Latest news with #TIES
CTV News
5 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
Calgary child care embracing sensory learning and playing
Children at The Immigrant Education Society's Little Beginnings Urban Oasis child-care centre have been introduced to a number of sensory tools and materials to assist in their learning development. The Little Beginnings Urban Oasis (LBUO) child-care centre at The Immigrant Education Society (TIES) in northeast Calgary has introduced a number of sensory tools and material to help children learn. The centre has 26 children enrolled from birth to six years old who come from more that 20 countries around the world. Raghda Abouelfetouh, LBUO childcare centre manager, brainstormed with all the educators in the program to choose the equipment they felt would be most beneficial to the children. Abouelfetou says exposing kids to sensory activities at a young age is vital. 'All children have, and even adults, have different learning abilities, different skills,' she said. 'So if you work in advance, you will be most probably be preventing challenging behaviors to occur in the school age children and are setting them up for success.' The sensory tools help kids visualize and hear things but also help with math and learning the language. 'If I don't speak English and I'm here and everyone is speaking English, I will be frustrated,' said Abouelfetouh. 'I want to express, I want to engage, so this way we are letting everyone engage the way they are.' She says that since the program started in March, educators have seen an 80 percent drop in kids who lash out through frustration, and adds that's a positive indicator for the work they're doing. 'A couple of parents, especially in the preschool room, they were sharing that the children now are speaking way more -- (they) are very expressive,' she said. 'I'm like, here we go! We're so happy with that.' Identifying special needs Sensory tools can also be used to identify children with special needs or those with neurodivergent conditions. Abouelfetouh says many children in Alberta are not eligible for any kind of cognitive assessment before the age of three. 'Until we get the assessment, (the child) will be almost four years old -- which is too late, because 80 per cent of the child's development is done by the age of three so we don't want children to lose these opportunities,' she said. 'Why not offer this intervention as early as possible to prevent any learning delays and developmental delays in the school age.? Racheal Ashamu's four-year-old daughter Adesua is in the program. 'I have noticed a lot of improvement and she even wants me to have (the sensory tools) at home,' she said. 'I can confidently say right now she is ready for kindergarten, because when I look at the Alberta curriculum, she knows everything that is expected of her already.' Ashamu says Adesua has now developed a knack for building things that could lead to a career one day. 'I know that she likes stacking things, like creating something,' she said. 'I mean, for her age (she is) maybe some sort of little engineer who wants to create something.' Aboueleftouh is excited at the potential for the program for the current and future students. 'When you're talking about the children, you're talking about next generation, you're talking about the future of Canada.,' she said. Learn more about LBUO here.
Trade Arabia
01-06-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
Mubadala, Taqa complete acquisition of 875MW Uzbek power plant
Abu Dhabi sovereign investor Mubadala has announced that it has teamed up with Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (Taqa) for acquiring a gas-fired power generation plant at the Talimarjan Power Complex in Uzbekistan. Mubadala and Taqa each hold a 40% stake in the 875 MW TPP1 combined-cycle gas-fired plant through a newly established project company, Talimarjan Power Plant 1. The 875 MW TPP1 plant has a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with JSC 'Uzenergosotish' (UES) (successor power purchaser to National Electric Grid of Uzbekistan (JSC) for 25 years and plays a critical part in meeting demand for electricity in Uzbekistan as the country continues to experience rapid population and economic growth. Both Mubadala and Taqa each have a 40% stake in the Talimarjan Operations & Maintenance (O&M), which was established to operate the plant, while Uzbekistan's 'Talimarjan Issiqlik Elektr Stansiyasi' (TIES) holds the remaining 20% stakes in both the project company and the O&M entity. Hammad Rahman, Head of Asia Pacific Infrastructure at Mubadala, said: "Mubadala is committed to supporting countries across the world to meet their energy needs while reducing carbon emissions. Efficient natural gas-fired powered plants such as TPP1 will play an important part in enabling the transition to cleaner sources of energy." He pointed out that Uzbekistan was recording a significant growth in demand for power, and Mubadala looked forward to working with Taqa and its local partner TIES to ensure communities and businesses across the country have access to reliable, affordable and secure power supply that supports progress and socioeconomic development. Frank Possmeier, Chief Investment Officer, Generation at Taqa, said: "We are pleased to collaborate with Mubadala and TIES in acquiring this vital asset that plays a crucial role in Uzbekistan's journey towards a privatised energy sector." This transaction supports investments into the privatisation of Uzbekistan's power sector. It follows a strategic partnership between the governments of Uzbekistan and the UAE whereby Mubadala and Taqa will bring their global power sector expertise to the local power market in Uzbekistan. "As a low carbon power and water champion, Taqa will leverage its extensive experience and expertise to help Uzbekistan meet its growing energy needs while continuing to invest in this critical sector," he stated. "Our stake in TPP1 demonstrates progress in delivering on our 2030 targets which aim to grow our power generation capacity to 150 GW and strengthens our operation and maintenance capabilities which is also a pivotal element of our strategy. We are committed to enhancing efficiency and ensuring TPP1 runs as a world-class power plant as part of our expanding portfolio as we continue to provide power to the communities we serve," he added.
Gulf Business
30-05-2025
- Business
- Gulf Business
Mubadala, TAQA acquire 875MW gas-fired power plant in Uzbekistan
Image: Getty Images Abu Dhabi's sovereign investor Mubadala and the Abu Dhabi National Energy Company ( Each entity now holds a 40 per cent stake in the TPP1 gas-fired plant through a newly created project company, Talimarjan Power Plant 1. Mubadala and TAQA also jointly own 40 per cent of Talimarjan Operations & Maintenance LLC, formed to operate the facility. The remaining 20 per cent stake in both entities is held by Uzbekistan's JSC 'Talimarjan Issiqlik Elektr Stansiyasi' (TIES). The transaction supports a broader strategic energy partnership between the governments of the United Arab Emirates and Uzbekistan, aimed at introducing global expertise into Uzbekistan's rapidly expanding power market. The TPP1 plant, a critical component of Uzbekistan's electricity infrastructure, has a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with JSC 'Uzenergosotish' (UES), the successor to the National Electric Grid of Uzbekistan. The plant plays a key role in meeting energy demands in a country experiencing rapid economic and population growth. Mubadala aims to play a key role in global decarbonisation efforts 'Mubadala is committed to supporting 'Uzbekistan is recording a significant growth in demand for power, and Mubadala looks forward to working with TAQA and our local partner TIES to ensure communities and businesses across the country have access to reliable, affordable and secure power supply that supports progress and socioeconomic development,' Rahman added. Image courtesy: WAM Frank Possmeier, chief investment officer, generation at TAQA, said: 'TAQA is pleased to collaborate with Mubadala and TIES in acquiring this vital asset that plays a crucial role in Uzbekistan's journey towards a privatised energy sector. As a low carbon power and water champion, TAQA will leverage its extensive experience and expertise to help Uzbekistan meet its growing energy needs.' 'Our stake in TPP1 demonstrates progress in delivering on our 2030 targets which aim to grow our power generation capacity to 150 GW and strengthens our operation and maintenance capabilities which is also a pivotal element of our strategy,' Possmeier said. TAQA's targets for 2030 TAQA's generation business is targeting 150GW of gross power generation by 2030, with approximately 100 GW expected to come from renewable energy sources via its stake in Masdar. The acquisition brings foreign direct investment into Uzbekistan's energy sector and supports local initiatives aimed at social infrastructure development, knowledge sharing, and capacity building.
New Indian Express
29-04-2025
- Science
- New Indian Express
Bird diversity slightly up in Kottayam
KOTTAYAM: In a significant development, a survey report has revealed that the bird diversity in Kottayam town has increased slightly from previous years. The survey, conducted by the Tropical Institute of Ecological Sciences (TIES) in collaboration with bird watchers, experts and junior naturalists, identified 47 species of birds. This marks a slight increase from the 40 species recorded last year. The survey revealed the presence of rare species such as the oriental honey buzzard and plum-headed parakeet. The survey also noted a significant rise in the number of nests in the heronry near Nagampadam Stadium. A total of 600 nests were found in nine trees, housing species such as the oriental darter, little cormorant, and Indian cormorant. This is a substantial increase from the less than 100 nests found in four trees last year. The most commonly sighted birds in the city included the white-cheeked barbet, the common myna, various species of crows, the racket-tailed drongo, the black drongo, and the rock pigeon. Waterbirds like the purple heron, oriental darter, and grey-headed swamphen were also recorded. The initiative was led by Punnen Kurian Venkadath, secretary of TIES.
The Hindu
26-04-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
Modest rise in bird diversity recorded in Kottayam town
Kottayam sees a slight increase in bird diversity. A survey in the Kottayam urban area on Saturday recorded 47 bird species, up from 40 species documented last year. Among the new additions this year were the oriental honey buzzard and the plum-headed parakeet—birds that are rarely seen in urban environments. The number of bird nests at the nesting colony near Nagampadom Stadium also showed a notable rise compared to the previous year. Around 600 nests were observed across nine trees, housing species such as the oriental darter, little cormorant and Indian cormorant. In contrast, fewer than 100 nests were recorded across just four trees last year. The resurgence of the nesting colony is credited to the increased community support from local traders and the general public. Commonly sighted birds The most commonly sighted birds in the city included the white-cheeked barbet, common myna, various species of crows, racket-tailed drongo, black drongo, and rock pigeon. Waterbirds like purple heron, oriental darter, and grey-headed swamphen were also recorded. The survey team divided the city into five sectors, with the highest number of bird sightings reported on the CMS College campus, followed by Eerayil Kadavu. Other surveyed locations included the Nagampadom Stadium area, the Collectorate premises, and the PWD Rest House. Organised by the Tropical Institute of Ecological Sciences (TIES), the survey saw the participation of around 40 volunteers, including bird watchers, experts, and junior naturalists. The initiative was led by Punnen Kurian Venkadath, secretary of TIES
