Latest news with #NationalProgramme
Hi Dubai
21 hours ago
- General
- Hi Dubai
MOCCAE Launches National Agricultural Guidance Forum to Drive Sustainable Farming in UAE
The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) has launched the first National Agricultural Guidance Forum to accelerate the UAE's shift toward sustainable, climate-smart agriculture and strengthen support systems for farmers across the country. Held alongside the Emirates Agriculture Conference and Exhibition 2025 at ADNEC Centre Al Ain, the forum brought together experts, farmers, and policymakers under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The initiative aims to empower farmers with the latest innovations and best practices while reinforcing agricultural guidance as a key pillar of food security and rural development. Dr. Mohammed Salman Al Hammadi, Assistant Undersecretary for the Food Diversity Sector at MOCCAE, called the forum a timely move as the UAE's agriculture sector undergoes rapid transformation. He highlighted the role of guidance officers in bridging the gap between research institutions and farmers, translating technical knowledge into actionable field practices. The event featured discussions on women's leadership in agricultural extension, international cooperation, farmer success stories, and modern training methods such as field schools. Notably, experts from the FAO underscored the importance of agricultural guidance in addressing climate challenges and boosting productivity. With participation from over 80 public and private sector entities, including universities and startups, the forum set the stage for new partnerships and policy initiatives. It aligns with the broader goals of the 'Plant the Emirates' National Programme, which seeks to expand green spaces and modernise the UAE's agricultural landscape in line with the late Sheikh Zayed's vision. The forum concluded with strategic recommendations to enhance extension services and reinforce the UAE's commitment to sustainable food systems. News Source: Emirates News Agency
Time of India
6 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
50% construction work of Nat'l Centre of Ageing completed
Varanasi: About 50% of the construction of the 200-bed National Centre of Ageing (NCA) at the Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, was completed. The pace of development accelerated after the visit of the Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on May 12. The centre of ageing was approved by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) in Feb last year and its foundation was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Construction activity began in Jun 2024 by HLL Infra tech services ltd, the project management consultant. NCA's nodal officer Prof Anup Singh said the project remains on track to meet its target completion date of Dec 2025. He said preparations for the operational phase are also underway, including the procurement of equipment, furniture and adequate manpower. Singh said the recurring grant to run NCA will be borne by MoHFW. "This is really encouraging that the MoHFW has agreed to fully fund the project under IMS, reflecting the govt's commitment to enhancing geriatric care facilities in Varanasi," he said. The university administration submitted proposals to both the Ministry of Education and MoHFW for the creation of faculty positions and recurring grant support. Prof Singh lauded the administration's proactive and consistent support for the NCA initiative. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like If you have a mouse, play this game for 1 minute Navy Quest Undo The upcoming seven-storey, 200-bed facility is being developed under the National Programme for Health Care of the Elderly (NPHCE) within the department of geriatric medicine, IMS-BHU. It will feature advanced medical services, including dialysis, ICU, HDU, sleep lab, yoga therapy, physiotherapy and both private and general wards.
Gulf Business
09-05-2025
- Business
- Gulf Business
Oman rises 5 places in Government AI Readiness Index 2024
Image: Getty Images/ For illustrative purposes Oman is accelerating its national artificial intelligence (AI) agenda, allocating millions of rials to develop AI-powered applications, support research, and improve public sector efficiency, officials said. The sultanate has invested approximately OMR60m ($156m) in AI between 2021 and 2024 as part of a broader push to position itself as a regional hub for digital innovation, according to Dr Salem bin Humaid Al-Shuaili, director of AI Projects at the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology. A report by the Oman News Agency quoted Al-Shuaili saying the government allocated OMR10m in 2023 and OMR15m in 2024 through its 'Artificial Intelligence Economics' initiative to fund AI projects across sectors including agriculture, urban planning, air quality monitoring, drone surveying, and aquaculture. The efforts are spearheaded by the National Programme for Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Digital Technologies, which focuses on localising AI technologies, promoting ethical governance, and driving cross-sector integration. Trials of AI applications are currently being conducted in controlled environments to evaluate their large-scale feasibility. Oman also climbed five positions in the 2024 Government AI Readiness Index , ranking 45th globally out of 193 countries, reflecting growing institutional capacity in AI policy and implementation. Oman GPT to enhance public sector productivity Among its flagship projects, Oman is developing a national language model —' In parallel, the Ministry of Higher Education has launched a Strategic Research Programme to align academic AI research with national priorities. One project from the National University of Science and Technology is exploring the risks and benefits of generative AI in education. Oman's AI drive has already produced tangible results. The 'Engineer it with AI' competition led to the creation of eight generative AI applications, now available on global online marketplaces. A Fourth Industrial Revolution Centre, the sixth in the Middle East and 22nd globally, is also set to open in Al-Shuaili said Oman aims to grow AI-related investments by 20 per cent annually and further climb global AI readiness rankings in the years ahead.
Times of Oman
15-04-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
Digital accessibility guide launched
Muscat: The Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology, represented by the National Programme for Government Digital Transformation 'Tahawul,' on Tuesday launched the Digital Accessibility Guide. The initiative aims to enhance digital inclusion and ensure that services are accessible to all segments of society, including people with disabilities and the elderly. The guide seeks to assist mobile application and website developers in adopting practices that ensure all users can access and benefit from their applications by implementing digital accessibility principles. It also focuses on enabling institutions to design applications and websites that comply with digital accessibility standards, reducing the costs associated with later accessibility modifications. The guide targets mobile application and website development teams and supervisors in both the public and private sectors. This includes project managers, user experience and interface designers, software developers, digital content writers, digital accessibility specialists, and quality engineers. It also serves as a reference for application owners who contract with developers, as well as stakeholders in digital accessibility for people with disabilities, senior management, and decision-makers. The guide provides a set of instructions to help developers achieve digital accessibility in mobile applications and websites and explains how to measure their accessibility levels.
Hi Dubai
10-04-2025
- Business
- Hi Dubai
UAE Launches First-Ever Emirates Agriculture Conference and Exhibition to Boost Sustainable Food Security
Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE is set to host the inaugural Emirates Agriculture Conference and Exhibition 2025, taking place from 28–31 May at ADNEC Centre Al Ain. Organised by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE), the event aligns with the nation's strategic push to enhance local agriculture and ensure long-term food security. The conference is a key initiative under the 'Plant the Emirates' National Programme, launched last year to support sustainable farming, promote community engagement, and reduce the carbon footprint through local food production. It embodies the vision of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan to green the desert and strengthen self-reliant agricultural systems. Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, said the event reflects the leadership's commitment to transforming the agricultural sector through innovation, climate-smart solutions, and sustainable practices. 'This is a platform to empower Emirati farmers, boost local production, and drive agricultural innovation,' she stated. Bringing together officials, experts, investors, and youth, the conference will feature the First National Agricultural Extension Forum , along with expert-led workshops and field consultations. Themes include water conservation, vertical farming, biotechnology, and climate resilience. Specialist zones across the exhibition will spotlight Emirati farmers, local crops, honey producers, agricultural tech startups, academic institutions, and private sector innovators. A Youth Zone and Schools and Universities Zone will further engage future generations in shaping a greener future. By combining policy, technology, and grassroots engagement, the Emirates Agriculture Conference and Exhibition 2025 aims to position the UAE as a regional leader in sustainable agriculture and food security. News Source: Emirates News Agency
