
the venue one
should hail a
taxi as Dubai
Transport
Company
operates a taxi
service from
here with the
drop-off and
pick-up point
being located
outside the
grandstand.
To celebrate
the 15th
renewal of the
Dubai World Cup and opening of the
Meydan Grandstand and Racecourse an
extension of the programme was recently
announced, and the Dubai World Cup
meeting will now stage eight races, with
the addition of the Group 3 Al Quoz
Sprint, a 1200m turf race worth $1 mil-
lion.
The whole meeting, now worth a stag-
gering $26.25 million, is not just about
the world’s richest race as the rest of the
eight-race card is also stacked with quality.
Dubai World Cup Programme 2010
Dubai World Cup (Group 1)
$10,000,000 - 2000m All Weather
Dubai Sheema Classic (Group 1)
$5,000,000 - 2400m Turf
Dubai Duty Free (Group 1)
$5,000,000 - 1800m Turf
Dubai Golden Shaheen (Group 1)
$2,000,000 - 1200m All Weather
UAE Derby (Group 2)
$2,000,000 - 1900m All Weather
Godolphin Mile (Group 2)
$1,000,000 - 1600m All Weather
Al Quoz Sprint (Group 3)
$1,000,000 - 1200m Turf
Dubai Kahayla Classic (Group 1)
Purebred Arabians
$250,000 - 2000m All Weather
The Dubai World Cup is classified as
a ‘Group 1 Flat Race’ previously run on
dirt for four-year-old thoroughbreds and
above, and spans a distance of 2000m (one
mile, two furlongs). 2010 marks the first
year this race will be run on Tapeta.
Chief supporting races are the $5 mil-
lion Dubai Duty Free and the $5 million
Dubai Sheema Classic - the two richest
races run on turf, anywhere in the world.
The newest addition to the card is the
Group 3 Al Quoz Sprint, worth $1 mil-
lion, to be run over 1200m on turf. Also
on the card are the Dubai Golden Shaheen
and UAE Derby, both worth $2 million,
and the $1 million Godolphin Mile, while
the evening kicks off with the Group
1 Dubai Kahayla Classic for Purebred
Arabians.
UAE Digest, March 2010 l 29
 Touring the facilities during the trial races are: His Highness Sheikh
Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister
HOME & GARDEN and Ruler of Dubai, Mr Saeed Humaid Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board
and CEO of Meydan, Mr Ahmad Al Shaikh, Vice Chairman of Meydan
and Mr Sultan Al Subosi. Image copyright Meydan/Andrew Watkins.

Kevin Shea and of the track is super and the rides all went
Kieren Fallon great. I think it’ll suit all horses, I’m really
were amongst impressed”.
the first to ride Thrilled with his experience Richard hills
at Meydan.
Frankie Det-
tori spoke of
his experience
between the
races: “I’m
gob smacked
after what I’ve
Trial races in January seen, and I just can’t find the words
January saw Meydan holding a trial race to describe the amazing experience of
night at the world’s largest integrated racing here, it’s just out of this world.
racing facility with his highness Sheikh
Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum,
Vice-President and Prime Minister of the
UAE and Ruler of Dubai in attendance.
The successful and well-received trial was
a precursor to the Racing Carnival . hh
Sheikh Mohammed was on hand to tour Richard Hills. Image copyright of Neville Hopwood
the facilities which included the race- said: “I think the track rode very well and the
course and associated facilities, including saddling area looks in good condition. Full
the paddock, grandstand and jockey's marks on everything!”
changing rooms. World-renowned trainer Mike De Kock also
Consisting of four races commencing at
6pm, the trial saw 44 horses with a total of
16 jockeys racing over distances between
1200m and 2000m.
Chairman of the Board and CEO of Jockey Keiren Fallon. Image copyright of
Meydan Mr. Saeed humaid Al-Tayer said: Neville Hopwood
“We've seen some of the world’s finest tal-
ents in horseracing take to the tracks this The tracks are great and very even, and
evening, and we're excited at the responses the lights are beautiful. I absolutely
we've had to the conditions and facilities loved it.”
we've built." Kieren Fallon shared his sentiments:
Champion jockey Frankie Dettori, Ted “Meydan Racecourse has a beautiful
Durcan, Richard hills, Pat Smullen, surface which is very well covered even
Frankie Dettori. Image copyright of Neville Hopwood as you’re coming round the bends, and I
can’t wait to get on the grass! It was re-
ally a joy to ride on Trainer Mike de Kock Image
this track and I re- Ted Durcan. Image copyright of copyright of Neville Hopwood
Neville Hopwood
ally loved it. Santa concurred that the trial race
Anita has been one night was a resounding success:
of my favourite “We’ve received really positive
tracks in the world, feedback from the jockeys that
and this track is the surface is fantastic. It was
probably every bit very good to have the trials
just as good, if not as it was a good experience,
better.” especially to get a feel of the
Ted Durcan long walk from the barns and
added: “The layout through the tunnels.”

30 l UAE Digest, March 2010

Well Armed (Aaron Gryder) winning the 2009 Dubai World Cup. Image copyright of Andrew Watkins

Jockeys’ challenge
March 5 will see the launch of ‘Meydan
Masters’, an international jockeys’ chal-
lenge featuring winning jockeys from the
world’s 11 premier races of 2009 plus a
special invitation to another rider to bring
the number to a perfect dozen.
Frank Gabriel said: “The opening of
Meydan will be history in the making and
what better way to show that than by hav-
ing 12 of the world’s best riders, who have
excelled this year, all competing against
one another at the Meydan racetrack.”
Ahmed Ajtebi. Image copyright of Andrew Watkins
The riders are :
Championship Race Country Horse Jockey
Dubai World Cup UAE Well Armed Aaron Gryder
Dubai Sheema Classic UAE Eastern Anthem Ahmed Ajtebi
Kentucky Derby USA Mine That Bird Calvin Borel
Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) Japan Logi Universe Norihiro Yokoyama
Derby GB Sea the Stars Michael Kinane*
King George VI and
Queen Elizabeth Stakes GB Conduit Ryan Moore
Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe* France Sea the Stars Michael Kinane*
Irish Derby Ireland Fame and Glory John Murtagh
Melbourne Cup Australia Shocking Corey Brown
Breeders’ Cup Classic USA Zenyatta Mike Smith
Hong Kong Cup Hong Kong Vision D’Etat Olivier Peslier
* St Leger GB Mastery Ted Durcan
* Prix du Jockey Club France Le Havre Christophe Lemaire

Meydan Board member Mr Malih Lahej
Al Basti said that the Meydan Masters
will be a competition with a difference:
“With racing now being so international,
it is difficult to establish a formula for
which jockey should represent which
country. Jockeys now don’t necessarily
ride full time in their home country. For
example, does Frankie Dettori represent
Italy, or Darren Beadman and Douglas
Whyte, who are so successful in Hong
Kong, represent Australia and South
Africa respectively? With the Meydan
Masters, these world-class jockeys will
represent themselves against their contem-
poraries from across the globe, those that
excelled and triumphed on the biggest
stage throughout 2009.”

UAE Digest, March 2010 l 31

 Mr. Al Basti added: “Of course, there could be one rider
fortunate enough to win more than one of the races
we have identified, such as Frankie Dettori and Robbie
Albarado in 2007, in which case we have identified
alternate races in the same jurisdiction to invite another
rider.”
“For instance, Michael Kinane was invited courtesy of
his Derby win, but having also won the Prix de l’Arc de
Triomphe, we have had to go to the alternate French
race, the Prix du Jockey Club and its winning rider,
Christophe Lemaire.”
“his retirement means that we have also had to go to Sting
the alternate race in England which for 2010 was the St It has been announced that internationally renowned artiste Sting will
Leger and its winning rider Ted Durcan.” perform live at the Dubai International Racing Carnival’s Super Thursday
The Meydan Masters will be held over four support races on March 4, after the last race at 11pm. A composer, singer, actor and activ-
on the programme that features the recently upgraded ist, Sting has evolved into one of the world's most distinctive and highly
Zabeel Mile, run for the first time in 2010 at Group 2 respected performers, collecting as a solo performer 11 Grammys, 2 Brits, a
level. It will close the Carnival and build up to the $10 Golden Globe, an Emmy, three Oscar nominations, Billboard Magazine's
million Dubai World Cup on March 27. Century Award, and MusiCares 2004 Person of the Year.

Bermuda grass (race season over-sown with rye)

100mm(4”) sweet soil root zone with 2.00% organic by weight
250mm(10”) sweet soil root zone with 2.00% organic by weight

300mm (12”) to 150mm (6”) red sand tapered drainage layer

300mm (12”) select subgrade material (natural soil)

32 l UAE Digest, March 2010

 DUBAI DUTY FREE

Dubai promotion
Colm McLoughlin came to work for six months in
1983 … and is still here.

What was it like in Dubai in 1983 when
you first came here to set up Dubai Duty
Free?
Of course Dubai was very different when
I first arrived here in July 1983. It was
obviously the middle of summer and I
had never experienced the kind of heat
upon departing the aircraft. Everything
was different, the sights, the sounds, but
the people I met were very welcoming and
I had a very good sense of liking Dubai
straight away.
I was part of a ten man team who
worked for Irish airport operator’s, Aer
Rianta, who were contracted by the Dubai
Government to set up the duty free opera-
tion at Dubai International Airport. We
had six months to do the job which was
not a great deal of time but we had to open
by December 20th.
How did your family react to the sparse
– and different - conditions?
Initially, I had arrived by myself and the
family joined later. Dubai was a very excit-
ing place even then and as everyone was
welcoming, they quickly felt at home.
What does ‘setting-up’ involve?
The new duty free was to be a world-class
airport retail operation and had to replace
the existing retail offer which was basi-
cally a series of shops which for the most
part sold the same products and were
operated by different retailers. Our sug-
gestion was that Dubai Duty Free, which
was a division of Dubai Civil Aviation,
would run the operation from A to Z.
Our job as consultants was to convert
the area that had been allocated, which
was in the basement of the former termi-
nal, into a stunning shopping area. So it
had to be designed and built, products
had to be sourced and our brief was to
source around 70 per cent of goods lo-
cally. This is something that we follow to
this day.
We had to recruit staff and we did
this mainly from the Philippines and
India, as well as some local recruitment.
A great source of pride to me is that from
the original 100 staff that we recruited
in 1983, 57 still remain in active service.
That is a pretty impressive retention rate.
We had to design uniforms; we had to
train the staff, some of whom had never
seen the different currencies; we had to
install systems and set up the cash
office; we had to gain the respect of
the local traders who were supply-
ing us with products. It was all very
exciting and at times a bit daunting,
Colm McLoughlin
but on the 20th December, we were ready
and opened for business.
Once the operation was set up, I was
asked to stay on and head it up, which I
agreed to without any hesitation. George
horan, my deputy here, also stayed on and
so did John Sutcliffe, who is now in Bah-
rain working for Aer Rianta there. I have
no regrets about my decision to stay on, I
sometimes say that I came here to do a job
for six months, but never finished it!
Why does Dubai need a ‘duty free’ outlet
when there is no tax here?
There is import duty on luxury goods, but
more importantly, the Dubai government
wanted a first class airport retail opera-
tion that would in many ways be part of
the promotion of the city and the airport.
Dubai Duty Free, through its own retail-

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of

the Department of Civil Aviation and Chief Executive
and Chairman of The Emirates Group presented Colm
McCloughlin with the Frontier Award in 2009

UAE Digest, March 2010 l 33

 ing success and marketing efforts, enjoy playing golf and I enjoy
quickly became synonymous watching a wide variety of sports.
with Dubai itself and we heard
of people planning their routes Do you attend the various
so that they could fly through events that DDF is involved
Dubai and shop at Dubai Duty with?
Free. I attend all of the events that
In addition to that, the Dubai Duty Free is involved with
operation had to offer value, a and as you can imagine, that
wide range of quality products, makes for a pretty busy schedule.
great customer service, and all Our level of involvement varies
in a shopper friendly environ- from event to event, but for the
ment. In many ways, we had to tennis for example, we own and
set the benchmark for the airport Novak Djokovic, Barclays Dubai Tennis Championship Men’s organise the two week tourna-
retailing in the region and had to champion 2010 ment, and myself and a huge
compete with the downtown retailers. team of people from Dubai Duty Free are
million tournament which has since involved in the event every day from start
What sort of problems do you have to grown to be the $4 million, Barclays to finish.
deal with during a typical day in the Dubai Tennis Championships, a two
office? week ATP and WTA tournament What is your involvement with the
I never see problems, just opportunities! played back-to-back and attracting the Aviation Club complex and affiliated
top players in the world and a TV audi- facilities?
When and why did DDF decide to spon- ence of potentially one billion. Dubai Duty Free manages the Aviation
sor sports events? Horse racing, both here and Club and its affiliated facilities, including
As part of our brief to promote Dubai as a overseas, is another good fit for Dubai The Irish Village and the Century Village.
business and leisure destination, we quick- Duty Free, resulting in international It is a great complex and a great home to
ly realised that sport, and in particular TV exposure, and we are also involved the Barclays Dubai Tennis Champion-
international sporting events, were a great with Golfing events, both as a spon- ships. We are building a five star hotel on
way of aligning your brand with a target sors and organiser of our own tourna- the site which should open later this year
ments, including the Dubai Duty Free and that is a very exciting development.
Venus Williams, Barclays Dubai Tennis Golf World Cup which attracts senior
Championships Women’s champion 2010
executives from the duty free industry to Whose idea was it to open an Irish pub?
Dubai each year. The Irish bar concept is popular across
the world, so it made sense to have an
Are you a sportsman? authentic-style Irish bar and restaurant
I have always played sports whether it as part of the new Dubai Tennis Stadium
was rugby, tennis or squash. I currently complex. The Irish Village was to replicate

Ballinasloe post office at the Irish Village

audience. Hence, we became involved in

the early days with world class snooker,
which had a huge British audience at the
time and we held the Dubai Duty Free
Snooker Classic in Dubai for many years.
We then turned our attention more to
tennis and lobbied the ATP for a couple
of years before being allocated a week on
the ATP calendar. The Dubai Duty Free
Men’s Open was first held in 1993 as a $1

34 l UAE Digest, March 2010

a typical Irish street scene and hence there
is a façade of shops, cobbled streets, an au-
thentic telephone booth. There is even the
‘Ballinasloe Post Office’, which inciden-
tally is my home town in Ireland!
When did DDF first start their Finest
Surprise car and bike raffles? Do you
see these continuing or is it time for
something new?
holders (tickets cost Dhs1,000) have the
chance to win $1 million. After a one-off
‘Multi-Millionaire’ draw to mark our
25th anniversary last year, we have now
settled on the Double Millionaire for
which 5,000 ticket holders (tickets cost
Dhs2,000) have the chance to win $2
million and we conducted our first draw
for that at the end of the Women’s tennis
final.
and new opportunities. From the re-
tail point of view, we now have 15,000
square metres of retail space at Dubai
International Airport following the
opening of Terminal 3 in October
2008. We are looking at refurbish-
ing the retail offer in Terminal 2 and
will review some aspects of the retail
area in Terminal 3. Further ahead, we
will have a retail operation in the first

Dubai Duty Free officials headed by Colm McLoughlin, Managing

Director conducted the winner of $1 million in Series 100 of Dubai
Duty Free’s Millennium Millionaire promotion

A previous winner of a Harley Davidson with his motorbike

The very first Finest Surprise promotion What future plans are in store for phase of the new Al Maktoum Inter-
was launched in 1989 to coincide with the Dubai DDF? national Airport and we are excited
expansion of the shop floor at that time. Well, we are always looking at new things about that.
We thought it would be a one-
off and the car – a Rolls Royce
-  was won by a Lebanese
man, Simon Simonian. Once
the draw was conducted in
December 1989, we received
lots of calls to ask if we would
do another car and so on, so
we tried it and we now have
drawn over 1,400 cars and
159 Harley Davidson bikes.
The latter was launched in
October 2002 and it is a lower
entry level so open to a new
audience (Dhs100 per ticket,
compared to Dhs500 for the
Finest Surprise tickets).
We introduced the
Millennium Millionaire in
1999 in which 5,000 ticket
Perfume and Cosmetics sections at Terminal 3

UAE Digest, March 2010 l 35

 HOME & GARDEN
Creating good mood homes
Enhancing the shopping landscape of the UAE is PAN Emirates with its
astounding variety of furniture, furnishings and home accessories, not
usually seen elsewhere in the world
A
tour of the sprawling Pan Emir-
ates showroom at Al Barsha, de-
signed by M/s Darton & Elgee
of UK, extending to 300,000
square feet built area spread across three
floors, feels like a trek across various coun-
tries of the world. More specifically, a tour
of extremely tasteful drawing rooms, dining
rooms, bedrooms and study rooms of various
countries across the world – each marked by
their distinct furniture, décor, accessories –
and most importantly, the ambience.
So, while Italian furniture with its gold
edges and pale colours welcomes you in one
section, an Arabesque dressy décor with
its gilded frills and bright colours greets
you in another. Making a subtle yet ethnic
statement is the Indian antique furniture
from Rajasthan with its mahogany wood,
large chest-drawers and elegant chairs that
complements the grim-looking European
furniture with fine lines and texture, offer-
ing a classic, yet contemporary look. Garner-
ing attention is the company’s new line of
designer furniture with gems encrusted
36 l UAE Digest, March 2010
Shakeel Khazi
on pure leather sofa sets - available in rare
colours such as gold and silver. So well
embedded are they in the design that they
enhance its regal look and do not cause
discomfort at all.
“These are quite innovative and much
in demand in this region,” states Shakeel
Khazi, Deputy Managing Director, PAN
Emirates home Furnishing. Most of what
he stocks is made in China by well-chosen
craftsmen who employ high standards for
creating furniture. “We give them our own
specifications and are very stringent on
quality, since we cater to a well-informed
audience,” he states. This is the reason why
customers who want furniture of a particu-
lar size exactly like the one displayed, can
place an order.
The first retailer in this region to allow
for online purchases, Pan Emirates has nine
outlets across the UAE (Sharjah and Dubai)
and is planning to open two more in Abu
Dhabi and other GCC countries.
Ask him how he sees the market and its
spending habits, given the current phase of
recession, he states, “Today, the customer
is being watchful about his/her spending
habits. however, it is true that the UAE has
a climate for shopping, and while there was
a lull initially, people now are seen shopping
across malls and other outlets”.
We have a designer studio in our precincts
To gauge the right furniture that will interest the customer, Shakeel
conducts ‘perception studies’ - a very close monitoring process of what the that offers customers its services free of
customer wants and demands when he steps into their showroom. charge. You can get expert advice at doing
“We take into account several aspects of consumer behaviour, be it up your home. The facility is extended to
likes, dislikes, culture specific aspects, choice, trends, affordability etc,” he all customers
states.
So, he knows what is particularly different about the Middle Eastern
customer?
“The GCC takes any kind of style. In the US, Canada and Northern
Europe, the furniture is traditional and there is not much variety. But here,
the market takes all types of styles. Because of the dynamic nature of the
region, the styles of furniture are different and dramatic. A fact well re-
flected in the store. On the same floor, you will find Asian fusion furniture
that is largely dominated by wood, the flashy ones with trimmings and
bold designs preferred by Emiratis, and the ones that appeal to a European
audience,” he adds. The local choice is usually for rich furniture “Most of
it has lacquer coating that is expensive and welcoming and provides an
aspirational value to the customer,” he adds.
Over the years, has he observed a change in customer preferences and
choices?
“Change is what we bring in and show to the customer. We are the
trend-setters and we in turn learn about trends from our suppliers. If there
is an international trend with furniture, we pull out a strand of the trend
to suit the tastes of people in this region,” he adds. An increasing trend
that he observes worldwide is a group of niche garment designers extend-
ing their creativity towards home décor – some of which are available at
the stores.
Another aspect is the growing sensitisation towards ergonomical
furniture. “This is usually to do with sitting furniture, more specifically in
office chairs where we take into account, a person’s height, his working ta-
ble and the way the chair supports his back. A person’s feet should rest on
the floor when he sits on any chair before he even thinks about ergonomic
furniture, as this is a very basic thing about the posture. Good quality
ergonomical furniture, in demand in Dubai, is a niche market which
also includes some variety of mattresses, but it does not come cheap,” he
advises.
In the last decade, the group has had several highlights. From being a
wholesale store catering to the export market, then to the Arab customers,
then to European customers, and now to a full-fledged retailer across the
UAE. The group has recently built a 500,000 square feet logistics centre
in Jebel Ali, to cater to support its delivery fleet of 100 vehicles for timely
delivery to its clientele.

Kids Zone
One of the most interesting trends in furniture in the UAE is the growing
demand for children’s furniture. The variety seen here is rarely seen across
the world. There are so many popular cartoon characters and now they
have spilled into furniture too. Films like Cars have inspired a range of
beds for children shaped like cars too. For most kids, beds are part of their
play areas, so, children’s furniture too tries to engage them with innovative
designs through which they can convert their bed into tents, turning them
into make-believe camps. Basketball nets match with the furniture and the
décor and pink-themed bed sets with hannah Montana bed sheets etc are
very popular.

UAE Digest, March 2010 l 37

 AWARENESS
Leading from the front
“If you don’t see yourself as a winner, then you can’t perform as a winner.” Zig Ziglar
Lucy Hay is Managing Director of Expressions Arabia
I
n these challenging times it is
imperative that companies nurture
the people in their organisations who
can lead from the front. Leaders who
can visualise the future and can take their
company successfully forward.
Leaders need to create this bright future
by adopting peak performance manage-
ment techniques through a different kind of
thinking and a different kind of behaviour.
From an early age we develop comfort
zones around every aspect of our lives,
whether they benefit us or not, we staunchly
stick to our comfort zones and the ingrained
behaviour that we have developed since
childhood.
Our comfort zones were originally used
to keep us safe in the fight-or-flight reaction
encountered during stressful, alarming and
dangerous situations. Today, however, they
are used to create excuses to keep us from
moving forward, changing and evolving for
the better, in short bringing us out of our
comfort zones.
Excuses such as:
38 l UAE Digest, March 2010
“It won’t work.”
“I don’t have the time.”
“It’s too difficult.”
“The system is wrong.”
“My colleagues don’t like change.”
“I don’t have the money.”
are all sub-conscious thoughts that
prevent us from becoming all that we can
be, that stop us from leading our teams and
indeed our companies into the new decade.
so how do we change, how do we excel?
Our society offers a structured education
system which is designed to deliver left
brain dominated individuals, individuals
who are trained to think logically and ana-
lytically. What’s wrong with that? There
is absolutely nothing wrong with this kind
of thinking when it is balanced with more
creative and intuitive right brain thinking.
The problem comes when we only use left
brain thinking.
“A left brain cannot and will not ever
imagine a future, it can only analyse the
past”.
The realisation then is that my left brain
could be preventing me from seeing and
realising a better future outcome because it is
scanning and analysing my history. Even if I
could create a desired future outcome would
my comfort zone cause me not to take the ac-
tions required to realise this desired outcome?
My need to stay safe may prevent me from
stepping out of the comfort zone, although
this is where the solution will most probably
be found.
“The key to significant long-term
sustained cultural and behavioural change
is to empower the leaders to habituate
extraordinary behaviours, who then become
both cultural architects in their own right
and role models for their staff, team or
department.” Gavin Whyte, Mindstore, UK
It makes sense, therefore that we should
retrain our leaders to use both their brain
hemispheres equally, empower them to use
positive thoughts and actions, give them the
tools and techniques to overcome stress and
develop a habitual thought process for the
future.
 SIGNBOARDS

Blockhead, block ahead?

Like a whiff of fresh air, strange errors on shop signs,
boards and hoardings make you smile, and add that
dash of lime to an otherwise boring drive
By Manju Ramanan

T
here are those who spend an shop on Airport Road called Golden
entire lifetime dotting their i’s Paviwon? Or a slight addition to hyde
and j’s to flawless perfection and Park Salon that reads hayed
those who don’t care about the Barck Salon?
nuances of English grammar as long as the The use of the English
words they state convey their meanings. Like language is interesting too.
a whiff of fresh air, strange errors on shop Ever heard of real estate inves-
signs, boards and hoardings make you smile, tors who have been advised to
and add that dash of lime to an otherwise consider purchasing ‘repos-
boring drive. heard of the ‘Loose hand Su- sessed property’? Spooky!
permarket’, ‘Strange Textiles’ shop or Child Perhaps the commonest
Beer? (it obviously means Chilled Beer and errors people make are the
it belongs to a shutters down shop in the ‘TO LET’ boards, sometimes
Northern Emirates). At hatta, you can be confused with an I in the
served food at the Quick hands restaurant. middle of the two words,
What fun! Oops. Well, anyone can make a mis-
While most of these errors are pointed take – and they often do.
out by outsiders or the ‘correct’ English a blogger who calls herself
speaking audience, for a large number of www.uaekitten.com talks
people the names sound fine. of a Magic House that
“Most people who own these shops are advertises itself as :
not native speakers of English and their Wonder head inside
versions of the language vary. At times, these horror, thrill, wonder
shop names are exact English translations of and fun
non-English words, stemming from across Talk with live hu-
the various nationalities in the country,” says man head on the
Lata Khubchandani, a home-maker. plate
“Signs get funny when there are little And experi-
or no English equivalents of the words and ence the
the result is a strange name,” says Sadiya Invention of
Ahmedi, an entrepreneur from Sharjah. her Magic.
tailoring shop has a non-English name and
its English translation reads strange. Send in whacky board signs or
Bloggers in the Emirates have observed shop names you’ve seen around
a host of interesting spellings. For instance, the country to info@sterlingp.
‘Drive slowly or it is a regret’ or ‘Drive ae or post it to: The Editor, UAE
carefully in a foggy weather’, ‘Telephone Digest, Sterling Publications,
cards awailable here’ or ‘Breast Feeding is a PO Box 500595, Dubai. The
community responsibility’ – being some of funniest entries will be published.
the examples posted online. What about a

UAE Digest, March 2010 l 39

 HEALTH
Pointed attack on cancer
Dr Karl Reinhard Aigner’s Regional Chemotherapy might just be the answer to
many glitches endured in regular chemotherapy and extremely effective in the
treatment of solid tumours
By Manju Ramanan
T
o watch a healthy friend,
relative or loved one degener-
ate with disease is perhaps one
of the most painful sights to
endure. More so, if the treatment involves
intense mental and physical agony that
stunts their quality of life. Cancer patients
who undergo chemotherapy fall in this
category. Not only do they have to endure
the trauma associated with cancer, they have
to deal with chemotherapy that saps their
very life- energy and endure side effects such
as nausea, hair loss or organ excision.
Dr Karl Reinhard Aigner, head of
Oncologic Surgery at the Medias Klinikum
Gmbh & Co KG in Burghausen, Germany;
is now here, at the International Modern
hospital in Dubai. Early in his career, he
had observed the slow and painful deteriora-
tion that leads to the loss of quality of life
in patients undergoing chemotherapy. A
cardiovascular surgeon turned oncologist,
he did not completely agree to the practice
of administering chemotherapy to the whole
body when only a part of it was affected.
“This is usually done to stunt the spread
of the cancer. But what happens in several
40 l UAE Digest, March 2010
Dr Karl Reinhard Aigner, now at the International
Modern Hospital, Dubai
cases is, the unaffected parts
of the body react to the
treatment and there are side
effects that prove to be very
harmful.”
“For me, my highest goal
has always been to relieve
pain. Survival rates and
prognoses for recovery lie
significantly above those of
the results for conventional
chemotherapy, especially in
breast and pancreatic cancer.
Good chances for treatment
success exist for most cancers
of other body organs such as
lung cancer, carcinomas of
the stomach, liver, bladder,
prostate, ovaries, anus as well
as head and neck tumours,”
he adds.
Traditional chemotherapy
treatment includes the use of
poisonous chemical agents
(cytotoxins) that attack
and destroy the tumour. For
patients with carcinomas that have already
metastasized, the use of poisonous chemical
agents in the total body blood circulatory
system is often the last chance to combat the
illness. Despite newer developments, the poi-
sonous agents damage not only the tumour
cells but also healthy cells in areas like the
hair follicles, bone marrow, and the mucous
membrane of the digestive tract; they reduce
the number of white corpuscles. As a result,
patients lose their hair and complain about
intense nausea and physical exhaustion.
Also, conventional chemotherapy is not
known to be a great success in many patients,
since the concentration of poisonous agents
that are administered is distributed over the
entire body, leaving only a proportionally
small number of cytotoxins to have an effect
on the tumour cells.
This is the reason that he devised a
method which would use chemotherapy
pointedly.
Regional chemotherapy treatment or
RCT is a method wherein chemotherapy
attacks the tumour in a sustained fashion
because of its highly concentrated action.
Cytotoxins are injected directly into the
blood vessels that supply the tumour or the
region of the body affected by the tumour –
hence the name of the procedure: regional
chemotherapy.
“It’s like the fire department,” explains
Dr Aigner. “We aim our hoses at the actual
source of the fire and not at the intact sur-
roundings.”
“Regional Chemotherapy (RCT) is toler-
ated well by 95 per cent of all patients; they
suffer neither nausea nor hair loss and no
organ excision” he states.
Mortality figures for the Middle East
prove that cancer is one of the major causes
of death in the region. Cancer is considered
to be an insidious, difficult to treat disease
with many bad side-effects on the bodies and
the spirits of its victims.
The advantages of RCT are several. By
injecting the cancer medication into the
artery serving the tumour or tumour region,
the poisonous chemicals can be adminis-
tered with a very high concentration into
the affected region. This leads in turn to a
higher transfer of these poisonous chemi-
cals into the tumour cells and results in a
superior and more rapid effect at that spot.
In contrast to conventional chemotherapy
and depending on the type, size and state of
metastasis of a tumour, a three to ten-fold
higher concentration of cytotoxins can be
injected, and in especially difficult cases, up
to 70 times as much. Nonetheless, there are
hardly any side-effects on the total body,
since with the process of chemo filtration
‘de-poisoning’ in connection with every in-
tervention, the blood is cleaned. The quality
of life of patients is generally significantly
improved. All of the techniques developed
by Dr Aigner and his team for regional
chemotherapeutic treatment are designed
to minimise, as far as possible, actual opera-
tions. Between treatments, patients can
lead a normal life and, usually, hold down a
normal job.
RCT does not involve excision of body
organs. Dr Aigner explains: “Most of the
patients who come to us are those who have
not responded well to chemotherapy or
those who have had a relapse. Various medi-
cal studies have published results pointing
to convincing data in terms of tumour
response, quality of life and survival of
those treated with RCT. For instance, it has
been well established that pancreatic cancer,
a killer cancer, responds well to RCT when
other chemotherapies have failed. Breast
cancer too has been treated with almost no
side-effects and without amputation. The
response rate of breast cancer has been 80 to
95 per cent with RCT.”
“Additionally, even advanced cancers
of the bladder and the prostate are treated
by means of the isolated pelvic perfusion
technique with chemo filtration, avoiding
mutilating surgery, impotence and inconti-
nence,” he says.
RCT is suitable for all patients with
solid tumours. To be sure, not every type of
tumour is suitable for highly concentrated
chemotherapy. Dr Aigner adds: “Our
method either works right away or not
at all.” In essence, just as in conventional
cancer treatment, the greater the propor-
tion of the body affected by the tumour, the
smaller are the chances for success. Even in
regional chemotherapy the dose of poison-
ous chemical agents cannot be increased
without limit. Tumours in their early stages
are especially good to treat with regional
chemotherapy.
Still, Dr Aigner and his team have
achieved very good results even in late stages,
and in supposedly hopeless cases.
The move, however, has not been seen
similarly by certain people in the pharmaceu-
tical industry who, according to Dr Aigner,
see the patient in the sense of business rather
than as human beings. his earlier book
which he wrote with friend Dr Fred Oscar
Stephens, former head of Sydney hospital,
was well received and their forthcoming
book Induction Chemotherapy will line up all
methods used for RCT.
As for expenses, Dr Aigner states that, in
the long run, RCT is cheaper. “We perform
four to six cycles usually and the patients do
not need home care. They can go to work
between sessions too,” he adds.
Prof Dr Karl Reinhard Aigner,
head of oncologic surgery at the
Medias Klinikum GmbH & Co KG
in Burghausen, Germany, has been
successfully using RCt or Regional
Chemotherapy treatment for years.
the basic concept is to treat organs
and body parts affected by cancer
very aggressively in one region only
while filtering the chemotherapeutic
agents out of the rest of the body. In
doing so, the tumour shrinks and later
can be removed without problems, or
it may even completely disappear as a
result of the therapy and there will be
no need for excision of body organs.
UAE Digest, March 2010 l 41
 BUSINESSMAN

Indian bedouin
Gregarious, outspoken, fun-loving and ‘rebellious’, Mohan Jashanmal, the Regional
Manager of the Jashanmal National Company (Abu Dhabi), who carries a UAE
residency visa that expires in 2999, talks about how business, faith, service and
spirituality are inextricably linked
By Manju Ramanan

T
here is a salt and When it was time
pepper theory that for his future education,
Mohan Jashanmal, Rao Sahib was advised
Regional Man- by the Bahraini Sheikhs
ager of the Jashanmal National to send his children to
Company (Abu Dhabi) LLC and school in India, where
Chairman of the Indian Business/ their own children went
Professional Group, believes in. to.
“When you go onstage to take a “Can you imagine,
bow, post performance, it is always a Bahraini telling an
sensible to carry salt and pepper in Indian family where
your pocket. They are very handy to send their children
if the audience throws rotten to school in India?” he
tomatoes at you. Catch one of laughs.
them, sprinkle the condiments on Mohan was sent to
top and eat them with a flourish… Devlali - Nasik to the
the scene will change, so will the Barnes high School, the
mood of the audience,” he says. place where his father
The youngest of seven siblings, built a house for them.
Mohan Jashanmal was born in un- “We were day scholars
divided India in 1938 in Karachi and learned to speak
(now part of Pakistan) to a Sindhi Marathi,” he states.
family of businessmen. his father Life in Devlali was
Rao Sahib Jashanmal Jhangiani fun and a lot of learning
was a well-known businessman for Mohan. “My father
with business interests in the was lenient to me and
Mohan Jashanmal
Middle East. An authoritarian my brothers, who were
figure in the family, he opened the first opened their store in 1935. The store petrified of him, often used me to get their
Jashanmal store in Basra, Iraq in 1919. All imported household goods, men’s clothing, things done. Of course, I put up a price. I
the women in the family, especially Mohan’s stationery, books and newspapers. This was would take advantage of the situation and
elder sisters-in-law, were given instructions followed by a general store in Safaat Square, bullied them into taking me along. If they
to take care of the motherless Mohan (he Kuwait. sought permission from our father to go
lost his mother when he was four) – and he As Mohan was completing his primary for a movie, I would mediate for them but
grew up well pampered and, as he admits, schooling in Bahrain, India won her in- added to them that he insisted that I accom-
spoilt. When Mohan was six years of age, dependence from the British. The woes of pany them too,” he explains.
the family moved to Bahrain where Narain partition did not affect the family that was Pampered at home, born into a family
Jashanmal, eldest son of Rao Sahib had already out of the country. of very well-to-do businessmen, Mohan was

42 l UAE Digest, March 2010

extremely popular in school too. But it was an
incident in Class 8 that taught him a valuable
lesson – a lesson he remembered for life.
“Once in class, a teacher hit me and I
was enraged at the incident. I resolved that I
would tell my father about it and ensure that
the teacher be brought to book”. Or so he
thought.
The following day, Mohan complained
to his father who gave him a sealed letter
addressed to the principal. “I was elated. I
boasted to my friends that the man who hit A camel caravan passing by the Jashanmal & Sons store Dubai in 1956. Late Hiro Jashanmal's
residence was on top of the shop
a Jashanmal was getting his due. Soon I was
summoned to the principal’s room who asked
me to go to the ‘caning room.’ I was caned
six times.” What for? “Apparently, my father,
had written to the principal stating that I
had complained against his teacher and told
him to make sure I never complained again. I
learnt the valuable virtue of respect.”
Another important lesson that Mohan
learnt from his father was compassion and
respect towards customers. Their shop in
Bahrain used to be frequented by an old
Bahraini pearl diver who grew senile with old
age. “He used to enter from one of the gates,
collect coins from my father, leave and enter
again. One day, I saw him do it repeatedly and
complained to my father about it” states Mo-
han. “You’ll see customers as human beings,”
he told me. “A customer is a messenger of God
and it is because of the customer that a busi-
nessman is in the trade. He is the boss; you
Late HH Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the former Ruler of Dubai, along with Late Hiro
only serve,” he had said. A philosophy that Jashanmal at the Jashanmal Store in Dubai
extends to various aspects of his life, including
his ideas of faith and worship.
Sheikh Mubarak bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, referred to as the “Father of the Indian Community”
Mohan believes in all religions and visits blessing Mohan Jashanmal (sitting) along with the founder-members of the Indian Business /
the mosque, the temple as well as the church professional Group - Abu Dhabi
and is an ardent believer of Shree Satya Sai
Baba of Puttaparthi. “People of all faiths come
to my store and so I visit the places they go
for worship, without any discrimination,” he
adds.
The same applies to his clothing as well.
Mohan slips into a kandoora with the same
ease that he sports his formal or informal
everyday wear.
A much talked about fact about him is his
residency visa that expires in 2999.
“Yes, the government offered me a na-
tionality of the UAE. Since I have an Indian
passport, I declined it. They then offered a per-
manent residency for me and my family. But

UAE Digest, March 2010 l 43


T. Grifith (Ex-Snooker Champion), Hiro Jashanmal and
S. Davis (the then Snooker World Champion)
Early 70’s
H.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan receiving greetings from Mohan Jashanmal
the visa office had a problem. What would
be the date, they would stamp on my visa?
After much thought, they decided 2999,” he
states. “I asked them, who would be there to
do the renewal?” he laughs.
Trained at the grassroots, Mohan was
sent to London after his schooling in India,
to understand the business. The assignment
was to sell Hoover washing machines and
vaccum cleaners door to door.
“We were young and raring to go. We
were taught that when you ring the bell
and the lady opens the door, put your leg
in before you enter (so that she cannot
close the door) and then announce with a
flourish that they would clean up her carpet
and her dirty linen. In short, give her a live
demonstration. It was usually successful and
we ended up cleaning homes, dirty clothes
44 l UAE Digest, March 2010
Late HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, ‘The
Father of the Nation’ with Mohan Jashanmal - 1968
Early 90’s
and at times, go out on dates with some of
them,” he recalls.
The experience helped him train his
team in Kuwait, Bahrain and Dubai where
the Jashanmal store opened in 1958. “We
sold a lot of washing machines and vaccum
cleaners to the British population largely,”
he states, and back in England, he earned
the title of ‘the Hoover Man of the Gulf’ - a
fact he narrated to Prince Charles on his
visit here.
Ask him about his foray into Abu
Dhabi and he reflects fondly. “Sand was
everywhere and there was a tiny strip for
the plane to land,” he reminisces. His home,
at the Abu Dhabi Corniche, at one point
of time, was called the Jashanmal Palace. It
was under the rule of HH Sheikh Shakhbut
bin Sultan Al Nahyan at a time when Abu
Dhabi had just four or five
nationalities (there are 200
now). Sheikh Shakhbut had
said, “I respect your country,
your people and your reli-
gion. How are you going to
benefit my country?” Mohan
considers him his first guru.
His second guru is the
Father of the UAE, the
late President HH Sheikh
Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
“Sheikh Zayed had great
respect for not only human
beings but the entire creation
of God. When we see the
multitude of bird wealth in
Abu Dhabi, we are thankful
to him; he always used to say
“I am happy when you respect
creation.” He brought in
truck loads of sands from Al
Ain to Abu Dhabi and cre-
ated a green city. He bought
birds from all over the world
(even we have carried birds
from our travels across the
world), to be set free in Abu
Dhabi. Mohan was once the
agent for air rifles that were
very popular and Sheikh Za-
yed asked him to stop selling
them. “I am bringing birds
to live here, so stop selling air
rifles that are used to kill them,” he said.
His third guru is HH Sheikh Mubarak
bin Mahmoud Al Nahyan who told him once,
“I agree that you are my close friend but if you
misbehave, you’ll be the first one to go to jail.”
For him religion has been good conduct. As
they say in Arabic, ‘Deen Al Maamla’.”
With a flourishing business in the UAE
and expansions into India in the distribution
of newspapers, magazines, courier service etc,
the Indian bedouin has pitched his tent at
Abu Dhabi – his home, his place of karma. A
place his artist wife Vanita took too instantly
and where his children were born and raised.
As a parting shot, he shows us his ‘MJ’ tat-
tooed arm and his eyes twinkle with mischief
as he jokes about sharing his initials with
Michael Jackson. A septuagenarian with the
right zest for life!
 EVENT

The EMITT 2010 (East Meditarranean International Travel and Tourism Exhibition)

Turkey calling
India Tourism, Dubai, made a good show
at EMITT 2010, the East Mediterranean
International Travel and Tourism Exhibition held
in Istanbul

T
he EMITT 2010, held between Tourism, Dubai, participates in the
11-14 February, 2010 in EMITT event every year.
Istanbul, entertained 2,550 Like last year, India Tourism’s
exhibitors from 70 countries Dubai office has been very active
and a total of 155,000 visitors, including with its promotional events this
55,000 invited visitors and 35,000 trade year too. While January saw the
visitors. The outgoing travel market from Lodhi Festival at the Chutneys res-
Turkey is pretty large and growing and the taurant in Movenpick hotel Dubai,
country is one of the emerging markets for the kite flying festival and Pongal
tourism to India. festivities were held at the Ajman Beach Re- drew a lot of attention. With several activi-
The Turkish population of 12 million sort. Press trips as well as roadshows dotted ties planned for the rest of 2010, tourism to
has the same income level as those in Euro- the first three months of the year. At Global India is sure to see a steady upswing.
pean countries. Most of the Turkish tourists Village, India
who travel abroad participate in cultural and Tourism’s
shopping based tours, and Turkish tourists well-lit
spend more than the average spent by Euro- Kashmiri
pean tourists. houseboat
With a focus on various kinds of tour-
ism - health, Medical, Beach, Adventure,
Cultural heritage, Nature, Rural,
MICE, etc, - India Tourism
showcased the coun-
try’s vast and varied
tourist destinations,
including the facilities
available for organising
meetings, conferences
and exhibitions. India

UAE Digest, March 2010 l 45

 TASTE OF DUBAI
Relishing the flavours
By Linda Benbow
T
he organisers of Taste of Dubai
have taken the current econom-
ical situation into consideration
when setting prices for this
year’s event with discounts for those who
book tickets early; and many have already
done so. It will continue with the practice of
using paper vouchers within the confines of
the event – for tasting purposes - ridding you
of the necessity of carrying purses and wal-
lets full of change at the food kiosks, another
thing that many have appreciated over the
past few years. But do bring some money
along for the many gourmet items on offer
at the indoor and outdoor market arenas.
Try strawberries dipped in balsamic vinegar,
then buy a bottle of the black stuff.
The internationally recognised restaurant
festival will be back in the city from March
17th to 20th , an opportunity to enjoy the
best in gourmet ingredients, speciality foods,
beverages and live entertainment.
Paul Croft, Show Director, enthused:
“Where else are you able to taste so many dif-
ferent samples of haute cuisine such as that
served in top quality, expensive restaurants,
for just a small fraction of the cost of a meal?
And these are tastes cooked by well-known
chefs.”
Yes, indeed.
Many of them
have appeared
on television
in their home
countries and
are housewives’
favourites.
Take Greek
Chef Yiannis
Baxevanis, for
example. To a
Greek audience,
this top name
chef needs no
introduction.
46 l UAE Digest, March 2010
The well-known, multi-award winning chef inspiration: “When I cook, many things are
is of legendary reputation among the Greek created on the spur of the moment!”
culinary elite. Nicknamed the ‘aroma however, he ardently believes the prod-
magician’ of Greek cuisine, his vision is for ucts and ingredients are the most significant
Greek products and Greek cuisine to as- contributing factor to the success of a dish.
sume their rightful position on the world’s “The quality of the ingredients constitutes
gastronomical map. 60 per cent of a chef’s success, while the
he is a passionate believer in Greek cui- remaining 40 per cent is skill.”
sine and the dietary value of the country’s Baxevanis worked in France for five
products. years, returned to Greece and quickly built
“What distinguishes Greek cooking up a legendary reputation through his years
is the aromatic
herbs we use and
the wild mountain
greens. There
are so many tasty
leafy plants that
nature provides for
all to pick – they
are not grown
commercially, nor
can they be found
in supermarkets.
When I came to
Dubai to open
Elia restaurant at
Majestic hotel,
I was happily
Leafy greens, cooked and uncooked
surprised to visit as gourmet chef at Grecotel Mykonos Blue,
the local market Elounda Beach in Crete and Lagonissi
and see stalls Resort. he also owns a popular restaurant
piled high with called ‘Giorti’ which means celebration and
edible vegetation. is a consultant at an array of top restaurants
Some of them in Athens. From his time in Crete, he was
are similar to my greatly influenced by Cretan cuisine and he
Greek ones. I made many Cretan herbs and spices fash-
don’t know their ionable by using them in his recipes.
names in Eng- his passions in life are of course, cook-
lish, but I know ing, Greece, its products, its culture, and
the look and children (including four of his own). In
taste of them.” 2006, Baxevanis made one of his dreams
Baxevanis’s come true by starting a Little-Chefs
creations are Programme. Once a week, he and many
borne out of prominent chefs set up cooking sessions for
Next to an olive tree is Chef Yiannis
Baxevanis checking out fresh olive oil
 Recipe ingredients

children where they

can learn the beauty
of the gastronomical
world, fresh products,
healthy diet and the
virtue of easy, fast,
healthy cooking. This
programme is avail-
able in Dubai too.
Elia restaurant is
a new take on Greek.
Not a statue or broken
plate is in sight.
Instead, a tranquil,
cosy, earthy setting
welcomes you, featur- • Place fish fillet on top.
ing olive trees, which • Pour fish stock into pan until it just
is where the name covers the fish. Cook until the fish is just
Elia derives from. A tender. Remove from heat.
team of four Greek • While fish is poaching in stock, prepare
chefs, headed by The terrace at Elia
the aioli by separating two yolks from
Yiannis Baxevanis not Recipe from Chef Yiannis their eggs. Beat them together in a bowl
only creates masterpieces of contemporary and place bowl over a separate pan of
Baxevanis
Greek cuisine, they serve you their creations boiling water, making sure the water does
themselves, giving you the opportunity to Poached fish with dill not touch the bowl.
converse with them about the recipes and sauce • Add fish stock a little at a time to the
the dish. An informal outdoor terrace is yolks while still whisking the mixture
popular with many who enjoy the blue and Ingredients: over the bubbling water, until mixture
white colours of the Mediterranean splashed For poaching: Onion, leafy green veg- thickens.
with red – usually geraniums or petunias. etables such as spinach or those milder • Add a handful of dill. Stir.
Every meal starts with a heart-warming • Add a squeeze of lemon juice. Stir.
welcome: a basket full of fresh slices of • Serve both together.
home-made bread, accompanied by olives A hands-on Chef Apart from all the gourmet offerings, in-
from Kalamata and fresh virgin olive oil. Yiannis whisks the spections of new kitchen gizmos, dining ac-
egg yolks for the dill
The menu contains a wide range of hot and sauce coutrements (china and cutlery) and lessons
cold mezze and delicious main courses, offer- by experts, visitors in past years have eagerly
ing meat, sea food and vegetarian options. scanned the crowds around them looking to
It is hard not to be wowed by the creative meet up with famous faces. This year will
use of nuts, Greek cheeses, interesting herbs be no different with celebrity chefs Gary
and unique combinations, which provide a Rhodes, James Martin
distinctive flavour. and Vineet Bhatia min-
Majestic Hotel is owned and run by a gling with the crowds
Greek company. With the opening of Elia, in flavour, fillet of fish, salt, and passing on their
the management wanted to bring their coun- pepper, fish stock (the chef culinary secrets. Maybe
try to Dubai. “It’s a little piece of Greece uses the liquid left over Italian chef Georgio
nestled in Bur Dubai,” says the GM, Alex when mussels are cooked). Locatelli and Mexican
Economides. For slow cooking: 2 egg chef Richard Sandeval
At Taste of Dubai, Yiannis Baxevanis yolks, fish stock, dill, will be there too, as they
will be taking part by giving lessons at the lemon juice were at last year’s event.
Cookery School (17th: 21.30-22.00hrs, Method: Poaching a fillet of fish Almost certainly Uwe
20th: 13.30-14.00hrs) and demonstrations • Slowly fry chopped Michael, President of
at Chef’s Theatre (18th: 20.15-20-45hrs and onions in a pan for a minute. Stir. Emirates Culinary Guild, will once more be
19th: 14.15-14.45hrs). • Add a handful or two of greens. Stir. laughing and joking. Who knows who else

UAE Digest, March 2010 l 47

 will be roaming among the tents and stalls
on the grass setting in Dubai Media City’s
amphitheatre?
This year’s restaurant line-up offers
an extensive variety of cuisine from
some of the hottest new restaurants
including Awtar, iZ, Mirai, The Wharf
and Zheng He’s. 50 sample-sized
dishes created by some of Dubai’s most
renowned and award-winning restau-
rants will be available to buy and taste.
Starters include Rhodes Mezza-
nine’s famed white tomato soup, seared
scallops from The Wharf followed by
entrees such as lamb tagine from Al-
maz by Momo and The China Club’s
Beijing duck. For dessert, visitors can
indulge in sticky toffee pudding from
Rivington Grill – or if they’re looking
for something lighter – Zheng He’s
chilled lemongrass jelly.
Paul Croft explained:“Nowhere else
will foodies and restaurant-goers be
able to savour such an extensive array of cui-
sine, pick up gourmet ingredients and enjoy
a wide range of beverages in this upmarket
festival setting.”
Food sampling
As well as sampling an array of mouth-
watering food, visitors also have the
opportunity to learn new recipes and watch
Dubai’s most respected culinary talent as
well as Michelin-starred masters and chefs
create show-stopping dishes in the Tefal
Chefs’ Theatre.
The Philips Cookery School is the place
for visitors to don aprons and learn new
48 l UAE Digest, March 2010
culinary techniques by creating dishes
under the guidance of leading chefs; each
participant is given a cooking station,
Chef ’s Theatre
utensils and ingredients to try their hand
at some amazing recipes.
The Marketplace has expanded this
year and visitors have the opportunity to
buy an expansive selection
of gourmet food and bever-
ages and see the latest must-
have culinary equipment
designed to make cooking a
pleasure.
The ever popular MMI
Beverage Theatre offers
visitors food and drink
pairing sessions as well as
the chance to enhance their
knowledge of beverages
with a wide programme of
guided tastings from lead-
ing connoisseurs.
Visitors
can enjoy
a selec-
tion of
delightful
mocktails
created
by expert
mixolo-
gists in the Blu Water Lounge, using Blu’s
array of flavoured waters.
The Momotaro Sake and Sashimi
Lounge invites visitors to take a culinary
journey through Japan in a relaxing lounge
atmosphere.
For those looking for something a lit-
tle more traditional, the Taste Chill Out
Lounge courtesy of Almaz by Momo offers
the ultimate area to soak up the atmosphere
and relax until the next course.
Commenting on Taste of Dubai 2009,
chef Gary Rhodes said: “It’s a fantastic occa-
sion where everyone who loves food can get
together and celebrate. There are now taste
festivals in other parts of the world but I be-
lieve that this one, here in Dubai, is the best,
and it is just going to continue to get better.”
Costillas Ahumada from Richard Sandoval’s Maya
restaurant, Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort and Spa
(Dubai Marina) featuring corn flour patties with
various fillings such as cheese, vegetables and chicken
Taste Timings: Taste Restaurants include:

Wednesday 17th March - 7.00 -11.30pm • Almaz by Momo • Magnolia • Rivington Grill
thursday 18th March - 7.00 -11.30pm • Awtar • Maya • sezzam
Friday 19th March noon - 5pm 7.00–11.30pm • Certo • Minato • sumibiya
saturday 20th March noon - 5pm 7.00-11.30pm • elia • Mirai • the China Club
*Dellas are the official currency of Taste of Dubai • Indego • Momotaro • the Wharf
and are used to buy dishes from the restaurants and • iZ • Rhodes Mezzanine • Zheng He’s
beverages at the festival.

Restaurant Dish Dish Dish

Awtar Lamb Mekanek Chicken Wings Jawaneh samkeh Harra Beirutieh

Dajaj Provencal
IZ Chicken tikka Hammour tikka Paneer tikka
Almaz by Momo Almonds Briouat Lamb tagine with pears and prunes Pigeon Pastilla

Elia Aromatic Carob Pie grilled a la
minute, stuffed with fresh greens
from the Greek mountains and
topped with a zesty
orange-perfumed sauce
Indego Vegetable samosa on a bed of
chickpea masala, sweet yoghurt,
tamarind chutney and
chickpea vermicelli
Rhodes Mezzanine White tomato soup
Maya Costillas Ahumada
Momotaro Assorted nigiri Rolls
sashimi
Magnolia Green Pea, Apple, Mint Gazpacho
Manuka honey caramelised carrot on
crispy wonton sheet, garden herbs
The Wharf seared scallops With apple,
radish, kipfler potatoes and
truffle mayonnaise
Minato sushi Rolls
Beef Gyros with fresh tomato,
onions and tzatiki wrapped in
traditional pita bread
Morsels of chicken and shitake
mushrooms in creamy tomato
sauce, saffron pulao
slowly Braised Lamb with buttered
potato and apple mint jelly
Quesadillas surtidas
seafood Gyoza
Miso glaced white radish,
sesame seeds, Aloe Vera,
roasted peanut, Avocado Ceviche
slow braised Wagyu short ribs,
crushed potatoes, parsnips,
caramelised shallots
Beef and Vegetable teppaniyaki
Galaktobureko; a milk & butter
pie of homemade filo pastry
Fresh rose petal and berry infused
chocolate and rice pudding with
pistachio stuffed Gulab Jamun
Iced strawberries and Clotted Cream
Crepas Con Cajeta
Assorted Maki Roll
Quinoa stuffed
Mediterranean vegetables
Red Pepper emulsion
Kit Kat Brownie,
sour Cherry Ice Cream
shrimp tempura

China Club Dim sum selection traditional Beijing Duck with Deep fried chicken balls in sweet
Pancake Rolls and sour sauce
Sumibiya Yakinuku (marinated grilled chicken stir fried seafood noodles Red Bean & Green tea Parfait Roulade
or beef) with Passion Fruit sauce
Rivington Grill Fish ’n chips with mushy green peas sticky toffee Pudding Prawn Cocktail
and thick chips
Sezzam seafood Laksa (spicy coconut milk Pepes Ikan ( steamed hammour in sate Campure (mixed sate with
soup with shrimp, fish ball, banana leaf served with peanut sauce and pickled vegetables)
bean sprouts and egg noodles) steamed rice and sambal)
Zheng He’s Deep Fried Prawns with Wasabi sauteed diced beef tenderloin Chilled lemongrass jelly
Mayonnaise and Mango salsa with black pepper sauce

UAE Digest, March 2010 l 49

 HOSPITALITY
Radisson Blu Hotel, Abu Dhabi Yas Island
Let’s celebrate
By Linda Benbow
T
here is plenty on offer at hotels
and hostelries around town
with weddings, golf, Motown
music, fiery kebabs and organic
caviar on offer this month. That is in addi-
tion to places to celebrate Iranian New Year,
the Chinese New Year, St. Patrick’s Day and
Mother’s Day.
radisson blu Hotel, abu Dhabi Yas
island, is to offer itself as a unique venue
for staging wedding receptions, and has
appointed a dedicated personal wedding
co-ordinator to deal with everything to
ensure that these unique days are special
in every way. The Galaxy Ballroom on the
ground floor is ideal for wedding receptions,
having its own private entrances leading
into a separate reception area and outdoor
terrace. It can be divided into three portions
50 l UAE Digest, March 2010
12-hole at The Faldo course, EGC
and can host up to 445 people at a time. At
prices well under Dh200 per person, the
packages include food, ballroom rental and
basic set-up.
The fully trained personal wedding co-
ordinator will assist with everything from
table plans and wedding etiquette to food
and drinks options. In short, he will ensure
that the reception will be perfect and that
the couple, as well as their guests, will have
an unforgettable day. The beauty of the
property and its stunning views ensure that
photographers will be able to provide the
most beautiful and dramatic wedding pic-
tures, offering memories to last a lifetime.
Meanwhile, the Dubai Creek golf
academy have a 9 to 9 promotion where,
from 9am to 9pm, Sunday to Thursday, you
can enjoy a bucket of balls on the driving
Sloane’s
range, a round of golf on the Par 3 course
and a main course in the Academy restau-
rant for Dh99.
Not to be outdone, Emirates golf Club
has a special low rate for uaE residents
who play a round on the Faldo Course
during March and April. All green fees are
inclusive of shared cart and range balls prior
to play. Bookings can be made seven days
prior to play. UAE residents will need to
present proof of residency on arrival.
Lovers of foie gras will revel at the
latest offering from sloane’s restaurant, in
grosvenor House Dubai, which will play
host to foie gras, goose and duck-themed
Friday brunches this month. Sloane’s prom-
ises a unique experience, offering diners a
spectacular traditional feast each Friday
from 1 to 4pm with a complimentary glass
of sparkling vino.
Motown records was one of the most
important and prominent record labels in
the 1960s, serving as the foundation for
many successful African-American artists
in the USA and throughout the world. Epic
number one hits such as My Girl, Dancing
in the Street, Baby Love, I Heard It Through
the Grape Vine and Can You Feel It became
timeless classics that are still on radio today.
‘Soul of Motown’ brings a selection of some
of the best music from the 50-year history
of the label to audiences in Dubai. This is
not a tribute concert, but a fully choreo-
graphed, theatrical experience with many
of the performers having backgrounds in
 Ping Pong’s dim sum is enjoyed by young and old

with friends and family. Try their relaxing

Bamboo Lagoon
major Broadway musicals. Will be staged
at The First Group Theatre at Souk Madinat
Jumeirah on 8-13 March at 8pm with a mati-
nee performance at 3.30pm on 13 March.
Whether you are a seasoned diver or
beginner, The Pavilion Dive Centre at
Jumeirah Beach Hotel has everything you
need to make the most of your underwater
adventures. Enjoy 20 per cent discount on all
courses by quoting ‘Liquid Magic 303’ at the
time of your booking. Valid until the end of
this month.
The chefs at JW Marriott Dubai are
planning to tantalise your taste-buds with
the freshest catch throughout the restau-
rants. Be prepared for the biggest invasion of
fish and crustaceans, fit for a sea-king! From
the kingdom of Neptune comes a three-
course seafood menu at the JW’s Steak-
house. ‘Adventura in Mare’ at Cucina Ital-
ian restaurants starts with a 3-course menu
available from 12 noon to midnight. Visit
the living cooking station grilling prawns,
lobsters, fish, squids and other seafood at
the Market Place.
Step into scattering huts, waterways and
bridges at the recently re-opened Bamboo
Lagoon and experience a potpourri of
seafood flavours from the Far East and
Polynesian islands. Try the Thai fish cakes;
steamed oysters on shell; Tom Yam soup;
seafood Dim Sum; Teppanyaki Salmon
Lobster; Prawn Tempura; Octopus Salad;
Fried Money Bags with Shrimps and Carrot
plus Greenleaf mussels with Kimchi.
Lakes Club at The Lakes residential
area, next door neighbours with EGC, is
a pleasant place for an afternoon soiree
afternoon tea or an Italian coffee served on
the lawns with a choice of mini sandwiches
or pastries.  Available Saturday - Thursday,
from 3 - 6 pm.
Trips to the mall are a regular pastime
in the UAE and stopping for a bite to eat is
part of the experience. But what do malls
have to offer if you are vegetarian, health-
conscious or simply want to avoid piling on
the calories? The Dubai Mall has a range of
alternatives to the usual fast food chains of
many malls, including the UAE’s first Ping
Pong dim sum restaurant offering a choice of
healthy, alternative food. Steamed dim sum
in the Chinese tradition is not only healthy
and pure but seals in all the nutritional ele-
ments of the food and allows the flavours to
shine through. It is introducing a new menu
which will include many new vegetarian
dishes as well as offering its usual low sodi-
um, dairy-free, soy-free, shellfish-free, onion
and garlic-free, gluten-free and vegan meals
for the health conscious. This is a modern
take on the ancient Chinese tradition of the
teahouse offering small, sweet, savoury and
affordable dishes with tea.

Discover Zaika - By Linda Benbow
First, you have to find the restaurant, and then you can discover its
secrets such as an outdoor dining island in the middle of a small lake,
complete with 12-foot high fountain, with the Burj Khalifa in the
background towering above the hotels’ rented suites and residences.
A photo opportunity indeed.
A buggy ride from the main Al Murooj Rotana Dubai
hotel takes you down the steep ramp, across the front of
a lively pub and up a winding access slope where Zaika
Restaurant lies hidden behind a hedge of greenery. Step
Zaika
Skewered kebabs
inside the Indian restaurant and you will find a classy two-storey
eatery with delightful booths and alcoves.
The restaurant brings a kebab festival featuring Sous Chef Madhu
who will unveil a specially designed promotional menu comprising
of a hot and spicy selection of kebabs, in addition to an à la carte
menu.
The main highlight will be
on the selection of signature
dishes such as Tandoori Salmon
Tikka (fresh salmon marinated
in yogurt, saffron spiced with
green chilli), Baluchi Boti Kebab
(Lamb marinade with yogurt,
garlic, brown onion and saffron),
Banno Kebab (Chicken marinade
in yogurt, yellow chilli and green
cardamom), and vegetarian dishes such as Bhatti
Ka Paneer Tikka (cottage cheese marinated with
yoghurt, bhatti spices and mustard oil cooked on
charcoal grill). Daily Punjabi and Bollywood live
entertainment will take the festival atmosphere of
the restaurant to a higher note from 9pm to 11pm.

UAE Digest, March 2010 l 51


Exclusive organic Zwyercaviar
Independent family enterprise Esturiones del
Rio Negro, pioneers in the aqua farming of
sturgeon, enjoys an impeccable reputation
as eco-responsible farmers of sturgeon and
producers of best-in-class caviar
The Terrace at Park Hyatt Dubai has
introduced organic farmed ZwyerCaviar to
the menu at its Raw Bar. Priced at Dh250 for
10gm or Dh2,995 for 125gm, the Oscietra-
type caviar comes from Russian and Siberian
sturgeon, but is harvested exclusively onsite
in Uruguay.
The Terrace at Park Hyatt Dubai
ZwyerCaviar’s sturgeon grows in an
unspoilt nature reserve in a largely natural
environment in Uruguay. The sustainably
run aqua farm meets the highest health and
quality standards. ZwyerCaviar’s sturgeon
live for up to 10 years in a lake and artificial
river system where, every second, they are
washed by thousands of litres of fresh water
from the river Rio Negro, one of the cleanest
rivers in the world.
ZwyerCaviar is caviar of the type ‘Oscietra
Flor de Sal Malassol’ (Malassol means ‘lightly
salted’). The caviar comes from Rus-
sian or Siberian sturgeon and, thanks
to regular inspections, the appraisal
of each individual fish and, in the
truest sense of the word, ‘handiwork’,
ZwyerCaviar roe are harvested exclu-
sively at the height of their maturity
with respect to size, taste, colour
and consistency. In its production
process, the company uses the purest
glacier water and exclusive sea salt
(Flor de Sal) from Portugal, which is
an absolute novelty in the production
of caviar.
Things to know about caviar:
• Caviar is consumed either with plastic
or horn spoons as metal or silver has a
negative effect on the taste
• Light caviar is more expensive than
dark caviar
• Pearly quality, size, lack of colour and
sheen of the grains are characteristics
of a good caviar
• Caviar is very rich in protein (25%-30%)
• Caviar contains good cholesterol
• Caviar is eaten either on its own or on
blinis, with “Gschwellti” or egg, but
never lemon and mayonnaise

Mazina
CELEBRATIONS
Tiger Chilli Crab festival
at Mazina
Celebrate the year of the Tiger and
try their Chilli Crab, one of the most
famous national dishes of Singapore,
as well as a variety of traditional Asian
cuisine and beverages, during a week-
long celebration starting on March 5 at
Mazina, The Address, Dubai Marina.
They will be serving Tiger beverages too.  Mandara Spa’s therapists will enrich your
Steak and Spa, ideal
decadent combination
this Mother’s Day
Come and join the Ruth’s Chris Steak
House team at Monarch Hotel over the
Mother’s Day weekend, from March 12
to 14 to celebrate Mother’s Day with
your family in true American style. Every
mother deserves to be pampered on this
special day, and so to help create the
perfect day and make your mother feel
as wonderful as she is, the restaurant has
teamed up with Mandara Spa to offer
every mother who dines there a comple-
mentary voucher worth Dh150.
Ruth Fertel, the driving force and
woman behind Ruth’s Chris Steak House
was a devoted mother herself, and so this
date is extra special for the restaurant.
mother’s spa experience with warm and
gracious hospitality and unpretentious
charm – and really pamper her on this
special day – and show her how much
you care.
Mother’s Day in Fujairah
Treat your mother to dinner at Le Méri-

52 l UAE Digest, March 2010


Carpaccio de Manzo
dien Al Aqah, with delicious dining op-
tions from around the globe. All mothers
staying at the resort during UK Mother’s
Day, which is celebrated on March 14, will
dine on 50 per cent off on any meals at
Views Restaurant when accompanied by
their children.
The Pub celebrates
St. Patrick’s Day
Located on the second floor of the Radis-
son Blu Hotel, Dubai Deira Creek, The
Celebrate Novrooz at
Shabestan
From March 21st- 30th, the Radisson Blu
Hotel, Dubai Deira Creek celebrates the
Iranian New Year with award-winning
cuisine and traditional festivities. Nov-
rooz, or Iranian New Year, marks the
coming of spring and the awakening of
nature after a long dark winter. Tradition-
ally, it is a time to celebrate the renewal of
all life on earth.
Join the celebrations at the hotel’s
Iranian restaurant featuring a special
set menu available for lunch and dinner,
including fresh Iranian Salads and Mast
O Khiar with freshly baked Iranian Naan
Bread, ‘Ash-E-Reshteh’- fresh Vegetables
and Fine Grains cooked with Kashk,
‘Sabzi Polo Ba Mahi’- Persian dill rice
served with local fried fish, a traditional
Novrooz dish, followed by ‘Faloodeh
Bastani’. A set price includes traditional
Pub celebrates
St. Patrick’s Day
from March
12 – 17 with a
specially pre-
pared food menu
featuring Irish
specialities, and a
St. Patrick’s Day
special cocktail
menu featuring
favourite Irish
beverages. Soak
Dervish performers
up the traditional pub mint tea and sweets.
atmosphere, have a Children and elders alike will be
game of darts, sit back entertained with special performances
and watch the latest presented by mystical illusionist Kaveh,
live sports from around flown in all the way from Tehran and
the world and enjoy the dervishes performing mediation dances
traditional pub grub. and playing instruments.
UAE Digest, March 2010 l 53
 FASHION
Growth
in fashion industry
Tamara Hostal, Director and Founder, French
Fashion University Esmod - Dubai, speaks on
fashion industry trends
Y
ou have predicted a 15 per cent
growth in the fashion industry
in 2010 and a five per cent in-
crease in job opportunities for
fashion designers through 2016, what were
the reasons and factors that prompted you
to do so?
The $12 billion Gulf clothing market is at-
tracting more brands to the affluent and in-
creasingly fashion-conscious region. Several
factors contribute to the surge in the Arab
fashion sector, including the emergence of
a pervasive regional ‘mall culture’ as shown
by the launching of numerous commercial
centres; a robust retail fashion business; and
a rising regional interest among the world’s
top designers as well as the growing popular-
Designed by Esmod students
54 l UAE Digest, March 2010
ity of Arab designers. Fashion
houses identify the UAE as an
emerging global fashion hub; an
AC Nielsen survey revealed that
a third of UAE respondents
bought luxury goods and that
UAE residents are some of the most prolific
buyers of designer apparel and accessories.
Even the domestic real estate sector has
incorporated fashion into its line-up of
developments, as embodied by the hotel
Armani in the Burj Khalifa and the upcom-
ing Isla Moda, the world’s first dedicated
fashion island to be built on Dubai’s ‘The
World’ project, which will feature limited-
edition homes designed by fashion icon
Karl Lagerfeld. A similar Dh26 billion
Tamara Hostal
mixed-use residential and retail fashion dis-
trict called ‘Style City’ is also in the works
in Abu Dhabi.
Our long years of experience in the fash-
ion industry, complemented with our sole
presence in the region, has given us the ad-
vantage of being able to predict trends and
possible market activities for the Middle
East’s fashion industry. Esmod is recognised
as the oldest and most prominent school
associated with international fashion educa- fame to a creator or designer but also to Do you think that the entry of renowned
tion while French Fashion University Esmod their respective countries. Many Arab fashion brands in Dubai enhances its posi-
is the region’s only fashion-based university. designers are now recognised globally, but tion as a global fashion hub?
Since establishing in the UAE in 2006, we the UAE, Dubai in particular, will have The influx of global fashion brands helps
have witnessed an overwhelming response to discover more fashion designers to help enhance the industry and the taste of the
to the initiatives that we have introduced to leverage itself as the next global hub for the consumers. There is a wonderful feeling that
the region’s fashion industry. The excel- fashion industry. comes when you discover a market that offers
lent response has also led to more students everything that you will ever need in terms
enrolling at FFUE, which has constantly What career options are currently avail- of fashion. If local consumers are made more
increased year after year. able for fashion designers? aware of the wide array of choices and the
Global brands setting up businesses and Career opportunities for graduates range quality of clothing that you can find in the
branches in the region has also become a key from fashion creation, production, market- different shops here, then they might find
driving factor in the predicted increase in ing and communications. Many of our themselves doing more shopping here instead
job opportunities for the fashion industry. graduates are now working with renowned of doing their shopping abroad.
With all of these factors put into place, we global fashion brands
In the limelight
expect five per cent growth through 2016 like Yves Saint
and further growth to run until 2020. Laurent, Paco
Rabanne, Elie Saab,
How has the current economic crisis Victoria’s Secret,
affected the fashion industry in both an Givenchy and
international and local scale? Swarovsky. Some of
The global fashion industry, along with our graduates have
other international industries, has suffered also established
a decline in business as a result of the crisis. their own fashion
Despite this, the region’s fashion industry brands.
has shown the least signs of being affected
by the current economic downturn. What What is the UAE’s
the crisis has done, however, is create a potential as a
newfound consumer and creator attitude global fashion hub
towards the industry. Today, the middle as compared to
market, which is composed of a younger set the international
of consumers, buy more trendy garments fashion scene?
like they were buying magazines. The higher Dubai is a very
market is made up of consumers who tend cosmopolitan and
to base their buying decisions on quality, chic city marked
creativity and exclusivity. by a multi-cultural
Upbeat thinking can help push the fash- population that
ion market towards more growth despite the uses fashion as a
crisis. Manufacturers and shop owners who means to express
have embraced this positive outlook are now their backgrounds,
looking into implementing new ideas and culture, and inner
strategies to give satisfaction to their custom- creativity. Fashion
ers and offering products that match their also helps in creat-
budgets. H&M for example, is now trying to ing a harmonious
sell fashion garments at lowered prices. blend of both
local and foreign
How do you evaluate the volume of people cultures. The UAE’s
opting for a degree in fashion education in multi-cultural resi-
the UAE? dents have the po-
The region has recognised the need to tential to innovate
provide competitive and comprehensive through an eclectic
training and education to help boost the mix of culture and
business. Success in fashion not only brings creativity.

UAE Digest, March 2010 l 55

 An example of this is the recent opening
of the Villa Moda shop in the DIFC area.
The new store offers high-quality affordable
products that are comparable to products
being offered in shopping capitals from other
countries.
Do you think celebrities contribute to sup-
porting fashion?
Celebrities play a key role in helping promote
today’s fashion industry. Take Victoria Beck-
ham for example, who is a former member
of the Spice Girls. Beckham is not a stylist
nor does she have any fashion training or
background, yet in such a short span of time,
she has successfully marketed her own line
of clothing and fashion accessories through
Villa Moda shops worldwide.
Today, the use of celebrity endorsers is
a must to succeed in the business, as these
celebrities have become a part of our lives—
they are seen on magazines, TV, the internet
and different billboards. Media has invested
a lot in these celebrities.
One key advantage earned from celebrity
endorsement is that trendy garments are
now offered at lowered prices and has now
become more accessible to everybody. Global
brands like H&M and La Redoute have also
introduced fresh ideas and concepts like
inviting a famous designer to design a whole
Final touches to a frilly frock
56 l UAE Digest, March 2010
new collection exclusively for their brands.
This becomes an excellent way to teach and
increase the fashion level and understand-
ing of the consumer; offering high fashion
clothing at reduced prices that they can
afford.
Personally, I would love to be mentored
by a top celebrity designer like Kenzo or
John Galliano, who is recognised as the first
designer for the Dior brand.
How do you evaluate the level of con-
sumer awareness in the region in terms of
global fashion trends?
The local market has to create its own
trends. One of the key attractions of the
region, in terms of fashion, is the infusion
of Oriental and Arabic styles in designs. We
should strive to attain a good position in
the international fashion industry, but only
if creativity is strong and not classic. The
idea is not to copy what has been done by
others, even if it is a top brand like Elie Saab
or Jimmy Choo.
Do you think Dubai can compete with
other countries such as India and China
in terms of labour needed for making
fashion?
It is not a question of competing with each
other, as each country represents different
strengths and styles in terms of fashion.
India is best known for its embellishment,
embroidery, quality finishing and cost
efficiency. However, Indian designers tend
to always do the same in terms of their
creations; offering a lack of creativity and
seasonal trends. Another foreseen problem
is that Indian designers prefer to keep their
market limited only to Indians.
China is well-placed in terms of cost
volume production, even if Vietnam offers
cheaper resources. Some fashion experts
have even predicted that the next wave of
famous successful designers will be coming
from China, which is known for its rich cul-
ture and artistic creativity. The Chinese are
also very open to the world and are excellent
when it comes to promoting themselves.
What are the best selling fashion sectors
in the region?
People in the region follow its fashion
trends according to key factors like tradi-
tions, lifestyle and the different change in
seasons. Haute couture is the number one
selling style in terms of fashion, followed
by formal wear, which is classic and priced
reasonably. Bridal wear and accessories has
also become a top seller, while sportswear
follows behind.
Fashion is expected to perform ex-
ceptionally well worldwide in 2010, with
textile and apparel trade forecast to reach
$655 billion within
the year. Textile and
apparel currently
account for around
six per cent of total
world exports, with
the apparel sector
representing 57
per cent of the
international textile
and apparel trade.
Fashion employment
opportunities are
projected to grow by
at least 10 per cent
within the next five
years. This is actu-
ally a very exciting
time for the region’s
fashion industry.

Things that aren’t what they seem
By Linda Benbow
B
eauty is in the eye of the beholder,
it is often said, but sometimes the
beholder’s eyesight isn’t what it
is cracked up to be. I certainly
looked twice when I saw a men’s fragrance
with a car name attached to it - Porsche.
Then I found out that Porsche Design
had launched its first fragrance line ‘The
Essence’, in 2008, and was now introducing
its new one ‘The Essence Intense’ to the
market.
This modern
product is a new orchestration, sensual
and sophisticated, of The Essence. The
tonic freshness that defines the initial
scent has been kept. Its aromatic and
woody facets have been intensified
and ‘warmed’ with added notes, which
provides a longer lasting scent. It has a
mix of myrtle, juniper berry and bitter
mandarin. Next, the fragrance opens to
the intense and virile notes of Siberian
pine and black pepper, which contrast
with the spicy mildness of cinnamon from
Ceylon. Finally, Haitian vetiver and amber
give the creation its strength and sensuality.
Porsche Design is a luxury brand that
designs and develops products inspired by
advanced technology, and was created in
1972 by Ferdinand Alexander Porsche. Since
then, it has created timeless products for
men that combine quality and beautiful
materials with practicality and restrained
design. These include classic accessories, a
fashion and sportswear collection, electron-
ic items and a perfume line. These products
are designed by the Porsche Design Studio
based at Zell am See (in Austria) and
distributed throughout the world in brand
boutiques, department stores, luxury
department stores and exclusive travel retail
sales outlets.
Meanwhile, Cadillac had decided to
come to the Middle East, - no, not as a car;
instead it entered the perfumery business
after successful introductions in other in-
ternational markets, including Los Angeles
and Toronto.
Mr. Alwyn Stephen, President and
CEO, Beauty Contact Inc., said: “The
launch of Cadillac Fragrance for Men
takes the name of the well-known famous
automobile brand under an official licence
agreement with General Motors to design,
develop, produce and market Cadillac
Fragrances throughout numerous countries
in the world”.
This is not yet-another entry into the au-
FASHION
tomobile range of fragrances – the premium
perfume collection is aimed at customers
of the Middle East, and the first line will be
targeted at the male market.
Cadillac Fragrance for Men opens with
notes of ebony, cloves and incense, wrapped
in sparkling aromas of grapefruit and
chamomile, while the masculine tone of the
perfume is woven in by geranium, tarragon
and cinnamon.
Mr. Stephen said that Beauty Con-
tact has crossed major milestones in the
development and marketing of the fragrance
including licensing, research, development
and brand promotion. The company has
now moved into the next phase of shipments
and sales. The first men’s Cadillac Fragrance
line is already available in most of the major
Middle Eastern markets, North America,
Canada and parts of Europe.
ZZegna has brought out its Spring
Summer 2010 collection. Never subject to
rules, new aesthetics flow throughout the
collection, conveying a feeling of unsenti-
mental refined street dandyism. The clothes
UAE Digest, March 2010 l 57
 should be worn with a touch of irony with
personal eccentricity being a visual device,
not a way of life.
Tall, lean and slender proportions are
IMAGE 1: 2 in 1 graphic print belted dress
shaped to be graphically masculine. Raw at Dh239. The rocking 80s were a time
edge tailcoats and sleeveless jackets with of fun, frolic and fashion. So with that in
clean yet soft necklines are paired with nar- mind, Jane Norman designed this gorgeous
2in1 graphic print-belted dress. Dress
row trousers elongating the silhouette. Jack- features scoop neck top with thick elastic
ets with multiple layered pockets and trench waist belt and a tulip shaped multi-colored
suits emphasise the waist and enhance the skirt. A fabulous dress, perfect for work to
cocktail hour.
shoulder proportion.
The fabrics are light and compact with
that ‘feel it’ quality. Fresh touch cottons,
tussah, translucent silks and oversize striped Other than a passion for fashion,
suitings portray an effortlessly breezy air. John Richmond has always
Kangaroo leathers, ultra-light suedes and nurtured a great interest in
linen satins are all strikingly weightless while rock music which he reflects in
conveying a sense of inner strength and his creations of irreverent style
fortitude. teamed with prints. Another
Shades of blue reign supreme, from navy fundamental idea he
to ink to royal. Discrete tones of natural encompasses is ‘street culture’ that
whites and concretes compact and blur into identifies with
lilacs. slogans like:
What is swatch? It’s not just ‘ love and hate’,
a watch - it’s a cultural code. It’s ‘eat cake’ and
creative and it’s colourful. It’s ‘wanna be your dog’.
unmistakably different. And just Because of this
to make things perfectly clear, Unique colour double-thread link to
they are delighted to present the Totally transparent, Instant music, he has dressed
new Swatch Colour Codes Col- Gloss colours lips with a stars such as Bryan
unique nuance… unique to
lection which takes them back to each person who Adams, David Bowie,
the roots where they began with wears it. How does it work? Elle MacPherson
ten bright shiny wristwatches, The sensitive pigments in and Annie Lennox.
Instant Gloss react with the
each with a shiny plastic strap in a skin’s pH level.
single, solid colour and a case and In contact with the skin, it
dial in the same colour. An- changes
into a
other ten new Colour Code subtle
watches feature plastic straps shade
in solid colours with a matt of pink
which
surface, plastic cases to match instantly
the straps, and white dials with enhances
coloured numerals and indexes. the
lips’
And since Swatch is all about natural
creation, art is at its origin. They colour.
have been working with creative The result
is a colour
artists ever since they started, unique
and now they present, as part of to every
the new Collection, six Swatch wearer.
Available
Art Specials by exciting graphic in the only
artists Gary Card, David Benedek Clarins
(David’s also a member of the Boutique in
the Middle
Swatch Snowboard Pro Team) East in
and Carrie Munden. Dubai Mall

58 l UAE Digest, March 2010


Picturesque comforters
By Linda Benbow
I
t’s difficult to find the right threads,
materials and craft necessities for
the many sewing enthusiasts in this
country. hobbyists find a shop that
sells needles, embroidery frames, various
threads for various types of sewing, ribbons
and buttons – and keep that information to
themselves, or only share with similar sewing-
minded friends. A good, old-fashioned
word like haberdashery is not so easy to use
nowadays, but that is what we are looking for,
a shop that caters to home sewers.
So it was with great joy that I discovered
that the quilting fraternity now has a light
and airy shop in Jumeirah that caters to their
needs. Classic Quilts is on the first floor of
Jumaira Plaza, the pink mall on the Beach
Road, and not only does it hold small classes
for up to three people at the back of the shop
with its large windows, but it also hires out its
long arm machine for those who want to fin-
ish off large projects, and will even undertake
the work for you if required.
Racks of colourful cotton materials suit-
able for close sewing with fillings are available,
batiks from the Far East and cloth printed
with seasonal pictures are there too. The cor-
rect thickness of thread for multiple layers of
cloth sewing are stacked neatly along the wall
A quilted picture entitled Bab Al Yemen which was
entered in this year’s International Quilt Show
on colourful and shimmering spools.
The shop is a joint endeavour of Mala
(the quilter) and Shanker (the businessman)
Ramakrishnan who opened their first shop in
Deira a few years ago. They moved from Mus-
cat to Abu Dhabi in 1995 when Mala took
to quilting as a hobby. In 2004 she bought
a Gammill Long Arm Quilting Machine
and had an initiation to long-arm machine
quilting from Beryl Cadman, a leading quilter
based in Ireland. In June 2005, Mala opened
Classic Quilts & Quilting in Dubai with an
object of making and selling quilts, providing
quilting services and promoting quilting in
the UAE. She is a member of International
Quilt Association, Dubai Quilters’ Guild, and
Abu Dhabi Quilting Guild.
Benefits of Quilting
• Eases stress. Classic Quilts has a following
of doctors and psychiatrists who find
quilting to be the best stress buster. That
is because the mind relaxes. Plus, quilting
involves colours, making motifs, and each
individual can create her own pattern
without feeling the stress that it needs to
turn out correctly. Even a disastrous selec-
tion of colours will turn out well in any
quilting piece that is done
Mala at work with the long arm quilting machine
QUILTING
• Creative outlet. People want to try something
new, apart from art and other crafts. You can
visit the branch at Jumeirah Plaza and take
a one-day (three hours) workshop and you’d
have tried out a new craft. The projects ar-
ranged are usually small bag embellishments
and patchwork mobile phone holder.
• Made for loved ones – Quilts are usually
gifted, they go to children, grandchildren
or even partners and families. Mala gave an
example of how one lady wanted personalised
messages to be quilted for her mother’s 90th
birthday. Various technique design elements
were used. The actual process and the end
product was a touching experience for Mala,
as she could relate to the messages and the
designs, from a mother’s point of view.
A four-day quilt show was held last month
with a showing of artistic patchwork quilts,
lecture demonstrations and workshops by world
renowned quilting experts, plus an international
quilt competition which attracted submissions
from a number of overseas residents, who flew in
to visit the show en masse.
A charity quilt was raffled with proceeds
benefiting the Dubai Autism Centre. The
quilt had a design of a Magic Lantern and was
put together by the local based Quilting Bees
(including Mala).
UAE Digest, March 2010 l 59
 ART
Art for
money’s
sake
A
rt is not just for art’s sake. Art
is also an investment item
that looks good while making
money for the owner. This is
proved by the upcoming Art Dubai exhibi-
tion, to be held from March 17 to 20, a sub-
sidiary of the Dubai International Financial
Centre (DIFC), held in partnership with
Abraaj Capital and sponsored by Van Cleef
& Arpels. Plus, for good measure, it will
be held at Madinat Jumeirah, the exclusive
hotel partner for the event.
Now in its fourth year, Art Dubai will
include the return of the Global Art Forum,
the second annual Abraaj Capital Art Prize;
‘The Poetry of Time’- a museum quality
exhibition curated by Van Cleef & Arpels;
Art Park and Contemparabia 2010. Also, it
has invited not-for-profit arts organisation
Bidoun Projects to curate its programme
of special projects highlighting the
importance of collabo-
ration in the region.
Contemparabia
offers a two-week
itinerary that in-
cludes architec-
tural tours,
historical
excursions,
perform-
ances, and
visits to con-
temporary artist
studios, fashion
designers show-
rooms, museums,
The Midnight in Dubai timepiece, part of the
Van Cleef & Arpels exhibition, reproduces the
stars in the Dubai night sky. It is equipped with a
unique and extremely complex movement which
links the notion of time to the cosmos
60 l UAE Digest, March 2010
Art Dubai preview at Hunnar Gallery, Jumeirah
non-profit organisations, private collectors’ as an unmissable date on the international
homes and much more. art calendar, offering a unique vantage point
John Martin, Director and Co-Founder for collectors to discover the most innova-
of Art Dubai said, “Over the past three tive younger galleries and artists, alongside
years, this event has set the business of established names from around the world.
art within a context that is intelligent, But the event is not just about making
stimulating and relevant. Through col- money – it gives some of it away too –to its
laborations with world-class galleries and official CSR programme involving ‘Start’, a
arts organisations, we have established this children’s charity. Visit www.startworld.org.
Island inspiration for local of art workshops over the course of six weeks
artists which will be a key part of the education
Desert Islands sponsors Emirati talent process and will be a comprehensive mix of
mentored by local artist Jalal Luqman practical and theoretical skills culminating in
Desert Islands has taken a step ahead - each student producing a painting that will
beyond its mission for wildlife and nature be showcased at Ghaf Art Gallery in a 10-day
conservation - to embrace and foster budding exhibition scheduled at 11th to 21st of April.
Emirati artists. The nature-rich archipel-
ago’s developer, Tourism Development
& Investment Company (TDIC), has
joined forces with Emirati artist Jalal
Luqman to sponsor his incredible initia-
tive Jalal’s Art Trip, which supports the
next generation of Emirati artists to
grow from amateur to proficient artists.
“I remember how hard it was to
become an artist 20 years ago and how
scarce support was. There was little, if
any, support by individuals or organisa-
tions who supported art or artists, and
that is why I started Jalal’s Art Trip,
to be the vehicle in which I lend that
helping hand to new upcoming artists”
said Luqman. “Through it’s Arabian
Wildlife Park, majestic green hilltops,
salt domes and some of the most awe-
inspiring scenery in the region, Sir Bani
Yas Island is the perfect location to
serve as the inspiration for artists.”
The trip is only the first part of the
programme. Luqman will hold a series

Showing at UAE cinemas during March
M
el Gibson has been per-
suaded to return to the big
screen to play the part of
Thomas Craven in a film
version of the 1980’s television mini-series.
First shown in 1985, Edge of Darkness was a
unique drama about a police inspector who
tries to come to terms with his daughter’s
death, and ends up involved in an interna-
tional conspiracy involving environmental
terrorism, plutonium, and the Knights of St
John.
Written by Troy Kennedy Martin, and
directed by Martin Campbell, Edge of Dark-
ness starred the late Bob Peck as Craven and
Joe Don Baker as Jedburgh, the golf-obsessed
American agent who may just be acting for a
higher power. The action shifts between Cra-
ven’s cottage, the corridors of Whitehall, an
underground nuclear reprocessing plant, and,
in a surreal highlight, an abandoned nuclear
bunker stocked by Harrods.
Winner of several prestigious awards, it
remains highly regarded to this day.
Mel, you took a long break from acting
prior to Edge of Darkness. Have you gotten
the acting bug back?
Well, yeah, I walked away
from it after Signs, because I
just felt I was a bit stale and it
wasn’t ringing my bells. So,
I focused on directing and
writing and producing and
all that kind of stuff. And
then it was time to come back.
Now, I’ve got the acting bug
back because I felt like, all of a
sudden, maybe, after all these
years, I might have something
to offer again. And it coin-
cided with a very good piece
of material. Now there was a
compelling story with good
elements attached, and I dug it, and it gave
me a chance to work with Ray Winstone
and others, good stuff. So, if it wasn’t this,
it would have been something else, but this
was the best thing that I saw.
What was it like getting in front of the
camera again?
I remember Martin Campbell, the Director,
had to tell me to tone it down a couple of
times because you forget levels and stuff.
After that it was pretty natural. I mean,
geez, you don’t do something for 30 years
and forget it.
You have some intense fight scenes in this
film. Did you do anything differently
than in your earlier films?
Well, the only thing I did with that was I
just ordered a chiropractor for the day after.
(Laughs) Because I knew what it was going
to feel like. I knew I was going to wake up
like roadkill, and I did. You don’t bounce
back as quick as you used to. And that guy’s
25, right? He’s taking it easy on you, okay?
And it’s not a pleasant experience. You don’t
pop back the way you used to. But it’s okay,
so long as it still looks good. (Laughs)
CINEMA
Did you watch the original UK
production of Edge of Darkness, because
your performance reminded me in some
ways of Bob Peck’s?
I watched it back in the 1980s, avidly. It
was some of the best TV I’d ever seen.
And British television at that time was
great. But I made a point to not watch it
again because I didn’t want it to be a part
of that, but to just try and be truthful. But,
hey, if you’re saying that my performance
was anything like what Bob Peck did, I’m
flattered. Because I think he was amazing.
Did you learn anything exciting while
you were away from the industry, about
yourself, about life in general?
Well, I didn’t really get away from the
industry. I learned about writing; I learned
about conceiving—from conception to
writing to bringing that to the screen,
to mounting a film to producing it to
directing it to actually singlehandedly
marketing and distributing, and doing
everything except exhibition. Now I’ve
bought a bunch of theatres in Australia
called the Dendy chain, so I’m an exhibitor
as well.
UAE Digest, March 2010 l 61
 LITFEST

Intellectually stimulating line-up

The four-day Emirates Festival of Literature reveals its programme details
By Vanit Sethi

F
or four days, Dubai’s
book lovers were
oblivious to the
outside world around
them, surrounded as they were
by more than 100 writers from
across the globe in a sea of
words, ideas and debates. Tak-
ing off on the wings of a stu-
pendously successful beginning
last year – the first Emirates
Airline International Festival
of Literature – this year’s event
flew high in the stratosphere of
intellectual stimulation. here’s
a gist of the exciting events held
at the Dubai Festival City from
March 10-13 for those who
could not make it to the venue
for various reasons.

Main Programme
This year’s festival opened
on March 10 with a session on ‘Emerging
Emirati Writers’ followed by the launch of
Khaled Al Budoor’s collection of historic
Emirati poetry going back to the 1800s,
entitled Looking Back with Love. In a ses-
sion entitled ‘Inspiration’, the trio of Bahaa
Taher, Yann Martel and Imtiaz Dharker
revealed how and why they write, and
what drives them to do so. Prize-winning
Egyptian author Yousef Ziedan read from
his novel Azazil, spoke about the book’s
tumultuous publication, and the impact of
winning the ‘Arabic Booker’.
Bestselling business author and public
speaker Robert Greene gave his perspective
on the global economic crisis, weaving in ex-
amples from history to his own theories. The
day culminated with an eagerly anticipated
session with Martin Amis who discussed his
latest novel The Pregnant Widow.
The second day of the festival (March 11)
saw Alexander McCall Smith (No 1 Ladies
Detective Agency), author and jet-setting
commentator Shobhaa De, and renowned
BBC broadcaster John Simpson take part
in author sessions on a range of fascinat-
ing topics. Leading writers in the crime
genre came together for the first time in the
‘Crime Writers’ Panel’. Francis Wheen and
DJ Taylor analysed the art of biography,
discussing the challenges and potential
pitfalls of tackling political and literary
giants.
Well-known Emirati poet Mohammed
Khalifa bin hadher delighted audiences
with a poetry reading session. Distin-
guished historian Margaret Macmillan also
took part in one session. Another highlight
was a session of Arabic poetry, which saw
some of the most progressive and influen-
tial contemporary Arab poets like Amjad
Nasser, Iman Mersal and Samer Abou
hawwash taking the stage together.
A stellar line-up entertained festival-
goers on the third day (March 12). BBC
broadcaster Kate Adie delighted audiences
with anecdotes from her long and varied
career. Fiction writers Chris Cleave, Vikas
Swarup, Yann Martel, and leading graphic
novelist Marjane Satrapi provided insights
into their craft in a series of one-to-one
conversations. Imtiaz Dharker and Fadhil
Al Azzawi performed select readings of
their work. Later, William Dalrymple
talked about his first travel book for more
than 10 years.
‘An Evening with 4 Emirati Poets’
included Khaled Al Budoor, Nujoom Al
Ghanem, Khulood Al Mu’alla, and Ahmed
Rashid Thani. Imran Ahmad discussed the
personal challenges of getting published in
a post-9/11 world, while BBC Security Cor-
respondent Frank Gardiner appeared via
video link from London to discuss his new
book Far Horizons. Indian novelist Amit
Chaudhuri and local musicians brought the

62 l UAE Digest, March 2010

evening to a close with a musical finale.
Arab literature took the centrestage on
the last day of the festival (March 13) with
two major events. In ‘Author & Translator’,
Yann Martel, Samer Abou Hawwash, Abdo
Khal and Anthony Calderbank explored
the relationship between authors and their
translators. ‘From Page to Screen’ saw lead-
ing writers Vikas Swarup, Mark Billingham
and Chris Cleave debate on what makes
for a successful adaptation. Maha Gargash
discussed how she broke away from the
traditional role of women in the UAE to
fulfil her ambitions.
A preview of an exciting collection of
new writing from the Arab world by 39 of
its brightest young literary stars appeared
in a session titled ‘Beirut 39.’ Adding more
flavour to the festival was a cookery demon-
stration of healthy Indian food by Anjum
Anand, the new face of Indian cuisine. For
travel writing fans, Tim Butcher described
his adventures in Africa which were the
inspiration for the bestselling Blood River
and his new novel Chasing the Devil. At the
end of the day, Amit Chaudhuri
joined Alexander McCall Smith
for a magical ‘Words & Music’
event which will knit together
the two art forms.
also a wonderful line-up of authors for pre-
school and primary aged children, includ-
ing Polly Dunbar, Conn Iggulden, Oliver
Jeffers, Julia Johnson, Caroline Lawrence,
Michelle Paver, Tony Ross and Ian Why-
brow. Gervase Phinn’s solo performance
delighted adults and older children.
For the first time, the festival hosted a
range of workshops for adults and children.
Experts from around the world provided
master classes for adults in creative writing,
drama and translation (Arabic to English).
Children were also able to take part in
creative writing, drama and illustration
workshops.
The free Fringe Festival, a key attrac-
tion of the four-day event, took place on-
site and was designed to act as a platform
for Dubai’s young writers and performers
to showcase their talent. Readings, singing
and drama performances made the Fringe
Festival a memorable experience.
Following last year’s success, the festival
once again featured Education Day events,
giving an opportunity for students from
HIGHLIGHTS
• 100 authors
• 50 per cent more sessions
• Arabic interest sessions
doubled to 20
• 4 sessions dedicated to Emirati
writers and writing
• Children’s programme tripled
• New musical strands,
workshops and cookery
demonstrations
various institutions in the UAE to interact
with festival authors. The Education Days
were held at the Dubai Scientific and
Cultural Association, Al Mamzar, and in
Dubai Public Library on March 10 and 11
(Wednesday and Thursday).
Thus, a packed literary calendar was
wrapped up this month. Now, wait for the
next year’s Emirates Litfest, all ye Dubai’s
bibliophiles!

Workshops and
events
Following feedback from the
2009 festival, the organisers
tripled the size of the children’s
programme this year. All 17
sessions ran on March 12
and 13 (Friday and Satur-
day). Three mega-star writers
-- Jacqueline Wilson, Darren
Shan and Garth Nix wowed
older children. Roger McGough
delighted younger children
and their parents with his own
brand of performance poetry.
New for this season were
three children’s storytelling
events in Arabic by Nadine
Touma, Taghreed Najjar and
Fatima Sharafeddine. There was

UAE Digest, March 2010 l 63

 END PAGE
Tracking state terror
By Con Clude
D
ubai Police has now come in
the global spotlight due to
its sophisticated investiga-
tion into the killing of ha-
mas commander Mahmoud Al Mabhouh.
Within a few days, Dubai Police had
pieced together all strands in the high-
profile assassination with near certain
links to Mossad, the Israeli spy agency.
Monitoring CCTV cameras at the airport,
hotels and malls, the police identified 11
persons with various passports, along with
their photographs taken from video clips.
But just a day after the police came out
with the ‘Wanted’ list, most countries got
back saying all passports were forged. This
raised the hackles of Dubai Police amid a
growing suspicion that only Mossad could
be behind such a dubious operation. It was
claimed that actual citizens’ names were
used, putting their lives in jeopardy.
This created a huge diplomatic row
between the countries concerned, with
envoys being summoned for explanations.
After the police unearthed 15 more names
(involved in other ‘shadowy’ tasks), the
scale of the operation became clear. What
beats comprehension is why 26 people had
to be involved in pursuing one person with
hardly any security, since he was supposed
to be incognito?
Though Dubai Police is trying its best
to hunt down the killers and seek the co-
operation of all EU countries, the outcome
of these efforts remains in doubt, since we
know what happens when the storm blows
over - it’s business as usual. But will dirty
tricks continue, regardless? Is might the
64 l UAE Digest, March 2010
right even today? how long can archaic
practices of a bygone era be allowed to
smear modern liberal policies?
Rumour vs humour
Of late, things seem to be going wrong for
Dubai again, albeit in small ways. First, it
was the malfunctioning elevators at Burj
Khalifa, which left people stranded at
‘stratospheric’ levels for close to an hour.
Then, the aquarium at Dubai Mall started
leaking with some mall areas getting
flooded, raising panic levels. And then, on
the last day of DSF, a portion of the India
Pavilion at Global Village collapsed due
to heavy rains, killing one woman and
forcing the premature shutting down of
the complex.
Before cassandras of pessimism raise
their heads, it will be good to remember
that such things keep happening in big
cities across the world, Dubai being no
exception. Of course, the authorities try
their best to keep things under control,
and do an admirable job of it without
raising a hue and cry. But in their zest
for order, the complete information is
rarely forthcoming. This provides grist to
rumour mills, thus making mountains
out of molehills. Wouldn’t it be wiser
to let the news flow naturally? Why this
oversensitivity to the slightest hint of
criticism?
We know there are people willing to
pull down Dubai, but let’s not indulge
in knee-jerk reactions. Things get blown
out of proportion if you try to hide them.
Perhaps, it may help once a while to let
humour take over. After all, who hasn’t
heard of Murphy’s law: ‘If things have to go
wrong, they will’.
The smarter ones
Bollywood stars coming to promote their
films in Dubai is nothing new, but more
stars seem to be doing that nowdays. The
latest premiere was of Karthik Calling
Karthik, dubbed a ‘romantic suspense
thriller’, starring Farhan Akhtar and
Deepika Padukone. It is another Bol-
lywood offering that will appeal to an
international audience. Two halls in the
Grand Cineplex were reserved for the
premiere a night before its UAE release
on February 25. The two young stars and
the film director were present, along with
Emirates NBD officials, at the show for
journalists and invited guests. Young
women mobbed Farhan and were quite
vocal about their admiration. Pretty
petite Deepika must have wished the
young guys could be half as vocal. Women
always have an upper hand!
And when it comes to children,
you just can’t beat them! In a surprise
electronic quiz contest between scribes
and schoolkids, the children won hands
down 6-2. During an educational exhibi-
tion at the Airport Expo, Promethean
(the pioneers of new teaching equipment)
organised an impromptu contest on UAE
history and geography at their stand.
While journalists did know their facts, it
was difficult for them to keep pace with
‘superfast’ kids. Generation Z is always
one step ahead!