Beverage & dairy products manufacturer actively contributes to various social & charitable causes

September 1, 2010

Monther Al Harthi

In line with its special corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives for Ramadan, Al Rabie Saudi Foods Co. Ltd., a pioneering producer of dairy products and juices in the KSA and the largest juice manufacturer in the Middle East is supporting the Iftar programme arranged by the Kingdom’s various charitable organisations and mosques for the holy month.

“Each day during Ramadan, Muslims throughout the country break their fast by taking part in the Iftar meal at mosques and charitable institutions. We were keen on making a small yet meaningful contribution during the holy month by including our juices in this special meal; after all, this is the season of giving and sharing,” said Monther Al Harthi, Chief Executive Officer, Al Rabie Saudi Foods Co. Ltd.       

“We consider it a great honour to be able to help thousands of our Muslim brothers break their fast in keeping with the true spirit of Ramadan,” said AbdulMohsin Abuharba, Head of CC, PR & CSR in Al Rabie Saudi Foods Co. Ltd.

Al Rabie Saudi Foods Co. Ltd. supports the Iftar programme of various mosques and workshops teaching the Koran in all regions of the Kingdom for the year 1431 H. Over the past years the company has been funding and assisting the programme and is committed to continue doing so in the future.

Al Rabie constantly develops and implements plans and strategies to provide good health for all through its products. It has participated in several food fairs and trade exhibitions and has launched numerous social programs as part of its commitment to community service

Julfar: Our Sponsorship in response to Al Tayer Instructions and Consolidates Societal Responsibilities

August 30, 2010

Saeed_Al_Tayer_MD_&CEO_Of_DEWA

Aref Abdul Kareem Julfar, Director of Media and Marketing, said: “The authority’s sponsorship to a number of activities and events comes as part of our belief in the integration and coordination of efforts with competent authorities and societal services sector noting that the authority’s strategy depends on serving the society and presenting a number of programs in several occasions and celebrations throughout the year”.

Julfar added that the Ramadan forum sponsorship comes in implementation to the instructions of the authority’s CEO who directly follows up the societal service programs especially societal needs referring that our sponsorship aims for being present in different occasions in the emirate of Dubai to convey the positive image of the authority in the society and reflect the impact of the rationalization of electricity and water consumption.

Julfar explained that there are a number of positive results from the participation of DEWA in such events including the practical application of the authority’s strategy and societal needs as we search for diverse sponsorship programs as part of our belief in the importance of our assigned roles.

He said: “Our sponsorship to the Ramadan forum entitled “Gathering to Succeed” does not include financial assistance but also includes our participation in the daily events and lectures and the encouragement of the members of the society to charity works in order to achieve the common interests and benefits”.

He also added that the Ramadan forum is one of the main events that is sponsored by DEWA this is due to its human, educational and cultural goals in order to achieve the true meanings of charity during the holy month thanks to its diverse activities and events and wide popularity among the audience.

Khelifa Al Falasi, Chair of 9th Ramadan Forum team, which is organized by Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing “DTCM” under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation, assured that the current session witnesses great progress especially the foreign lectures programs that was attended by a large number of audience as it was specified for foreign nationalities for one week.

Al Falasi also lauded the efforts of the gold and bronze sponsors who did not search for financial rewards only but the support to different events and their cooperation in all the planning, preparation and implementation of the forum. The government departments in Dubai made great efforts in supporting the forum and this was symbolized in the sponsorship of DEWA to the efforts of the forum for several years.

Al Falasi also lauded the initiatives of DEWA and its distinctive role in the logistics and technical fields as well as gold sponsorship to the event.

Imperial College London Diabetes Centre’s sports initiative gains corporate backing for DIABETES.KNOWLEDGE.ACTION programme

August 29, 2010

Injazat Data Systems, the leading information technology and business process managed services provider in the UAE, once again signed up as sponsor for the 3rd annual ‘PLAY SPORTS! Live Healthily’ Ramadan football tournament organized by the Imperial College London Diabetes Centre (ICLDC). The competition ran from August 22, 2010 to August 26, 2010, at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

Injazat joined other prominent public and private sector organizations such as Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation, Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority, Health Authority of Abu Dhabi, Mubadala Development Company and Dolphin Energy in supporting the event. Injazat has been assisting various charitable and community-focused events such as the Arab Benevolence Forum and the Abu Dhabi CSR Conference as part of its comprehensive corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme.

“The holy month of Ramadan is the season of giving and so we always look forward to contributing our time and efforts to generate greater awareness on diabetes through ICLDC’s annual tournament. The UAE has one of the world’s highest incidences of diabetes and these games are an excellent opportunity for the corporate world to talk about what we can do to promote more effective prevention and better treatment,” said Ali Al Neaimi, Client Care Director, Injazat Data Systems. 

Around 20 per cent of the UAE population is believed to have diabetes, many of whom have limited knowledge of the condition and how they can avoid or address it. ‘PLAY SPORTS! Live Healthily,’ the fifth pillar in the award-winning ‘DIABETES. KNOWLEDGE.ACTION’ public health awareness campaign implemented by ICLDC under the patronage of H.H. Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, emphasizes the role of sports and overall healthy living in containing the condition.

Injazat Data Systems provides advanced managed IT services throughout the UAE and is the owner and operator of the region’s first Tier IV design-certified data centre. The company continues to expand its CSR programme in line with its core corporate value of accountability.

Move reflects ship builder’s full support for national youth habilitation efforts, UAE’s enhanced position in international sports

August 24, 2010

Abu Dhabi Ship Building has announced that it has signed an agreement with the UAE Volleyball Association to act as the official sponsor of the National Beach Volleyball Team for a whole year. The ship builder will back the team’s local and international activities in line with the company’s commitment to supporting local youth and improving the quality of sports in the country. The announcement was made during a recent press conference hosted by the UAE Volleyball Association in the presence of Association Head Amer Ali, Abu Dhabi Ship Building Chairman Homaid Al Shemmari, and prominent local sports figures.

Under the terms of the agreement, Abu Dhabi Ship Building will assist the team in preparing for the Finland Open Beach Volleyball Championship as well as the Al Bassel International Beach Volleyball Championship to be held this month in Syria. It will also help the athletes prepare for the 9th Arabian Beach Volleyball Championship in Jordan; the 1st GCC Volleyball Games in Bahrain; the 13th GCC Beach Volleyball Championship taking place in the UAE coming November; and the 2nd Asian Beach Volleyball Tournament in Oman.

“Our sponsorship of the National Beach Volleyball Team forms part of our vision of supporting national efforts to habilitate the youth and hone local talents in various fields such as sports. We are eager to play a role in energizing local sports and enhancing the UAE’s standing in international athletics. This initiative also underlines our commitment to reinforcing the growth of the community’s various segments in a manner that spurs long-term national growth,” said Homaid Al Shemmari.

“We are proud to announce our official sponsorship of the UAE national beach Volleyball team; we are confident that these young talents will perform excellently in their upcoming events and uplift the name of the UAE in world sports. We will help this team realize its goal of setting new benchmarks in the sport and being on par with the best in the world,” he added.

Amer Ali said: “The UAE has many promising talents in beach volleyball and various other sports. Abu Dhabi Ship Building’s sponsorship of the local, regional and international matches of our team is an important step towards the sustained development of local players in a manner that aligns with the best sports practices and provides them with skills that enable them to compete with top international teams in the future. Through this partnership we look forward to achieving positive results in the competitions to be held within the next few months and carrying the country’s honour in the international playing fields.”

The National Beach Volleyball Team has actively participated in several local and international competitions, including the 2008 Beach Volleyball World Championship held in Dubai; the Asian Beach Games in Bali, Indonesia; and the Beach Volleyball Challenge in Shanghai, China under supervision of the International Volleyball Federation. At the regional level, the team competed at the 18th Arabian Championship held in Libya in 2009.

Abu Dhabi Ship Building is a Public Joint Stock Company that was established in 1996 to carry out the business of building, refitting, repairing and upgrading naval, trade and military ships. The company has the most advanced shipyard in the Arabian Gulf region. Its client base includes Navies, Coast Guards and other military, paramilitary and commercial vessel operators. Abu Dhabi Ship Building engages in various social, environmental and educational initiatives to support development in the UAE and throughout the region.  

CDA logo

Dubai, 16 August, 2010: The Dubai Early Childhood Development Centre (DECDC), one of the initiatives of the Community Development Authority in Dubai (CDA), organized numerous field trips for DECDC’s children and their families. This initiative reiterates CDA’s commitment to provide children with disabilities with a healthy social environment and encourage them to participate in a wide spectrum of social activities outlined by CDA.

“These educational and entertaining activities encompass recreational aspects with multiple positive effects on the lives of children with disabilities, including developing basic skills and identifying some crafts in a natural environment. The field trips are focused on merging education with entertainment but the priority remains on learning, communicating, and acquiring new skills” said Dr Bushra Al Mulla, Director of DECDC.

The children and their families visited a number of places including KidZania® in The Dubai Mall, an award-winning edutainment concept that provides the ultimate in role-playing experiences for children, and Magic Planet in Mall of the Emirates. The children also celebrated Hag El Laila, which is held on the 15th day of the Month of Sha’aban, marking the arrival of the Holy Month of Ramadan. The children toured some of the government departments and hospitals distributing sweets. The celebration was held to highlight the spirit of camaraderie that marks the ocassion, among young minds, and introduce them to the region’s rich cultural heritage.

The Dubai Early Childhood Development Center is a unique early intervention program, to provide state-of-the-art, comprehensive, family-focused, community-based, trans-disciplinary services to children (from birth to age six) with disability or children and their families who are at risk for developmental delays. DECDC was established after a long and extensive benchmarking exercise of best practice early intervention programs across the world in addition to literature review and research activities in the field of early intervention and disability.

By: Mamta Thakkar, UAE General Manager at Merle Norman

Mamta Thakkar

Ready to take a plunge in the pool or head to the beach and achieve that sun-kissed look? With the 40 degrees weather, it is time to seriously start thinking of taking extra precautions while basking in the sun.

The ultraviolet (UV) radiations from the sun have two effects on the skin: UVB cause burning, and UVA cause ageing.

Most supermarkets store sunscreens as it is known to be a must-have item for everyone, especially for this time of the year. But have you ever wondered what’s with the numbers and descriptions on the packages?

Sunscreens come with descriptions such as SPF - 15, 30, 45 etc. SPF, the abbreviation for Sun Protection Factor, is a measurement of the effectiveness of sunscreens. 

Normally, it takes about 20 minutes for a ‘light skinned individual’ to experience sun-burns if he or she is not wearing sunscreen protection.

At Merle Norman, we follow a simple equation to gauge the frequency of use of sunscreen. First, determine how long it would take you (in minutes) to burn without wearing sun protection, indicated by slight redness of the skin. Multiply the number by the SPF of the product, and divide it by 60 (minutes).

For instance, if you observe a sunburn sensation in 10 minutes and use SPF 30, multiply 10 by 30 = 300; divide by 60, which is 5; this corresponds to five hours; meaning, you have to apply the sunscreen every five hours.

Dermatologists recommend a teaspoon of sunscreen lotion for the face and approximately three tablespoons for the body. The more the sun protection applied, the better it is for your skin. Choose a sunscreen that provides protection against UVA and UVB rays. In case of excessive sweating or swimming, use products with water resistant formula and re-apply if you find the sunscreen wearing off.

The percentage of SPF content does not matter if applied based on the above equation. For example, by using a higher SPF sunscreen lotion or cream, you do not have to apply at more frequent intervals and a lower sunscreen product will need frequent re-applications.

While many people only associate sunscreen with a day out on the beach, it is to be remembered that even casual exposure to sun can be harmful to the skin. Remember! Effects of sun damage to the skin are irreversible and therefore prevention is the key! Sunscreen is thus an everyday use in the Gulf region, so slather on some even when going to the office!

Get Your Free 1 Day Trial At a Hayya! Health Club near you

This August take advantage of the exclusive summer offer at Hayya! Health Clubs. Sign up for a 3 month membership and get the 4th month FREE!

Hayya! health clubs offers fitness enthusiasts a range of facilities including a fully equipped gymnasium, personal training, tennis and squash courts, swimming pools, work out and dance classes as well as a range of activities for children. 

This offer applies to all four Hayya! Clubs located at The Lakes, Springs Town Centre, Meadows Village and The Old Town, Downtown Dubai. Limited memberships are available and terms & conditions apply.

For more information call 800 Hayya (42992), email info@hayya.com or visit www.hayya.com.

Date : Until August 31, 2010

Time : 6am – 10pm

Venue: Hayya! Health Clubs

Price  : Single: AED 1,345; Couple: AED 1,845; and Family: AED 2,345 for 3      months with 4th month membership free.
 
 

Reach Hayya! Participants

Dubai, UAE; August 7, 2010: Hayya!, Emaar Hospitality Group’s health and fitness brand, rewarded Sheena Kimatrai, the winner of the first Reach Hayya! weight-loss programme, with an annual membership to the Hayya! Health Club.

The 90-day Reach Hayya! contest had four participants who were offered a fitness regime to help them improve their health and lifestyle. They were chosen through a competition on radio where listeners were asked to provide the best reason as to why they need a rigorous fitness regime.

The exclusive programme featured a calorie-controlled meal plan offered by Live’ly, a concept designed to provide nutritional consultations and healthy food catering services. Personalised and professional fitness trainers at Hayya! helped the participants to gain stamina and strength while losing extra pounds.

Live’ly’s diet program followed a thorough nutritional evaluation and body analysis for all four participants and continuous guidance and support by licensed clinical dieticians. Accordingly a tailor made meal plan was formulated for every contestant and daily meals were prepared and delivered.

Mark Adrian Williamson, Senior Operations Manager of Hayya! said: “Hayya! believes in adding value to life and with this new programme we aim to motivate and inspire a number of people to work towards a healthier lifestyle. The Reach Hayya! programme has been scientifically packaged to ensure that even as participants lose weight they are continuously educated on how to maintain a healthy balance.”

During the competition, participants were free to work out at any of the Hayya! Health Clubs located in the city - at The Lakes, Town Centre, Meadows Village and The Old Town, Downtown Dubai. Participants were to visit Live’ly every two weeks for a body analysis test and a follow up session with their clinical dietician.

The exercise regimes at Hayya! included a 30 minute master class that involved body combat, body pump and body balance, circuit boot camp classes, yoga and aqua aerobics.

Membership to Hayya! Health Clubs allows access to all Hayya! facilities that are open from 6am to 10pm daily. Hayya! Clubs are family friendly and cater to all age groups. In addition to the above mentioned classes, members of the club can access aerobics and spinning studios, swimming and lap pools, children’s play areas, gymnasiums, squash and tennis courts, change room facilities, a restaurant, steam rooms and plunge pools. All facilities employ state-of-the-art equipment. For more information on Hayya! Health Clubs and to book your 1 Day Free Trial, call 800 Hayya (42992) or email info@hayya.com. Visit us at www.hayya.com. For more information on Live’ly, please visit www.lively.ae

Hanan Anwar, Medical Director, Pfizer Nutrition

More than 120 Pediatric Nurses from the Gulf region attend “Trusted Golden Care Forum”, hosted by Pfizer Nutrition Gulf, discussing the latest updates in the care of infants and young children

Dubai, 04th August, 2010: More than 120 Pediatric Nurses gathered together in Dubai, attending the “Trusted Golden Care Forum” organized by Pfizer Nutrition, one of the world’s leading child nutrition companies. The forum is the first of its kind in the region for nurses. Nurses, often the unsung heroes, play a pivotal role in the health and well-being of our young and loved ones.

A total of four experts from the region presented the latest updates in the field of care and nutrition of infants and young children. Topics such as neonatal resuscitation, establishing breastfeeding, appropriate growth measures, and infants with special nutrition needs, were discussed.

Dr. Junaid Khan, CME Consultant, Neonatologist / Pediatrician, Chief of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Al Rahba Hospital, Abu Dhabi, UAE, commented: “Neonatal resuscitation skills are essential for all healthcare providers who are involved in the delivery of newborns.” Around ten per cent of all deliveries require special intervention by a skilled individual or team. Dr Khan’s lecture presented the very important role nurses play and the critical steps required to help newborn babies adapt and survive.

One of the important topics Pfizer Nutrition is keen to support is breastfeeding. The forum was hosted by Dr. Khaled El Atawi, Specialist Senior Registrar, Special Baby Care Unit, Al Wasl Hospital, Dubai, UAE. He said: “Breastfeeding is the ideal source of nutrition for infants and we all play important role in supporting and establishing breastfeeding.” His lecture highlighted the benefits of breastfeeding and its common pitfalls in addition to how to manage effective breastfeeding.

Once the baby is born and hopefully breastfed, it is essential to monitor the growth and well-being of the child. “Assessment of growth is an essential part of a child’s wellbeing. Measurement of weight, height, and head circumference as well as other specific measures help us assessing a child’s nutritional status,” said Dr. Tamer Adham, Consultant Pediatrician, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Ain Shamas University, Cairo and Head of Pediatric Department, Al Noor Hospital, Abu Dhabi. His lecture discussed the importance of growth assessment, the special growth charts available to the medical profession and how to use them. Nursing staff, again, play a critical role during these assessments.

“Infants may look the same, but they vary in their nutrition needs,” commented Dr. Hanan Anwar, Medical Director, Pfizer Nutrition Gulf and Distributor markets. In her lecture, Dr. Anwar outlined the recommended courses of management for infants with special nutrition needs, such as prematurely born babies, cow’s milk allergy, diarrhea and spitting up. “Breast feeding continues to be optimal source of nutrition for infants. In case breastfeeding is not an option, formula-fed infants with special nutritional needs should be identified and managed in order to support their growth and development,” she added.

“The successful program reflects our strong belief in the crucial role nurses are playing side by side with doctors in providing the best possible care for mothers and infants,” concluded Dr. Hamdy Fayek, General Manager, Pfizer Nutrition Gulf.

ICDL GCC Foundation calls for increased CSR awareness among corporate citizens in support of public digital literacy

July 31, 2010

ICDL GCC Foundation, the governing body and the certification authority of the International Computer Driving License program in GCC and Iraq, called on more participation from the private and semi-government businesses to support further digital awareness among all sectors of society through their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs. Everyone is ultimately a stakeholder from a digitally literate society, as it will facilitate to consumers the reach to more products and services available online, and extends to governments and businesses increased online transactions at significant operational cost savings.

The Foundation is involved in many projects that reflect its mission of further developing a digital society; among these projects is the recently launched ICDL summer camp 2010 with the support of the governments, universities, and a few from the private sector. This program has helped more than 10,000 youngsters from across the Gulf region to become IT skilled and it is considered an initial step to create a safe and efficient IT literate youth.

Corporate citizens and governments are equally accountable to their local communities. CSR benefits do not only fall into the community and the environment. There are also huge benefits to corporate citizens such as better financial performance, reduced operating costs, an enhanced image and reputation, increase in sales and customer loyalty, greater ability to attract and retain employees, as well as product safety and decreased liability. It is important for corporate citizens to focus their CSR efforts towards their areas of expertise which they can genuinely add value and at the same time allow their business to reap the rewards in the long run. This is critical for the sustainability of any CSR effort as it will guarantee a long-term commitment that will allow the projects to come to fruition and really benefit the community they target.

Jamil Ezzo, Director General of the ICDL GCC Foundation, said: “The biggest challenge facing the implementation of CSR initiatives in the UAE and throughout the region is that most corporate citizens do not recognise the importance of their active participation in their local community. There is thus no real willingness to engage in a long-term strategic partnership with the government to promote IT awareness in society. On the other hand, governments should set incentives to encourage the private sector to engage in CSR and recognise the leading adopters of this field.”

ICDL GCC Foundation intends to launch large-scale campaigns aimed at encouraging IT companies and telecommunications providers to reduce their service costs. The campaigns will be undertaken in response to the positive reception of nationals and expatriates to the e-services and advanced technologies being adopted by government departments and private establishments; including E-banking, E-booking, E-government, E-trade, E-learning, and online job hunting. Another initiative the foundation is pursuing in cooperation with the various parties including; local e-governments and other benefitting industries involves the “e-Citizen” Program, which is an initiative aimed at preparing the public on the use of online services in their daily activities. This initiative will target thousands of citizens from different social groups