GLOBAL VILLAGE CLOSES ON A HIGH
Construction on Dubai Festival City Elements to Begin on Event Site
DUBAI- February 19, 2004. Global Village, the international attraction of the Dubai Shopping Festival, again exceeded all visitor expectations this year with over five million people visiting the event in its final year at Dubai Festival City, before moving to the planned new Emirates Road permanent venue.
"The partnership of the DSF and Dubai Festival City has developed a fantastic event in Global Village and the new venue will give plenty of flexibility for it to develop and grow," said Alan Gordon, General Manager Special Projects, Dubai Festival City.
With the closure of Global Village 2004, an army of workers and construction machinery will continue work previously started on a number of communities within Dubai Festival City, the 1,600-acre Creekside mixed-use development project.
"Dubai Festival City has had the honour of hosting Global Village for the last three years and the experience has been invaluable," said Gordon.
"I don't think anyone can doubt the success of Global Village - over 5 million people have come to enjoy the festival atmosphere this year, a huge increase from the 3.2 million we saw in 2003, and the 2.3 million in 2002. "On its busiest days, Global Village had to open its gates at 3.30pm, half an hour before the event was meant to open, because of the huge crowds waiting outside in anticipation. A total of over 403,000 visitors passing through the gates on the busiest day this year."
The logistics and organisation required to stage one of the largest temporary events in the world has given the Dubai Festival City team valuable lessons in a number of areas.
"Handling over five million people attending a four week event requires a great deal of organisation, logistics and management. The skills and experience we have developed over the past three years will prove very useful in steering decisions on the way forward for some elements of Dubai Festival City," said Gordon.
"Items such as parking management and how visitors flow throughout a venue, to the iconic entrance design and vendor layout, all will prove invaluable data to assist in our Dubai Festival City development.
"Additionally, the visitor surveys we carried out over the project period, also provide an insight into the behaviours of our audience, allowing us to create a place people will wish to visit."
Global Village was a highly visible element of the Dubai Shopping Festival, situated a stone's throw from Garhoud Bridge, but as soon as the pavilions and funfair are dismantled, passers-by will see renewed activity on the site.
"The land Global Village and its car park occupied will revert to Dubai Festival City project management and construction will soon re-commence early March for a number of zones," said Gordon."Dubai Festival City is already working on communities farther into the development site, but the area used by Global Village is highly visible due to its proximity to the Garhoud Bridge.
"Certainly, there will be a huge amount of interest in the project once these zones develop further and people realise the immense scale of the Dubai Festival City project, truly a 'city-within-a-city' development."
Dubai Festival City is being developed on 1,600 acres on the banks of Dubai's historic Creek. Comprising 15 distinct development zones, Dubai Festival City is a property development by the Al-Futtaim Group and is the Middle East's largest, privately-funded mixed-use real estate project.The privately-funded property will comprise a unique mix of entertainment, dining, shopping, edutainment, sport and leisure facilities, automotive dealerships, hotels, a marina, residential and office components. For sporting enthusiasts, an 18-hole championship golf course, designed by world-renowned golf course designer Robert Trent Jones II LLC, other world-class sporting facilities are also being incorporated into the overall development.
Dubai eGovernment and UAE University sign MOU to pursue joint initiatives in IT-related fields
Partnership covers research and benchmarking, content for e-learning and training on eGovernment systems
January 25, 2004
Dubai eGovernment and the UAE University have laid the foundation for a long-term collaboration by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that spells out mutual cooperation in different areas, including research and benchmarking, content for e-learning, hands-on training of Dubai eGovernment systems and participation in seminars and training courses.The MOU was signed by Salem Al Shair, Director eServices, Dubai eGovernment and Dr. Hadef Bin Jouan Al Dhahiri, Vice Chancellor, UAE University, at a ceremony held recently at Dubai eGovernment offices.
"This MOU paves the way for enhanced cooperation in research, internship and training at government departments, for UAE University students. It will also open doors for Government employees with bachelor's degrees to pursue masters degrees at the UAE University. Additionally, the recent opening of the UAE University's Dubai offices at Knowledge Village will give a further impetus to this partnership," said Salem Al Shair, Director eServices, Dubai eGovernment. "We are extremely pleased to sign this MOU with an institution that symbolizes the UAE's highest attainments in the field of higher education, especially in IT."
"Dubai eGovernment is keen to offer the students of the UAE University access to our cutting edge systems that have pioneered a user-friendly infrastructure to facilitate online delivery of public services," Al Shair added. "Further, we are delighted to collaborate with the UAE University in developing e-learning solutions, leveraging the expertise of both sides. This signifies a major development, with strong long-term benefits for the learning community, because we foresee e-learning will become an important educational channel in the near future."
"The UAE University has one of the region's finest infrastructure for delivering IT education to students, including cutting edge wireless technology. We offer a variety of IT courses and focus on in-house training at private and public sector companies," said Dr. Al Dhahiri. "We share a common vision with Dubai eGovernment to leverage technology to ease people's lives."
"This MOU will enable the university to achieve its goal of strengthening its focus on IT education by providing on-the-job training to the students. It will also help us bridge the gap between academic studies and the job market," added Dr. Al Dhahiri. "Dubai eGovernment encourages the use of advanced eServices, such as eJob which simplifies the task of job placements at various government departments in Dubai. Being a pioneer in the implementation of practical technology for the benefit of citizens, Dubai eGovernment will provide our students with an ideal platform to gain first-hand insights into e-governance and inspire them to leverage that knowledge to develop customized solutions for other applications."Under the new partnership, Dubai eGovernment will create well-defined opportunities for UAE University students and faculties to work on real results-oriented research and benchmarking projects under joint supervision. UAE University will dedicate students to work on Dubai eGovernment projects through the Capstone Course. Dubai eGovernment will offer internship programs to the university's students as well as arrange workshops and seminars for them. Both will formulate and conduct applied research and related activities, as part of the MOU.
In the field of e-learning, Dubai eGovernment will provide topics, objectives and guidelines for developing a suite of e-learning courses. UAE University in turn will create, edit and provide the content for the courses."This MOU marks the start of a mutually beneficial partnership that will allow both organizations to boost research and benchmarking standards, through shared expertise," said Dr. Al Dhahiri. "We are positive that the exchange of ideas between the two sides will help create innovative solutions in the selected areas of cooperation, to enhance the standards of both organizations."
PARMASTERS COMES TO THE FORE AT FME 2004
GOLF TRAINING CENTRE FRANCHISES TEE OFF AT DUBAI SHOWOne of the world's most sought after sporting franchises - Parmasters Golf Training Centres - is looking to enter the Middle East market with a regional debut at the Franchise Middle East (FME) 2004 exhibition in Dubai this February.
Dubbed 'One of the 66 Hottest Franchises' by the USA's Entrepreneur Magazine, the company provides the world's first year-round indoor golf training centre franchises.
"We can revolutionise golf training in the Middle East by offering affordable, one-on-one golf lessons in a non-intimidating environment using the proven Straight-Line Golf sport technology," said Emre Bahtoglu, of Golife Inc dba Parmasters Mecaa, (GIDPM), Parmasters' Regional Franchisor.
"We intend to award two area development agreements in the Middle East for eight training centres or more. The Parmasters Mecaa region will contain 11 to 12 area developments with 48 to 52 Parmasters Golf Training centres. Further growth will come from a new product Parmasters Golf Training Centres LLC is developing especially for the Middle East targeting international and business travellers."
At FME 2004 Parmasters Mecaa will award two types of franchises - individual agreements for single golf training centres and large area development agreements for multiple golf training centres.
"We are aware that the franchising industry is growing at a very rapid rate in the Middle East - the staging of FME is proof that there is more focus towards this industry," said Bahtoglu. "Golf is a growing sport in the Middle East, especially in the UAE. However, it is very difficult to create golf courses in the Middle Eastern peninsula because of geographic and climatic conditions. Once created, the courses are very expensive to maintain. Parmasters offers the opportunity to make golf one's business in countries where it isn't possible or too expensive to build golf courses."
Exhibitors from over 15 countries are expected to participate in FME 2004, which will be held at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre from February 17-19. The show is being organised by International Expo-Consults (IEC) and presented on behalf of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Young Business Leaders.
"The primary reason for interest in this region is the affluence of Middle Eastern markets, the preference for quality goods, fairly consistent import standards and requirements," said Mohammed Falaknaz, Vice Chairman, IEC.
"Franchising, essentially, is a coming together of the western business entrepreneurs in the region who exhibit a high degree of professionalism, and the co-operation and dependability of Arab business professionals.
"Franchising in the Middle East is growing at a commendable rate of 27% annually. The franchising industry worldwide has taken notice of the enormous potential of Middle East growth and hence the investment and growth potential of the market is enormous."
Piracy due to Inflated Product Cost charged by Multinationals
Frankly, this Piracy is not limited to Audio/Video titles only but also for the Software copyright laws which were framed exclusively for books, paintings etc., more than 50 years ago, where those owners used to spend their lifetime in producing those works. But the same laws are foolishly being applied in this modern-age of 21st century also where technology and new inventions took place.
Today, according to various surveys, to produce a Microsoft's original software CD costs them hardly < 0.33 Cents and it is being sold between RO.60/- to RO. 150/- each CD depending upon the program it contains. Such original CDs should not cost the end users more than RO.2/- or even RO.5/- if available from their owners. This will kill the piracy and the owners can have 100% world market instead of 20% or less they have now. This fact has been repeatedly reported by me to Oman government and also to Mr. Bill Gates but invain.
Similarly, original Video CDs are sold at RO.4/- and above whereas these VCDs in pirated versions are available on the street for RO1/- and less. When these mini vendors can sell these CDs for RO.1/- why not the original producers can also provide their original versions for RO.1/- instead of selling them 4 times higher?
Since the announcement of Omani Copyright laws in 1996, my argument was why the original copyright owners and the government should not look into eradicate total piracy by making these software and audio/video CDs at a common man's affordable costs in line with pirated versions and thus automatically stop piracy business instead of so much of hue and cry, copyright laws, raids, confiscations etc., etc.,? All these measures result only in waste of time, money and unwanted harassment to end-users and piracy lords.
This issue has been also reported to World Human Rights Watch but no one is ready to listen to these facts. Suggest, everyone should demand low-priced original software and audio/video titles which automatically discourages everyone from piracy.
DOUBLE THE CHANCE TO WIN A NISSAN WITH ENOC/EPPCO
Even more 'Out of this World' offers to mark final week of DSF
[February 10, 2004] Emirates National Oil Company's (ENOC's) LLC and Emirates Petroleum Products Company's (EPPCO's) 'Out of This World' Dubai Shopping Festival offers just got even better, with the announcement of TWO Nissan Super Raffle coupons with every DHS25 spent. Until now, customers received ONE free ticket with every DHS25 spent.
ENOC and EPPCO are supporting the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) with a massive series of promotions across 69 service stations in Dubai around the theme "Out of this World".
To mark the last week of the month-long shopping festival, customers spending just DHS25 on non-fuel products at any of the extensive network of ENOC and EPPCO service stations throughout Dubai will now receive TWO chances to win a Nissan vehicle.
Customers purchasing two phone cards will also receive TWO Nissan raffle coupons.
E-Cash customers taking advantage of the group's highly popular pre-payment card will get TWO coupons for every DHS200 cash card purchased, while those buying an DHS500 card will receive SIX free Nissan raffle coupons - then, as non-fuel purchases are made using the card, further tickets will be given for every DHS25 spent.
Khalid Hadi, ENOC Group Brand Manager, said: "Although tickets are available elsewhere in town, ENOC/EPPCO requires the LOWEST purchase for entry into the Nissan Super Raffle draw. Now, it is even lower - we are giving customers a chance to win a luxurious vehicle for the equivalent of just DHS12.50!
"We expect to see even more people visiting our convenience stores for their daily shopping - because with almost every purchase they could win a Nissan!"
The free raffle tickets are entered into a daily draw to win a range of Nissan vehicles - the X-Trail, Patrol, Pathfinder, Maxima and Sunny - given with every purchase on products and services at the Group's convenience stores, car wash or Quick Lube facilities.
An extra weekly draw for another five chances to win one of the Nissans on offer will take place at the Global Village site. Winning ticket holders will choose a key to open a box containing details of which vehicle they have won.
Stand-alone ENOC/EPPCO convenience stores can also be found on the Al Seef Walkway in Bur Dubai, and on Deira's bustling Al Muraqabat Street, where customers can get the Nissan Super Raffle tickets, and enjoy a range of fantastic offers, including a deal with Pepsi Cola where additional Nissan raffle tickets are on offer!
