Nahyan Bin Mubarak opens 4th International Conference on Drug Discovery and Therapy (Expanded)

WAM Dubai, Feb 12th, 2012 (WAM) -- Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Chancellor of the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) HH Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan opened in Dubai today the 4th International Conference on Drug Discovery and Therapy (ICDDT).

Co-hosted by the Higher Colleges of Technology and Eureka Science, the highlighting the interdisciplinary fields of pre-clinical and clinical drug discovery, drug therapy and translational medicine will run until15th this month at the Dubai Men's College.

This year it will incorporate the 1st Biotechnology World Congress (BWC), from February 14-15, 2012, also at the Dubai Men's College campus.

The BWC will see biotechnologists from around the world consider the challenges involved in the fields of biotechnology and biomedical research.

In his opening speech, Sheikh Nahyan said that the conference was directly relevant to the quality of life and the state of healthcare in the United Arab Emirates.

Sheikh Nahyan has previously stated that investing in "innovative research, best practices, and collaboration are critical" for the UAE to achieve a priority goal of its citizens' health.

Sheikh Nahyan has been a strong supporter of the conference's aims and of its participants' efforts in the fields of drug discovery and therapy, previously saying the conference organizers and participants were to be congratulated for their "skill, your dedication, and commitment to the cause of human welfare".

"We clearly need new ideas and new discoveries that are supported by a determination to help our global citizens achieve more healthy lives," he has opined.

The Minister has also gone on the record as stressing the importance of the annual international gathering of some of the world's leading medical, pharmacological and research minds.

"The nature of your work and your presence at this conference are cause for great optimism. The collective interest in achieving drug discoveries and breakthroughs that will improve the health and lives of countless millions is encouraging," Sheikh Nahyan said.

"There is widespread anticipation of the products of your research and investigations. Both the medical-scientific community and the public worldwide are anxious to recognize and embrace your success," he added.

Building on from the success of the previous conferences held in Dubai, the 2012 edition was a much larger event with over 500 talks delivered and 45 thematic sessions with poster presentations and an associated commercial exhibition.

ICDDT Co-Presidents Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman and Nobel Laureate Prof. Ferid Murad also spoke at the conference's official opening, saying the range of session topics over the four-day conference, as well as the inaugural two-day Biotechnology World Congress, would offer many thought-provoking discussion points and stimulating opportunities for more than 750 conference delegates.

In addition to Sheikh Nahayan the conference's guests of honor were the six Nobel Laureates, Prof. Ferid Murad (USA), Prof. Hartmut Michel (Germany), Prof. Harald zur Hausen (Germany), Prof. Jean-Marie Lehn (France), Prof. Robert Huber (Germany) and Prof. Mario Molina (USA) who were able to present their revolutionary investigations delving deep into drug discovery and therapy findings to an enthralled audience of eminent scientists, researchers, pharmacists, academicians and biotechnologists.

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WAM/AB

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Sharjah Media Centre Hosts International Media Delegation

Sharjah Media Centre (SMC), the communication arm of the Government of Sharjah, in collaboration with the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority(SCTDA),today receiveda 16-member international media delegation comprising representatives from Germany, Russia, China, Ukraine, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

The media delegation is in Sharjah as special invitees tothe 10-day Sharjah Water Festival that is currently underway and will run until 25 December.

Osama Samra, Director of Sharjah Media Centre,welcomed the delegation tothecentre and briefed the visitors on its mission, vision and goals that contribute to the development of the media landscape in Sharjah.

Samra said: "We are pleased to receive media delegations from around the world and familiarise them with Sharjah and itsrapidly evolving media sector.Our initiative to invite journalists to the centre comes out of our objectivetofacilitatethe media to generate a comprehensive and accurate reportage on Sharjah.

“We leveraged the visit of the international delegation to the centre to highlightits role and resources. It also gave us the opportunity to outline our recently unveiled membership programme thatprovidesmedia-persons and aspiring journalists with access toauthentic information and cutting-edge technology for the effective dissemination of news."

Sharjah Media Centre offers three categories of memberships: honorary, active and academic.

Individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the media sector, Sharjah Media Centre or to public welfare could qualify for the honorary membership. These members are selected by the centre’s board of directors.

The active membership is open to residents living in the UAE and employed as reporters, editors, photographers, librarians, programmers, producers, publishers or graphic artists at radio stations, television stations, on-line news services, as well as daily, weekly and monthly news publications or news services and bureaus located or based in the Sharjah area.

The third category of membership – academic - is open to journalism students and faculty members in Sharjah and the wider UAE. Full-time faculty members of journalism at the university, college or high school level are also eligible to apply for membership.

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Sharjah Media Centre Supports International Wheelchair And Amputee Sport World Games 2011

Sharjah Media Centre is offering media relations support to the International Wheelchair and Amputee Sport (IWAS) World Games 2011 that is currently underway in Sharjah and marking its inaugural edition in the Middle East.

Under the patronage of His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al-Qassimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, the sixth edition of the 10-day games kicked off on 1 December at Al Theqa Club and has drawn over 900 athletes from nearly 50 countries.

As part of its support to IWAS, the Sharjah Media Centre is working closely with regional and international media institutions to ensure enhanced coverage of the global sporting event. The centre is also facilitating coordination with the IWAS media committee and assuring adequate media presence during all tournaments to encourage the participating sportspersons.

His Excellency Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed Al Qassimi said: "Sharjah Media Centre has played an important role in supporting and sponsoring humanitarian events such as IWAS that Sharjah has hosted over the past years. Sharjah is committed to supporting the differently abled members of the community in all fields, especially in sports where they have demonstrated a significant participation. Through extending its unstinted backing, Sharjah ensures their early and successful integration into mainstream society.”

Osama Samra, Director, Sharjah Media Centre, said: “We are privileged to be a part of a momentous achievement for Sharjah that has successfully brought an international sporting event to the Middle East for the first time.

Through offering crucial media relations support, we aim to spotlight Sharjah as an ideal venue to host such high-visibility global events.”

Countries participating in the International Wheelchair and Amputee Sport World Games 2011 include Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iraq, Palestine, Lebanon, Spain, Italy, UK, Iran, China, Japan, Nigeria, Rwanda and Australia amongst others. The games’ schedule will include championships in table tennis, badminton, CPISRA race running, power lifting, amputee football, sitting volleyball and swimming.

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Taliban told international allies will not abandon Afghanistan after 2014

Wafa Issa

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DUBAI // A senior US military chief warned insurgents yesterday not to expect a political or security vacuum in Afghanistan after Nato troops withdraw at the end of 2014.

US Gen John R Allen, commander of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan (Isaf), said that the partnership between Afghanistan and the international community would not stop with the Nato withdrawal.

"So if you as the Taliban believe that there would be, on January 1, 2015, this deafening silence across Afghanistan because the international community is gone and you just have your way in Afghanistan - that narrative does not cook any more. It just does not work," he said, speaking on the sidelines of the Afghanistan and Public Affairs conference in Germany."We are going to be here for a long time, and now, speaking as an American officer, we intend to have a robust military capability in Afghanistan to continue the process of the upwards spiral of Afghan military capability."

Nato is working to build a 352,000-strong Afghan army and police force that can take over responsibility for security in their country.

"The insurgency need to understand that they cannot wait us out," Gen Allen said.

The Nato relationship with Afghanistan post-2014 will be complemented by US, British, French, German and Australian involvement, and the list of co-operating countries is increasing, according to Nato officials.

Ambassador Sir Simon Gass, the Nato Senior Civilian Representative in Afghanistan, said the Bonn conference, held last week, marked a commitment by the international community to remain engaged with Afghanistan.

"We were talking about a decade of transformation. That was the message coming out of Bonn, that from 2014 to 2024, we would be building on the work that we have done over the past 10 years to start to transform Afghanistan," Mr Gass said.

He also said that if things went the right way in Afghanistan, the country could blossom because of its strategic location and natural resources.

"So the future, if we get this right, there is a very big benefit to be had by the region ... All of the region has a big stake in the outcome in what we are trying to achieve in Afghanistan," he said.

wissa@thenational.ae

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Nato officials in Dubai said the Taliban in Afghanistan must be pushed to the negotiating table.

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Intellectual Property Rights comes into focus in Sharjah International Book Fair 2011

International Book Fair 2011 granted a special spotlight in its agenda for raising public awareness on the importance of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR). Held in SIBF 2011, a seminar entitled "Intellectual Property Rights in Emirates," headed by Mr. Mohammed Al Raisi, and attended by Maj. Gen. Dr. Abdul-Quddus Abdali, lawyer Nasser Al-Khasawneh and Mr. Jawad Al Redha head of government relations of intellectual property and business development.

At the beginning, participants spoke about the core of intellectual property rights, which is all the production of human thought of inventions, artistic creations and other outcomes of the human mind. Later, the World Intellectual Property Organization "WIPO" introduced the "Intellectual Property Rights" as the result of intellectual creativity of inventions, literary and artistic works and symbols, names, images and designs used in commerce.

Participants shed light on various kinds of intellectual property such as copyright, which covers the literary and artistic works from novels, poems, plays and musical acts, where the artistic works include oil paintings, photographs, sculptures and architectural designs. Additionally, the brands are all what takes a distinctive form of companies and institutions to familiarize the public with its products and distinguish them from other similar products. Furthermore, the industrial property "inventions", that include a patent, is every innovation that leads to substantial progress in industrial art and provides vital protection by granting the formal legal certificate from the state.

Participants pointed out that intellectual property has a great role in encouraging creativity and innovation, attracting investment and achieving development, added to enhancing and supporting international trade. Moreover, participants interpreted the author’s literary copyrights, where the author shall have the rights of literary non-prescription or waiver of the workbook, in addition to his right to self-publish the work for the first time, and the right in the workbook’s share. Also, the right to object to any amendment to the workbook if it includes any distortion or deformation of the work or prejudices the rank of the author, plus the right to withdraw the work from circulation if any serious reasons occurred justify doing so. There are also financial rights which entitle the author alone the right to exploit his work financially in any way he deems appropriate.

On the other hand, some participants mentioned types and forms of violations of copyright and related rights, such as transgressing a right of the moral or financial rights of the author or right holder. These violations appear as sharing any work, performance, sound recording or a radio program with the public, and selling, leasing or offering for trading in any possible form.

Furthermore, unlawfully manufacturing or importing a protected work, and using equipment or tools specifically designed to circumvent the protection or the technique used by the author or right holder. Nevertheless, some breaches come as illegally disabling or faultfinding the right of any technical protection, added to downloading and storing copies of any computer software, applications or databases, and finally using computer programs without prior authorization from the author or his successor.

In the event of any breach in any right of the intellectual property rights the aggrieved should visit & inform departments and institutions such as the Ministry of Economy, the Public Prosecution, the Attorney General, the Civil Justice, the Customs, local departments, the Department of Economic Development, and the municipality.

The Emirates Society for Intellectual Property is one of the major institutions that deal with this issue, and aims to raise awareness in society and individual for all areas of intellectual property, trying to improve the international rankings of the state in the field of intellectual property, its participation in related international and regional forums, added to strengthening international and community partnerships with ministries, agencies, local departments, and scientific research institutions in the fields of intellectual property.

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Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi Opens 30th Sharjah International Book Fair 2011

His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah,witnessedthe opening of the 30th Sharjah International Book Fair2011 this morning in the presence of the of HH Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, HH Sheikh Abdullah Bin Salem Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah at the Sharjah Expo Centre.

The opening ceremony began by gracinghis Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, sponsor of the event, where he was welcomed by Sheikha Bodour daughter of Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, Chairman of the Council of the UAE for youngs books, president of the UAE publishers and Sheikha Hoor daughter of HH Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Art Foundation, and Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Thani, Chairman of Civil Aviation Department, Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud Al Qasimi, Chairman of Central Finance Department, Sheikh Essam bin Saqr bin Humaid Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Office of HH the ruler, Sheikh Khalid bin Abdullah bin Sultan Al Qassimi, Chairman of the Department of Seaports and Customs, Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, chairman of the Sharjah Media Foundation and Sheikh Mohammed bin Saqr Al Qassimi, Director of Sharjah Medical Zone and Sheikh Mohammed bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Director of the Office of the Chairman of Sharjah Petroleum Council and Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Director of the Department of Information and e-government, Sheikh Salem bin Abdul Rahman bin Salem Al Qassimi, Director of the Office of His Highness the ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Thani, Director of Office of President of the American University of Sharjah.

His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi was also welcomed by his Excellency Mohammed Al Murr Chairman of the Federal National Council, HE Humaid Al Qattami, Minister of Education, HE Abdul Rahman bin Mohammed Al Owais, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, HE Abdul Rahman Bin Ali Al Jarwan, Advisor at the Emiri Diwan, HE Rashid Ahmad Bin Sheikh Chairman of the Emiri Diwan, HE Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Madfaa Chairman of Chamber of Commerce and industry and His Excellency Major-General Hamid Mohammed Al Hudaidi Chief commander of Sharjah Police and HE Khamis bin Salim Al Suwaidi Chairman of the Department of municipal Affairs and Agriculture, HE Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Owais, Chairman of the Department of Culture & Media and HE Mohammed Diab Al Mousa Advisor at the Amiri Diwan and Dr Amro Abdul Hamid Advisor of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah for Higher Education and Ahmad bin Rakkad Amri, Director of the Sharjah international Book Fair and a number of members of the Executive and Advisory Boards for Sharjah Emirate and the heads and directors of departments and institutions and authorities working in the emirate and a host of writers and intellectuals Emiratis and Gulf and Arab brothers and foreigners.

This was followed in the first part of the ceremony, with a speech by His Excellency Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Owais, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Media in Sharjah in which he said / / in the most beautiful meanings of love and brotherhood, and purest breezesof dew flowers, Sharjah welcomes heresteemed guests, who glowed the land of the United Arab Emirates to fulfill its happiness and joy of all that is national Arabic in the presence of the celebrated Sharjah International Book / /. And added Al Owais / / we come to you today with a new stage within the journey of giving and development sponsored by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, the march which began its first steps from thirty years, taking off from its local origins, integrating with its surrounding Arab countries, tolaunch Globally afterwards, where the sacred humanitarian goalsHis Highness yearned for to complete the noble endeavor to serve and defend the Arab culture. The resultsof the benevolent effortsthrough the cultural dialogues in international forums are now visiblethroughthe Arab culture occupying its rightful place among nations.

Later then, a short film reviewed the passing of 30 years journey on the Sharjah International Book Fair of the production of Sharjah Media Foundation.

Follwed was the speech of HE Khalid bin Mohammed Al Anqari Minister of Higher Education in Saudi Arabia, the guest of honor for the session 30 of the Sharjah International Book Fair who welcomed the audience and raised the deepest thanks and appreciation to His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah on the unique hospitality in the event, the vast cultural demonstration and inviting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a guest of honor of the exhibition.

After that, Abdulaziz, Trim Director General of Etisalat in the Northern Emirates provided his speech on this occasion in which he said: "In the beginning it’s a great honor to be with you today a representative of Etisalat" in this international cultural event, which reflects the elite status of the book in the United Arab Emirates in general and the Emirate of Sharjah in particular, and interest in this event comes from ourfirm faith that supportingand sponsoring the “book” and supervising of its activities is a responsibility and commitment before it is a matter of honor and pride.”

And further to schedule and events ceremony His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, accompanied by His Excellency Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Owais and Ahmad Bin Rakkad Ameri distributed Sharjah International Book Fair awards, which included cultural personality of the year award that has been obtained by Mr. Mohammed Bin Isa from Kingdom of Morocco, the Chairman of the Municipal Council for Acila city and General Secretary of the Moroccan Foundation Forum, and best publishing houses went to each of the Universal Publishing and distribution Foundation (Abu Dhabi) as the best local publishing house, and Dar Al-Saqi (Lebanon) as the best Arab publisher, the Jashanmal Foundation for publication and distribution (Dubai) as the best foreign publishing house.

With regard to the local creative works, the award of the best Emarati writer on the best emarati book (emarati author) went equally between each of Abdul Latif Abdou Said Al Azazi and that for his book (the footprint of events and body memory) and Khaled Mohammed Al Maskari and that for his book (directory practical for commercial correspondence), and awarded the best emarati book in the field of studies was writer Reem al-Issawi and that for her book (mirror reflections in listing self) to Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qassimi), and the award for the best emarati printed book on the UAE went to Gulf News and that for the book (the rise of the nation’s thirtieth year in pictures).

A special share went to Arab and global literary works as well, through access to the best foreign general book for Profile Books Publishing House for the book (why the West governs so far) for the writer Ian Morris, while the award went to the best foreign book in the field of trade and economy of the University Press Chicago for the book (the dignity of the bourgeoisie) to its author Dred Mac Liwski, and the Albert White Mann House and his partners won the best foreign book prize in the field of the child and this for the book (goodbye cancer Park) of the author Lijana Mathiz.

Translation from Arabic and vice versa will be available for all seminars and discussions in the time period of the event. Sharjah International Book Fair runs to November 26, 2011.

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du Offers Off-Peak Rates For International Calls On Diwali

Brightening up the Festival of Lights-Diwali, du, today announced a special promotion of all day off-peak international call rates to any destination in the world. The special offer also includes discounted SMS rates on the day, enabling du customers to text friends and family for just 15 fils per local SMS and 45 fils per international SMS. Customers who have subscribed to the One World Plan will be able to call friends and family to over 190 destinations, from 9pm to 9am for just 2 fils/sec (AED 1.2 /min) as per the current offer.

This offer will be valid for all du mobile customers on the day of Diwali (26 October).

Announcing the Diwali offer, Farid Faraidooni, Chief Commercial Offers, du, said: "Diwali is an important festival for Indians across the globe and we are happy to be celebrating this event with our Indian customers in the UAE, enabling them to keep in touch with their loved ones abroad."

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International Interest Continues To Grow In Sharjah’s Museums

French and British delegations toured a number of museums across the emirate of Sharjah last week, where delegation members were met by representatives of the Sharjah Museums Department (SMD), including senior officials headed by Maissa Al Suwaidi, Head of Museum Operations at SMD, on behalf of the Director General, Ms Manal Ataya.

The visit was arranged upon request from the British Council, and the delegation was composed of high-profile officials from the Council, including Graham Sheffield, Director of Arts, and Steve Stining, Director of Arts: MENA. During their visit, the department’s strategic vision and the long standing position of the Sharjah emirate as the regional capital of culture and art was discussed. The objective of the visit to present current achievements and discuss future cooperation with the British Council and the Sharjah Museums Department. Sharjah Museums Department thanked the British Council for its support and successful joint activities it has conducted over the past few years.

Al Suwaidi received the visitors at the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization, where they toured the museum and its galleries to see the collections, which amount to some 5,000 objects from all over the Islamic world. These artefacts provide a fascinating insight into the development of Islamic art and civilization, and showcase the most important achievements in science and art from the early Islamic period to about 1,400 years into modern times. In addition to the tour, the delegates were also introduced the museum’s educational programmes.

The delegation also visited the Sharjah Arts Museum, where they toured the temporary exhibitions including the solo exhibtions of Dr Najat Maki’s "Colorful Rhythms",and the Venezuelan exhibition "Independence after 200 years", and "Voyage to Persia", which showcase works from the unique collection of HH Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. They were introduced to the educational and familiarisation workshops and programmes organised at the museum for each of the exhibitions with the aim of enhancing artistic culture among all social groups. The workshops target all age groups, from school and university students to teachers, artists and intellectuals.

The Sharjah Art Foundation was the delegation’s last stop in the emirate. There, they were received by the management team, and introduced to the cultural vision the emirate of Sharjah seeks to achieve through the Foundation and in coordination with government departments and relevant authorities. The government departments work together to innovate, develop and continue to reach global audiences through a multitude of tailored programs and activities.

The delegates stressed the importance of the visit, which significantly contributed to enhancing their knowledge about the cultural and artistic activities in Sharjah, and the ways of reaching the desired goals of establishing a vibrant cultural environment in all seven emirates.

Ms Ataya commended the visit, saying: "It is very important to have high-profile experts such as Mr Graham Sheffield and Mr Steve Stining visit our museums, view in depth our activities and show commitment to working with us for the long term. The exchange of experiences with UK cultural bodies will help SMD to further develop its performance and activities to world-class levels".

On the same day, and in coordination with the Abu Dhabi-based Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC), the Sharjah Museums Department hosted a delegation of eight directors and experts from Agence France Museums. They were escorted in a tour to Sharjah Archaeology Museum, where they learnt about the history of archeological exploration in the emirate and the most important sites discovered; the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization, where they learnt about the artefacts and activities of the museum; the Sharjah Art Museum, where they viewed the existing temporary and permanent exhibitions; and the Sharjah Calligraphy Museum, where they learnt about the annual activities and the work mechanism, in addition to the awards and initiatives adopted by the SMD and the museum to maintain Arabic calligraphy.

Al Suwaidi delivered a detailed presentation about the applicable administrative procedures in SMD, the divisions and department operating under the umbrella of the SMD, and the efforts to develop long-term strategic plans that aim to raise awareness on the importance of museums. Members of the delegation admired the contents and activities of the museums, expressing their interest in enhancing cooperation with the department.

Ms Ataya, SMD Director General, commented on the visits: " The interest shown by Agence France Museums, which was established for the exchange of scientific, cultural and technical experiences with French museums, denotes the cultural value of Sharjah museums and the importance of their offering to public. We are pleased with such opportunity of exchanging experience and presenting our methods and policies to high level experts.

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Al Zahra Hospital & Mosaic International Launch World’s First Eastern Total Knee Replacement System

Al Zahra Hospital, Sharjah, announced today (Wednesday, October 19, 2011) that it has performed a first-of-its-kind knee implant surgery in the U.A.E. The Freedom Knee™, the world’s first total knee system was implanted in a 48-year old female patient today. This implant has been tested and approved by the US FDA for high flexion activities (e.g. praying, kneeling and sitting on the floor). The latest development complements Al Zahra Hospital’s continuous pursuit of new innovations in the medical field to ensure that UAE residents can be provided with the best possible treatments available across the globe.

Dr Deepak Bhatia, Senior Orthopedic Consultant, Al Zahra Hospital, said, “This has been a breakthrough surgery for us, and we take pride in becoming the first hospital in the region to use a knee implant of this kind. This advanced knee replacement system requires minimum bone cutting, which is a major benefit for the patients, as our population is known to have a high incidence of osteoporosis and less bone stock. Moreover, this knee provides the required high-flexion to allow our patients to perform their daily activities with complete freedom. Patients have also been able to carry out sporting activities such as swimming, golfing, tennis, and hill walking after undergoing this surgery. The availability and multiple choices in size enable this operation to be carried out both in large male and small female patients without any compromise. This is extremely important, as women in our region tend to have smaller bones compared to their Western counterparts”.

Dr Bhatia added that the new implant shortens the hospitalisation to around three days and is also suited for younger patients requiring a knee replacement surgery. The availability of a skilled medical team, state of the art diagnostic equipments and advanced surgical techniques also plays a vital role in such surgeries.

Dr Asit Shah, the lead designer behind the Freedom Knee, pointed out, “Long survival of any joint implant needs good anthropometric analysis based on the target population, and the implant design should take these specific anatomical differences into consideration. The Middle Eastern knee is different as there is a difference in the shape and angle of the tibia and femur. With the high prevalence of obesity and osteoporosis amongst patients in the region, by the time the patient has come for surgery the knee problems are very advanced. With the new system available, patients can be assured of a high-flexion knee replacement that requires minimum bone resection.”

“At Mosaic International, we continuously strive towards providing the best solutions to suit the needs of our patients and assist them in restoring their mobility. We are delighted to launch this unique knee joint replacement system which will give the patient enhanced freedom of movement and function,” said Nand Kapadia, Managing Director of Mosaic International.

The Freedom Knee has been launched by Mosaic International, one of the leading healthcare solutions providers in the GCC, in association with Maxx Medical, a global medical device company with USA-based research and manufacturing facilities. Mosaic International, founded by Anil Khimji and Nand Kapadia is engaged in the distribution of a comprehensive range of innovative and cost effective healthcare products.

Al Zahra Hospital was established in 1981 by Gulf Medical Projects Company. The 100 bed hospital is the first and the largest private general hospital in the UAE. The Group is known for its recognized medical team and investment in latest technology. Currently Al Zahra Hospital is expanding its range of services and bed capacity.

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Sharjah To Host The Second International Forum On Technology Transfer In The Arab Region

Dr. Abdalla Alnajjar, President of the Arab Science and Technology Foundation (ASTF) said that under the auspices of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member of the UAE and Ruler of Sharjah, and the Honorary President of the Arab Science and Technology Foundation, ASTF is organizing in cooperation with the Licensing Executives Society -Arab Countries (LES-AC), the second international annual Forum on patents licensing and technology transfer in the Arab region on November 28-29, 2011, in Sharjah, in the United Arab Emirates.

The theme for this year’s Forum will be the "Opportunities for Protecting and Marketing Inventions 2011". Among the main participants in the Forum are: the Federation of GCC Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization, and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA).

Dr. Abdalla Alnajjar added that the Forum, at its second session this year, will seek through a group of experts, jurists, economists, industrialists, businessmen, academics, and representatives of venture capital and risk funds and companies, to link inventions to the needs for them in the Arab societies, particularly to the economic needs, and mainly in the area of industry and investment.

Dr. Abdalla Alnajjar, President of the Arab Science and Technology Foundation, stressed that the creative Arab minds are able to contribute to the production of knowledge and economic development, and are not limited to importing technology entirely from the West. He praised the role played by the LES-AC in partnership with the Foundation in this area. He stressed that the best way to invest and make use of the invention, is not to protect it through obtaining the patent only; yet the real success for any invention lies in its investment at the industrial level, Stating that the existing inventions should come out of the "Valley of Death"- from the drawers, laboratories and offices- to be invested in the "Valley of Technology," for they are now dead treasures that are not yet invested to serve Arab economies and societies.

Dr. Abdalla Alnajjar added that the invention is a commercial and investment opportunity, and very often its owner does not appreciate its value, and therefore the need emerges for specialists. He underlined the leading role of the Forum that aims to provide the right climate for marketing inventions, through an Arab observatory for their marketing, to be administered by the Foundation in cooperation with LES-AC, to evaluate the viable investment value of inventions’ patents, and to present them to bold venture capital funds and companies, while preserving the property rights to their holders.

On his part, Dr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh, LES-AC Chairman, stressed the importance of partnership between the Society and the Arab Foundation, which comes in line with the professional responsibility of each of them, in connection with the dissemination of awareness among Arab industrialists, businessmen, technology developers, inventors and investors, regarding the protection and marketing of inventions, and strengthening of cooperation between the academic institutions and the economic and industrial sectors.

Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh added that the Forum’s agenda this year covers the various legal and strategic aspects for the protection and investment of inventions, in an attempt to transform the invention into a realistic product available in the market that provides a new technology, so as to offer a new product for the Arab consumer, or to develop an existing product in the market, in terms of quality and price.

He also stressed that this Forum represents a form of support for economic development in the Arab countries through strengthening the Arab experts’ capacities, providing a catalyst climate to link the industrial companies, industries and the universities in the Arab countries and to achieve economic growth.

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