Latest news with #Baalbaki
Morocco World
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Morocco World
Egypt's Blu EV Plans $100 Million Investment in Morocco's Electric Mobility Market
Rabat – Blu EV, an Egyptian electric mobility company backed by billionaire Naguib Sawiris, is preparing to enter the Moroccan market by the end of this year. The company, which specializes in converting motorcycles from gasoline to electric power, aims to invest $100 million in the country. Speaking to Asharq Business, Blu EV co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Reda Baalbaki said that the expansion into Morocco is part of a larger plan to grow gradually across North Africa and the Middle East. The company also continues to expand within Egypt, aiming to provide affordable and eco-friendly two-wheeled transportation solutions. Their electric bikes cost around 30% less to operate than traditional fuel-powered motorcycles, Baalbaki said, highlighting the company's focus on reducing pollution and offering low-cost mobility options. Blu EV was launched in 2023 and is chaired by prominent Egyptian businessman Naguib Sawiris. Sawiris invested $120 million in the company through a partnership with Orascom Investment Holding, a firm owned by the Sawiris family. Baalbaki explained that Blu EV currently operates in several Egyptian cities, including East Cairo, Alexandria, Ismailia, the North Coast, and El Gouna. It has already set up over 50 battery-swapping stations, with a focus this year on expanding further into Greater Cairo. The company plans to cover the rest of Egypt over the next five years. Blu EV's main service is converting regular motorcycles into electric ones by replacing the fuel engine with an electric motor. The company also manages a smart network of battery-swapping stations to support the use of these electric bikes. Morocco has taken several steps in recent years to support electric vehicles. The country has launched public charging stations in major cities and on highways, and local automakers have shown interest in producing EVs. In addition, Morocco is home to two major car factories that have started producing electric or hybrid models for export. Last week, Renault Tangier celebrated the production of the 2,000th Mobilize DUO, the first fully electric four-wheeled vehicle made in Morocco. However, the local use of EVs remains low due to the high cost of electric cars and the limited number of charging stations. Most EV initiatives have focused on electric cars, with little attention to motorcycles, despite their widespread use in cities like Casablanca, Marrakech, and Fez. Tags: EgyptElectric Vehiclesev
Web Release
22-06-2025
- General
- Web Release
AUB Press Hosts Dr. Ramzi Baalbaki at the 66th Beirut Arab International Book Fair: 'The Arabic Language: Its History, Present, and Future'
As part of its participation in the 66th Beirut Arab International Book Fair, AUB Press hosted a discussion titled 'The Arabic language: Its History, Present, and Future' featuring renowned Arabic Language professor Ramzi Baalbaki in conversation with Malek Chaker and Amina Sleiman. The event was supported by the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Chair and organized in collaboration with the Center for Arts and Humanities at the American University of Beirut (AUB). The discussion touched upon various topics related to the Arabic language. Baalbaki spoke about the history of Arabic and its emergence before the revelation of the Qur'an, highlighting its presence in Arabic poetry and popular proverbs (ahadith). He explained how, by the time of the Qur'an's revelation, the Arabic corpus had become rich and well-established, with its collection largely ceasing by the end of the second Hijri century. Linguists then engaged with this corpus, bringing to light its morphological and syntactic features—particularly its patterns (awz?n). In this context, Baalbaki pointed out the distinctive differences that set Arabic apart from its sister Semitic languages as well as from foreign languages. Baalbaki also spoke about his new book Mukawimat al-Nazariyah al-Lughawwiya al-Arabiyya, in which he demonstrated the coherence of the linguistic theory and the comprehensiveness of its components. This, he argued, highlights the uniqueness of the Arabic language and the elements of wisdom embedded in its structures and morphological patterns. He compared this theory with scientific theories—specifically, the theory of dimensions in physics—to affirm the validity of the linguistic framework established by early grammarians. Through this, they provided explanations for every structure, and thus the term ghar?b (the obscure or unusual) in the language emerged. The discussion also touched on the relationship between Classical Arabic and the various colloquial dialects. Baalbaki emphasized the strong connection between them, refuting any notion of conflict or hostility, as each borrows certain words and structures from the other. The conversation addressed the current state of the Arabic language and its place among its native speakers. Baalbaki pointed to the number of Arabic speakers and the language's presence on social media, expressing concern over the weakening use of Arabic among its speakers and their tendency to resort to foreign languages to express their ideas. Therefore, he offered some advice on how to preserve the language—especially within academia. The event was attended by political and social figures, as well as a number of linguists and scholars of the humanities from various Arab countries. The discussion was rich and full of insights that inspire a love for the Arabic language and reveal the depths of its genius and its ability to convey meaning with remarkable precision through carefully chosen words. It also showcased a range of syntactic structures that are unique to Arabic. Visit AUB Press on YouTube to watch the full discussion.
Web Release
13-02-2025
- General
- Web Release
AUB Press Hosts a Conversation with Professor Ramzi Baalbaki on the Arabic Language
By Editor_wr On Feb 13, 2025 The American University of Beirut (AUB) Press hosted a dialogue on the Arabic language at the Issam Fares Institute featuring Professor Ramzi Baalbaki, who holds the Jewett Chair in the Arabic Department at the university, and Charles al-Hayek, researcher and TV presenter. The event was moderated by Professor Bilal Orfali, the Sheikh Zayed Chair of Arabic and Islamic Studies at AUB. In collaboration with Heritage and Roots, the Jewett Chair, and the Sheikh Zayed Chair, the gathering brought an audience of linguists and intellectuals from various academic and cultural institutions across Lebanon and the Arab world. The event concluded with a reception, during which copies of Professor Baalbaki's book, Muqawwim?t al-Na?ariyya al-Lughawiyya al-?Arabiyya , were distributed to attendees. Charles al-Hayek engaged Baalbaki in a thought-provoking discussion, posing a series of questions about the past, present, and future of the Arabic language. The conversation provided attendees with a comprehensive understanding of Arabic in all its dimensions. Baalbaki began with a historical overview, tracing the origins of Arabic through ancient inscriptions and linguistic evidence. He explored the regions where Arabic first emerged and discussed the evolution of its phonetics, which eventually necessitated standardization to eliminate errors. He then highlighted several unique features that distinguish Arabic from other languages, particularly its Semitic counterparts. Among these is the presence of specific morphological patterns that convey particular meanings—such as Fu'ala (??????) for remnants of things and Fu'?l (?????) for sounds. He also emphasized Arabic's precision in expression, including the existence of distinct terms for each hour of the day, as well as its structural flexibility, which allows for diverse syntactic constructions, each carrying nuanced meanings. Baalbaki further examined the relationship between classical Arabic and colloquial dialects, shedding light on how certain linguistic phenomena from different tribes influenced standard Arabic and vice versa. He concluded by explaining the foundational linguistic theory underpinning Arabic, detailing its key pillars: 'Amal (government), Ta'l?l (causation), Qiy?s (analogy), A?l (origin), and Taqd?r (assumption). Afterwards, members of the audience asked Professor Baalbaki several questions, prompting him to reflect on the future of the Arabic language and the positive indicators that ensure its continuity. He also addressed a concerning trend: the general lack of respect among Arabs for their language, as seen in their failure to master it and use it correctly in public discourse. Additionally, Baalbaki highlighted the pioneering role of AUB in promoting and preserving Arabic, emphasizing how it continues to distinguish itself from other universities in Lebanon and the broader Middle East. Visit AUB Press on YouTube to watch the full discussion. Prev Post UAE Restaurant Group Celebrates a Successful Open Day Next Post Emerson Showcases Advanced Automation Technologies at EGYPES 2025 Comments are closed.
