Latest news with #SultanBinAhmed


Gulf Today
13-05-2025
- Science
- Gulf Today
Sharjah is a hub of knowledge, says Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed
Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and President of the University of Sharjah, attended the opening of the 2nd Sharjah International Education Conference on Monday. Held under the theme 'AI and Beyond: Smart Education Unlocking Potential in the Digital Age,' the event took place at Al Razi Hall in the Colleges of Medicine and Health Sciences at the University of Sharjah. The opening ceremony of the conference – jointly organised by the University of Sharjah and the American University of Sharjah – began with the UAE national anthem, followed by a recitation from the Holy Quran. Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed delivered a keynote speech in which he expressed deep appreciation to His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, praising his visionary leadership in transforming Sharjah into a hub of knowledge and innovation. He also extended gratitude to Sheikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi, President of the American University of Sharjah, for her continued efforts in elevating education locally and internationally. Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed welcomed attendees, including experts and scholars from around the world, and emphasised the vital role of collaboration between academic institutions in organising conferences and sharing scientific knowledge. He stated, 'I welcome you to this significant global event, born from the collaboration between the University of Sharjah and the American University of Sharjah. This is more than an academic gathering – it is a celebration of partnership and shared aspirations rooted in institutional cooperation and a mutual dedication to excellence, innovation, and social impact. 'Through the exchange of expertise, research, and resources, we create an environment where ideas can thrive and innovations in artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and smart education can be applied to build a better future. Scientific cooperation broadens the horizons of academic efforts and their role in driving meaningful innovation.' The Deputy Ruler of Sharjah highlighted the significance of the conference discussions, noting that artificial intelligence has become a central force in reshaping the educational landscape. He emphasised that AI is revolutionising teaching methods, classroom dynamics, and institutional management. AI, he explained, enhances learning by fostering creativity and critical thinking among students, while also enabling the development of smart campuses that meet the highest standards. By streamlining decision-making through data and automating administrative processes, AI allows educators to focus more on direct engagement with students, ultimately maximising the effectiveness of the learning experience. Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed acknowledged the challenges that accompany rapid technological advancement, emphasising the importance of using artificial intelligence responsibly. 'As we embrace these developments, we must also confront the challenges they bring,' he stated. 'We have a duty to ensure that AI is implemented ethically and equitably, in ways that reflect our values and serve the greater good.' He added that the future will favour those who begin preparing today, noting that the conference offers a valuable platform to explore how AI can be harnessed to create an education system that is not only smart, but also inclusive and sustainable. The President of the University of Sharjah reaffirmed the university's dedication to staying in the vanguard of scientific advancement and preparing students for the future. He said, 'The job market is changing faster than ever, with employers seeking graduates who not only have academic qualifications but also possess critical thinking, data analysis skills, and the confidence to work with artificial intelligence. At the University of Sharjah, we are committed to equipping our students for this evolving landscape through industry-aligned curricula, hands-on AI training, and strategic partnerships with leading tech institutions.' WAM


Gulf Today
11-03-2025
- Sport
- Gulf Today
Sultan Bin Ahmed crowns champions of tournament
Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Chairman of the Sharjah Media Council, crowned the Iran national team as champions of the six-a-side football tournament and Suhaila Suburb Council as winners of the beach volleyball competition at the Sharjah Ramadan Sports Tournament. The event took place at Al Heera Beach in Sharjah on Sunday evening. Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed attended the thrilling football final between the Indonesian and Iranian national teams, where Iran secured victory with a close 3-2 win. The intense and highly competitive match attracted a large audience of enthusiastic supporters from both teams. Meanwhile, the UAE national team claimed third place after defeating Oman 4-1 in a penalty shootout during the third-place playoff. In the beach volleyball final, Suhaila Suburb Council emerged victorious, defeating Muwailih Suburb Council in straight sets. The tournament featured six participating councils from across Sharjah, including Al Raqa, Wasit, Muwailih, Suhaila, Al Rahmaniyah, and Mughaidir. Sheikh Sultan also observed various fan engagement activities held alongside the tournament, including tug-of-war and sack racing. These interactive events welcomed participation from both adults and children, enhancing the tournament's festive atmosphere. He honoured the sponsors and supporters of the inaugural Sharjah Ramadan Sports Tournament, presenting them with commemorative shields and capturing memorable photographs. The first edition of the six-a-side football tournament took place from 4th to 9th March and featured eight Asian national teams: UAE, Iraq, Oman, India, Japan, Iran, Pakistan, and Indonesia. The teams were divided into two groups of four, with the top two from each advancing to the semi-finals and final, totalling 20 matches. Each game consisted of two halves of 25 minutes each. The tournament accommodated up to 1,700 audiences with dedicated seating areas. A fully integrated entertainment village was also set up, offering various activities, games, sports facilities, food trucks, and designated spaces for sponsors to enhance the overall fan experience. The awards ceremony was attended by several high-ranking officials. Sharjah Media organises 'Shams Ramadan e-sports tournament' The Sharjah Media City (Shams) has announced the organisation of the 'Shams Ramadan Tournament' for electronic sports. The tournament began on March 8 and will continue till March 14, with a total prize pool of up to Dhs100,000. This tournament is part of the city's efforts to promote a culture of electronic sports and support young talents in this growing field, enhancing its status as one of the prominent entertainment and competitive events during the Holy Month of Ramadan. Alya Ali Al Suwaidi, Director of Content and Innovation at Sharjah Media City, emphasised that this tournament aligns with their ongoing support for youth and their empowerment in innovation and technology, noting that electronic sports is one of the fastest-growing industries worldwide. The tournament aims to foster a spirit of healthy competition and encourage youth to invest their time in beneficial and enjoyable activities, with over 300 players expected to participate over the six-day event. Meanwhile, the Sharjah Sports Council has launched the exciting 'Sports Before Iftar' initiative, running until March 27, to promote fitness within the community during Ramadan. This programme encourages participants to engage in physical activities like walking and light body workouts from 5 to 6 pm, offering a chance to stay active before Iftar while earning rewards. The men-only event will be hosted at 50 selected locations across Sharjah in collaboration with 10 sports clubs and specialised training centres. With a goal of attracting at least 15,000 participants, the initiative emphasises the importance of physical health and community engagement during the holy month. Participants who meet the established criteria will be eligible for cash prizes, adding an extra incentive for those committed to enhancing their fitness. Winners will be chosen based on assessments that evaluate physical progress, fitness efficiency, and qualities like sportsmanship, discipline, and teamwork.


Gulf Today
09-03-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
Sultan Bin Ahmed honours Tamayuz award winners
Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, honoured the winners of the first edition of the 'Tamayuz' Excellence Award on Thursday evening. The award, held at the level of institutions headed by Sheikh Sultan, aims to highlight the efforts of internal institutions, create a competitive environment among governmental and private entities, enhance institutional efficiency, and focus on performance improvement and institutional development to apply the best standards in institutional excellence and governance. The University of Sharjah (UoS) won the award for the best institution in governance implementation, while the Invest bank secured first place in the best financial oversight category. The Sharjah Media City 'Shams' received the award for the best entity in secret shopper reports, and the Sharjah Broadcasting Authority won first place in the best smart application category for its 'Maraya' application. Additionally, the Sharjah Government Media Bureau won the award for the best website for its 'Sharjah Events' site according to secret shopper reports. The UoS also took home the award for the best contact centre based on secret shopper reports, while Arada Company won the best service centre award for its 'City Walk Sales Centre.' The awards for best entity in customer happiness and best entity in employee happiness were awarded to Sharjah Media City 'Shams.' The best outstanding practices awards were granted to the 'Create with Shams' initiative by Sharjah Media City 'Shams,' the 'House for House' initiative by Arada, and the 'Maraya Platform' by the Sharjah Broadcasting Authority. The Deputy Ruler of Sharjah also honoured the judging and evaluation teams, presenting them with commemorative shields and taking photos with them, commending their efforts during the previous period. During the award ceremony, Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed, Chairman of the 'Tamayuz' Excellence Award, delivered a speech congratulating the winners. He clarified that the award is not an end in itself but a means to achieve the previously stated goals, aiming to create a distinguished work system characterised by strategic agility, executive flexibility, and competitive capability through the collective efforts of all. Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed discussed the steps to achieve these goals through employee satisfaction and customer happiness, emphasising the need for best practices to be showcased to others, which creates a solid and transparent governance system. He pointed out that there was a request to increase the number of categories for the next edition of the award and announce them. However, he preferred to postpone this until the results and contributions of the first edition could be studied in depth. The Deputy Ruler of Sharjah insisted that the selection of winners in all award categories should remain with the judges and that no new category for special recognition should be added, which he personally selects for entities with outstanding practices. This was to confirm the award's transparency, integrity, and fairness, affirming that entities can improve their performance and compete for the award categories. The Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and the attendees watched a visual presentation titled 'Excellence is a Decision, a Renewed Vision, and an Ambition that Races Against Time,' which addressed the goals of the award and highlighted its key figures, the participation of institutions, and the efforts of the teams that tirelessly strived to showcase the excellence of the participating entities. The award had conducted six training workshops attended by over 300 individuals, providing knowledge and establishing a path focused on continuous development, along with eight awareness publications that promoted a culture of excellence. A survey targeting customer happiness was participated in by over 55,000 customers, in addition to a survey for employees that included more than 5,000 workers and over 530 evaluations for secret shoppers of service channels. The material also discussed the launch of the 'Tamayuz' platform, which facilitates participants in submitting their files clearly and transparently, with over a thousand documents uploaded to the platform and 500 reports for secret shoppers, managed by eight excellence teams consisting of 33 members.


Gulf Today
08-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
Sultan Bin Ahmed inaugurates Shams Creative Fest
Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Chairman of Sharjah Media Council, inaugurated the third edition of the 'Shams Creative Fest' organised by Sharjah Media City 'Shams' at its Business Center, which will run until 9th February. During the festival, he toured the pavilions showcasing projects by young entrepreneurs and creators across various artistic, technological, fashion, fragrance, souvenir, and art fields. Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed listened to an explanation about the activities and events that will be organised during the festival. The festival schedule includes a diverse mix of events and live music performances by a selection of artists and musicians from various parts of the Arab world. Additionally, there will be art exhibitions, cultural and entertainment workshops, a variety of films suitable for different age groups, opportunities to taste a wide range of foods offered by youth food projects participating in the festival. Shams Creative Fest will also feature a diverse range of interactive competitions, chances to win valuable prizes, and entry into raffles. The festival features diverse events, live music performances by artists from the Arab world, art exhibitions, cultural workshops, entertainment activities, films for all age groups, food tastings from youth food projects, interactive competitions, valuable prizes, and opportunities for collaboration. This festival serves as a platform to showcase innovations and entrepreneurial projects to a wide audience of investors, experts, and specialists, promoting economic and cultural development through their creative contributions. The festival's opening was attended by various officials, including Mohamed Abdullah Al Ketbi, Chairman of the Municipal Council of Al Batayeh, Mohammed Hassan Khalaf, Director-General of Sharjah Broadcasting Authority, Hassan Yaqoub Al Mansoori, Secretary-General of Sharjah Media Council, Rashid Abdullah Al Obed, Director of Sharjah Media City 'Shams,' and other dignitaries.