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Time of India
27 minutes ago
- Time of India
UAE youth join summer camp on culture and technology as part of 2025 year of community
ECAE's 2025 summer camp in Abu Dhabi taught youth traditional Emirati crafts alongside AI, CAD, and laser-cutting technologies/Image: WAM This summer, the Emirates College for Advanced Education (ECAE) in Abu Dhabi hosted a unique camp experience for young learners, combining traditional Emirati heritage with modern technology. Designed to cultivate both cultural awareness and future-ready skills, the initiative brought together students, experts, and community elders in a collaborative learning environment aligned with the UAE's 2025 Year of Community. A camp rooted in culture and innovation Held at the ECAE FabLab, the 2025 summer camp welcomed students aged 12 to 17 under the theme 'Bridging Generations: Honouring the Past, Innovating the Future.' The programme was organised by ECAE's Continuing Education Centre as part of its wider educational mission and community engagement efforts. The theme reflected the camp's central goal: to help young participants explore the UAE's cultural traditions while engaging with the tools and technologies shaping tomorrow. The camp was delivered in two separate cohorts to allow for more flexible participation: Cohort 1: 14–25 July Cohort 2: 28 July–8 August Over the two-week sessions, students participated in a mix of traditional craft activities and digital fabrication workshops, all designed to offer practical and creative learning experiences. Blending hands on learning with cultural storytelling Participants were introduced to a wide range of digital tools, including: Laser cutters Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications Using these technologies, students learned how to reinterpret traditional Emirati patterns into modern digital designs, bridging past aesthetics with future innovations. Working in small, collaborative teams, the students engaged in group projects that emphasized problem-solving, teamwork, and creative thinking. Each day featured a structured schedule of expert-led sessions, covering both: Traditional Emirati crafts , guided by specialists and cultural educators Digital fabrication skills, taught through practical tutorials In addition to technical and craft-based learning, the programme placed a strong emphasis on intergenerational dialogue. Students took part in cultural storytelling sessions where community elders shared personal stories and heritage insights. These interactions aimed to deepen the students' connection to their own cultural roots and foster a sense of identity and belonging. Culmination in a community showcase A highlight of the summer camp was the final showcase event, where participants presented their completed projects to: Fellow students Parents and family members Special guests from the community This event not only celebrated the students' achievements but also reinforced the camp's themes of community involvement, cultural pride, and creative innovation. The Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority served as the official partner for the cultural component of the camp, providing support and expertise for the traditional workshops. Longstanding commitment to youth and lifelong learning This summer programme continues the mission of ECAE's Continuing Education Centre, which has been active since 2014. Over the past decade, the Centre has: Delivered approximately 344 programmes Reached more than 7,000 children Supported the broader goal of promoting lifelong learning in the UAE Speaking on the importance of the initiative, Dr. May Laith Al Taee, Vice Chancellor of ECAE, noted: 'Bridging generations through education is essential for building a cohesive and forward-thinking society. By integrating heritage with innovation, this summer camp provides students with the skills and experiences they need to contribute meaningfully to their communities and honour the UAE's rich cultural legacy.'


News18
41 minutes ago
- News18
PMG Meeting reviews mega projects worth Rs. 74,052 crore in Maharashtra
New Delhi [India], August 18 (ANI): A high-level meeting of the Project Monitoring Group (PMG) was held to review key issues impacting mega infrastructure projects in Maharashtra, covering 28 issues across 23 major projects with a combined investment value of over Rs. 74,052 crore, according to a Ministry of Commerce & Industry press projects under discussion spanned across critical infrastructure sectors, with railways taking the lead. The review highlighted the pivotal role of the railway sector in improving connectivity and supporting economic growth in the the major projects examined, the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP) Phase-IIIA, carrying an investment of Rs. 33,690 crore, was discussed in detail. Designed to ease congestion in India's financial hub, the project includes construction of new railway lines, modernization of signalling systems, and addition of new train stock. The initiative is expected to expand suburban rail capacity in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and enhance daily commuting for millions of meeting also reviewed the Sinarmas West Coast Project, a large-scale industrial investment of Rs. 10,500 crore in Raigad District by Sinar Mas Pulp & Paper. The project aims to boost India's pulp and paper manufacturing capacity while generating employment opportunities and fostering downstream industries. The plan includes setting up advanced production facilities supported by modern infrastructure and improved connectivity, reinforcing the industrial ecosystem of the review meeting was chaired by Praveen Mahto, principal economic advisor, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). Senior officials from central ministries, the Maharashtra state government, and project proponents joined the discussions. The deliberations focused on resolving bottlenecks through better coordination across ministries and state authorities, with PMG acting as a emphasized the government's commitment to strengthening the framework for project monitoring and urged officials to adopt a proactive approach in clearing pending issues. He highlighted the importance of private sector players utilizing the specialized PMG platform to accelerate project execution. He said that efficient and timely resolution of concerns requires collaboration among the Central Government, State Authorities, and Private Stakeholders, underlining the group's role in ensuring infrastructure projects stay on track. (ANI)


Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
GST overhaul: Rs 1.1 trillion worth revenue might be lost; UBS says fiscal cost manageable
The fiscal cost of the government's proposed Goods and Services Tax (GST) rate rationalisation will remain manageable, with an estimated revenue loss of Rs 1.1 trillion annually or 0.3% of the GDP, a UBS report said. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now For the financial year 2026, the firm expected the shortfall of Rs 430 billion, or 0.12% of GDP, that could be compensated by surplus cess collections along with a higher-than-budgeted dividend transfer from the Reserve Bank of India. The report, as cited by ANI, highlighted that a GST cut would be more powerful in stimulating consumption than personal income tax or corporate tax cuts, since it directly affects spending at the point of purchase. Citing a study by the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy, it pointed out that 'the GST multiplier stands at -1.08, higher than the multipliers for personal income tax (-1.01) and corporate tax (-1.02).' In his Independence Day speech from the Red Fort, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced that 'upcoming next-gen GST reforms before Diwali' would benefit consumers, small industries and MSMEs. Following that, the finance ministry unveiled its plan for a simplified two-tier GST structure, centred on three pillars: structural reforms, rate rationalisation, and ease of living. Sources have since revealed that the Centre is proposing to scrap the existing 12% and 28% slabs, keeping only 5% and 18% GST rates. Government sources said, 99% of 12% slab are proposed to move in 5% slab and 90% of items in 28% slab are proposed to move in the 18% slab. A GST Council meeting is expected around September-October to examine the proposal, ANI reported. Under the plan, items currently taxed at 12% may move down to 5%, while those at 28% would shift to 18%. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now 'Luxury and sin goods (latter includes cigarettes, other tobacco products, carbonated drinks, high-end automobiles, and intoxicants) will be taxed at a higher 'special slab rate' of 40%),' the report stated. The sectors likely to benefit from the removal of the 12% slab include processed foods, garments, footwear, construction materials, tractors, hotels and two-wheelers. Another change on the horizon is the end of the compensation cess. The cess, amounting to Rs. 1.7 trillion and initially imposed to make up for state revenue shortfalls, will conclude ahead of the March 2026 deadline as related loans are paid off. UBS said this would create fiscal room for the government to align GST rates within the new system. The report also suggested that lowering GST rates would have a deflationary effect, helping to cool inflation and opening the way for further monetary policy easing. With price pressures already soft, UBS predicted the repo rate could settle in the 5.0–5.25% range, leaving scope for another 25–50 basis points cut during the rest of FY26.