On 30 January, the January Expert Dialogues were held for the first time within the Open Dialogue framework at the National Centre RUSSIA in Moscow. Maksim Oreshkin, Deputy Head of the Russian Presidential Executive Office for Global Trends, presented five key megatrends that, he said, are already shaping global development and will continue to influence the world in the coming decades.
Dr. Selina Neri, the UAE-based Co-founder and Dean of the Future Readiness Academy and Visiting Professor at SKOLKOVO Moscow School of Management
Publication offers a practical guide for the integration of renewable energy sources into modern power grids
January 29,2026, Dubai, UAE: Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) Dubai has announced the launch of a major new academic textbook release offering a timely and practical guide to integrating renewable energy into modern power grids. Authored by Professor of Electrical Engineering, Dr. Abdalla Ismail Alzarooni, in collaboration with Dr. Haris M. Khalid, from the University of Dubai, the textbook, entitled, Advanced Grid Technologies: Grid Evolution, Smart Grid Fundamentals, and Renewable Energy Integration, Volume 1 by Elsevier, aims to support the UAE’s national strategies for sustainability, innovation, and clean energy.
Dr. Haris M. Khalid, Associate Professor, University of Dubai, Dr. Yousef Al Assaf, President, RIT Dubai, Prof. Abdalla Ismail Alzarooni, Professor, RIT Dubai
As the energy sector undergoes a profound shift, traditional electricity grids, once designed for centralised, fossil fuel–based power generation, are now required to accommodate renewable energy, electric vehicles, digital technologies, and intelligent control systems. The textbook addresses these changes by exploring how power grids are evolving into smarter, cleaner, and more flexible systems. It provides an outline of the history of the modern energy grid, followed by a comprehensive overview of renewable energy sources, the challenges they pose for typical energy grids, and the fundamentals of modern smart grid adaptations.
DUBAI: The Memon Leadership Forum (MLF), under the dynamic leadership of Chairman Mr. Iqbal Advani, successfully hosted its first-ever Students Excellence Awards Ceremony, powered by Crystal Bay Azure, on Sunday, 25 January 2025, at the Pakistan Association Dubai. The landmark event celebrated the achievements of students who demonstrated exceptional academic performance, leadership skills, and all-round excellence.
In addition to student awards, the ceremony featured a lucky draw offering Umrah tickets and gold coins, adding excitement and joy for attendees. Lifetime Achievement Awards were also presented to distinguished personalities in the field of education, recognizing their enduring contributions and inspirational impact on the community.
The event brought together educators, parents, community leaders, and students, fostering a spirit of unity and encouragement for the next generation of leaders.
Advertising alums show how human creativity remains key to audience engagement
Two graduates of Canadian University Dubai (CUD) are proving that human creativity remains a driving force in modern marketing, blending advanced technology with their talent for communication to rewrite the rules of audience engagement. Both alumni of the university’s BA Communications in Advertising program, Hala Nsour and Mahdi Shafiei, have emerged as pioneers in fields that barely existed when they graduated and are now transforming their respective domains: artificial intelligence and TikTok marketing.
Mahdi Shafiei, a graduate of CUD’s Communications in Advertising program, is the founder and CEO of Trifid Media, an agency built around TikTok that has helped clients generate more than $100 million in sales
Hala’s journey began in the glamorous world of luxury fashion, working with names like Givenchy, before developing content strategies for projects associated with Dubai royalty. Always looking to be part of the next big thing, Hala joined nybl. This AI startup deploys science-based artificial intelligence solutions across sectors that underpin society, such as energy, healthcare and agriculture. Taking on the role of Marketing Manager at the age of 24, Hala was centre stage at a time when the technology was met with scepticism and uncertainty.
Hala Nsour, a graduate of CUD’s Communications in Advertising program, is now Chief Marketing Officer at nybl, an AI startup that deploys science-based artificial intelligence solutions across sectors
Dubai, UAE — 2025 was not just another academic year for BITS Pilani, Dubai Campus—it was a year of reflection, reinvention, and remarkable forward movement. As the campus celebrated 25 years in the UAE alongside 60 years of the BITS Pilani legacy worldwide, the milestone became a powerful moment to honour its past while confidently shaping its future.
Prof Souri Banerjee, Director ,BITS Pilani Dubai Campus
UAE News 24/7 