Khalifa orders Dh568m loan waiver for Emiratis

Abu Dhabi: President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan has ordered the settlement of defaults on personal loans of 368 Emiratis, amounting to about Dh568 million, a Wam report said yesterday.

Shaikh Khalifa's gesture covers loan defaults of citizens whose debt burdens are less than Dh5 million, "be they in detention, pending trial, convicted, or [are] settling their debts through instalment schedules set by the courts".

The waiver follows a recommendation submitted by the Supreme Committee of the Debts Settlement Fund for Citizens with limited income, chaired by Ahmad Juma Al Za'abi, Deputy Minister for Presidential Affairs.

A senior official told Gulf News this is the second group of defaulters after the January waiver which covered 6,830 Emiratis each with debts of less than Dh1 million.

"Any Emirati defaulter in detention, being tried or convicted can apply to benefit from the Settlement Fund for low-income citizens by applying in person to the Ministry of Presidential Affairs or online at www.mopa.ae"

Under the latest amnesty move, those in prison will be released and have their loans settled in accordance with the settlement mechanism, which includes deduction of 25 per cent of their monthly salaries and an undertaking that they will not take any further loans until the current liabilities are settled.

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Burj Khalifa Metro station and Dubai Mall to be linked by raised walkway

The National staff

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A raised pedestrian walkway is to be built to link Burj Khalifa Metro station and The Dubai Mall, it was announced this morning.

The 820-metre glass tube will include 10 moving 'travellators' – five in each direction – and will be completed next year, said Emaar Malls Group, which owns and operates The Dubai Mall.

Officials said they hoped the walkway would reduce the number of vehicles arriving at the mall by making public transport more convenient. Currently, people arriving by Metro must leave the station and walk to the mall, which is not practical during the summer months.

Mohamed Alabbar, the chairman of Emaar Properties, said: “The Dubai Mall is one of the most visited tourist, retail, and leisure destinations in the world.

“While the mall offers covered parking for over 14,000 vehicles, we have been evaluating various alternatives to further streamline visitor traffic and add to their convenience.

“The Dubai Mall Metro link will also serve visitors to Burj Khalifa and the various attractions in Downtown Dubai.”

He said the link would be able to carry 13,500 people per hour.

newsdesk@thenational.ae

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Khalifa receives letter from Obama

Abu Dhabi: President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan received a letter from US President Barack Obama dealing with bilateral relations.

The letter was delivered to General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, during his meeting with US National Security Adviser Tom Donilon, who is currently on a visit to the UAE.

Shaikh Mohammad and Donilon discussed the latest developments in the Middle East. The meeting was also attended by UAE Ambassador in Washington, Yousuf Al Otaiba.

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31 winners of annual Khalifa Award announced

Abu Dhabi: The names of 31 winners of the fourth annual Khalifa Award (KA), comprising five winners from outside the UAE, were announced on Wednesday in Dubai.
The award, which recognises excellence in the field of education of individuals, schools and institutions, had 380 nominations in its current edition, including 200 from other Arab countries. Its motto was 'Distinguish Yourself'.
Five winners were selected from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan and Kuwait for the distinguished professors in teaching, scientific research, innovative educational projects and creative writing for children categories.
Winners from the UAE included 11 teachers, alongside schools and educational institutions.
From five categories in its inaugural year in 2007, the Khalifa Award now grants awards in 11 categories. Additionally, applications for nominations are open to other Arab countries and are no longer restricted to Emiratis.
The Khalifa Award for education aims to raise educational standards across Arab countries and elevate the general perception about teaching to one associated with prestige.
"The award this year is unique, with four new categories added that seem to be popular in the education sector," said Amal Al Afifi, secretary general of the award.
The awards are given in categories including public education, higher education in the UAE and across the Arab World, special needs, creating knowledge networks, new media and education, education and sustainable environment, education and community service, educational research, projects and innovative educational programmes and educational writing for children.
Awards:
Category: Public Education
Creative teacher Award:
Ibtissam Alyan (Jordanian) Al Mawaheb Model SchoolAshraf Ahmad (Egyptian) Al Majd Model SchoolBushra Al Shamsi (UAE) Family Development OrganisationHanane Al Junaibi (UAE) Halima Al Saadiya SchoolRabaa Al Ahl (Egypt) Rawdet Al RahmanAbeer Saad (Egypt) Al Reem Model SchoolAlyaa Al Ghafry (UAE) Al Muraijeb High SchoolMona Al Tajer (UAE) Al Ro'ya SchoolNawal Basheer (Sudan) Al Afaq Model SchoolHala Allam (Egypt) Rawdat Al Areej
Technical Teacher Award:
Ayman Ibrahim ( Jordan) Al Nahda National SchoolInstitutional School Performance AwardAl Saadah Primary SchoolChildhood Development Centre
Category: Higher education in UAE and across the Arab World
Distinguished Professor in teaching Award
Prof. Dr.Mohammad Hamady (Bahrain) University of SharjahDr. Mashael Al Hajeri (Kuwait) Kuwait UniversityDistinguished professor in scientific research AwardProf. Dr.Youssef Al Haik ( Jordan) United Arab Emirates UniversityProf. Dr.Ali Chamkha (Lebanon) Kuwait UniversityProf. Dr.Mohammad Friawan ( Jordan) Yarmouk University
Category: Special Needs
Staff Award
Mahmoud Al Shathily (Jordan) Abu Dhabi Rehabilitaion and Welfare Centre for People with Special Need Centre
Institutions and Centres Award
Ghayathi Centre for Special NeedsZayed Organisation for Humanitarian Care and Special Needs.Category: Creating knowledge networks
Award granted to:
Media CentresAl Dhabyania Private SchoolAl Mawaheb Model SchoolAl Janaen Preparatory School
Category: Education and the sustainable environment
Award granted to:SchoolsLiwa International Private SchoolInstitutionsAdult Education Centre- Dubai Police HeadquartersCategory: Educational researchIn Researches related to Arabic Language, award is granted to:Samira SadiehCategory: Projects and innovative educational programmes in the UAE and the Arab WorldAwards granted to:Dr Sami Shaban, United Arab Emirates UniversityMona Al Maghribi, Abu Dhabi Education Council, Abu Dhabi Bureau.E- Learning Eduation Team, Alexandria University, Faculty of Medicine.Educational Curricula, Kingdom of Saudi ArabiaCategory: Educational writing for childrenAward granted to:Abla Morgan, Zayed Higher Organisation for Humanitarian Care and Special Needs
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