
Azizi Foundation steps in to fund Afghan students at American University of Central Asia in Kyrgyzstan
After constructive discussions with AUCA's faculty and administration, the Foundation agreed to provide a grant of USD 500,000 to ensure that all 96 Afghan students can continue their studies uninterrupted until graduation. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed to formalize the partnership between Azizi Group and AUCA.
Mr. Mirwais Azizi, Founder & Chairman of Azizi Group said,'I strongly believe that education is a fundamental pillar - one that not only enables individuals to lead meaningful and productive lives, but also plays a vital role in the development and prosperity of entire societies.' He added,'For this reason, I remain firmly committed to supporting our youth in their pursuit of knowledge, to the best of my ability.'
Before departing Bishkek, Mr. Azizi hosted a luncheon for the students, university faculty, and representatives from the Kyrgyz government at the Sheraton Hotel. Among the guests was H.E. Ambassador Avazbek Abdulrazakov, Special Envoy of the Kyrgyz Republic for Afghanistan.
'It was a warm and uplifting event,' added the Azizi Group and Azizi Foundation founder. 'I encouraged the students to pursue their goals, to respect the laws of their host country, and above all, to remain engaged with their homeland - Afghanistan. Their optimism and resilience left a deep impression on me.'
About Azizi Group
Azizi is a private business conglomerate headquartered in Dubai with interests across real estate, energy, hospitality, banking, and trading. It includes several specialized entities, including Azizi Developments — the UAE's most prominent private developer, as well as other sector-focused businesses operating both regionally and internationally.
For further information, please contact:
Tizian H. G. Raab
Head of PR & Communications and Advisor to the Group CEO
Azizi Developments
Email: tizian@azizidevelopments.com
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Gulf Business
17 minutes ago
- Gulf Business
Venue revealed for Gulf Business Awards 2025
Guests networking at last year's Gulf Business Awards 2024 in Dubai. Gulf Business has officially announced Now in its 13th year, the Gulf Business Awards is one of the region's premier platforms recognising outstanding leadership, innovation, and business performance across a wide range of sectors—from banking and real estate to healthcare, technology, energy and tourism. Located on Dubai's Jumeirah Beach, The Westin offers a striking blend of luxury and functionality. With views overlooking The Palm Jumeirah and impressive neoclassical architecture, the five-star beachfront resort provides an ideal setting for high-profile events. The venue features a private beach, multiple award-winning restaurants and bars, and extensive banquet facilities tailored for conferences, gala dinners, and corporate celebrations. Location details can be found Read: The Gulf Business Awards 2025 will once again spotlight the region's most impactful organisations and business leaders, with entries open across company and leadership categories in key industries. While nominations are currently being accepted online, organisers encourage interested parties to focus on categories most aligned with their core strengths and achievements. For more details on the event and how to participate, visit the official


Arabian Business
20 minutes ago
- Arabian Business
Dubai real estate: What is illegal subletting? Experts warn against shared flats, lease breaches
Subletting or partitioning a rental property in Dubai without approval from the landlord and authorities is against the law. Yet, the practice continues to remain common in parts of the city, real estate experts told Arabian Business, driven by rising rents and demand for affordable housing. Authorities have ramped up inspections in recent months, targeting unlicensed shared housing and warning of safety risks, overcrowding, and violations of building codes. That said, knowing the rules is critical to avoid fines, eviction, and legal disputes – for tenants and landlords alike. So, what exactly is considered illegal subletting or partitioning in Dubai? PP Varghese, Head of Professional Services at Cushman & Wakefield Core, defines illegal subletting as the act of tenants renting out parts of their leased property without proper authorisation from the landlord or relevant authorities. 'Specifically, this includes converting living rooms, balconies, or storage areas into bedrooms, installing makeshift partitions that block emergency exits, or subdividing units beyond their approved capacity. Dubai Municipality's regulations are clear that any structural changes require proper permits and must comply with fire safety, ventilation, and occupancy standards,' he told Arabian Business. Echoing the sentiment, Svetlana Vasilieva, Head of Sales – Secondary, at Metropolitan Premium Properties explained that 'a tenant cannot sublet or share an apartment without written permission from the landlord.' She added that many tenants sublet properties temporarily to avoid breaching contracts during relocation or to share rent costs in high-rent areas. Why does illegal subletting continue? Varghese pointed to economic conditions that make unauthorised subletting attractive to both tenants and landlords. 'The fundamental issue is an economic arbitrage opportunity created by Dubai's rental market dynamics,' he said, adding that residents often prioritise access to soft infrastructure such as retail outlets, public transport, schools, healthcare facilities, and employment hubs. These amenities are typically found in central locations, which also come with high rental prices. 'For tenants, sharing the cost of a centrally located unit makes premium areas accessible at individually affordable rates. For landlords, subdividing units allows them to achieve rental yields significantly higher than standard lease rates – sometimes 150–200 per cent of normal rental income for the same space,' Varghese said. According to Varghese, the economic incentives are 'powerful enough' that some landlords and tenants are willing to accept regulatory risks. Vasilieva also agreed that affordability plays a role. 'There are multiple reasons such as lack of awareness about the regulations, rent affordability – especially in high rent areas by sharing the cost of rent. Often, tenants need to relocate temporarily and in order not to breach the rental contract, the apartment is being sublet for a short period of time,' she said. Which Dubai areas are most affected? Older parts of Dubai report high levels of unauthorised subletting and partitioning, both experts said. According to Vasilieva, areas such as Al Rigga, Deira, and Satwa are among the most affected. She also noted that villas in Jumeirah and larger apartments in Dubai Marina are commonly sublet, especially by younger bachelors and new arrivals. In addition, Varghese explained that the areas most affected are 'typically those that offer the best combination of central location, soft infrastructure access, and rental arbitrage opportunities.' Parts of Bur Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road, and Jumeirah Lake Towers are also locations with 'see significant illegal subletting activity.' Aside from this, Varghese also listed mid-tier areas with affordable base rents but strong connectivity, including Al Qusais, International City, Discovery Gardens, and parts of Business Bay. 'Interestingly, we're seeing increasing violations in newer developments across various emirates where the economics work favourably – areas that combine reasonable base rental rates with strong connectivity to employment centres and urban amenities,' he said, adding that the pattern consistently follows 'locations where the gap between individual affordability and area desirability creates the most profitable arbitrage opportunities for landlords.' What are the legal consequences? There is a clear legal framework in Dubai on the matter. Article 25 (1)(b) of Law No. 26 of 2007 states that unauthorised subletting is a breach of contract. 'This entitles the landlord to seek eviction of both the tenant and subtenant,' Vasilieva said, adding that if the sublease generates higher revenue than the original tenancy agreement, landlords must file a case at the Rental Dispute Centre to recover the financial difference between the revenue earned from the sublease and the rent stipulated in the original tenancy agreement. 'The landlord may pursue a claim for compensation, these are in addition to any orders issued,' she said. Varghese added that penalties for violations can include fines of up to AED 50,000, with additional fines for overcrowding starting from AED 10,000 per incident. However, there are more repercussions than just a penalty, he added. 'Violations create a documented history with authorities that can complicate future property management and leasing activities,' he said. 'Properties with a history of illegal partitions or overcrowding may face higher scrutiny, lower valuations, and difficulty in sale. Insurance claims may be denied for properties with unauthorised modifications, and owners may face civil liability for safety incidents.' What are the other risks? Another risk is safety concerns – a major issue highlighted by the experts. Varghese explained that illegally partitioned units often result in overloaded electrical systems, blocked fire exits, and inadequate ventilation. 'In emergencies, these unregulated layouts can be life-threatening,' he said, adding that the Civil Defense has 'repeatedly flagged illegal partitions as a fire hazard.' Vasilieva further explained blocked ventilation and emergency exits are among the most common safety risks in such units. Are tenants aware of what is legal? 'It's a responsibility of the landlord to inform the tenants what is allowed in a shared house,' Vasilieva said, stressing that clear terms and conditions should be outlined in tenancy agreements. 'Many new expats don't realise that sharing a flat is only legal when the landlord consents and partitions are approved,' Varghese said, adding that lack of awareness often leaves tenants vulnerable to eviction, even if they have paid rent on time. However, regular inspections carried out by Dubai Municipality has reduced the opportunities for illegal subletting. 'Dubai Municipality conducts regular inspections and responds to public complaints. Enforcement has strengthened, but given the demand for low-cost housing, some illegal setups persist,' he explained, concluding that recent efforts to digitise building permits and track inspections are helping to close enforcement gaps.


Gulf Business
an hour ago
- Gulf Business
A VC's perspective on the GCC's future workforce
Image: Supplied The traditional nine-to-five work model that defined our lives for a century is being superseded by a fluid, skills-based system, augmented by tech and reshaped by evolving workforce expectations. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is at the epicenter of this transformation — accelerated by powerful, converging forces — that position the region as a global testbed for the future of work: Government-led digital transformation: From the UAE's AI curriculum to Saudi Arabia's Gig economy growth: MENA freelance registrations surged 142 per cent in 2023. Youth-dominated demographics: 60 per cent of the GCC's population is under 30, giving the region one of the world's youngest, most digitally fluent labour markets. VC momentum in enterprise tech: Funding is being pumped into AI-native platforms and SaaS tools, reshaping productivity. Together, these shifts are more than just an evolution in employment. They mark a wholesale reimagining of how work is organised, accessed, and delivered. In this dynamic environment, three venture capital opportunities stand out. The new hiring stack: A VC playbook for global, on-demand, skills-based talent Hiring across the GCC is moving beyond just digitisation. A re-engineering is occurring — to match the speed, fluidity, and expectations of a radically reimagined working environment. Traditional CVs and degree-centric hiring practices are being superseded by real-time assessments and skills-first matching. AI-powered platforms such as Elevatus (Saudi Arabia) are leading this shift, helping companies overcome bias and accelerating talent acquisition by focusing on capability over credentials. In parallel, companies such as Ogram (UAE) are utilising intelligent systems to deploy pre-vetted talent on demand, often within hours, in sectors including hospitality, logistics, and e-commerce. Borderless hiring platforms such as Deel (US), Remote (US), and Workpay (Nigeria) are decoupling employment from geography. Startups now have access to talent across jurisdictions while benefitting from streamlined contracts, compliance, and compensation – among other benefits. This approach is more than mere convenience. From day one, it is essential to attract and enable a workforce newly defined by mobility, optionality, and seamless onboarding. The result is a new hiring architecture: distributed, data-driven, and designed for a world where talent is global, liquid, and increasingly empowered. Beyond SaaS: Investing in the next wave of AI-first enterprise tools The greatest shift in the future of work is not who gets hired. Rather, it is ' how' work gets done. We are entering the age of AI-native productivity, where tools execute on tasks rather than merely assist. AI is streamlining tasks today and will soon run workflows with minimal oversight. Ultimately, AI is poised to fully redefine enterprise models and productivity. The GCC is leading in sectors where AI-native tools can leapfrog legacy infrastructure. Startups such as Tarjama (UAE) are building Arabic-first AI infrastructure for content creation and translation, equipping regional businesses with tools tuned to local language and nuance. Meanwhile, solutions such as (UAE) are powering conversational sales and marketing automation for e-commerce, while the Applied AI Company (UAE) is focused on end-to-end workflow automation within heavily regulated sectors. For founders, the most compelling opportunities lie in building AI-native tools that address real operational challenges in specific verticals, rather than creating generic platforms. Investors, however, will generate long-term value from platforms that embed AI into their core operating model, and go beyond just bolting it on. In these ventures, AI will be more than a support businesses. It will shape how businesses run. The portfolio career play: investing in the platforms powering career fluidity As the future of work evolves, public and private sectors are creating models where learning, working, and earning form a seamless cycle. Regional governments are investing heavily in upskilling and human capital development. Saudi Arabia has committed to training 300,000 AI specialists by 2030, while a new generation of learning-to-earning platforms is creating faster, more adaptive paths from education to employment, tuned to the needs of a workforce in flux. The rise of portfolio careers is also redrawing professional identity. Rather than climbing a single corporate ladder, knowledge workers are assembling flexible, self-directed careers often spanning multiple sectors, roles, and borders. Platforms such as Neol (Turkey-based and operating in the UAE) are making this shift tangible, connecting creative professionals to global, project-based opportunities that prioritise autonomy and impact. For founders, the opportunity lies in building platforms that treat learning as a continuous asset. For investors, value can be generated from scalable, personalised ecosystems — built for a fluid, multi-career future, adapting as fast as the talent they serve. Building the infrastructure for the next work era Relationships, processes, and priorities within the workforce are being re-architected from the ground up. We are witnessing the rise of a new workforce operating system: AI-powered, inclusive, and globally distributed. For founders, this means creating agile, accessible, and automated solutions. For investors, the next wave of category-defining ventures will embed intelligence into core workflows, not just layered-on AI; enable diverse, borderless access to income and opportunity; and unlock economic mobility – freeing up time for learning, creativity, and purpose. Explore the future of work in greater depth, with analysis and insights from Global Ventures' new The writer is a senior partner at Global Ventures.