ENOC Group’s YES Rewards programme has partnered with GEMS Rewards, the loyalty platform of GEMS Education, to allow members to exchange points across both networks.
The initiative, powered by Loyyal’s Xpand Point platform, will enable customers to redeem points for fuel, retail, and lifestyle offers through YES Rewards, as well as discounts, deals, and contributions towards school fees via GEMS Rewards.
Hussain Sultan Lootah, acting group CEO of ENOC, said: “We are pleased to establish this partnership with GEMS Education, which reflects our group’s commitment to leading efforts that generate substantial and widespread positive impact on our nation. Through this collaboration, we aim to contribute to the development of a skilled and empowered generation, which is vital for the sustainable progress and future prosperity of our country.”
GEMS Rewards serves more than 300,000 members, including parents, staff and friends of the GEMS Education community, offering discounts, lifestyle offers and tuition fee redemption.
GEMS Rewards joining forces with YES Rewards unlocks benefits
Dino Varkey, group chief executive of GEMS Education, said: “We are delighted to partner with YES Rewards, one of the UAE’s most trusted and recognised loyalty programmes.
“This collaboration gives our families even more value in their everyday lives – including every litre bought at the ENOC filling station – and underlines our commitment to benefiting them in ever-increasing ways.”
Ashish Kumar Singh, CEO of Loyyal, added: “With GEMS Rewards joining forces with YES Rewards, we are excited to create a dynamic loyalty ecosystem that allows members to maximise their rewards through effortless point exchanges, all powered by Loyyal’s innovative technology.”
The partnership comes ahead of the new school year and highlights a joint effort to extend customer benefits from petrol stations to education networks.
Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) and Amazon UAE have launched a new programme under the emirate’s “Sandbox Dubai” initiative that will allow individuals to deliver Amazon packages on foot, creating opportunities within the gig economy.
The pilot, part of Sandbox Dubai’s gig economy sector, was approved by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai and Chairman of DFF’s board of trustees.
The initiative aims to shape regulations for new economic models while offering flexible income opportunities for individuals and small businesses.
Dubai Future Foundation said the programme could reduce reliance on delivery vehicles in densely populated areas, helping to cut traffic congestion and carbon emissions in line with the emirate’s sustainability goals.
Amazon, DFF pilot to boost gig economy and entrepreneurship
Ronaldo Mouchawar, vice president of Amazon Middle East, Africa, and Turkey, said the company would use its “global expertise, scale, and technology to create new possibilities that boost the gig economy and entrepreneurship, as well as promote economic growth through greater flexibility for individuals and businesses.”
Khalfan Belhoul, chief executive of DFF, said the collaboration with Amazon supports the emirate’s efforts to “develop the legislative environment supporting innovation” and strengthen Dubai’s competitiveness.
Sandbox Dubai is part of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), which seeks to double the emirate’s economy over the next decade and position it among the world’s top three global cities.
The power of voice in the OR: Bridging high tech, human realities
Leveraging voice assistants that are tailored explicitly for the OT empowers regional clinicians to overcome both technical and workflow-specific hurdles
There is a surgical data dilemma in today’s operating theatres (OTs) that embodies striking contrasts: cutting-edge robotic arms share space with hastily recorded notes on blood-stained paper, while computer terminals distract caregivers with a daunting array of data fields.
Despite advancements in technology, even top Middle East hospitals lack reliable data on what happens inside the OR.
Understanding what separates excellent surgical outcomes from poor ones, or operations that run like clockwork from the chronically inefficient ones, often remains elusive.
A systematic review of 91 studies found significant inconsistency in how OTs collect data, reinforcing the need for more structured, trustworthy, and real-time data practices in surgical environments.
Surgery often operates at extremes, with outcomes ranging from miraculous to catastrophic. When successful, surgical teams are heroes. And when surgeries are conducted with operational efficiency, everyone wins: more patients are treated, patients benefit from reduced risks of infection, and hospitals earn more revenue at greater margins.
In the UAE, healthcare quality and efficiency are quickly advancing under digital health agendas of the DOH (Abu Dhabi) and DHA (Dubai). As the country invests in advanced surgical technologies and smart hospital infrastructure, the ability to capture clean, real-time data in the OT is essential to ensuring those innovations and best practices lead to a measurable impact.
So, how can hospitals optimise notoriously data-poor, high-complexity processes where patient lives and hospital economics alike are on the line?
What’s needed are technologies that not only improve data capture but also meet clinicians where they are in their workflows.
Tools that bend to them as human professionals, freeing their attention to focus on care and collaboration, instead of driving documentation burnout and job dissatisfaction.
The promise and peril of voice technology
Even within the generally risk-averse healthcare industry, it’s especially challenging to introduce new technologies to surgical environments.
Maintaining sterility amidst constant movement and unpredictability, along with the time pressure of cases and high-stakes decisions, all contribute to an environment where less can be more and technology must get out of the way.
Voice technology faces similarly stark extremes of outcomes, though typically, with lower stakes. When voice systems fail to understand, users quickly abandon them. But when voice technology succeeds, seamlessly and reliably, it feels magical.
Incidentally, the chaotic but delicate nature of the OT environment is a uniquely strong fit for voice technology’s ability to aid users who must stay hands-free, juggle multiple tasks at any given time, and need to input or access data in an instant without fumbling with a keyboard and mouse.
When a voice assistant can seamlessly capture commands like “record tourniquet inflation at 09:37”, or “set a 60-minute reminder for the next antibiotic dose”, clinicians experience effortless integration into their workflow. But delivering on this promise brings with it both technical and design challenges.
Documentation: From distraction to flow
Surgical teams are frequently burdened by essential yet distracting tasks.
Constantly shifting attention from patients to interdepartmental phone calls, pen-and-paper documentation, and cumbersome electronic medical record (EMR) interfaces disrupts efficiency and can compromise patient safety, illustrating an irony of modern surgery: extraordinary technologies support complex clinical interventions, yet fundamental workflow challenges stubbornly persist.
With voice-enabled systems in the OT, clinicians can document and coordinate hands-free, allowing them to stay focused on patient care.
As surgery progresses, key updates can be automatically shared with perioperative teams and departments that often face delays, like the post anesthesia care unit (PACU).
For example, if a case is running longer than expected due to a complication, the system can trigger an alert to the OT manager that “OT4 is running 30 minutes behind scheduled Wheels Out time”, helping teams respond in real time to avoid bottlenecks.
Voice also enables the capture of more specific, real-time clinical details – essential for fueling continuous improvement initiatives and ensuring accurate billing. When clinicians document unexpected intraoperative events by simply saying “record unplanned laparoscopic-to-open conversion at 10:45”, hospitals significantly reduce reimbursement disputes. When documentation is as easy as talking while repositioning a patient, this revenue gap closes quickly.
Image: Supplied
Easing mental load and elevating safety
Even the simplest voice assistant features, like setting a timer or reminder, become surprisingly valuable in a clinical context. Saying, “remind me to check on specimen pickup in 20 minutes”, or “remind me to check blood products at 11:15″, helps reduce cognitive load and minimise avoidable errors. Adoption isn’t just driven by convenience, but by a belief in its clinical value. Roughly 69 per cent of doctors want more workflow-embedded AI tools like this.
The potential of voice technology extends beyond efficiency. By reducing direct device interactions and surface touches, it significantly decreases contamination risks, potentially lowering the incidence of surgical site infections (SSIs).
Voice technology complements other OT AI systems, such as video and ambient audio tools, which rely on passive inference – extracting meaning from raw recordings without human input. Voice, by contrast, is explicit. A system might detect “a syringe was used,” but only a clinician saying, “document 1 mg epinephrine push due to sudden hypotension”, captures the why.
Voice preserves intent, and by extension, clinical judgment.
Ultimately, voice technology represents far more than streamlined documentation; it embodies clearer communication, precise clinical records, reduced cognitive burden, and enhanced patient safety.
While voice has already transformed millions of doctor offices globally, bringing it into the OT demands solving for noise, diverse accents, and real-time decision-making. But recent breakthroughs in speech recognition and AI now make it possible to capture structured, actionable insights from voice, even in the most complex surgical environments.
Leveraging voice assistants that are tailored explicitly for the OT empowers regional clinicians to overcome both technical and workflow-specific hurdles. By combining advanced AI solutions with human-centered design, voice becomes more than a high-tech upgrade; it becomes a trusted, sterile-ready tool, an invisible teammate, and a natural extension of the surgical team.
This vision also aligns with the We the UAE 2031 initiative, which emphasises building an advanced, integrated healthcare system that upholds national values and ensures high levels of readiness. As regional hospitals continue leading with innovation, voice technology offers a clear path to unlock safer, more efficient, and higher-quality care – at scale, and on the front lines.
Eric Turkington is the chief product officer (CPO) at Rain Stella Technologies
Adham Ehab, head of products at Valu/Image: Supplied
TT
16
Valu, the MENA region’s universal financial technology platform, has launched the Shop’it marketplace within the Valu App, consolidating its online shopping experience under a single platform. The move replaces the standalone website and provides users with a premium, app-first journey to shop and earn cashback, reinforcing Valu’s focus on smarter, more rewarding, and more accessible shopping.
Through Shop’it, customers can browse and purchase a wide selection of products from local and international partners such as Amazon, 2B, Black Circles, Way Up Sports, B.Tech, and others — all directly through the Valu app. The unified experience eliminates the need to search across multiple websites, while still enabling customers to check out on partner platforms using any payment method and earn cashback on eligible transactions. Cashback is credited to the Valu Cashback Wallet and can be redeemed on future purchases.
Shop’it also features exclusive in-app discounts and offers that cannot be found elsewhere. Customers benefit from vendors’ existing deals across all payment methods, additional offers when choosing Valu as a payment option, and cashback rewards, positioning the app as a comprehensive destination for everyday shopping.
The new marketplace leverages data enablement to provide personalised recommendations and tailored offers, ensuring that users receive a relevant and engaging shopping experience every time they interact with the app.
“This relaunch represents a major leap forward in how we deliver value to our users,” said Adham Ehab, head of products at Valu. “By embedding Shop’IT within the Valu app, we are creating a unified, intuitive shopping ecosystem that enables users to discover, browse, and access exclusive offers in one place today, with a seamless end-to-end shopping journey coming in the next phase. Whether buying a new fashion item, upgrading tech, or shopping for everyday essentials, Shop’IT delivers a smarter, more personalised, and rewarding experience. This evolution enhances convenience while offering competitive prices, strengthening how our customers engage with Valu and fostering deeper loyalty.”
Valu said the launch is part of a broader strategy to expand its lifestyle and fintech ecosystem, with ongoing brand partnerships and feature enhancements designed to create a more intuitive and valuable shopping experience for today’s connected consumer.
The UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation has signed a strategic partnership with Q Mobility, a leading provider of smart and sustainable mobility solutions in Abu Dhabi. The agreement brings Q Mobility into the Federation’s roster of main partners, reinforcing shared goals of empowering Emirati youth, promoting jiu-jitsu as a tool for community development, and instilling positive values among future generations.
The signing ceremony took place at the Federation’s headquarters in Abu Dhabi, where H.E. Mohamed Salem Al Dhaheri, Vice Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, and Mohamed Hussein Karmastaji, CEO of Q Mobility, formalised the agreement. Also present were Dalal Ibrahim Al Raeesi, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Customer Experience at Q Mobility, alongside representatives from both organisations.
As part of the partnership, Q Mobility will provide strategic support to the Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship — one of the Federation’s flagship tournaments that attracts participants across multiple age groups. The collaboration is expected to boost attendance, increase participation, and strengthen the event’s role as a national platform for talent discovery and athlete development.
HE Mohamed Salem Al Dhaheri said, “This partnership reflects the commitment of our national institutions to investing in sports as a cornerstone for human development and the reinforcement of community values. Jiu-jitsu stands as one of the most effective tools for empowering youth in the UAE, offering a platform to discover talent, instil discipline, and build self-confidence. The Federation greatly values Q Mobility’s support for our vision, and we look forward to working closely together to strengthen the sport’s presence across local and international arenas.”
Mohamed Hussein Karmastaji, CEO of Q Mobility, added: “At Q Mobility, we believe that supporting national sports is a cornerstone of our corporate social responsibility. This is especially true for sports like jiu-jitsu, which embody core values of discipline, resilience, competitive spirit, and national pride.
“We highly value our partnership with the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation and are proud to be part of this prestigious championship. This sponsorship underscores our commitment to supporting the youth and fostering a culture of excellence and achievement. Through this initiative, we hope to help build a new generation of confident, ambitious, and capable leaders.”
Q Mobility, a subsidiary of ADQ, manages key mobility services in Abu Dhabi, including the “Darb” and “Mawaqif” systems. Its mission to deliver advanced, sustainable transport solutions aligns with the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation’s wider objectives of empowerment, well-being, and quality of life.
ATARA Development has signed an agreement with Marriott International to open The Residences at the Sheraton Al Marjan Island Resort, the GCC’s first Sheraton-branded residences. The development, located on Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah, marks ATARA’s entry into premium property development.
Co-located with the Sheraton Al Marjan Island Resort, the beachfront residences will comprise 141 units. The agreement was signed in the presence of dignitaries from Marjan and Marriott, including Arch. Abdulla Al Abdouli, CEO of Marjan, who joined ATARA’s leadership to mark the milestone.
“We are delighted to welcome ATARA Development and The Residences at Sheraton Al Marjan Island Resort to our vibrant community,” said Arch. Abdouli. “Located on the prime shores of Al Marjan Island, this project reflects the caliber of world-class developments we envision for our destination. By combining ATARA’s expertise in luxury residences with Sheraton’s legacy of hospitality excellence, it offers a distinctive proposition for both residents and investors — further strengthening Al Marjan Island’s position as the region’s premier coastal lifestyle hub. We look forward to seeing this landmark project come to life.”
The flagship development is a cornerstone of ATARA’s shift towards primary development, backed by a pipeline of more than one million square feet over the next two years. The company has previously delivered sold-out projects across prime Dubai locations including Pearl Jumeirah Island, La Mer South Island, and Dubai Islands.
“For ATARA, this flagship project marks a defining moment as we establish our identity in the UAE’s real estate market — one that goes far beyond bricks and mortar,” said Umid Bazarov, chief operating officer of ATARA Development. “It paves the way for a future built on prime, strategic locations and premium luxury, distinguishing us in a competitive landscape. More than just our first development, it represents a new chapter where we craft complete lifestyle ecosystems, not just homes. Our vision for The Residences at Sheraton Al Marjan Island reflects the aspirations of discerning clients and what they truly desire — a benchmark project that will deliver an experience they can look forward to with confidence.”
As one of only a limited number of Sheraton-branded residences worldwide, the development will offer modern architecture, elegant interiors, over 50 world-class amenities, and in-house hospitality services franchised by ATARA. The project is supported by ATARA’s in-house construction team, ensuring execution to the highest standards.
Sandeep Walia, chief operating officer, Middle East and Luxury, Europe, Middle East, and Africa, Marriott International, said: “The Residences at Sheraton Al Marjan Island Resort mark a strategic milestone in our global residential portfolio. As the first Sheraton residences in the GCC, this development will champion the brand’s rich history of service and legacy of fostering connections. We are delighted to collaborate with ATARA Development to bring this vision to life and deliver the Sheraton experience that reflects a sense of belonging, accomplishment, and fulfillment for the residents.”
The launch comes as Ras Al Khaimah strengthens its position as a hub for real estate and tourism. The emirate’s economy is forecast to grow by an average of 4 per cent annually between 2024 and 2027, with Al Marjan Island attracting major global players in hospitality and development.
