Tag Archives: classifieds
11,000 private school seats by 2015-16
11,000 more seats in Abu Dhabi schools by 2015-16 (Wam) / 19 August 2013 To meet the growing demand for private education facilities in the Capital, more than 11,000 school seats, located in very attractive locations for private investors, are due to operate by the academic year 2015-2016. The efforts taken by Abu Dhabi Education Council’s (Adec’s) will see the new seats open up in areas including Khalifa A, Al Wathba and Al Fallah. This is the second land Request for Proposal (RfP) to be issued by Adec’s Private Schools and Quality Assurance (PSQA) sector, which offers a huge opportunity for an establishment and operating of a long-term school building. The new schools will offer the most demanded curriculum’s in the private school sector, namely: Indian, American, British and Ministry of Education curriculums. “One of the main pillars of Adec’s strategy for developing education in Abu Dhabi is to provide equal opportunities for all students to enjoy quality education at an affordable cost. This land RfP is part of Adec’s plan to cope with the annual demand and increase of five per cent for more private schools across the emirate. We will continue to work on attracting and supporting committed investors in order to help build new private schools in order to achieve Adec’s vision,” said, Adec’s PSQA executive director Engineer Hamad Al Dhaheri. He added: “Providing this land RfP is part of Adec’s strategy plan to offer high quality affordable education across the private school sector and to increase the supply of school seats in populous areas in Abu Dhabi. For that reason, Adec is reaching out to qualified investors on a local, federal and regional level, who have excellent educational experience, strong financial capabilities and a proven record of managing schools.” In order to ease the process for committed investors, Adec’s PSQA sector will provide all the incentives and support, from business development expertise to obtaining the necessary licences and approvals from the government entities. When asked why the new land plots are located in Khalifa A, Al Wathba and Al Fallah, Engineer Al Dhaheri explained that there are no more lands available in the city. “The island of Abu Dhabi is saturated; in addition these areas are growing by the day and are attractive for many families who chose to relocate there. In addition to the fact that they become not far out from the island of Abu Dhabi at all.” “Currently there is a demand to provide 201,744 private schools seats and supply is 175,441. By the 2015/2016 academic school year we expect this demand to rise to 225,521”, said Engineer Tareq Al Ameri, Business Development Division Manager for PSQA. Once applications for the land RfP are submitted by committed investors who prove to have a strong track record of handling long-term school projects, Adec will provide them with a fast-track service to help obtain the necessary approvals to get started in constructing their schools. Further details for potential investors will be released in an advertisement, which is expected to be published in September. Continue reading
Abu Dhabi airport to get VIP terminal
Abu Dhabi airport to get VIP terminal (Wam) / 19 August 2013 A VIP terminal is set to open at Abu Dhabi International Airport in the coming months, and whether you’re travelling for business or pleasure, the luxury surroundings, private drop off area and dedicated team of staff will be on hand to ensure a relaxing start to your trip. As part of its Capacity Enhancement Programme (CEP) and in line with its ambition to provide a world class travel experience, Abu Dhabi Airports Company will open the VIP terminal which will be available to all interested travellers. The terminal will be operated by National Aviation Services (NAS), an internationally recognised aviation services provider, which also provides Golden Class services in Terminals 1 and 3. Through the VIP terminal, passengers will experience a unique personalised service ensuring completion of all travel procedures in the fastest manner possible while enjoying a range of services within the private terminal. Scheduled to open its doors in the 4th quarter of 2013, the VIP terminal will be available to all passengers flying to and from Abu Dhabi International Airport at a pre-set fee, and will offer added privacy, convenience and luxury — a completely new proposition. The terminal will have its own facilities, separate from those of Terminals 1 and 3, which include a dedicated drop off area, with a new road being built specially to accommodate it, and will also provide separate immigration, police and baggage handling services to its passengers. Chief Commercial Officer at Abu Dhabi International Airport Mohammed Al Bulooki, said: “Abu Dhabi Airports Company is committed to providing the best services to airlines and passengers despite the existing capacity challenges. In 2012, the airport saw an 18.9 per cent growth in passenger traffic compared with 2011; and, with the strong growth registered to date this year, traffic in the upcoming years is expected to follow the same if not an increased growth trend.” He added that the new VIP terminal, spanning 924 square feet, will add to the handling capacity of the airport, accommodating the foreseen growth. Guests using the new terminal will be welcomed and escorted by a special services NAS agent to facilitate check-in, baggage and immigration procedures, as well as escort guests to and from the aircraft directly utilising a limousine service. NAS’s chief executive officer Hassan El Houry said: “NAS is proud to partner with Abu Dhabi Airports Company once again in our mutual endeavour to offer passengers world class luxury and a unique travel experience. The VIP Terminal will…provide style and sophistication for travellers, on par with the best airports in the world. With its seamless immigration and baggage handling services, and private limousine services directly to and from the aircraft, the VIP Terminal is set to take “travel in style” to the next level.” Continue reading
Egypt army chief says new clashes won’t be tolerated
Egypt army chief says new clashes won’t be tolerated 19 August 2013 Egypt’s military leader vowed on Sunday that the army will not tolerate further political violence after nationwide clashes that left hundreds dead, as security forces detained Muslim Brotherhood members in raids aimed at disrupting planned rallies. Defence Minister Gen Abdel Fatah El Sissi, who led the July 3 coup that toppled President Mohammed Mursi, again said the army has no intention of seizing power in the Arab world’s most populous country. El Sissi removed Mursi after four days of mass rallies by millions of Egyptians who demanded the president step down. “We will not stand by silently watching the destruction of the country and the people or the torching the nation and terrorising the citizens,” he said in a speech aired on state television. The general said that the military didn’t seek power but instead “have the honour to protect the people’s will — which is much dearer (than) ruling Egypt.” El Sissi also said Islamists must be included in the country’s politics moving forward. A military timetable calls for the nation’s constitution to be amended and for presidential and parliamentary elections to be held in 2014. “We have given many chances … to end the crisis peacefully and call for the followers of the former regime to participate in rebuilding the democratic track and integrate in the political process and the future map instead of confrontations and destroying the Egyptian state,” he told a gathering of top military commanders and police chiefs. El Sissi’s remarks come ahead of an anticipated harsher stance by the military-backed government toward the Brotherhood. The Cabinet held an emergency meeting on Sunday to discuss potentially banning the group, a long-outlawed organisation that swept to power in the country’s first democratic elections a year ago. A possible ban — which authorities say would be implemented over the group’s use of violence — would be a repeat of the decades-long struggle between the state and the Brotherhood. It also would drain the group’s financial resources and allow for mass arrests of its members. That likely would diminish the chances of a negotiated solution to the crisis and push it again underground. The Brotherhood, however, has shown no signs of backing down. Under the banner of an anti-coup alliance, the group said it will hold a demonstration in front of the Supreme Constitutional Court in southern Cairo later Sunday. Authorities already stationed armoured vehicles and troops at the building, which could turn into another focal point of street violence. The Brotherhood faces increasing public criticism and blame over the ongoing violence in Egypt. Sheik Ahmed Al Tayyeb, the powerful head of Al Azhar mosque, issued an audio statement asking Brotherhood members to stop the violence. “The scenes of violence will not grant you any rights and the bloodshed nor chaos spreading across the country will give you no legitimacy,” Al Tayyeb said. The violence in Egypt also has sparked deep concerns worldwide. Egypt also lost one of the few doves in the country’s military-backed administration as Mohammed El Baradei, who resigned as vice-president in protest of the use of force against Mursi’s supporters, left Cairo for Vienna on Sunday. Continue reading
