Latest news with #Aletihad.
Al Etihad
2 days ago
- Business
- Al Etihad
UAE's young farmers, green heritage shine at Emirates Agriculture Conference and Exhibition
30 May 2025 00:07 AMEINAH ALZEYOUDI (ABU DHABI)While the inaugural Emirates Agriculture Conference and Exhibition aims to shape the future of farming, the diverse participation — from seasoned farmers and young innovators to sustainability-focused entrepreneurs — reflects a nation rooted in a rich agricultural heritage, evolving with the farmer Musleh Alaryani, for example, started his journey in agriculture when he just three years old. It all began on his grandmother's land, he told Aletihad.'I used to go to my grandmother's farm to see how she was planting. I learnt from her,' he said during the event held from May 28 to 31 at the ADNEC Centre in Al Ain. Encouraged by his father, who gave him a piece of land to cultivate, Musleh grew over 15 kinds of vegetables, watermelon, roses, and Indian dates. He eventually learnt how to produce cotton and even make artificial flowers, inspired by exhibitions and the teachings of the UAE's Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. 'Give me agriculture, and I will give you civilisation,' Musleh said, reciting the words of Sheikh Zayed by heart. Theyab Alketbi, a student at the Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine of the UAE University, is also taking part in the exhibition with his passion for aquaponics. This system integrates fish farming with agriculture. 'We use the fertilisers from the fish to nourish the plants without chemicals. It's a complete cycle,' Alketbi told Aletihad. 'The water is reused, saving both cost and resources.'Sustainable farming is a key focus of the exhibition, which has provided a collaborative space for knowledge exchange. Eco-friendly agricultural technologies are showcased, too, as the event reinforced the role of the community in driving agricultural Al Balushi, who represented Mustadama Farms, shared insights on how their company embraced sustainable farming. 'We grow and sell our products simultaneously. We've built net houses and greenhouses,' Al Balushi said. The company currently produces tomatoes, cucumbers, and other crops. 'Despite challenges, we succeeded in delivering a range of organic products in less than a year. We are in the middle of the season, and the results are promising.' The conference focused on strengthening public-private partnerships, encouraging agricultural investment, and boosting local production from national farms. It highlighted how innovation, collaboration, and sustainability can come together to secure a brighter future for farming. With voices from every corner of the industry—young and old, academic and practical—the event offered a hopeful glimpse into the future of sustainable agriculture.
Al Etihad
2 days ago
- Health
- Al Etihad
UAE healthcare sector tackles rising childhood myopia as screen use soars
30 May 2025 00:03 KHALED AL KHAWALDEH (ABU DHABI)As young people spend more time glued to screens and confined indoors, doctors are warning of a growing, yet often overlooked, health risk. Myopia, or nearsightedness, is no longer just a minor inconvenience requiring glasses — it's becoming a long-term eye condition that, if left unmanaged, can lead to complications later in week's World Myopia Awareness Week served as a timely reminder of the critical need to prioritise eye health, especially in children. In the UAE, the issue is gaining more attention, an Abu Dhabi-based specialist told Aletihad.'We're seeing a noticeable increase in the number of children affected by myopia,' said Dr. Arif O. Khan, Staff Physician in Ophthalmology at the Integrated Surgical Institute of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.'It's likely linked to lifestyle shifts and greater screen time.'Dr. Khan said post-pandemic changes in routine — especially online learning and increased recreational screen use — meant children were spending more time than ever in front of devices and less time outdoors. This behavioural trend, he noted, is a key contributor to the rise in early-onset myopia across the UAE. 'Children's developing eyes are especially sensitive to environmental influences,' he said. 'Extended periods of close-up screen use, especially in dim lighting, can contribute significantly to the onset of myopia.'This is more than just an inconvenience or a temporary condition. According to Dr. Khan, the risks of myopia go far beyond needing corrective lenses. Early-onset myopia, if unmanaged, can lead to pathological myopia, a severe form that increases the risk of retinal detachment, glaucoma, cataracts, and even irreversible vision loss in adulthood.'Another significant concern in the UAE is keratoconus — a condition involving changes in the shape of the cornea — which appears to be more prevalent here than in many other parts of the world,' he said. A 2022 study published by Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology highlighted the prevalence of myopia among adults in Dubai: 27.4% among Emiratis and 19.5% in non-Emiratis. The research stressed that these figures highlight not only the widespread nature of the condition but also the urgent need for interventions focused on prevention and early treatment. Proactive Measures Recognising the urgency of the situation, the UAE's healthcare sector is proactively addressing the issue, with Dr. Khan expressing confidence that the country will successfully preserve the vision of future generations.'Vision care in the UAE has made remarkable strides,' he said. 'We now offer a range of treatments — from optical and pharmacological solutions to advanced surgical interventions for adults.'One of the most promising areas in myopia control is early intervention, particularly through newly developed optical and pharmaceutical technologies, Dr. Khan said, adding that these methods are particularly impactful on children. 'One of the most exciting developments in eye care today is the progress being made in preventing and managing childhood myopia,' he said. 'We now have pharmacological treatments available that can slow the progression of myopia in children, along with innovative optical solutions, such as specially designed peripheral defocus spectacle lenses and contact lenses.'Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi has launched a dedicated Myopia Clinic, which is part of a growing trend worldwide to treat myopia not just as a condition but as a chronic disease that requires ongoing the promising technology, Dr. Khan is quick to emphasise that prevention is better than cure. 'It's equally important to emphasise the role of behavioural changes as the first line of defence,' he said. 'Reducing screen time, increasing outdoor activity, avoiding prolonged close-up work, and ensuring well-lit environments are all essential strategies for preventing myopia in children.'
Al Etihad
3 days ago
- Business
- Al Etihad
TAQA races to future-proof Abu Dhabi's power grid amid climate risks, booming demand
28 May 2025 23:53 KHALED AL KHAWALDEH (ABU DHABI)As climate change drives an increase in extreme weather events across the globe, Abu Dhabi is working swiftly to future-proof its power infrastructure with smarter, more resilient systems. Enhanced automation and decentralisation are emerging as key strategies that could help build a more adaptive and robust power at the World Utilities Congress in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, Scott Ryan, Chief Power Operations Officer at TAQA Distribution, laid out a bold roadmap to enhance grid reliability through both automation and local energy generation."A little over a year ago, we had record floods, and that really stressed the grid," Ryan told Aletihad."It created a lot of issues for our customers, so we're looking for [a way] to make our network reliable and resilient for future impacts."This mission has driven the development of an ambitious initiative known as FLISR - Fault Location, Isolation, and Service Restoration. Long in the making, the project gained momentum amid increasing climate risks, positioning the emirate alongside advanced economies in building a highly adaptable grid capable of withstanding future shocks."Think of a neighbourhood that loses supply, and then two minutes later, power is restored," Ryan said."Customers haven't had to call up; we haven't had to roll out a truck; and the majority of customers get their power back."FLISR combines field hardware with centralised control room software to rapidly detect faults, isolate problem areas, and restore power where possible - all in near recently completed a successful trial of the system and has now launched a five-year plan to roll it out across its network. The goal is to boost grid reliability by 30% within that is only part of the puzzle. Ryan says TAQA Distribution is also investing heavily in infrastructure to meet booming demand driven by electrification and mega-projects such as the recently announced 5GW data centre."We're seeing spikes in demand and future load growth," Ryan said."We stay very close to the growth we're expecting, and we start to plan ahead, preparing our grid, preparing our generation."A key component of that preparation involves exploring decentralised generation options like microgrids, which can operate independently of the main grid in emergencies. He said TAQA Distribution was working to explore all possible options to ensure that Abu Dhabi's growth is not hindered by the grid. "A microgrid is where you have local generation, typically renewable - solar panels, solar rooftops, maybe even a wind farm - close to the customer," Ryan explained."Automation like we've described with FLISR can ring around a particular area that could be islanded in the event of a fault."According to Ryan, this kind of setup would allow parts of the grid to continue functioning even when upstream problems - like flooding or heatwaves - take other parts who previously led the construction of a microgrid in Australia, said TAQA is considering similar deployments in Abu Dhabi."Abu Dhabi is booming. It always has been, but we're heading into a new era," he said."We need to make sure that our network can actually support all of that."Ryan said smart metres would also likely play a foundational role in building a responsive and efficient grid. These devices provide real-time data about household energy use, allowing TAQA to detect outages immediately and even predict consumption trends. "It can send what we call the 'last gasp'- the very last thing the metre does is say, 'I've lost power', and we can know before the customer even calls us," Ryan said.
Al Etihad
6 days ago
- Business
- Al Etihad
UAE's sustainability push sparks hospitality shift, enriches guest experiences: Expert
25 May 2025 23:08 SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)The UAE's increasing emphasis on sustainability is reshaping the hospitality industry, leading to greener and more distinctive guest experiences, an industry expert has told Aletihad. The country is accelerating its efforts to become a leading global tourist destination by 2031, targeting a GDP contribution of Dh450 billion and 40 million annual hotel guests. Along with this vision, however, is a nationwide commitment to environmental protection and conservation."The national focus on sustainability has served as both a mandate and an inspiration for us," Michael Schmitt, General Manager Conrad Dubai, told Aletihad."We view it not as a checkbox but as an opportunity to reimagine how a luxury hotel can operate responsibly."At the five-star Conrad Dubai, for example, single-use plastics have been removed, and fresh produce is used from its own hydroponic farm. Artificial intelligence is also utilised to cut food waste. "Last year alone, we achieved a 61% reduction in food waste, saving over 8,600 meals and preventing 14 tonnes of CO₂ emissions," Schmitt said. "These sustainability efforts are not a trade-off," he stressed. "Guests today are increasingly looking for experiences that reflect their values, but they also expect uncompromised comfort. Our approach is to ensure sustainability enhances the guest journey rather than limits it."This vision is reflected in efforts such as creating carbon-hued menus; refilling toiletries instead of using those packed in single-use containers; and putting up air-to-water hydration stations."We do not ask our guests to make sacrifices. We simply make better choices available," Schmitt said. Going green, he added, can be a smart move from a financial perspective. "When planned effectively, it can improve margins while enhancing the guest experience," he said, citing local sourcing and AI-led waste reduction as the shift in on-the-ground operations, the hospitality industry should also recognise the need to empower future-ready teams. "The foundation lies in creating a purpose-driven culture where diversity, inclusion, and empowerment are not just policies but values lived daily," the expert said. Schmitt believes that the growth of UAE tourism should not come at the expense of the environment."It is entirely possible to scale hospitality without scaling environmental impact," he added that the future of tourism in the UAE will be shaped by "cultural enrichment, digital comfort, and ethical travel". Impact on MICE The UAE's sustainability drive has also had a positive impact on the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) sector, especially as clients have now shifted their focus "from scale to substance", said Linda Mwaffak, Commercial Director at Conrad Dubai. Clients now want highly personalised, health-aware, and sustainable experiences, she said. "Clients want to know about carbon footprint, waste management, and local sourcing." Cost-effectiveness in eco-goals is essential."Many sustainable choices - like digital menus and reusable décor - reduce waste and long-term costs," she hydroponic farm of the hotel helps minimise expenses as well as the carbon misconceptions around green events, Mwaffak said: "The main challenge is overcoming the idea that sustainable events are either limited in creativity or overly expensive. Once clients see the results, they become long-term advocates." The future of tourism and MICE in the UAE lies in designing smart, scalable, and values-aligned experiences, the expert added.
Al Etihad
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Al Etihad
Emirati artist Zeinab Alhashemi sparks reflection as concrete meets nature in her Abu Dhabi Bus Terminal artwork
30 Apr 2025 00:25 SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)Amid rapid urban growth, pockets of nature continue to flourish — and Emirati conceptual artist Zeinab Alhashemi captured just that in her artwork 'Equilibrium.''Equilibrium' was among the installations showcased as part of the Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial, which concludes on April 30. This year's series brought together more than 70 artists from the UAE and who have been to the Abu Dhabi Bus Terminal recently must have seen the unique concrete installations that have been topped by a layer of grass. This, Alhashemi said, highlights the link between nature and urban development.'My work explores the contrast between the UAE's rapid industrialisation and the resilience of natural elements,' Alhashemi told Aletihad.'By using materials like concrete and steel—symbols synonymous with the industrial boom — I reflect on the country's architectural transformation and urban growth. At the same time, integrating elements like grass highlights nature's quiet persistence amidst this expansion. This duality mirrors my art practice, which often examines how human interventions reshape natural landscapes, encouraging viewers to reflect on the balance between progress and preservation.'Alhashemi's work consistently explores both the tension and harmony between the natural and the artificial. She uses materials like cement and metal to represent human progress, and elements like grass or coral to reflect nature's rapid urbanisation of the UAE significantly influences her vision and material choices.'Urbanisation is both an inspiration and a subject in my work. The rapid transformation of cities like Abu Dhabi reflects a fascinating intersection of tradition and progress,' she said.'By integrating natural elements, I question what is lost or preserved in this process, inviting viewers to contemplate their relationship with the spaces they inhabit.'Her installations, such as the one inspired by Abu Dhabi's Bus Terminal, aim to create a thoughtful dialogue on the coexistence between industry and the Alhashemi, location is never just a backdrop — it is a collaborator. The physical and cultural context of each site deeply influences her approach.'Each site carries its own history, cultural significance, and environmental context, which I deeply research before beginning a piece.''Equilibrium' draws inspiration from Abu Dhabi's brutalist heritage but also incorporates natural elements that speak to the city's ongoing urban and environmental evolution, Alhashemi said.'My aim is to create installations that resonate with the public's surroundings, inviting them to connect with the space on a deeper level.'Creating art in public spaces brings unique challenges—logistical, climatic, and cultural. For Alhashemi, however, the harsh weather, the limitations, and audience diversity are not hurdles but opportunities for innovation. Global Appeal Though inspired by the UAE's urban landscape, Alhashemi's work resonates globally. Its themes — nature vs industry, tradition vs modernity—are selection plays a key role in driving this dialogue. For Alhashemi, every choice is intentional.'I select materials that carry symbolic weight —concrete for strength and industrialisation, steel for transformation over time, and grass for nature's persistence. I enjoy pushing these materials beyond their traditional roles,' she 'Equilibrium', for example, concrete becomes 'a canvas for life' with the living grass on top of it, encouraging interaction and blurring the line between natural and artificial, she uses her art to spark reflection on the environment, hoping it leads viewers to greater awareness and, ultimately, action.'Participating in the biennial is an incredible honour and a milestone in my career. It signifies the growing recognition of public art's role in shaping cultural identity and fostering dialogue,' she said.'The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi has been instrumental in supporting artists like me, offering platforms that celebrate contemporary practices while honouring the UAE's heritage. Their vision aligns with my own, allowing me to contribute to Abu Dhabi's evolving cultural landscape in meaningful ways.' The biennial, she added, not only celebrates art but also 'amplifies the voices of Emirati artists, showcasing our unique perspectives to a global audience.'
