Latest news with #ALC
Al Etihad
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Al Etihad
Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre reveals winners of 2025 Research Grants Programme
30 June 2025 17:05 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) has announced the winners of the fifth edition of its Research Grants Programme, which supports high-quality research projects that promote the Arabic language and encourages researchers to develop innovative proposals across various creative year's list of winning projects features seven works, submitted by experts from five Arab countries and covering the fields of Arabic Lexicon, Literature and Criticism, and Editing of Manuscripts. Overall, the 2025 edition received a total of 516 submissions from 36 countries, with Egypt recording the highest number. These figures reflect a significant increase in applications and a wider geographic reach for the programme compared to previous editions. #AbuDhabi Arabic Language Centre reveals winners of 2025 Research Grants ProgrammeOverall, the 2025 edition received a total of 516 submissions from 36 countries. Read more: #AletihadNewsCenter #UAE @AbuDhabiALC — Aletihad English (@AletihadEn) June 30, 2025 In the Arabic Lexicon category, three projects were awarded: Arabic-English Dictionary of Collocations by researcher Ramadan Mohamed Ahmed Bakhit from Egypt; Dictionary of Arabic Treasures in the French Language: From the Middle Ages to the Present Day by novelist Dr. Shaker Noori from Iraq; and Dictionary of Postmodern Narrative by literary critic Dr. Ahmed Khreis from awarded projects in the Literature and Criticism category were The Arabs' Discovery of Japan: From the Russo-Japanese War to World War II by Dr. Reem Ahmed from Egypt, Professor of Political Science at Takushoku University in Japan, and The Dream, The Prison, and the Dark Room by Dr. Lina Al-Jamal from Lebanon, Lecturer at the University of the Editing of Manuscripts category, two projects were awarded: The Celestial Star in the French Conquest, edited by author and researcher Sheherazade Al-Arabi from Algeria, and A New Edition of One Hundred and One Nights: Study and Editing by Dr. Haitham Mahmoud Sharkawi, Associate Professor at South Valley University in Qena, Excellency Dr. Ali bin Tamim, Chairman of the ALC, said: 'Through its Research Grants Programme, the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre strives to support the efforts of authors and researchers specialising in the Arabic language and science, encouraging them to make further contributions in Arabic across all fields of knowledge that the programme supports. This, in turn, drives efforts to advance Arabic-language scientific content and reinforce Arabic as a language of culture, knowledge, and creativity.''The increase in submissions and countries participating this year reflects the programme's significant growth. Similarly, the growing interest from authors and researchers highlights the programme's value. The winners in this edition have produced important works that reveal the richness of the Arab research community and the wealth of insight, culture, and engagement it has to offer, further underscoring the importance of initiatives like the Research Grants Programme in promoting Arabic-language research.'The programme witnessed intense competition this year, with a notable increase in the quality and quantity of submissions, reflecting its growing impact in Arab and international academic and cultural circles, as well as its active role in advancing the Arabic language. This year's figures significantly surpass last year's, which saw 270 applications from 31 countries. This growth highlights the ALC's strategic vision and ongoing efforts to strengthen the Arabic language and foster innovation, authorship, and scientific research in the region and around the world.
Axios
2 days ago
- Business
- Axios
Honeywell conducts autonomous helicopter test in Phoenix, with more planned for summer
Keep your eyes peeled this summer for autonomous helicopters flying the Valley's skies. The big picture: Honeywell recently announced it conducted its first test of an autonomous Leonardo AW139 helicopter in Phoenix last month, which the company hailed as a "major milestone" supporting the U.S. Marine Corps Aerial Logistics Connector (ALC) program. A human pilot began the flight, taking the helicopter to a set height, then went "hands off" and let the technology from Near Earth Autonomy take over, Sapan Shah, senior product director for autonomy and advanced air mobility at Honeywell, told Axios. Why it matters: Autonomous helicopters, like those Honeywell is testing, could be used to deliver humanitarian aid or military supplies or to conduct medical evacuations in areas unsafe for human pilots, Shah said. They could also come in handy for high-tempo missions where there aren't enough pilots. Yes, but: Even though the aircraft is autonomous, that doesn't mean there aren't guardrails, Shah said. When the helicopters are operating in a theater of operations, there will likely be a remote pilot overseeing the aircraft, with the authority to change flight paths or cancel missions. Between the lines: Shah said Phoenix is an ideal location, for several reasons. Honeywell already has a lot of aircraft, including the Leonardo AW139, based here; The company has a long aerospace history here, with some engineers involved in the project based out of Deer Valley Airport; And the weather is cooperative, with few rainy days. Zoom out: There are numerous other companies "trying to solve the autonomous helicopter," Shah said, but he's unaware of anyone using them regularly beyond experimentation. Rotor Technologies, for example, is developing unmanned helicopters for crop spraying, carrying cargo to disaster areas and offshore oil rigs. Sikorsky and Rain late last year successfully demonstrated how an autonomous Blackhawk helicopter can identify and help extinguish a small wildfire. "This is very much groundbreaking and new technology," Shah said.
The Sun
21-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Air Selangor on right track in curbing treated water loss
PETALING JAYA: Non-revenue water (NRW) in Selangor has continued to decline, dropping from 31% in 2017 to 27% in 2024, as Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Air Selangor) steps up its infrastructure investments and operational initiatives. Air Selangor CEO Adam Saffian Ghazali told theSun the state's NRW rate remains below the national average, reflecting effective water management strategies. 'On a national level, according to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, who is also the Energy Transition and Water Transformation minister, Malaysia's NRW stood at 37.1% as of 2023,' he said. However, Selangor's NRW rate remains above the globally recommended threshold of 25%, the benchmark for efficient water utilities in developing countries, as set by the World Bank and the International Water Association. The current 27% NRW rate translates to a daily loss of 298.36 million litres of treated water, prompting Air Selangor to target a reduction to 25% by 2030. This will be achieved through pipe replacement projects and a public reporting campaign via its mobile app and website. In addition to technology upgrades, Adam Saffian said the company plans to increase manpower to strengthen leak detection cabability. He added that limited resources within its Active Leakage Control (ALC) team remain a challenge in addressing NRW effectively. 'The current 261 ALC personnel are not enough to combat NRW and further bring down leakage rates. 'We plan to raise the number of inspectors from 187 to 210 to boost detection efforts across the pipe network in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, covering more than 160,000 potential leak cases.' He added that Air Selangor also aims to instal pressure transient technology on main pipelines to detect leaks at an earlier stage. 'This will allow immediate repair works to be carried out, preventing prolonged supply disruptions. The technology is already in use by water operators in developed countries such as Singapore, Australia and the United Arab Emirates.' As of March last year, 636.55km of old pipelines have been replaced across Selangor. 'We aimed to increase pipe replacement to 300km annually starting in 2024, ramping up to 400km per year from 2034 onwards, to fully replace 5,000km of asbestos cement pipes within the next 15 years.' Adam Saffian said despite ongoing NRW challenges, with capital investment for physical and commercial loss reduction alone reaching up to RM450 million annually, Air Selangor continues to see positive developments. It is the only utility company in Malaysia inducted into the Leading Utilities of the World (LUOW) network. 'NRW was one of the core innovation areas we highlighted during our LUOW induction presentation at the Global Water Summit in Paris recently.' Adam Saffian said under its 30-year business plan, Air Selangor is leveraging its own capital expenditure to implement key initiatives that will enhance operational efficiency across its service areas. 'The plan, which spans from Operating Period 1 in 2019 to Operating Period 10 in 2049, outlines a projected total investment of RM35 billion.' In recognition of its NRW reduction efforts, Air Selangor received a RM326 million remuneration incentive under the National NRW Programme. 'This was awarded in recognition of our consistent and effective work in reducing the NRW rate to 27.7% during the 2023 evaluation period. Since 2019, we have received a total of RM688.68 million in matching grants from the federal government,' he said.
Hans India
17-06-2025
- General
- Hans India
Melchior assumes charge as ALC principal
Vijayawada: Andhra Loyola College (ALC) marked a significant transition on Monday as Fr Dr S Melchior assumed office as the new Principal during the annual faculty orientation programme held at the seminar hall here. Correspondent Fr Dr M Sagayaraj welcomed Fr Melchior, commending his unwavering dedication to Jesuit education. Fr Melchior brings a wealth of experience, holding postgraduate degrees in Management and Psychology, and a Ph D in Human Resource Management. His extensive prior roles at ALC include Vice-Principal for six years, Director of ALCAA, Sports Director, Secretary of Loyola Society, Hostel Warden, and Professor of Management. Speaking on the occasion, Fr Melchior emphasised the core Jesuit educational pillars: value-based learning, academic excellence, and holistic formation. He urged faculty to nurture students in line with the Jesuit ideal of 'cura personalis' – care for the whole person – to foster ethical, purposeful, and socially responsible graduates. He also outlined plans for collaborative initiatives with premier Jesuit institutions both in India and abroad, envisioning growth through strategic partnerships. Rector Fr Dr PR John, chairman of the Staff Association Dr G Sahaya Baskaran, Academic Officer of APSCHE Srirangamand Dean of Student Activities Dr L Subha also participated.
Al Etihad
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Al Etihad
ALC opens nominations for 20th Sheikh Zayed Book Award until September 1
11 June 2025 14:29 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)The Sheikh Zayed Book Award (SZBA), organised by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC), has opened nominations for its 20th edition, accepting applications from June 11 until September 1, 2025. Coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the award's establishment, this special edition reflects its pioneering journey in enriching the cultural and literary landscapes, and strengthens its presence as an international platform supporting intellectual and creative excellence, while reinforcing Abu Dhabi's position as a global hub for inter-civilisational dialogue and cultural as one of the most prestigious literary awards in the Arab world, the SZBA accepts submissions across 10 categories: Literature, Translation, Contribution to the Development of Nations, Arab Culture in Other Languages, Children's Literature, Editing of Arabic Manuscripts, Literary and Art Criticism, Young Author, Cultural Personality of the Year, and Publishing and announcement follows the conclusion of the award's 19th edition, which received more than 4,000 nominations from 75 countries, including 20 Arab nations. Several countries were participating in the award for the first time, including Albania, Bolivia, Colombia, Trinidad and Tobago, and Mali, which highlights the award's growing prominence on the regional and international cultural Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, said: 'As the Sheikh Zayed Book Award enters its 20th edition, we celebrate its remarkable journey and enduring impact on the global cultural and literary landscape. Its mission is more relevant than ever, to foster dialogue and knowledge, advance the Arabic language, and champion the exchange of ideas across boundaries. As we look to the future, the award remains a powerful force for shaping minds, enriching lives, and inspiring future generations. In the years to come, the award will continue to reflect the values that lie at the heart of our emirate's vision.'Dr. Ali bin Tamim, Chairman of the ALC and Secretary-General of the SZBA, said: 'The 20th edition of the Sheikh Zayed Book Award marks a significant milestone following two decades of uninterrupted cultural work and achievements that have left their mark on the Arab and international literary and intellectual scenes." Bin Tamim added, "Under the patronage of our wise leadership, the award has established itself as a prominent platform for knowledge exchange, cementing the power of the written word to shape human civilisation and the future. Today, as we launch this new edition of the award, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting creative minds, preserving the Arabic language, and promoting culture as a cornerstone of comprehensive development."'We are proud of the tangible impact the award has made on the cultural landscape in its 19 years, during which we received over 30,000 nominations from more than 80 countries and honoured 136 winners across its various categories. These figures are not mere statistics, but a living testament to the growing confidence the award inspires among literary and intellectual circles. They assert the leadership role it plays in advancing authorship, translation, and critical studies, underlining its contributions towards promoting cultural dialogue, in line with the UAE's vision and mission to support human development.'Nomination conditions for the Sheikh Zayed Book Award stipulate that each candidate may nominate one work to one category, and the work must not have been nominated for any other prize in the same year, either directly or through a representative. Submitted works should also carry a valid International Standard Book Number (ISBN) to ensure the author's intellectual property rights are award will not be granted to any work that has previously won a major Arab or international prize, however, resubmission is allowed, provided the stipulated time gap has been met and new copies of the work are also allow authors to self-nominate or be nominated by publishers who may apply only for works they have issued, on the condition that the publisher receives written consent from the author. Nominated books need to have been published within the last two years at most, and should not have won any major international submitted works should be written in Arabic, except those submitted under the Editing of Arabic Manuscripts category, which can be in other languages, as well as the Translation category (whether translated into or from Arabic) and the Arab Culture in Other Languages category, where works published in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, and Russian are the Cultural Personality of the Year award, candidates must be nominated by academic, research, or cultural institutions; literary bodies and universities; or by three prominent intellectual and/or cultural figures. Nominees for all other categories must personally fill out the nomination forms on the SZBA official its initial launch in 2006, the Sheikh Zayed Book Award has served as a prominent international platform for creativity, promoting Arab publishing, and fostering inter-civilisational dialogue, drawing inspiration from the vision of the UAE's Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The award continues its mission to empower creative minds, fuel intellectual production, and elevate the global standing of the Arabic language, all in line with a strategic vision that reinforces Abu Dhabi's role as a global hub for cultural dialogue, coexistence, and tolerance. To submit a nomination to the 20th edition of the Sheikh Zayed Book Award, or for more information about the submission process and forms, visit the official SZBA website ( which offers up-to-date and comprehensive information in English and Arabic. Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
