Dubai approves new reforms: How they impact education, eco standards
Image credit: Dubai Media Office/Website
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, has approved a series of strategic policies and projects aimed at strengthening Dubai's global position in education, business, and sustainable development.
Read-
The approvals came during a meeting of The Executive Council held at Emirates Towers, attended by Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai,
Making Dubai a global education hub
Sheikh Hamdan highlighted the importance of empowering youth with academic and practical skills, reaffirming Dubai's ambition to be among the world's top 10 cities for students.
'Dubai is home to 37 international university branches, and we plan to attract more,' he said, noting that initiatives will support the Education Strategy 2033 and Dubai Economic Agenda D33.
The council approved a new project led by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) and Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) to attract world-class universities. The plan targets 70 higher education institutions by 2033, with international students comprising 50 per cent of enrolments and contributing Dhs5.6bn to the emirate's GDP.
New career guidance policy for students
A new Academic and Career Guidance Policy was also approved, aimed at supporting students in transitioning from education to employment. The policy sets targets such as:
90 per cent employment rate for Emirati graduates within six months
80 per cent of institutions offering effective career advice
70 per cent of students gaining entry into top three university or career choices
Additional initiatives include life skills camps, entrepreneurship programmes, and university–industry partnerships.
Air Quality Strategy 2030 unveiled
The council green lit the Air Quality Strategy 2030, targeting 90 per cent clean air days annually and a reduction in PM2.5 concentrations to 35 micrograms per cubic metre. The strategy is led by the Dubai Environment and Climate Change Authority in collaboration with local and federal partners.
Dubai International Mediation Centre approved
To strengthen Dubai's legal infrastructure, the council approved the Dubai International Mediation Centre. Developed with the ADR Centre, the project aims to offer globally recognised mediation services, enhance investor confidence, and create jobs in dispute resolution.
Governance boost for construction projects
The new Governance Policy for Government Construction Projects introduces a tiered system for project evaluation and financial planning. Led by the Dubai Department of Finance, the policy aligns with plans to increase public spending to Dhs700bn over the next decade.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Khaleej Times
an hour ago
- Khaleej Times
UAE: 75,000 students to learn saving, budgeting under 'young investor programme'
UAE companies have launched an initiative to embed essential financial skills such as diligent saving, budgeting and strategic investing into young students from an early age. The programme aims to reach 50 schools and 75,000 students across the UAE. It was launched by National Bonds, UAE's leading Shari'a-compliant savings and investment company, in collaboration with the Knowledge Fund Establishment. The 'Young Investor Programme' blends classroom-based learning with immersive, real life training, offering students a unique and interactive pathway to understanding personal finance. Initially targeting students in Grades 5 and 6, the curriculum introduces fundamental financial concepts in a simplified yet impactful manner. Older students in Grades 11 and 12 also benefit from hands-on workshops hosted at National Bonds' headquarters. These sessions delve into critical topics including budgeting, investment planning, market research, data analysis, and essential communication skills, providing participants with a crucial behind the scenes perspective on the workings of financial services and bridging theoretical knowledge with practical career exposure. The curriculum is structured around six core modules: Money Management, Payment Systems, Loans and Debts, Savings and Investments, Insurance Protection Plans (with a specific focus on Takaful), and Long-Term Financial Planning. Beyond these fundamentals, the program integrates real-life application through engaging role-play exercises, interactive case studies, and practical workshop activities. New modules are continuously being introduced, covering areas such as artificial intelligence, digital currencies, and modern money management practices. During its successful pilot phase, the 'Young Investor Programme' has already been implemented in 11 private schools across Dubai. The participating institutions include Dubai Schools – Al Barsha; Dubai Schools – Al Khawaneej; Dubai Schools – Nad Al Sheba; International School of Creative Science – Nad Al Sheba; American School of Creative Science – Nad Al Sheba; American School of Creative Science – Maliha; American School of Creative Science – Al Layyah; Buds Public School; Nibras International School Dubai; Springdales School Dubai; and St. Mary's Catholic High School. Currently, the programme is catering to 3,500 students in Dubai. Building on this success, the initiative is now expanding beyond Dubai, entering Sharjah through the Masar initiative. National Bonds recently collaborated with the Masar initiative, launched by the Sharjah Capability Development Authority, which aims to empower Emirati university students and recent graduates through a blend of hands-on training and professional mentorship. This partnership ensures continuity in financial education, extending from middle school students in the Young Investor Programme to young adults preparing for the workforce through Masar. Specialised financial literacy workshops help young adults focus on essential concepts such as savings, financial planning, investment awareness, and risk management. National Bonds recently announced a three-year strategic expansion plan for the 'Young Investor Programme', aiming to reach 50 schools and 75,000 students across the UAE through scalable delivery models and regional activations. Beyond traditional classroom learning, students will be challenged to conceptualise real-world investment or business projects, with some receiving feasibility reviews, support, and recognition. Rehab Lootah, Group Deputy CEO at National Bonds, commented on the program's impact: 'The success of the 'Young Investor Programme' reflects our belief that financial education should start early, and in a way that resonates with young minds. By equipping students with the basics of saving and planning, we are helping them build habits that last a lifetime.' Lootah added, 'This initiative is more than just a programme; it's part of a larger movement aligned with the UAE's vision for a knowledge-based economy. As we expand into more emirates, we are proud to be giving the next generation the confidence and tools to navigate their financial future with purpose.'
Gulf Business
an hour ago
- Gulf Business
Saudi Arabia opens airspace to enable smooth flow of air traffic
Image: Getty Images/ For illustrative purposes Saudi Arabia has opened its airspace to support the smooth flow of international air traffic amid recent The kingdom is now handling an average of more than 1,330 daily flights through its airspace, which is nearly double the number recorded before the crisis began. These additional flights were managed safely and efficiently, aided by advanced technologies and stringent security measures in full compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards. According to SPA, the General Authority of Civil Aviation ( More than 220 international air carriers transited through Saudi skies during this time, prompting the activation of pre-planned airspace expansion protocols. Saudi reinforces airport and airspace security The kingdom reinforced its airport and airspace security through enhanced surveillance systems, risk management frameworks, and technical infrastructure upgrades. Crisis management teams, equipped with cutting-edge technologies, processed real-time data to provide rapid operational support to local and regional stakeholders. This allowed for seamless traffic flow and strengthened Saudi Arabia's reputation as a safe and reliable aviation hub. Saudi Arabia's air navigation system includes 20 control towers, two regional area control centres with 15 control sectors, 10 approach control centres, and over 1,200 navigation devices across the country, SPA reported. These are operated by a workforce of more than 1,900 aviation specialists, including over 700 male and female air traffic controllers, all working under advanced operational methodologies.
Crypto Insight
an hour ago
- Crypto Insight
Legal strategy matters more than ever for your crypto startup in the UAE
Opinion by: Irina Heaver, crypto lawyer. Founders who treat regulatory structuring as a central part of their go-to-market strategy are the ones who thrive in the UAE. Unfortunately, many founders view licensing as an afterthought. The UAE is not a place where you can cut corners. It is, however, a place where thoughtful, well-prepared founders are rewarded with speed, clarity and access to a highly supportive ecosystem. Contrary to some founders' beliefs, regulators are not the problem — confusion, poor planning and lack of readiness are. The crypto licensing landscape in the United Arab Emirates can be hard to grasp, so much so that even experienced venture capitalists, serial entrepreneurs and global law firms often misunderstand the regime. Let's bring some clarity to the situation. One country, two legal systems The UAE is a federal country comprising seven emirates, operating under two distinct legal systems. The mainland legal system, known as the 'onshore' regime, covers the entire UAE territory and includes over 45 economic free zones. These jurisdictions fall under the UAE's civil law and are governed by the UAE's court system. The financial free zones, Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) and Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), operate independently under English common law. They also maintain their own regulatory bodies and court systems, separate from the mainland's judicial system. Understanding this bifurcation is crucial because the regulatory authority governing your crypto activities depends mainly on the legal framework under which you choose to operate. One country, five crypto regulators Five separate authorities regulate crypto and related activities, each with its own jurisdiction, mandate and licensing framework. On the mainland side, the three relevant regulators are: The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE): regulates activities involving AED-denominated stablecoins, crypto payments and remittances, and approves foreign stablecoins. The Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA): regulates crypto exchanges, broker-dealers and token offerings that resemble securities or commodity contracts. The Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA): regulates most virtual asset service providers (VASPs) operating in Dubai, excluding those in the DIFC. In the financial free zones, there are two separate regulators: The Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA): the financial watchdog for ADGM, which developed one of the most advanced regulatory frameworks for digital assets back in 2018. The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA): the regulator for DIFC, with a cautious but evolving approach to crypto assets. This unique framework can be both a blessing and a challenge. Choosing the wrong regulator or failing to understand the scope of each authority can result in wasted time, missed opportunities or, in some cases, complete licensing failure. Choose the right regulator The right jurisdiction depends entirely on your specific business model. Here are a few common scenarios: Launch a crypto exchange Planning to become the next Binance? Be prepared to navigate a rigorous licensing path. VARA, SCA or ADGM are potential homes for you. Each has its own requirements, and none are for the faint-hearted. Issue a stablecoin If you're thinking of rivaling Tether in AED, then welcome to the grown-up table. You'll be dealing with the Central Bank of the UAE. Build a tokenized RWA platform Want to turn luxury real estate, fine art or a warehouse of whiskey into blockchain-based assets? VARA's newly introduced regime for asset-backed tokens is a must-read. And no, slapping 'utility token' on a white paper won't cut it here. Start a crypto fund Got capital to deploy and a vision to back the next crypto unicorn? It's time to become best friends with ADGM's FSRA. It's one of the most advanced digital asset frameworks out there, but make no mistake, they expect real compliance chops. Launch a payment app Are you looking to make big money moves? The Central Bank will be watching you closely. Don't expect a light-touch approach when handling customer funds. Trying to do it all Don't. Founders often want to build the entire offering in one go, which can be a recipe for regulatory burnout. It is much better to start narrow — get one license, create traction, then scale. More best practices Founders who prioritize regulatory structuring as a core element of their go-to-market strategy are the ones who succeed in the UAE. Success demands a thorough regulatory assessment from the outset, alignment of a business model with the right jurisdiction and authority and collaboration with legal experts who truly understand the local landscape. In the UAE, cutting corners is not tolerated. Founders who plan carefully and engage proactively with regulators are rewarded with speed, clarity and access to a highly supportive ecosystem. Opinion by: Irina Heaver, crypto lawyer. Source:
