Start-ups are the lifeblood of the modern knowledge economy and software developers are the beating heart of the industry. Savvy and scrappy attempts to change the way we interact with the world through technology define the present and future of the global economy. Some of the world’s most profitable companies began as start-ups or even just long-shot ideas in software development.
Capitalising on our increasingly interconnected world, technology start-ups typically attract the most talented developers and engineers regardless of their nationality. With the world’s largest concentration of foreign workers, what are the barriers for the UAE joining the start-up revolution?
The simple answer to this question is the residency process. While established, the process of acquiring an employment visa is laborious and lacks the type of elasticity needed to handle the needs of the start-up world. Start-ups fail. They fail often. It can take many different attempts and different ideas for one killer application or social media platform to emerge as a critical part of the internet infrastructure. As such, start-ups require the ability to have employees on short-term contracts that privilege flexibility over stability.
Additionally, start-ups rely on people who have proven skills and not necessarily established degrees. Currently, skills and talent are substantiated in the UAE through attested university diplomas and certificates. What happens to a software developer who has designed leading applications but never finished high school? The visa process must be updated to take these changes into account.
Given their rate of failure, the cost of living is another factor for a healthy start-up ecosystem. Developers working on fresh ideas require an affordable cost of living while they are making little money. It also goes without saying that technology start-ups rely on a free and open internet. While security provisions are critical for the safety of the country, software developers need access to a variety of websites. But too often, innocuous sites can be blocked through over-zealousness. There will need to be a way of addressing this .
If we want to create a knowledge economy, we have to reform these structures in a prudent and expeditious manner. Then the sky is the limit for our potential as the next Silicon Valley.
Pupils in Abu Dhabi are learning the importance of being active, eating well and leading a healthy lifestyle now and throughout adulthood, thanks to a newly launched programme 'Healthy Lifestyle'.
As part of the Healthy Lifestyle programme, specially trained coaches from City Football Schools, along with Healthpoint physicians have visited schools throughout Abu Dhabi to give fun and interactive lessons on working out regularly, making the right food choices, getting enough sleep and staying hydrated, just like their favourite footballers.
Organised by Manchester City FC and Healthpoint, Manchester City FC’s regional healthcare partner and part of Mubadala’s healthcare network, the ‘Healthy Lifestyle’ programme will visit 15 schools, meeting around 1,000 youngsters over the next five months.
Designed to give pupils all the information they need to improve their diet and fitness habits at home, at school and as they grow up, coaches from City Football Schools will work alongside teachers to lead the youngsters through a series of fun, creative and educational classes as well as activities, including playing football and other games.
Dr Mai Ahmed Al Jaber, head of public health at Healthpoint, said: “The programme has different aspects - diet, exercise, sleep and mental well-being. By having a focus on each of those and delivering information in a way that children can absorb easily it can help to address childhood obesity."
APPLE IPAD MINI (A17 PRO)
Display: 21cm Liquid Retina Display, 2266 x 1488, 326ppi, 500 nits
Chip: Apple A17 Pro, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
Storage: 128/256/512GB
Main camera: 12MP wide, f/1.8, digital zoom up to 5x, Smart HDR 4
Front camera: 12MP ultra-wide, f/2.4, Smart HDR 4, full-HD @ 25/30/60fps
Biometrics: Touch ID, Face ID
Colours: Blue, purple, space grey, starlight
In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter
Price: From Dh2,099
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KEY HIGHLIGHTS
Healthcare spending to double to $2.2 trillion rupees
Launched a 641billion-rupee federal health scheme
Allotted 200 billion rupees for the recapitalisation of state-run banks
Around 1.75 trillion rupees allotted for privatisation and stake sales in state-owned assets
RESULTS
Time; race; prize; distance
4pm: Maiden; (D) Dh150,000; 1,200m
Winner: General Line, Xavier Ziani (jockey), Omar Daraj (trainer)
4.35pm: Maiden (T); Dh150,000; 1,600m
Winner: Travis County, Adrie de Vries, Ismail Mohammed
5.10pm: Handicap (D); Dh175,000; 1,200m
Winner: Scrutineer, Tadhg O’Shea, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
5.45pm: Maiden (D); Dh150,000; 1,600m
Winner: Yulong Warrior, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
6.20pm: Maiden (D); Dh150,000; 1,600m
Winner: Ejaaby, Jim Crowley, Doug Watson
6.55pm: Handicap (D); Dh160,000; 1,600m
Winner: Storyboard, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
7.30pm: Handicap (D); Dh150,000; 2,200m
Winner: Grand Dauphin, Gerald Mosse, Ahmed Al Shemaili
8.05pm: Handicap (T); Dh190,000; 1,800m
Winner: Good Trip, Tadhg O’Shea, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
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THE BIO
Favourite book: ‘Purpose Driven Life’ by Rick Warren
Favourite travel destination: Switzerland
Hobbies: Travelling and following motivational speeches and speakers
Favourite place in UAE: Dubai Museum
Thank You for Banking with Us
Director: Laila Abbas
Starring: Yasmine Al Massri, Clara Khoury, Kamel El Basha, Ashraf Barhoum
Rating: 4/5