Dr. Shahzadi Saba, specialist in family medicine Golden Sands Medical Centre in Abu Dhabi, which is managed by NMC, recalls how she had her ups and downs in Saudi Arabia during her first overseas post years ago.
“When I started my professional life there were a lot of challenges – first was the language barrier and the difference in the culture. Even the nature of the diseases were different from my country,” said Dr. Shahzadi, who was born and raised in Pakistan.
“But with the passage of time, when I finally learned about the language and the culture, things started to be easy,” she added.
In a way, Dr. Shahzadi, her experiences in Saudi Arabia prepared her for her next task: work in the United Arab Emirates – a multi-ethnic expatriate country, where there are even more cultures to understand, not to mention language issues.
Having been focused on her job, Dr. Shahzadi wish that NMC expands Golden Sands Medical Centre’s operation to start academic courses for the youth.
“One of my calling is teaching to motivate the young ones,” she said.
Speaking of the youth, here is her advice: “I think what is lacking among the youth is planning. Without planning you cannot succeed. There is no shortcut to success. Plan realistically. There is no shortcut to success.
“Do it step by step. You cannot conquer a mountain in a day.”
“Well, I would say that in my career, I have been a bit lucky to have people who recognize my hard work. I started my career in UAE, 14 years back, as operator …connecting calls. That was during my first seven months. Then, I was recognized by a manager and I was moved to the reception. Then, I became in charge of the night operation of a five-star property,” says Elias Shayia, general manager of Novel Hotel City Centre in Abu Dhabi.
“In March 2010. Just like almost 11 years back, I started working as a sales executive and was moved to being sales manager within a year and half, then assistant director of sales within a year, then director again.
“Luckily by 2017, I was recognized by the same company, which is under the National Corporation for Tourism and Hotels (NCTH) umbrella. I was recognized by the head office to be a resident manager doing the role of the general manager,” Elias added.
To what does he owe his success?
“As long as youre patient. You love what you’re doing. You will have success. Don’t miss the chances. Give your best on a daily basis. Don’t give up. Learn from your downs and ups. This is the main requirements of any success anywhere, I think.
“But in our career, because our product is not physical, we offer only service. Service is about feelings. We need to get the guests feeling happy, feeling that he is really being treated well.
“And it’s about making a good impression and listening to the guests – we don’t call them customers. They are our guests,” Elias said.
During his free time, which happens rarely, Elias said he spends moments with his two-year-old daughter playing football or the sea.
“For the past one year and half, I was just staying here in the hotel. This work occupies, I would say, the majority of my free time. I’m a fan of football’ I watch a lot of football, so I follow football teams. Aside from that, weekends… I’m a water lover so I spend some time on the water, the beach, or whatever type of water activities, and in my free time, I go back here to check how things are moving,” Elias said.
Air quality is an elephant in the room – especially in the Middle East, where old or unclean air conditioning systems can give rise to a host of health issues, say Chris Leighton and Thomas Day, both from the UK, and co-founders of AirZones, which sort out indoor air quality in the region, with a simple, cost-effective solution, now available to all.
“Working in the property and real estate business, we were frustrated by how slowly the industry was adopting the new technology and solutions that are coming to market and making a real difference to air quality yet are commonly ignored,” recalls Chris.
“It wasn’t until we were discussing where to meet for an evening meal with our children, though, that the solution dawned. Understanding the importance of clean air, we had no idea where to book a table; which restaurants were healthy and which weren’t. We can see through the customer satisfaction rating, price, the menu and pictures of the place, but nothing about the health, cleanliness or air quality, yet we knew, if we could, it would significantly influence our buying decision.
“We founded AirZones to tie these two together. If we can significantly influence customers’ buying behavior, with a simple star rating for indoor air quality, then we drive traffic and spend. This in turn motivates the market to adjust and commercial premises are motivated and driven to invest in the clean air technology… Ultimately, we unlock the market. We don’t sell the tech, we don’t sell the solutions, we drive the market and the spend, which in turn allows the money to be invested and for everyone to start breathing cleaner, healthier air.
“As for how far we’ve gone, we’ve signed partnerships across all the main verticals now, from hotels, to restaurants, café to schools and gyms. Now we start to scale across these, driving customer interest and bringing healthier air to all – this is where it gets exciting as we start to impact the lives of many, many people,” Chris said.
Both the United Nations (UN) and the World Health Organization (WHO) regard air pollution as the greatest environmental threat to humanity, citing it as being responsible for over seven million deaths a year.
“Think for a minute about how careful you are about what you drink, you would never drink ‘dirty’ water. Yet, the air we breathe, some 11,000 litres a day (that’s roughly 10,997 litres more than the volume of water we drink each day), is circulated through every major organ in our body within seconds of passing our lips – and we mostly ignore it!” said Chris.
It’s the invisible pollutants in the air that are responsible for far more than lung disease, with the latest research showing head-to-toe harm, including heart disease, diabetes, dementia, liver problems, bladder cancer and brittle bones, he further said.
“Fertility, the development of fetuses, miscarriages as well as children’s brain development have all been shown to be affected by common airborne pollutants – pollutants found every day in homes, restaurants, hotels, offices… in fact, everywhere we live, work and play in our built environment.
“Arguably, there’s no greater mission that can have a bigger impact on not only our own health today, but also for the health of our children,” Chris said.
Chris and Tom went to primary school together. “So we learned to read together, now we’re aiming to save the world together,” said Chris.
After school, Tom earned a bachelor of science in estate surveying, while Chris studied mechanical engineering. Both ended up doing MBAs later in life.
Sharing their life’s journey, Chris said: “Growing up in the north of the UK, we were always outside, summer was biking and running, winter was rugby – and strangely this inspires us even today. The air quality we took for granted should be what we all breathe, the smells from nature, not the artificial chemical smells we get from a can.
“After university we both travelled then started on the corporate ladder, working in the real estate and construction sectors. It wasn’t until I became a dad that the world shifted, from being head-down and driven by the next opportunity, I became far more concerned with the future of our planet and what we are all doing to it.”
“We only launched AirZones in Dubai this year, so the plan for the rest of 2021 and 2022 is to expand across the UAE and truly make a difference to the air quality that we all breathe.
“We believe we have created a business and a tool that is truly making a difference to indoor air quality across Dubai, so why not make it available for everyone? We’re on a mission to saves lives by making clean, safe and healthy indoor air a reality for everyone, everywhere,” Chris said.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates: Offering a sensorial escape and reimagined tranquillity, The St. Regis Dubai, The Palm officially introduces its esteemed Iridium Spa.
Paying homage to the world of spectacle and glamor at the vibrant Iridium room at The St. Regis New York, Iridium Spa offers a singular sanctuary for the extraordinary designed for indulgence and defined by joie de vivre.
Home to the second Iridium Spa in the Emirates, The St. Regis Dubai, The Palm’s signature spa boasts six treatment suites and respective ladies’ and gentlemen’s relaxation areas, along with spa facilities including, a sauna, and steam room. From lush surrounds to precious ingredients prized for their healing benefits, every aspect of the spa sanctuary is custom created to captivate the heightened senses and committed to delivering pure decadence.
The spa menu features an exceptional range of treatment options, complete with specialized experiences that incorporate its core partnerships with leading wellness brands, AMRA Skincare and Sothys.
AMRA is an exclusive, sustainable luxury skincare brand offering scientifically proven wellness solutions and cutting-edge formulations. With innovation at its core, each treatment is designed specifically for modern-world skincare concerns and leverages the power of scents and aromas. Sothys is a research driven brand that combines impeccable technology with an outstanding experience for the senses. This year, the brand celebrates its 75th anniversary, representing decades of delivering French excellence and pristine wellness to the luxury spa industry.
With treatments designed to target the mind, body and soul, the distinct spa menu is split into five sections along with an array of enhancements and finishing touches: Caroline’s Collection, paying homage to the matriarch’s passion for innovation, refinement and vibrancy, Massage, offering curated and bespoke experiences with a choice of three sensory escapes, Body, marrying classic body treatments with elegant innovation, Face, offering high performance, high precision, clinically proven facial treatments suitable for both men and women alike, and Men, a collection of perfectly balanced treatments devised to focus on relaxation, luxury and tension release.
Experience a rare retreat at Iridium Spa with its signature treatments including Serenity, Sound Therapy, and The 400. Using AMRA Iridium Hot Stones and The St. Regis Signature Body Oil, the Serenity treatment is intended to ignite the senses and instil a deep sense of relaxation by hydrating the skin and nourishing both mind and body. From Caroline’s Collection, Sound Therapy is a 60-minute energy balancing treatment which uses Tibetan Singing Bowls to enhance energy fields through the resonating sounds and vibrations. The treatment aims to stimulate positive energy flow whilst spreading harmony throughout the entire body.
Inspired by the gilded age of New York High Society and performed with Sothys products, The 400 is a 150-minute face and body experience which elegantly and stylishly combines the rarest ingredients for a sensorial escape. The treatment features a body reviving granita scrub followed closely by an aromatic full body massage and finished with a triple active facial for youth, plumping and radiance.
To deliver a wholesome experience, each guest is welcomed with a cleansing beverage prior to their service and treated to a foot bath to ground the body and invite deeper relaxation. Each ritual ends with a full-body stretch, allowing guests to feel revived and refreshed. Iridium Spa at The St. Regis Dubai, The Palm is located on Podium 2 and open daily from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm for treatments and access to spa facilities.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Asador de Aranda, a world-renowned restaurant, celebrates its first successful year of sharing the most delectable and authentic Spanish cuisine with the UAE.
Asador de Aranda, or for non-Spanish savvy readers the Rotisserie of Aranda, combines traditional and modern Spanish gastronomy, serving a variety of roasted dishes to the likes of both meat fans and vegetarians. It is a family-run business established in 1983, gaining a superior reputation for its traditional cooking methods, some dating back to 4000BC, which maintains the essence of true Spanish cuisine.
The brand has spanned Spain’s most unique destinations from Seville to Barcelona, and Dubai marks the beginning of its international voyage and its 18th branch worldwide. Its unique location at the Address Downtown and captivating ambience have grabbed the attention of some of the world’s most prominent figures, such as Ragheb Alama and Daisy Ridley.
Asador de Aranda’s culinary team is headed by Executive Chef Antonio Santos who has run several Michelin-starred restaurants and has worked alongside the likes of Heston Blumenthal and Gordon Ramsay guaranteeing unmatched quality, the finest food Spain has to offer.
“We are very pleased with how the guests welcomed Asador de Aranda restaurant. The year 2020 was crucial for our opening because the pandemic has shaken the industry, but we have been very successful. Since day one, we have witnessed a steady flow of guests coming to our restaurant. We expect the numbers to increase as Dubai and the rest of the world open its doors to more visitors,” says Chef Santos.
Speaking to the uniqueness of Asador de Aranda, General Manager Patrizia Castoldi, who has worked with the brand for 23 years said “we are proud to say that our cooking style has remained the same for time immemorial. We offer authentic gastronomic pleasure”.
“I have learned that in life, things are not always easy, but there is always a better version of me at the end of any challenging journey,” says Stephanie-Alexandra Chartier, head of Central Marketing at Wafi Group.
“I had always felt like I wanted to be an expat. I cannot say that I always knew it was going to be in Dubai. But I can say for certain that I always loved the notion of discovery, adventure, meeting new people, and being challenged by new ideas and cultures,” Stephanie-Alexandra, born and raised in Montréal, Canada, said.
She says she lives a simple philosophy in life: “Treat everyone with kindness and equality. Forgive. Never stop learning. Take that risk and be bold. Smile.”
“After graduating from Concordia University with a degree in International Business, I was hired by three young real estate entrepreneurs with an incredible vision. They worked with purpose and passion, that inspired me to do the same. I worked hard and learned a lot.
“My career progressed and I am proud to have had the opportunity to lead the marketing for many iconic projects in Montréal and across Canada. Working for real estate giant Ivanhoe Cambridge, I honed by skills in the shopping mall industry, winning 10 marketing and innovation awards along the way. It was then when I decided that I wanted to realize my dream of becoming an expat! And what better place to apply my skills and challenge myself in the field of real estate than Dubai?
“Over the last seven years I have had the opportunity to work on some incredible projects and alongside some wonderful people, changing the landscape of UAE with new developments, and through innovation, reimagining the future of shopping centers and retail. I am proud to have worked on Reem Mall in Abu Dhabi where I spent four years as marketing director for the project under development, and now for the iconic Wafi Group,” Stephanie-Alexandra shares.
Currently, Stephanie-Alexandra said she is focused on Wafi’s trajectory. And this involves the much talked-about Wonderlab.
“Wonderlab is a new and improved version of an activation that had been deployed in 2019. It had been quite successful, and we wanted to bring it back bigger and better! It is a great opportunity for children to learn about science while having a great time. There are plenty of prizes to be won and the grand prize is a trip for 4 to the London Science Museum,” she said.
Wafi City has recently added many new elements to its offering including: the stunning Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk which offers unparalleled hospitality and fine dining, and the first of its kind VOX Cinemas and Magic Planet combination, where The Spotlight at Wafi City offers a truly unmatched VIP cinema experience complete with a dedicated valet car park and stunning design.
To launch in the new year, AYA will be the first of its kind in the world. In short it is an immersive, projection-mapped space, with mirrored walls, where visitors use their gestures or their voice in some cases to alter the visual systems around them and generate digital creatures. The 40,000 sq. ft. sensory experience will entertain children, teens and adults alike.
All said, Stephanie-Alexandra said she is also “ very keen to visit Montréal to see family and friends I have not seen in over two years.”
“I am also eager to start traveling again. I am very passionate about travel, and I can’t wait to continue checking destinations off my list!” she said.
Sublimotion opened to instant renown in Ibiza in 2014 and has been at the top of the world’s culinary rankings ever since. The experience is the brainchild of Paco Roncero, chef and owner of two-Michelin-starred Paco Roncero Restaurante in Madrid, and creative director Eduardo Gonzales, of Vega Factory.
This unique haute-cuisine experience features 10 whimsical courses that transform with every scene, prepared with the finest ingredients and paired with incomparable performances. The theatrical show includes 360-degree screens with imagery projected onto every surface, from the walls to the table, turning the dining room into a stage, the team into actors and just 12 lucky diners into stars.
Guests can enjoy this one-of-kind experience at AED 5,000 per seat or combine it with everything else the luxurious beachfront resort has to offer by booking the Ultimate Sublimotion Experience suite package, priced from AED 19,000 per night, including:
Two seats at Sublimotion
Round-trip airport transfers in a Tesla Model X
Stay in an enchanting suite with stunning sea or skyline views
Delightful welcome treats by Chef Paco Roncero
Daily breakfast served in the chic setting of The Bay or in-suite
Daily access to the resort’s sophisticated Club Lounge
60-minute Oriental Essence spa treatment for two
Located in one of Dubai’s most prestigious neighbourhoods, the resort’s elegant rooms and suites offer an abundance of space, combining contemporary décor with staggering views of the Arabian Gulf and Dubai’s glittering skyline. Home to six renowned restaurants and bars including two signature restaurants, a destination spa spread over 2,000 square metres, a state-of-the-art fitness centre and a kids’ club, Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai is the region’s leading luxury hotel. Its unrivalled location with easy access to both Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport means that Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai is ideal for both business and leisure travellers. It also holds the status of being the closest beachfront resort to both Downtown Dubai and the financial and business districts.
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group is the award-winning owner and operator of some of the world’s most luxurious hotels, resorts and residences. Having grown from its Asian roots into a global brand, the Group now operates 35 hotels and seven residences in 24 countries and territories, with each property reflecting the Group’s oriental heritage and unique sense of place. Mandarin Oriental has a strong pipeline of hotels and residences under development, and is a member of the Jardine Matheson Group
Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Autumn is fashion’s time to shine, and Marks & Spencer is introducing timeless wearable styles and a seasonal color palette with optimistic pops of color at amazing value exclusively for the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
In their ongoing commitment to provide customers with the best products and value, Marks and Spencer are proud to unveil new lower prices across menswear and womenswear autumn fashion. Fashion gurus can rejoice and take advantage of the special promotion to upgrade their autumn wardrobe or get a head start on their gift lists. This season, Marks & Spencer guarantees the best quality shoppers could ask for, at the best price points.
With the changing of the season, comes casual bottoms paired with the wide range of knitwear and loungewear. Autumn presents a fresh perspective on denim, with lighter washes and relaxed shapes across Marks & Spencer’s best loved denim pieces at better prices. Show off some flair with breathable cotton-rich jeans designed with added stretch for comfort.
From beautiful tones and relaxed tailoring, the latest denim fits from Marks & Spencer will have everything a fashionista needs to elevate their autumn wardrobe. The ultimate denim destination welcomes a new range of styles and fits from vintage inspired washes, to lose and tapered fits. The collections versatile pieces provide easy everyday dressing ideal for effortless pairing with ribbed knits, cotton shirts and half-zip fleeces.
Marks & Spencer’s autumn collection features snuggly jumpers and cardigans made from the highest quality textured woollen fabrics, finest Merino wool and soft cashmere to bring a luxurious feel to autumnal style. Autumn is not just for rich palettes, experiment with fall fashion and brighten up any closet with floral printed blouses and sustainably sourced, soft and relaxed fit hoodies for dressed-down days.
For stylish men, head into the office in style with polished looks to elevate any work environment, from smart casual chinos to classic cotton rich shirts for that modern silhouette.
For those colder evenings, choose lightweight feather and down-filled gilets, fleece linings and substantial men’s coats at topnotch quality featuring functional pocket detailing and quilting.
Embarking on sport this season? Marks & Spencer offers high-quality head-to-toe activewear staples from the Goodmove collection for men and women. From super-soft hoodie made with breathable cotton-rich fabric to Go Balance yoga leggings, shoppers can build a foolproof fall fitness wardrobe at jaw-dropping prices.
An Indian national struck rich and won the AED 1,000,000 second prize in the
44th weekly live Mahzooz draw, becoming Mahzooz’s 15th millionaire this year. The lucky winner matched five out of the six winning numbers, which were 9, 11, 21, 31, 32, 34.
Dubai resident Mir participated in Mahzooz at the last minute: “Five hours before the live draw, I felt the impulse to purchase a bottle of water and enter the draw. I couldn’t check the results as I was busy running errands,” says the 34-year-old sales manager.
“My wife, who is also an active participant, won AED 1,000 just two weeks ago! So, I thought I too could win, but never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I’d win a life-changing amount of a million dirhams,” says Mir.
Mir only came to know of his fortune the following morning: “I was at work when I received a call informing me that I’ve won a million dirhams, and thought I was being pranked by a radio station or something. When I realized that the call was genuine, I tried to talk, but my mouth couldn’t form the words.”
Mir moved to Dubai from his hometown of Hyderabad 12 years ago to pursue his higher education. But he decided to drop out when he found a lucrative job.
“Last year, I decided to resume my higher studies and take my professional skills to the next level. So, I went back to university. Now, thanks to Mahzooz, I have more than enough money, not only to pursue my master’s but also fulfil all my dreams in life!”
His conviction in the advantages of a good education is why Mir plans to use his winnings to sponsor the education of some underprivileged students in India after earmarking a portion for savings.
Mahzooz’s humanitarian aspect encouraged Mir and his wife to participate regularly in the draw: “The fact that Mahzooz channels the bottles of water we donate when participating in the draw to those in need makes it a meaningful experience because it allows me to help others while standing a chance to make my dreams come true.”
The newly-made millionaire concludes with advice to others: “Keep participating. I’m a live example of someone who participated in the nick of time and won! Mahzooz proved to me that miracles can happen.”
Entrants can participate in Mahzooz by registering via www.Mahzooz.ae and purchasing a bottle of water for AED 35. The next weekly live draw will be held on Saturday 2 October 2021 at 9:00pm UAE time. Mahzooz is inclusive to all who are eligible.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates: The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced bike sharing modes by Careem, which provides a quick and sustainable ride solution at Expo 2020.
Up to 230 pedal-assist bicycles and 23 stations were provided by Careem to enable visitors and staff to reserve and use bicycles to tour the exhibition facilities easily through the Careem BIKE app.
Ahmed Bahrozyan, CEO, Public Transport, RTA, said, “With ‘People Happiness and Safety and Environmental Sustainability’ being part of our strategic objectives, bike sharing is a great way of getting around inside Expo venue. We also encourage visitors to reach the Expo using public transport modes like the Dubai Metro, Dubai buses and taxis as they are well integrated to ease mobility.”
Careem CEO and Co-Founder Mudassir Sheikha said: “Careem is proud to actively participate in supporting Expo 2020 for more effortless mobility. We have a mission to simplify and improve people’s lives which includes offering a zero-wait time service, offering a frictionless experience. With this in mind, we are pleased to have the opportunity to bring local communities and tourists closer to this momentous occasion.”
The integration of various modes of transportation, from public transportation and Metro to access the Expo site from outside, and individual means of transportation represented by shared bicycles (Careem Bike) within the Expo 2020 site and the use of innovative technologies, will contribute to promoting the implementation of first and last mile strategies, facilitating access to the exhibition and moving between various venues. The proposed mobility system will also enable visitors to manage their time more efficiently, make their visit worthwhile and their experience an unforgettable event.
