Latest news with #Arabic-English
Daily News Egypt
21-05-2025
- Business
- Daily News Egypt
CARITech, Finastra partner to drive core banking transformation in MENA
CARITech, a leading digital transformation consultancy specializing in core banking modernization, has announced a strategic partnership with Finastra, a global financial software provider, to accelerate the adoption of the Finastra Essence core banking platform across the Middle East and Africa. The collaboration leverages CARITech's regional expertise and implementation capabilities alongside Finastra's advanced technology to streamline digital transformation for financial institutions. Under the agreement, CARITech will apply its CMMI Level 3-certified methodology to support efficient, low-risk deployments of Finastra Essence. With a bilingual Arabic-English team and in-depth knowledge of local banking environments, CARITech is well-positioned to deliver tailored support, ensuring smooth transitions to modern core banking systems throughout the region. 'Partnering with Finastra represents a significant step forward in our mission to deliver best-in-class core banking transformation services,' said Ismail Ali, CEO of CARITech. 'Our regional insights and technical capabilities make us uniquely equipped to support financial institutions on their digital journeys.' Finastra Essence is a next-generation core banking solution designed to boost agility, reduce operational costs, and improve customer experience through deep functionality and open technology. 'Our collaboration with CARITech reflects Finastra's commitment to ensuring financial institutions receive exceptional service when implementing Finastra Essence,' said Siobhan Byron, EVP of Universal Banking at Finastra. 'CARITech's strong track record and understanding of regional banking needs make them a valuable partner in enabling transformation at scale.' This partnership underscores both companies' shared dedication to innovation, regional growth, and customer success, enabling banks in the Middle East and Africa to modernize their operations with minimal disruption and maximum value.
Arabian Post
13-05-2025
- Business
- Arabian Post
UAE Eyes Major Leap in AI with Potential Nvidia Chip Deal
The United States is deliberating a significant agreement that would permit the United Arab Emirates to acquire over one million advanced Nvidia AI chips, a move that could reshape the technological landscape in the Gulf region. The proposed arrangement, still under negotiation, would allow the UAE to import 500,000 of Nvidia's most sophisticated chips annually through 2027. Approximately 20% of these chips are earmarked for G42, an Abu Dhabi-based artificial intelligence firm, while the remainder would support U.S. companies establishing data centers within the UAE. This potential deal marks a notable shift from the stringent export controls implemented during the Biden administration, which aimed to limit the proliferation of advanced AI technologies to certain regions. The Trump administration's consideration of this agreement aligns with its broader strategy to bolster alliances and counterbalance China's growing technological influence. G42 has been at the forefront of the UAE's AI ambitions, developing a bilingual Arabic-English large language model named Jais and collaborating with global tech giants to enhance its capabilities. The firm's efforts to sever ties with Chinese entities and comply with U.S. regulations have been pivotal in facilitating this prospective deal. The U.S. Department of Commerce's introduction of the Validated End User program has further streamlined the export process for advanced technologies to trusted partners. Under this program, foreign data centers that meet rigorous security and compliance standards can receive AI chips without the need for individual export licenses. This initiative aims to safeguard national security while promoting international technological collaboration. Nvidia's advanced chips, particularly the H100 and the newer GB300 Blackwell models, are integral to the development of cutting-edge AI applications. The company's collaboration with Saudi Arabia's AI startup, Humain, to deliver 18,000 AI chips underscores the region's commitment to becoming a global AI hub. These chips are set to power a 500-megawatt data center in Saudi Arabia, reflecting the Gulf's substantial investments in AI infrastructure. See also stc Group Named Leading Workplace for Growth in Saudi Arabia The UAE's strategic partnerships extend beyond Nvidia. A notable collaboration between Microsoft and G42 has received U.S. approval, allowing the export of advanced AI chips to a Microsoft-operated facility in the UAE. This partnership is part of a broader U.S. effort to counter China's Digital Silk Road initiative by strengthening technological ties with Gulf nations. Despite these advancements, concerns persist regarding the potential for U.S. technologies to be accessed by adversarial nations. The U.S. government has imposed strict conditions on these deals, including prohibitions on the use of exported chips for model training by individuals from countries under U.S. arms embargoes, such as China. Regular audits and compliance checks are mandated to ensure adherence to these restrictions. The UAE's pursuit of AI sovereignty is evident in its initiatives to develop indigenous AI capabilities and infrastructure. Core42, a subsidiary of G42, has established a 'regulated technology environment' to deploy Nvidia's H100 Tensor chips securely within the country. This setup ensures that sensitive technologies are handled under strict guidelines, aligning with the UAE's objectives to safeguard data and maintain control over its AI systems.
Al Etihad
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Al Etihad
Rare Islamic and regional treasures to take centre stage at Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2025
24 Apr 2025 15:05 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)Leading rare book dealer Peter Harrington will return to the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair later this month, presenting an extraordinary catalogue of rarities that resonate strongly with Middle Eastern history, heritage, and cultural the standout pieces this year are rare documents that capture Saudi Arabia's post-war attempt to revive the Hejaz Railway, and fascinating Arabic-English phrasebooks from 19th-century fair list features a compelling mix of Islamic and Western material, reflecting the growing global appetite for spotlighting themes of cross-cultural exchange and formative periods in the region's history and development.'These works carry value that goes far beyond their rarity – they speak to identity, memory, and belonging,' says Pom Harrington, Owner of Peter Harrington. 'We've seen increasing interest around items like early regional cookbooks that document recipes from ordinary households, or a phrasebook designed to help Egyptians learn English during a time of cultural shift. It's not just collectors in the Middle East, but across the diaspora – people are building collections that reflect their personal histories.' Highlights from the Abu Dhabi Fair List include: • A Photographic Archive of the Hejaz Railway (1948) – A never-before-seen visual record of Saudi Arabia's ambitious post-war project to revive the Hejaz Railway. Over 200 photographs show rare scenes from Medina to Tabuk. • Kitab al-Ibriz (1877) (The Book of Pure Gold) – A scarce and fascinating Arabic-English phrasebook that phonetically transliterates English using Arabic script –designed as a tool for Arabic speakers to learn English, rather than the reverse. This rare inversion of the typical colonial language dynamic is all the more remarkable for its Arab authorship, and the fact that no other copy has been traced. • The Kentuckian in New-York (1834) – An early American novel that features what may be the first printed Arabic script in U.S. literature, based on the handwriting of an enslaved Fula Muslim character. • Two Glorious Years in the History of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (1968) – A richly illustrated account from the dawn of Sheikh Zayed's leadership, filled with optimism and national pride. • Voyage d'exploration à la Mer Morte et Petra (1874) – A visual and scientific landmark, this work includes some of the earliest published photographs of Petra and the Dead Sea, and helped establish the photobook as a genre. • Kitab al-Aqalim ('The Book of Climes') The first and only printing of a scarce lithographic facsimile reproducing the earliest surviving dated Arabic maps – a complete reproduction of al-Istakhri's manuscript. Given the rarity of medieval Islamic maps, facsimiles such as this provide an important window onto a fascinating period in the history of cartography. • First edition of Thesiger's acclaimed debut Arabian Sands, signed by the author and bearing the rare thumbprint signature of Salim bin Ghabaisha, his Bedouin guide and the book's dedicatee – a powerful testament to their partnership. No other copy bearing bin Ghabaisha's signature thumbprint can be traced. • Original Edmund Dulac Artwork for The Arabian Nights (1907) – Two mesmerising watercolours created for the book that defined Dulac's career. Steeped in moonlit mystique, they celebrate the enduring allure of Arabic storytelling.• Moorish Recipes (1954) – Possibly the first English cookbook focused solely on North African cuisine, printed in a limited run. Compiled by the 4th Marquess of Bute from Moroccan households. • Euclid's Elementa Geometriae (1482) – The first printed edition of Euclid's seminal work, derived from Arabic translations by medieval scholars. A foundational text in mathematics and scientific thought.
Khaleej Times
26-03-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Dubai's new Arabic education policy for early years set to boost teacher demand
The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) recently introduced a new policy under which Arabic must be incorporated into the early years of a child's education. This requires Early Childhood Centres (ECCs) to adhere to pre-approved language models and teacher qualification standards. In order to assure compliance, this is likely to spike the demand for Arabic-speaking educators. 'The advantages of learning multiple languages is a skill that is widely recognised by the parents of today. They are also able to see how significant strengthening their child's mother tongue is during these formative years,' said Arwa Naccho, Principal and CEO of Green Grass Nursery. Bilingual nurseries are becoming more and more popular. 'Arabic-speaking families, particularly, are paying special attention to ECCs that offer a strong foundation in both Arabic and English. This new policy means that Arabic will play a significant role when choosing a school. At Green Grass Nursery, we have a well-established model that guarantees proficiency in both languages through immersive learning, putting us ahead of the curve in bilingual education,' Naccho added. Using the EYFS framework as a basis, Green Grass Nursery's Arabic teachers, with years of expertise, are successfully incorporating Arabic into the students' learning, he said. This policy also facilitates collaboration between nurseries and schools, establishing a smooth transition into primary education. 'We frequently host and visit schools to demonstrate how we include Arabic into a vibrant, engaging environment. We also work closely with schools to match our bilingual programmes (which still are very few) with their language requirements to ensure our graduates enter primary school with a strong proficiency in both Arabic and English,' Naccho said. Hiring seasoned Arabic teachers who have a passion for early childhood learning and who also fulfill the KHDA's new qualification requirements is our priority. By offering continuous training, mentorship, professional development and a structured appraisal system, we guarantee the retention of outstanding talent. Early childhood educators select Green Grass nursery as their place of employment due to our strong team culture and innovative bilingual teaching approach. Green Grass Nursery has been at the forefront of bilingual Arabic-English education for over five years, already putting the KHDA policy into practice. 'Through everyday routines of story-telling, music and play-based activities, we provide a balanced exposure to both English and Arabic using an English based bilingual programme. Our systematic approach builds a love for Arabic, making learning feel effortless and interesting. Through immersive sessions taught by Arabic experts, children are able to develop excellent verbal communication and strong literacy skills early in their life in an engaging and supportive environment,' Naccho said. The bilingual blueprint empowers future generations through innovative Arabic and English play-based learning. 'By 2025, we aim to expand our team of Arabic specialists and introduce a new bilingual Primary Key Stage 1 and 2 programme for children aged five to seven years. We are also exploring opportunities to join a larger educational organisation to share and scale our unique bilingual model,' Naccho said.
Khaleej Times
26-03-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Arabic teachers to be in high demand on KHDA's decision
The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) recently introduced a new policy under which Arabic must be incorporated into the early years of a child's education. This requires Early Childhood Centres (ECCs) to adhere to pre-approved language models and teacher qualification standards. In order to assure compliance, this is likely to spike the demand for Arabic-speaking educators. 'The advantages of learning multiple languages is a skill that is widely recognised by the parents of today. They are also able to see how significant strengthening their child's mother tongue is during these formative years,' said Arwa Naccho, Principal and CEO of Green Grass Nursery. Bilingual nurseries are becoming more and more popular. 'Arabic-speaking families particularly are paying special attention to ECCs that offer a strong foundation in both Arabic and English. This new policy means that Arabic will play a significant role when choosing a school. At Green Grass Nursery, we have a well-established model that guarantees proficiency in both languages through immersive learning, putting us ahead of the curve in bilingual education,' Naccho added. Using the EYFS framework as a basis, Green Grass Nursery's Arabic teachers, with years of expertise, are successfully incorporating Arabic into the students' learning, he said. This policy also facilitates collaboration between nurseries and schools, establishing a smooth transition into primary education. 'We frequently host and visit schools to demonstrate how we include Arabic into a vibrant, engaging environment. We also work closely with schools to match our bilingual programmes (which still are very few) with their language requirements to ensure our graduates enter primary school with a strong proficiency in both Arabic and English,' Naccho said. Hiring seasoned Arabic teachers that have a passion for early childhood learning that also fulfill the KHDA's new qualification requirements is our priority. By offering continuous training, mentorship, professional development and a structured appraisal system, we guarantee the retention of outstanding talent. Early childhood educators select Green Grass nursery as their place of employment due to our strong team culture and innovative bilingual teaching approach. Green Grass Nursery has been at the forefront of bilingual Arabic-English education for over five years, already putting the KHDA policy into practice. 'Through everyday routines of story-telling, music and play-based activities, we provide a balanced exposure to both English and Arabic using an English based bilingual programme. Our systematic approach builds a love for Arabic, making learning feel effortless and interesting. Through immersive sessions taught by Arabic experts, children are able to develop excellent verbal communication and strong literacy skills early in their life in an engaging and supportive environment,' Naccho said. The bilingual blueprint empowers future generations through innovative Arabic and English play-based learning. 'By 2025, we aim to expand our team of Arabic specialists and introduce a new bilingual Primary Key Stage 1 and 2 programme for children aged five to seven years. We are also exploring opportunities to join a larger educational organisation to share and scale our unique bilingual model,' Naccho said.
