
emt, DESC to deliver Cyberspace Leaders Program 2025
The initiative invites students aged 13 to 18 to take part in a dynamic, hands-on program designed to promote cybersecurity awareness and build essential digital competencies. Activities will take place daily from July 7 to 10, offering a structured and engaging learning environment.
Throughout the four-day program, participating students will engage in a curated set of experiences, including safe internet browsing challenges, interactive digital games, and cyber-themed escape rooms. The sessions will also feature awareness-building workshops aimed at simplifying core cybersecurity concepts while encouraging collaboration and critical thinking.
Amer Sharaf, CEO of the Cyber Security Systems and Services Sector at DESC, said: 'Empowering youth with cybersecurity knowledge and practical tools is a strategic investment in building a smarter, more secure, and resilient digital future, reinforcing Dubai's leadership in emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.'
The Cyberspace Leaders Program serves as a comprehensive educational platform that enhances collaboration and teamwork skills, nurtures scientific curiosity among participants, and provides opportunities for direct engagement and knowledge exchange with emt's cybersecurity experts, opening promising career paths in this critical field.
'We're thrilled to collaborate with DESC on this forward-thinking initiative,' said Mo Mobasseri, CEO of emt. 'Introducing cybersecurity in an engaging and practical format allows us to connect with the next generation and spark their interest in digital safety and future career paths.'
Hashtags

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


The National
31 minutes ago
- The National
Harrow School UAE head reflects on fees, AI and shaping future leaders ahead of launch
The newly-appointed head of two Harrow schools expected to open in Abu Dhabi and Dubai in 2026 has told of his vision to 'redefine the education landscape' and help mould the leaders of tomorrow. Simon O'Connor, who will oversee both campuses, said a Harrovian should be equipped to 'lead in any capacity anywhere in the world' and life at the schools – from the intellectual rigour to sports and music delivered by world-class teachers – will build that type of character. Speaking a day after he was named executive principal of the two schools, Mr O'Connor offered a glimpse of what pupils and parents can expect when Harrow International School Dubai and Harrow International School Abu Dhabi welcome pupils. Mr O'Connor also reflected on the role artificial intelligence will play, why less screen time for pupils is crucial and what parents will get in return for 'super-premium' school fees. '[The schools] will blend intellectual rigour, well-being, leadership and more, and will redefine the education landscape,' Mr O'Connor told The National on Wednesday. 'It will be the pinnacle so many schools will aspire to.' Renowned school goes global UK's Harrow is arguably one of the most famous educational institutions in the world. Its history stretches back about 450 years. Former UK prime minister Winston Churchill, the poet Lord Byron and Maro Itoje, captain of both the England and British and Irish Lions rugby teams, are among those who have walked its hallowed halls. The development of Harrow schools in the UAE comes through a partnership with Taaleem, which has secured exclusive rights to operate Harrow International Schools in the six countries of the GCC. It was previously announced that the schools in the UAE will have a fee structure of Dh80,000 to Dh100,000 ($21,780 to $27,230) for pupils in early years to year 6. Details on admissions for both schools will be announced shortly, Taaleem said. It is also expected both will open in 2026 and further thought the schools will gradually expand to serve older pupils. Each Harrow school – covering 50,000 square metres in Dubai and 70,000 square metres on Saadiyat Island – will eventually accommodate up to 2,000 pupils. Delivering value for money Mr O'Connor said the organisation understands that choosing a school is a significant investment as fees are increasing and 'we take that incredibly seriously'. 'This creates a responsibility to invest in quality and Harrow International Schools will invest in the development of facilities, curriculum innovation, student and staff well-being. In Harrow, we are determined to create an experience that matches or exceeds the fee points,' said Mr O'Connor, who will also serve as the founding principal of the Dubai school. He said attending the schools would be a 'life-defining experience' and the cost was an opportunity to 'invest' in students' 'character, potential and global readiness' so they can be 'leaders of tomorrow'. He said both will have advanced campuses and world-class facilities and Harrow will bring in the 'very best teachers from across the globe'. It will seek to implement Harrow's house system – which divides pupils into smaller groups (or houses) for social interaction and pastoral care – in both schools. '[The two schools] represent the pinnacle of education offering in the UAE,' he said. 'A Harrovian should be equipped to lead in any capacity anywhere in the world. It is not just about preparation for today but about shaping future leaders.' Mr O'Connor, 53, has about 25 years' experience in the UK and UAE. He previously served as director of Deira International School and is a former principal of Jumeirah College. He is also the founder of the Centre for Education Action Research, an alliance of educators assessing themes such as artificial intelligence. AI to assist not replace He said that over the past two years, teaching had changed more than at any time in his career and educators had to embrace AI. He said it could lead to greater efficiencies such as helping teachers to save time on tasks such as grading. 'AI won't replace teachers but our students will need to be AI natives and use it to their advantage,' he said. 'A balance has to be struck. The question becomes 'what do we do with time'.' Mr O'Connor said that when schools went online during Covid-19 it reinforced how teaching is about human interaction, and that would inform how both schools would operate. 'We are determined not to be screen-free but to have limited screen time. Everything has shown us that interaction between people is what is most important. AI should be a servant to the people; people should not be a servant to AI.' Harrow's arrival in the UAE comes as the populations of Dubai and Abu Dhabi are surging, leading to a huge demand for schools. Abu Dhabi's population passed four million last week, while Dubai's stands at about 3.97 million and is rising rapidly. Dubai's private school sector alone recorded a 6 per cent rise in enrolments this academic year, reaching 387,441 pupils across 227 schools, the emirate's Knowledge and Human Development Authority said. Work to prepare both schools is advancing rapidly and Mr O'Connor is confident the arrival of Harrow is a game-changer. 'I'm very honoured and excited to get this role,' he said. 'I'm really looking forward to it.'


Zawya
an hour ago
- Zawya
UAE plays vital role in OPEC, OPEC+: Al Mazrouei
VIENNA: Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, emphasised the importance of the UAE's role in the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and the OPEC+. He affirmed the UAE's support for all decisions made by the OPEC+ with the aim of achieving balance and stability in global oil markets. In statements to the Emirates News Agency (WAM) on the sideline of his participation in the 9th OPEC International Seminar in Vienna, Al Mazrouei underlined that the UAE's policy supports OPEC+ decisions and commended the wise leadership of the UAE for adopting a strategy that aims to boost the country's production capacity. He noted that this increased production capacity will be introduced into the market at the appropriate time when demand arises, stressing that such an expansion will act as a stabilising factor for markets and oil prices. He expressed satisfaction with OPEC's gradual return to the markets, highlighting that this return has not negatively impacted price stability. This, he said, proves that the organisation and the OPEC+ group are fully aware of market demands. He also projected that the group's share would increase due to anticipated investments by member countries such as the UAE, which has invested significantly in expanding its production capacity. He explained that the gradual production increases have been carefully planned and have positively contributed to reinforcing balance and stabilising prices at near-steady levels, with a slight rise that reflects an improvement in global oil demand. He commended the pivotal role played by the OPEC+ in maintaining the stability of the global oil market, stating: 'We believe this alliance plays a significant role.' He further noted that the relevant ministers and committees meet on a monthly basis to review and assess market demands and take appropriate decisions collectively as a group rather than as individual countries.


The National
2 hours ago
- The National
EU votes to remove UAE from ‘high-risk' money-laundering list
The EU has voted to remove the UAE from its list of countries that pose a high risk for money laundering and terrorist financing amid a drive in the Emirates to boost its regulatory framework. The European Parliament decided not to object to the European Commission's proposal to amend the EU list of high-risk countries, enabling the removal of the UAE. The Financial Action Task Force, the global body that combats money laundering and terrorism financing, removed the UAE from its 'grey list' in February last year after significant progress on reforms. The Emirates was placed on that list in 2022. UAE Minister of State Ahmed Al Sayegh said the decision is "independent recognition" of the UAE's commitment to the highest international standards in combating global financial crime. "The UAE remains a reliable and strategic partner to the EU, committed to ensuring AML/CFT systems are not only robust, but also future-proof and capable of addressing emerging global threats. As one of the world's fastest growing economies and as a trusted global financial hub, the UAE will continue working with all our global partners to safeguard the integrity of the global financial system," Mr Al Sayegh said in a statement on Wednesday. The outcome reflects the UAE's sustained and swift action and integrated national response to financial crime risks, said Hamid Al Zaabi, secretary general and vice chairman of the UAE National Anti-Money Laundering and Combatting Financing of Terrorism and Financing of Illegal Organisations Committee. "The country has significantly enhanced its legal, regulatory and operational frameworks, including increased inter-agency co-operation and a sharp rise in enforcement outcomes," he said. "These reforms were recognised by the FATF in February 2024, when it removed the UAE from its grey list — an important development that directly informed the Commission's decision, endorsed by today's vote." Building on that momentum, the UAE engaged in sustained technical dialogue with EU institutions — particularly through the UAE-EU Strategic Dialogue — which reinforced co-operation on financial intelligence sharing, cross-border investigations and asset recovery. These actions "addressed residual concerns" within the European Parliament and demonstrated the UAE's ongoing commitment to international AML/CFT standards, Mr Al Zaabi told The National. Dr Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to UAE President Sheikh Mohamed, said on X: "A tremendous effort led by His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed and a capable national team in strengthening the state's legislative and financial system has today resulted in the European Parliament's approval to remove the UAE from the list of high-risk countries. A well-deserved achievement that reflects growing international confidence in the UAE's position as a leading and trusted global financial hub." Lucie Berger, EU ambassador to the UAE, said in a post on X: "A great day for EU-UAE relations and another major milestone in our deepening co-operation. Together, we continue to build a strategic partnership founded on trust, shared values, and a joint commitment to global security and prosperity." The decision comes after the UAE and EU recently agreed to launch free-trade negotiations. It's a political decision because it comes as the UAE and the EU are advancing discussions for a free-trade agreement, said Nicolas Michelon, managing partner of Alagan Partners, a Dubai corporate geopolitics consultancy. 'What the EU is happy with now had been in place in the UAE for quite some time already. This is the EU seeking to remove all hurdles at home to make sure there is no political opposition to a free-trade agreement with the UAE,' he said. The UAE has made significant progress in combating money laundering and the financing of terrorism over the past few years, passing strict laws and issuing regulations to clamp down on financial crime. In September last year, the UAE set out a nationwide action plan aimed at combating terrorism financing and money laundering. The 2024-27 National Strategy for Anti-Money Laundering, Countering the Financing of Terrorism and Proliferation Financing has 11 goals focused on risk-based compliance, effectiveness and sustainability. The enhanced framework, overseen by the Higher Committee and led by an expanded National Committee, includes the former Executive Office of Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism Financing, which now serves as the General Secretariat. In August, the government also amended its laws against money laundering and the financing of terrorism and crime groups and formed a national committee on these crimes. "For the UAE, immediate benefits of the delisting include reduced compliance friction for firms transacting with EU entities, and greater ease of access to European financial markets," Mr Al Zaabi said. "Over the long term, the delisting reinforces the UAE's position as a leading international hub for finance and trade, supports its competitiveness, and strengthens its ability to contribute to and shape the development of global AML/CFT norms." The UAE Central Bank has been imposing a growing number of fines and penalties in recent months to clamp down on violators. On Monday, the banking regulator imposed a fine of Dh4.1 million ($1.1 million) on three exchange houses for failing to comply with the AML/CFT law. Last week, it imposed a fine of Dh5.9 million on a branch of an unnamed foreign bank operating in the UAE for failing to comply with the AML/CFT framework and related regulations. In June, the Central Bank imposed a Dh100 million fine on an exchange house for 'significant failures' in its AML/CFT framework. Also last month, the Central Bank suspended the Islamic window of a bank operating in the country from onboarding new customers for six months and fined it more than Dh3.5 million for non-compliance with Sharia governance rules. This decision will reduce friction for UAE-based financial institutions in dealing with European counterparts, ease cross-border transactions and boost investor confidence in the jurisdiction's credibility, Dhruv Tanna, associate vice president at DIFC-based investment and wealth management firm Phillip Capital, told The National. "This development will further support capital inflows, strategic partnerships and the growth of regulated sectors such as asset management, FinTech and private wealth services," he said. Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer of Century Financial, said it will lead to reduced due diligence requirements for European institutions dealing with UAE-based companies. Previously, entities in the EU were mandated to apply enhanced scrutiny on transactions involving jurisdictions on the high-risk list. This often led to delays, increased paperwork and higher costs, he added. The new move will "significantly benefit sectors like banking, FinTech, and trade finance, which rely on swift and seamless cross-border flows", he said. When countries come off high-risk watchlists, they often see capital inflows of up to 7.6 per cent of their gross domestic product, with foreign direct investment alone increasing by around 3 per cent, according to the International Monetary Fund.