logo
Abu Dhabi University to offer degree in video game design

Abu Dhabi University to offer degree in video game design

The National20-05-2025
Abu Dhabi University will begin offering a Bachelor of Arts in Game Design, billed as the first degree of its kind in the region. The programme was announced after a 'landmark' memorandum of understanding was signed between the university, the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and the video game-focused school Rubika, which has campuses in France and Canada. The memorandum was also signed with the support of Abu Dhabi Gaming. The degree will be offered starting August, the beginning of the academic year. 'The programme combines academic excellence, international best practices and deep industry integration – including structured internships, mentorships and up to 140 funded scholarships over six years,' the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi said in a post on X on Tuesday. The degree is already listed on the website of Abu Dhabi University. "This cutting-edge programme equips students with the creative, technical and industry-driven expertise needed to design, develop and produce engaging video game experiences,' the description reads. A breadth of courses are being offered as part of the programme, ranging from Fundamentals of Emotional Intelligence to History of Video Games, as well as courses focusing on different genres and platforms, including first-person shooters and mobile games. 'Combining theory with hands-on practice, the programme covers essential aspects of game design, from level design and game mechanics to narrative development and interactive media production,' the programme description reads. 'Students will master industry-standard tools, including Unity, Unreal Engine and Adobe Suite, while learning to craft immersive digital experiences for entertainment, education and simulation.' Abu Dhabi has been steadily working to develop the local gaming and esports ecosystem. Abu Dhabi Gaming – an initiative founded in 2021 that supports game developers, players, consumers and businesses – was integrated into DCT – Abu Dhabi in November 2023 as part of a move to 'position the emirate as a global gaming hub,' Abu Dhabi Media Office said at the time.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Global study by Cisco shows that hyper-personalisation is mission-critical for CX
Global study by Cisco shows that hyper-personalisation is mission-critical for CX

Tahawul Tech

time18 minutes ago

  • Tahawul Tech

Global study by Cisco shows that hyper-personalisation is mission-critical for CX

Cisco has unveiled the findings of its global study on CX, which showed that AI, hyper-personalisation and proactive engagements are going to be key for enterprises looking to ensure that they continue to deliver first-class CX for their customers. Advancements in artificial intelligence, hyper-personalisation, rich communication services, and unified data are expected to enhance customer loyalty and address rising expectations in the Middle East and beyond. For many organisations, delivering an outstanding CX remains a challenge; a global study conducted by Cisco showed that many customers feel let down by the experiences they receive from brands. Only 25% of customers globally said they were very satisfied with their last service engagement—and 94% have abandoned interactions due to poor experiences. To meet growing customer expectations, businesses in the Middle East are leveraging AI, data analytics, and integrated platforms to improve efficiency, drive customer satisfaction, and support sustainable growth. Ahmad Zureiki, Director of Collaboration Business, Cisco Middle East and Africa, commented: 'As customer experience leaders evaluate their investments, it is important to anticipate what's around the corner, assessing how future developments may impact CX strategy and execution. Leaders in CX are approaching AI technology with a clear, strategic focus – one that prioritises customer impact, agent empowerment, and operational efficiency. The widespread adoption of AI will enhance customer experiences and redefine engagement benchmarks, solidifying its role as a vital component of customer service in the region.' AI agents will revolutionise self-service AI agents will redefine self-service by enabling more intelligent, human-like interactions across voice and digital channels. Unlike traditional virtual assistants, these advanced AI-driven agents will engage customers in natural conversations. They ensure faster and more effective resolutions, while freeing human representatives to handle complex or high-value cases. Brands will increasingly tailor these kinds of agents to reflect their unique values, creating more authentic and emotionally resonant experiences. Additionally, the rise of low-code and no-code tools will make AI more accessible, allowing non-technical employees to deploy and refine artificial intelligence solutions easily. With AI adoption accelerating, leading companies are already leveraging AI agents at a significantly higher rate than their competitors, emphasising its role in shaping superior customer experiences. In fact, Cisco's global study showed that 79% of 'CX Leaders' (companies with the highest business performance) have an AI virtual agent, whereas 7% of 'CX Laggards do' (companies typically slower to adopt new ideas, technologies, or trends). Hyper-personalisation will become mission critical for CX AI will revolutionise personalisation by helping organisations extract valuable insights from customer data to anticipate needs, tailor experiences, and drive upsell opportunities. Businesses will leverage AI to create hyper-personalised journeys that seamlessly transition between automated and human-assisted interactions, enhancing CX and fostering long-term loyalty. A key element of this transformation is proactive communication. Brands that engage customers with timely, automated messages will reduce friction, resolve issues before they arise, and strengthen relationships. As AI adoption grows, these proactive, personalized experiences will set new customer expectations, with CX leaders already leveraging AI at a significantly higher rate than their competitors. It is notable that 61% of CX Leaders deliver proactive communications using AI. Rich Communication Services (RCS) adoption will skyrocket Rich Communication Services (RCS) will see a surge in adoption as its support on both iPhone and Android expands its global reach. With its ability to deliver rich media, interactive messaging, and two-way engagement, RCS is poised to become the industry standard for business communication. Brands will leverage its advanced features for promotions, reminders, and seamless interactions while benefiting from improved security through end-to-end encryption and verified sender profiles. As businesses recognize its value, RCS will play a crucial role in building customer trust and elevating digital engagement. CX data will have to become unified Unifying customer data will be essential for delivering AI-driven, hyper-personalised experiences across multiple channels, including RCS. While large organisations face challenges in consolidating data from disparate sources, achieving a holistic customer view will be fundamental to optimizing CX. By integrating data from various systems, businesses will empower AI and human agents with real-time insights, enabling faster resolutions and more seamless interactions. Moreover, a comprehensive understanding of customer needs will maximize AI's potential, allowing brands to anticipate issues, proactively engage customers, and provide trust. With unified data, organisations can identify trends, reduce friction points, and refine experiences at every touchpoint. As the CX landscape and customer expectations continue to evolve, Webex by Cisco is helping to bridge the digital divide with an AI-powered, self-learning contact center that delivers unmatched self-service, empowers agents with essential tools, and connects data to drive real business results. By equipping agents with real-time insights, journey data, and context for each customer, organisations can strive to not only meet but exceed expectations, delivering the best experience, every time.

NIO reaches 800,000 vehicle production milestone
NIO reaches 800,000 vehicle production milestone

Zawya

time18 minutes ago

  • Zawya

NIO reaches 800,000 vehicle production milestone

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: NIO's 800,000th mass-produced vehicle rolled off the line at NIO Factory One in Hefei. This milestone reflects the remarkable progress of China's automotive industry in technology and innovation, and underscores NIO's decade-long dedication to building full-stack capabilities. The 800,000th vehicle is an ONVO L90. Since the pre-order started in China on July 10, the L90 has received widespread interest and recognition from users and the market. Built upon NIO's ten years of investment in the charging and swapping infrastructure, as well as continuous technological innovation, the L90 redefines the family-oriented three-row electric SUV by tackling two major user pain points: charging anxiety and space anxiety. The L90 will be officially launched in China on July 31, with deliveries starting August 1. This 800,000 production milestone starts a new chapter for NIO. The company remains committed to continuous innovation, ultimate products, and beyond-expectation services. One step at a time, it is steadily advancing toward its next milestone: one million vehicles. NIO has been present in the UAE since October 2024, introducing a cutting-edge line-up that includes the flagship six-seat EL8, the dynamic EC6 coupe-SUV, and the sleek, mid-size ET5 sedan, each designed to redefine premium electric mobility for our users. About NIO MENA NIO MENA is the Middle East and North Africa subsidiary of NIO, a pioneer and global leader in premium smart electric vehicles. NIO MENA was established in partnership with CYVN Holdings, a specialist investment vehicle based in Abu Dhabi, focused on smart and advanced mobility solutions. Together, NIO and CYVN are driving technological innovation, expanding NIO's market presence, and advancing the global transition toward sustainable mobility. NIO MENA has been established in the UAE since October 2024, with its regional headquarters in Abu Dhabi. The company plans to expand its footprint across the region, bringing cutting-edge electric vehicle technology and premium services to MENA in the coming years. Founded in November 2014, NIO is listed on stock exchanges in the United States, Hong Kong, and Singapore. NIO provides premium smart electric vehicles under the NIO brand, family-oriented smart electric vehicles through the ONVO brand, and small smart high-end electric cars with the firefly brand. With a focus on developing core technologies, the brand has amassed over 9,900+ patents by July 2025 and created the NIO Full Stack, encompassing 12 technology domains. NIO has R&D and manufacturing facilities in Shanghai, Hefei, Beijing, Nanjing, Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Wuhan, San Jose, Munich, Oxford, Berlin, Budapest, and Singapore. The company has also established sales and service networks in China, Norway, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Denmark. Media Contact: Mark Shahroozi

7 ways Dubai's new AI playbook helps founders build smarter businesses
7 ways Dubai's new AI playbook helps founders build smarter businesses

Gulf Business

time18 minutes ago

  • Gulf Business

7 ways Dubai's new AI playbook helps founders build smarter businesses

Image: Getty Images The Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy has launched The Entrepreneur's AI Playbook , a practical guide designed to equip entrepreneurs with powerful AI tools to build, grow, and scale their businesses effectively. Developed under the Create Apps in Dubai initiative by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the guide aligns with Dubai's broader digital vision—to triple the number of app developers, train 1,000 UAE nationals, and launch 100 homegrown apps. Here's how the playbook can help you get there: 1. Get started fast with branding and naming Naming your business or app can be time-consuming. The AI Playbook suggests tools and prompts that help you instantly generate memorable names and visual identities tailored to your brand values, audience, and tone. 2. Craft compelling value propositions The guide walks founders through using AI to quickly create persuasive value propositions that resonate with specific audiences—an essential step in building a strong market fit. 3. Design smarter business models AI helps entrepreneurs model revenue streams, cost structures, and pricing tiers that scale. Whether you're building a SaaS, e-commerce, or service startup, the playbook provides AI prompts to help you chart a clear path to profitability. 4. Accelerate app and product development From AI-assisted wireframing to user experience (UX) enhancements, founders can speed up their digital product journey. The guide includes hands-on examples to design app features that meet real user needs. 5. Attract and retain customers with AI-powered marketing The playbook shares strategies for leveraging AI in campaign planning, social media messaging, and visuals—helping startups run effective, conversion-driven marketing on tight budgets. 6. Streamline billing and fulfillment Operational pain points like billing, order processing, and logistics are tackled with AI automation tips. Founders are shown how to integrate invoicing tools, manage customer payments, and improve delivery processes. 7. Deliver world-class customer support Entrepreneurs can use AI to implement chatbots, automate responses, and identify customer behavior trends—all designed to enhance satisfaction and free up human time for more complex interactions. As the guide states: 'With practical examples and expert insight, this guide is your key to using AI to refine your business model, attract customers, and provide exceptional support with minimal resources.' Read: Entrepreneurs can download The Entrepreneur's AI Playbook from the

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store