UAEis keen to stabilise oil market: Sultan
TheUAE is in favour of a constructive dialogue between oil producers and consumersin order to keep world oil markets stable and to secure free access tothe strategic commodity as it is a lifeline for the global economy, saidSheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister. Sheikh Sultanwarned major consumers against tactical overbidding in dealing with oilas a commercial commodity in world oil markets. Sheikh Sultan made hisremarks at a meeting with Dr. R. Arani, Chief Executive Officer of US OccidentalPetroleum Company, who is currently visiting the country. Talks focusedon latest developments in world oil markets. 'The UAE always works withinthe OPEC framework to serve common interests of humanity,' he affirmed.Sheikh Sultan criticised attempts by the US Congress to enact a new legislationgiving US Anti-trust Agencies the right to file a suit case against OPECfor fixing prices and determining oil output quota for its member states.He said that OPEC had taken measures to set up a mechanism to keep oilprices at a balanced and fair level taking into consideration interestsof producers and of global economies. (The Emirates News Agency,WAM)
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AbuDhabi Hosts UAE Archaeology Conference
Amajor international conference on the archaeology of the United Arab Emiratesopens in the UAE capital of Abu Dhabi tomorrow (April 15). Organised bythe Zayed Centre for Heritage and History, part of the Emirates HeritageClub, in association with the Ministry of Information & Culture, theconference, entitled 'The First International Conference on the Archaeologyof the Emirates,' is being held under the patronage of UAE Deputy PrimeMinister Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan. It lasts until 18th April.Over forty leading scholars of Gulf Archaeology will attend the conference,with over thirty papers due to be presented. These will cover a wide rangeof topics, from the earliest occupation of the UAE in the late stone age,around 7500 years ago, until the late Islamic period, in the 18th centuryad. In the forty years or so since archaeological investigations in theemirates got under way in 1959, scholars from many nations have workedon sites throughout the country, and many of these will be taking partin the conference, as well as representatives of local departments of antiquities.Among those presenting papers will be archaeologists from Australia, Japan,Spain, Italy, Germany, France, Belgium, Britain, the United States andIraq, as well as from the UAE. Top antiquities officials from a numberof Arab countries, including Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, Jordan, Yemen, Kuwait,Bahrain and Qatar are also due to attend the event. Visits to some keyarchaeological sites in the country are also included as part of the conferenceprogramme. The conference is divided into a number of sessions, coveringthe late stone age, the bronze age, the iron age, the late pre-Islamicperiod and the Islamic period, while there will also be a special sessionon the application of scientific Techniques to archaeology. Although scientificpapers on the results of archaeological studies in the UAE are regularlypresented at conferences overseas, this week's Abu Dhabi conference willbe the first event of its kind to take place in the country. One objectiveof the organisers is to provide an opportunity for the archaeologists themselvesto get together to discuss the results of recent work and to review thepriorities for future research. The director of the Zayed Centre for Heritageand History, Dr. Hasan Naboodah, said in an interview that he was delightedat the level of interest in the conference. 'Many of the top specialistsin the archaeology of the UAE are attending the conference, and much previouslyundisclosed information about the Country's heritage will be revealed,'hesaid. 'As president h. H. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan has noted:'A people that does not know its past has neither present nor future.''This event will make a major contribution to knowledge of our past,' headded. 'At the same time, the presence of so many top antiquities officialsfrom elsewhere in the Arab world will help to gain greater recognitionthroughout the region for the archaeological discoveries that have beenmade here in the emirates.' Dr. Naboodah also thanked Sheikh Sultan binZayed for his support for the conference. 'Sheikh Sultan first conceivedthe idea of holding this conference nearly a year and a half ago, and hasgiven continual support throughout the long process of planning,'he said.The papers to be presented at the conference will later be published, inboth Arabic and English, by the Zayed Centre for Heritage and History.(The Emirates News Agency, WAM)
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EarlyAbu Dhabi settlement 'was regional trade hub'
Anancient settlement has been discovered in Abu Dhabi's Western Region whichdates back to the mid-Islamic period and was used by passing trading andother ships as a major stopover, Gulf News reported. The site at Ras Ghumaispeninsula, about 330 kilometres east of Abu Dhabi on the Saudi border,was discovered by Abu Dhabi Islands Archaeological Survey (ADIAS). DanielHull, Field Archaeologist at ADIAS, said: 'The preliminary survey on thesite, which adds another important chapter to Abu Dhabi's rich past, hasalmost been complete with the carbon dating completed, and pottery analysisis in the process." The site was discovered by an ADIAS team in 1993and the first phase of the survey was carried out last year to collectcarbon samples and other material. The second phase of the survey was completedon April 9. 'The collection of pottery fragments cover a number of periods,showing there were activities centuries before Islam,' Hull said. He saidother evidence shows that the peninsula, which has a natural deep-sea harbour,was used as transit route for centuries. Among evidence dating back tothe mid-Islamic period is an interesting structure used by ships and boatsas a transit port. 'Evidence shows pre-Islamic and mid-Islamic occupationon the peninsula. The remains of the structure dating back to 1350 AD showshow important and rich the area was,' he added. Hull said the area alsocontains a huge amount of fish bones, which will be studied to find outabout the diet of the people on the peninsula, now used for camel grazingonly. 'After analysing the bones, we will also be able to tell what typesof fish the ancient people in the area ate centuries ago, and we may getmuch more older evidence,' he said. Dr Carter, ADIAS ceramic specialistfrom Institute of Archaeology, University College of London, said the shorelineof the peninsula had very rich fishing grounds. Fish bone and other evidencealso suggest that the area was associated with fishing or pearling, hesaid. 'The huge pottery fragments suggest that the site was a permanentsettlement in the mid-Islamic period, which might have also been used bypassing ships as a transit route.' Carter said the site, due to its strategicposition, could have also been used as a military post to protect the region.Evidence also suggests that the area was good for catching falcons, beinga migrating route for the bird. Carter said most of the mid-Islamic periodpottery fragments found are the same kind as made in Ras Al Khaimah, whichis also known as Julphar Ware. Other pottery fragments date back to centuriesbefore Islam. The ADIAS was established on the instructions of the PresidentHis Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan to conduct archaeologicalinvestigations on the islands and the coast of Abu Dhabi. It has identifiedmajor sites on a number of islands besides Ras Ghumais, including DalmaIsland, Sir Bani Yas, Ghagha, north and south coast of Merawah and Balghelam.On Dalma Island, a team from ADIAS discovered a 7,000-year-old bowl madeof plaster in 1999. A two-member team discovered the unique bowl at anUbaid settlement site on the premises of the Women's Association complexon Dalma Island. Other finds at the site include two round base-like structures,beads, carbonised date stones, shells, mammal and fish bones and flinttools. (The Emirates News Agency, WAM)
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Ministryissues rules for enrolling new students
Acircular issued by the Ministry of Education and Youth says that all privateschools across the UAE (except for Indian and Pakistani curriculum schools)will have to comply with regulations of the ministry relating to proceduresfor admitting students for the new academic year starting this month. Admissionguidelines for Indian and Pakistani curriculum schools were issued in Marchand are similar in all respects to those stipulated in the circular forother schools, except for dates. According to the circular, the minimumage for admission to KG-1 is three years of age that for KG-2 four yearsand for the first grade five years. The age of a child will be consideredas on September 15, 2001. The original birth certificate should be presentedas proof of a child's age. Registration for kindergarten students willstart on April 1 and continue till October 1. Admission registration forstudents from the first to the 12th grade will start on April 1 and willcontinue till November 15. Entrance exams will be held from the beginningof the academic year 2001-02 till November 15. Students wishing to transferfrom one school to another, provided both schools have the same curriculum,can do so from the start of the academic year till April 15, provided theperiod the student has been out of school does not exceed two weeks. Inthe case of schools following different curriculum, students can be transferredfrom the start of the academic year till November 15. Students newly arrivedfrom abroad can get enrolled from the start of the academic year till April15, provided a student's previous and the new schools have the same curriculumand that the time the student has been out of the school does not exceededone month. In case of the two schools following different curriculum, astudent can be transferred from the start of the academic year till November15. According to the circular, documents required to be produced at thetime of registration will include original birth certificate and passportwith a valid residence visa, one 4 x 6cm photo of the student and relevantcertificate. The documents should be attested by the authorities concerned.A student's transfer application should be forwarded through the educationalzone to the ministry. An application that not filled in properly or whichis received after the deadline will not be accepted. The ministry willnot accept any transfer request without the approval of the educationalzone concerned. The schools are not allowed to accept or register any studentwithout the approval of the ministry of the entrance exam results. Part-timestudents coming from abroad will not be allowed to sit for board examinationsin the UAE. No students will be admitted to any school, even on a temporarybasis, without their having completed registration requirements and documentation,unless they have a prior approval from the ministry. Any document or certificatenot matching official records at the ministry will not be accepted. (TheKhaleej Times)
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Ministryto curb private tuition by this year
TheMinistry of Education and Youth hopes to control the phenomenon of privatetuition which usually spreads towards the end of an academic year, oncea new education development plan is implemented, according to Ministerof Education and Youth Dr Ali Abdul Aziz Al Sharhan. Although the ministryis considering immediate measures to solve this problem which casts a bigfinancial burden on parents and affects the entire educational system,the ministry's plan to improve the educational system and change the syllabuswill definitely eradicate the problem, Dr Sharhan said while talking toreporters. 'Under the new educational system, the ministry will introducea new syllabus based on modern technology. Students will depend less onteachers and will be provided with diversified learning sources with theuse of technology, such as computers and Internet surfing, in additionto encouraging self-learning by setting up different kinds of science andlanguage laboratories.' Concerned over the negative effect of private tuition,the ministry has issued several circulars imposing a ban on giving privatetuition and stipulating strict penalties for teachers violating the rules.The penalty could be as harsh as termination of a teacher' service. Whenthe approach of final examinations, the number of students seeking privatetuition doubles which makes parents complain about the high cost of privatelessons. Teachers exploit such situations and offer tuition at very highfees, according to a ministry official, who observed that some teachersasked for as much as Dh100,000 for teaching the whole syllabus to a groupof five students. (The Khaleej Times)
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UAEhosts Chernobyl disaster-hit kids
TheUAE is hosting 60 children from the Ukraine, most of them from the areadevastated by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, Gulf News reported today.According to the Dubai-based English daily, the children were brought tothe UAE by Liudmyla Kuchma, wife of Ukraine President Leonid Kuchma. TheUkrainian First Lady, who is also chairperson of the Ukrainian CharitableOrganisation for Hope and Good, is on her first official visit to the UAE.Since her arrival this week she has met Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, wifeof President His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nayhan and Chairpersonof the UAE Women's Federation. Mrs Kuchma praised the Abu Dhabi rehabilitationcentre. 'I was very much impressed by this centre. The children are welleducated, they receive the best treatment and they have an opportunityto choose the profession they want to work in,' she said. 'I appreciatethe assistance of the UAE Red Crescent Society which has financed the stayof the Chernobyl children in the UAE,' she said. 'I came with childrenfrom the Chernobyl area and other Ukrainian orphans. They are staying herefor convalescence. It is a good opportunity to show them such a wonderfulcountry like the UAE,' she said. She estimated that more than a millionchildren were affected by the Chernobyl disaster. 't is hard to say anexact figure because it is a continuous process and new generations arestill suffering from the disaster,' she said. The charitable Foundationof Hope and Good 'is a social, non-government organisation with volunteermembers. It offers aid to suffering children.' Mrs Kuchma said the organisationplayed a major role in providing financial assistance to child victimsof the flood which hit the Zakarpatia region in western Ukraine. Despitemodern technology and the move towards globalisation, Ukrainian childrenare still deprived of many aspects of modern education. 'We are in the21st century, but we don't have a lot of computers for children,' she said.She considered her first visit fruitful and a start for future co-operation.'Co-operation between the two countries started on the first day of myvisit to the UAE. There is understanding with every person I meet here.Sheikha Fatima was very helpful,'" she said. She praised the contributionof Sheikh Zayed for his interest in humanitarian problems worldwide. 'SheikhZayed is a very wise leader who pays a lot of attention to humanitarianefforts. I hope that co-operation between the two countries will last foryears and everyone I have met I have invited to come and visit Ukraine,'she said. 'I consider my visit to the UAE very productive, although itis my first visit here. I hope we will have joint efforts in terms of humanitarianand cultural activities,' she said. (The Emirates News Agency,WAM)
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ASMAKproject to come up in UAQ
TheInternational Fish Farming Co., ASMAK, has secured an offshore concessionfrom the Umm al Quwain Government for fish farming by constructing thelargest commercial hatchery for fin fish in the region. An agreement tothis effect will be signed shortly with the Ministry of Agriculture andFisheries, an ASMAK official confirmed. The hatchery is expected to produceover 25 million finfish juveniles at low cost and will constitute a strategicreservoir for ASMAK, enhancing the production of its various fish farmingfacilities of which the Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah facilities are mostprominent. ASMAK's project will be located near UAQ's marine research centre.Technical know-how and expertise will be provided by the Greek partner,Nireus. The UAQ project becomes integral to ASMAK's operations as it providesfinfish juveniles that are currently being imported from different countries.Earlier ASMAK secured a long-term concession agreement from the Ras AlKhaimah Government with an offshore sea area of 3x1 kilometre near Al MatafIsland and a 2,000 square metre land base at Al Rams. Construction of thefirst cage unit of capacity 800 tonnes per year has been completed, andrelated land-based assets and three marine vessels have bee acquired. Anothersimilar unit will be installed shortly. The Dh18 million Fujairah projectcomprises a 25-hectare offshore cage farm near Dibba and a 5,000 squaremetre onshore support facility, plus a packaging unit set up with the FujairahGovernment. Production is pegged at 2,000 tonnes annually. ASMAK has widenedthe scope of its operations to include the Gulf in an attempt to reacha higher level of economic integration and expand the circle of technologytransfer among different GCC countries. The company, which is implementingthe HACCP system at its Jebel Ali Free Zone processing plant, has playeda major part in lobbying for lifting the ban on fish exports to the EU.(The Gulf News)
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InternetCity plans research centre
DubaiInternet City plans to set up a special research and development centreto ensure that the emirate's transition from a consumer to a production-basedsociety is smooth. Research and development will ensure that the technologyand knowledge necessary to become an industrialise nation is availablelocally, according to the Manager of the Research Unit at Dubai InternetCity. Dr. Abdullah Mohammed Al Karan said there was a need for a researchand development environment to be created in Dubai to fulfil the visionfor future progress for the emirate. '³The Dubai Government has a clearstrategic vision, we would like to transform our current economy into onethat is knowledge-based and become and integral part of the technologicalchanges that are sweeping the globe.' As part of this plan, the InternationalCongress on Information and Science Innovations (ISI 2000) was held atthe American University in Dubai from March 17 to 21, wherein 200 researchersfrom all over the world attended the congress. Several papers on IT innovationsin medical applications and bioengineering, intelligent automated manufacturing,quality management and e-business were presented during the congress. AUDsigned a memorandum of understanding with 20 universities in the US, Germany,Japan and Latin America, including Harvard, the California Institute ofTechnology, the Rochester Institute of Technology, The University of Utahand Nagoya University, establishing open channels for the exchange of students,faculty, researchers and expertise between the Department of IT at AUDand its counterparts in the other universities. (TheGulf News)
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DepartmentExternal Information Ministry of Information and Culture P.O. Box 17, AbuDhabi E-Mail: mininfex@emirates.net.ae Tel: 009712-4452922 Fax: >009712-4450458
PLEASENOTE: The items covered in this bulletin do not necessarily reflect theofficial view of the UAE Government. Rather, they form a UAE-related digestof reports from the local press and publication
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