(Guest bloggers) Abu Dhabi Plan 2030: Education

This is a guest blogger post by one of the participating groups of students who looked at Abu Dhabi Plan 2030 and then developed a poster presentation of their chosen theme.

Done by: Mohamed Alkhoori – Zayed Aldhahri – Rashed Aldhohouri – Abdulla Alhashid

                                                         Khalifa Alshehhi

Introduction

The 2030 strategy/vision of Abu Dhabi reaches out to the different sectors from health, to finance, economics, urban planning, education and much more.  The purpose of this vision is to place Abu Dhabi as the leading city in internal development (education, urban planning etc.), and external development (foreign investments, import and export relationships).  This post will feature the educational goals of Abu Dhabi by 2030 and the leading institutes that will help Abu Dhabi attain that goal.

Zayed University

Zayed University Abu Dhabi campus

One of the first institutions that has grown exponentially over the last two decades was Zayed University.  Named after His Highness peace be upon him Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, this institute was initially founded to educate females in the UAE and now has male and female campuses.  

By 2030 Zayed University will become the leading university in the United Arab Emirates specialized in training the leaders of tomorrow in the fields of Business Sciences, International Affairs, IT and Media.  

Family Development Foundation

Women's Institute (open to visitors during the mornings)

It was established by Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak the Chairperson of the Foundation which replaced Abu Dhabi Women Advancement Association 

Some of the services that the program offers include:

1 - Awareness Health Program / Fitness Program 

2 - Women Empowerment 

3 - Family Education

Sorbonne University

Originally from Paris, France and established 760 years ago and opened in 2006 in Abu Dhabi

Was moved to Reem Island as part of the 2030 vision in 2009 – Reem Island is part of the 2030 vision from an economic tourism and it allowed the place to become more lively and has established an academic community.

Campus of the Sorbonne University on Reem Island, Abu Dhabi

Masdar Institute

Model of Masdar and the Masdar Institute

Focused on Sustainable and Renewable Energy – A key role in achieving the 2030 vision, to lessen the UAE’s dependence on fossil fuels and focus more on sustainable and renewable energy ie: solar energy, and geothermal.  The projects do not work individually but they are integrated to help other problems such as fresh water availability.

All the research created at Masdar Institute is a collaboration of intellectuals from global institutes such as NYU, MIT, and Sorbonne University to achieve a clean green environment able to support a growing nation which what the Abu Dhabi will achieve by 2030.

Government School

(ADEC) Abu Dhabi Educational Council

ADEC supports the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision through direct contributions to the Emirate’s social and human development and the creation of a sustainable, knowledge-based economy in Abu Dhabi.

(Guest bloggers) Abu Dhabi 2030 Plan: Connectivity and the Abu Dhabi Airport

This is a guest blogger post by one of the participating groups of students who looked at Abu Dhabi Plan 2030 and then developed a poster presentation of their chosen theme.

Connectivity means Abu Dhabi developing "hubs" of transportation networks to connect to the world...

By: Abdulla Al Reyami, Ahmed Al Tenaiji, Khalifa Al Rashedi, Mubarak Mahmoud

Introduction

Abu Dhabi International Airport is one of the vital player of the country’s economy, and a major player in Abu Dhabi 2030 vision. As of now, 2014, the airport has three terminals, each designated to serve different purposes. Abu Dhabi International Airport connects to 93 destinations around the globe.

Entering the airport

Terminal 1

This is terminal 1 of Abu Dhabi International Airport. It is the oldest building in Abu Dhabi International Airport, and it has gone through renovations to give it a more modern look. It acts as the main gate in and out of the emirate of Abu Dhabi for passengers.

Terminal 1 (use it to fly Star Alliance - editor)

Terminal 2

Terminal 2 is a very specialized facility; it serves the eastern, central and southern Asian demographic. It serves passengers.

Terminal 2 (I used this one to go to India - editor)

Terminal 3

Terminal 3 is a new addition to Abu Dhabi International Airport completed on 2009. Terminal 3 building increased the Airport’s overall annual passenger capacity by 5 million. The terminal is dedicated to Etihad Airways.

Business and First class entrance!

Abu Dhabi Aviation

Abu Dhabi Aviation is the largest commercial helicopter operator in the Middle East. The company provides its services to support of the Abu Dhabi offshore oil, engineering and construction industries. The company was created in 1976.

For helicopters... (never been here - editor)

Cargo Terminal

Abu Dhabi International Airport was named the “Best Cargo Airport 2010” at the 27th Annual Air Cargo News Awards in London. The terminal has many features that ensure the safety of the cargo such as:

• Over 36,000 square meters of cargo storage area
• 24/7 services
• Temperature-controlled storage rooms with a range of Temperatures.
• Special storage rooms for vulnerable cargo
• Perishable pharmaceuticals storage

Cargo terminal

Abu Dhabi Cargo Company (ADCC) manages the handling of world-class cargo facilities, provides import and export services, and develops comprehensive delivery processes for airlines, freight forwarders and other stakeholders. They are located at Abu Dhabi International and Al Ain International Airports.

ADCC is the chosen cargo partner for many customers, including Etihad Airways and their growing network of over 60 destinations worldwide. ADCC manages all the cargo related matters in Abu Dhabi International Airport.  The Cargo village is part of the ADCC.

Cargo Village

Control Towers

As the Airport is planning to expand, a new tower was needed to accommodate the expansion. This new tower was built in the middle of the new plan for the new Abu Dhabi Airports expanding projects.

Old tower

New tower

Diversified Activity - Diversified Economy

ADAC offers a wide range of aviation-related, commercial and training services to airlines, operators, and other businesses directly and through its diversified group of subsidiaries. With its mission to become the world’s leading airport company, ADAC invested in developing a comprehensive range of aviation-related services that support the aeronautical development of all its airports.

Expansion - Abu  Dhabi 2030

Developments underway also include setting up the needed infrastructure for ADAC’s Free Zones as well as the property development services offered at ADAC. Al Bateen Executive Airport, the region’s first dedicated business aviation airport, is also undergoing parallel development plans to establish itself as a hub for the fast growing business aviation industry in the region.

Abu Dhabi International Airport expansion plan is part of the major development of the Emirate’s aviation industry, Al Ain International Airport is also undergoing expansion plans to become home to an Aerospace Cluster, with joint collaboration between ADAC and Mubadala Aerospace, aimed to become an internationally recognized center of excellence for aviation technology and innovation in the region. 

(Guest bloggers) Abu Dhabi 2030 Plan: Sustainability

This is a guest blogger post by one of the participating groups of students who looked at Abu Dhabi Plan 2030 and then developed a poster presentation of their chosen theme.

By: Mohamed Khalifa, Zayed Al Mazrouie, Ahmed Siddique

The Abu Dhabi 2030 plan is a comprehensive plan for the future development of the city of Abu Dhabi. The plan has been created to deliver the vision of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of UAE and the ruler of the city of Abu Dhabi, to fulfill the grand plan that was first established by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan with the ongoing evolution of Abu Dhabi. The Abu Dhabi 2030 plan is a long term-strategy plan to achieve a safe and secure society and a dynamic open economy. Sustainability is a key aspect to achieve the Abu Dhabi 2030 plan. 

Sustainability

Culture: Qasr Al Hosn Festival

The Qasr Al-Hosn festival is Abu Dhabi’s historical and cultural celebration.  It takes place in a 250-year-old fort located in Abu Dhabi. The festival gives UAE community and visitors the opportunity to experience all parts of UAE culture and heritage through activities for the past centuries. The festival gives people an understanding of how life was at the beginning of development of the city of Abu Dhabi from all living aspect.  The Qas Al-Hosn festival is a part of the strategic plan of AD 2030 as it shows that even though the country has developed dramatically throughout the years, a sign of culture and heritage still exists in it. It will give the UAE community and visitors a chance to enrich UAE heritage and not exclude it due to the country’s development; thus leading to patriotism in the UAE community.

Man weaving traditional baskets at the festival
Photo credit: Muhammed Al-Maskari

Traditional crafts at the festival

Photo credit: Jassim Al-Nowais

Environment: Masdar City

Masdar City strives to be one of the most sustainable communities on the planet that has been initiated in 2006. The mission behind the existence of Masdar city is to conserve energy and find new ways to survive with green energy development. The city runs on a 22-hecatare field of over 87 thousand solar panels. Due to us ‘human beings’ destroying/overusing most of our planets resources, conservation is a brilliant idea at this time. The existence of Masdar City and its future development in the city of Abu Dhabi can help the UAE on the long term with conserving resources for future purposes. It also helps the Abu Dhabi in going green and helps with the future of the environment of the city.

Masdar, people and environmentally friendly

Society: Developing islands

The population in the UAE is greatly increasing thus leading to an increase in demand of housings. Abu Dhabi has reached its capacity in housings within the city itself; therefore, Abu Dhabi’s government has decided in a long-term plan of making use of islands to provide more households for its community. The Hodariyat Island is a new island located near Abu Dhabi and extends up to the end of the Al Khaleej Al Arab street. The entrance of the island is located near Al Bateen are where a bridge connects the island to Abu Dhabi itself. This island is planned to be an extension of the city of Abu Dhabi, providing the community with more land for business projects and households to who are in desire of it. Another developing island is known, as Al Reem Island is a project that was recently launched, which consists of businesses, apartments, a university, a child youth care center, and more. Al Reem Island also plays a role in the strategic plan, as it is another extension and investment to the Abu Dhabi 2030 plan. 

Future plans...

Economy: Investment in Education

Education is the key to success of any developing country and Abu Dhabi has taken that into as a major factor of the Abu Dhabi 2030 plan. The city of Abu Dhabi has a lot of government schools and a couple of government universities that educate its students within the finest academic facilities. The government schools education used to educate its students all the subjects in only Arabic, but for the recent couple of years, all subjects were given in English except main Arabic-taught subjects. This would help students develop their English language with the development of their formal Arabic language. Another investment in education is the Zayed University campus of Abu Dhabi, and the Higher College of Technology. Both these institutes provide students with high quality education through highly respected professors in the finest educational facilities. These educational facilities are well respected internationally and help educate the UAEs community and prepare them to invest in Abu Dhabi’s economy. Abu Dhabi’s investment in education has been one of the highest investments from all of its factors as it seeks to educate its community for a further economic and social development. Abu Dhabi 2030 plan would be easily achieved if the community took part in the development process.  

Zayed University campus Abu Dhabi

Photo credit: Mohamed Al-Khazraji