At just twenty-eight years old, Mohammad Al Shamsi is making waves in the world of robotics, establishing himself as a pioneer in the United Arab Emirates. His journey from a passionate inventor to a leading figure in robotics is a testament to his relentless drive to innovate and inspire the next generation of Emirati creators. Through his interactive workshops and ground-breaking work at RoboHiTec, Mohammad is not only shaping the future of robotics in the UAE but also showcasing the incredible potential of Emirati talent on the global stage.

Mohammad Al Shamsi’s interest in robotics began at a young age, fuelled by a fascination with how machines could be programmed to perform complex tasks. This early passion led him to immerse himself in the world of robotics, where he quickly realized the lack of resources and opportunities available for young enthusiasts in the UAE. Determined to fill this gap, Mohammad founded RoboHiTec, a cutting-edge robotics company dedicated to fostering innovation and creativity among Emirati youth. RoboHiTec offers a platform where aspiring inventors can explore their creativity through hands-on experience in robotics. The company’s interactive workshops are designed to nurture young minds, providing them with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in the rapidly evolving field of robotics. By offering these opportunities, Mohammad is empowering the next generation of Emirati innovators, equipping them with the tools to contribute to the UAE’s growing reputation as a hub for technological advancement.

Mohammad Al Shamsi is also an accomplished inventor, continuously developing new robotic designs that have the potential to impact lives on a global scale. His projects are not just about advancing technology but also about finding practical solutions to real-world problems. Whether it’s creating robots that can assist in disaster relief efforts or developing automated systems to improve efficiency in various industries, Mohammad’s work is driven by a deep desire to make a positive difference in the world. One of the key aspects of Mohammad’s approach to innovation is his belief in the power of collaboration. He understands that the most significant breakthroughs often come from working together with others who share a similar passion for technology and innovation. This collaborative spirit is evident in the way he runs RoboHiTec, where teamwork and idea-sharing are encouraged, leading to the development of truly ground-breaking robotic solutions.

Mohammad Al Shamsi’s contributions to robotics go beyond his technical achievements. He is also a role model for young Emiratis, demonstrating what can be accomplished through hard work, dedication, and a commitment to excellence. His success is a source of pride for the UAE, showing the world that Emirati talent can compete on the global stage in the field of robotics. Mohammad’s work aligns with the UAE government’s vision of fostering innovation and technology as key drivers of economic growth and development. By demonstrating the potential of home-grown talent in robotics, he is helping to pave the way for a future where the UAE is recognized as a leader in technological innovation.

As Mohammad Al Shamsi continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in robotics, his ultimate goal is to show the government and the world the immense potential of not just living in the UAE but also creating exceptional innovations here. He is committed to following in the footsteps of the previous generation, striving for excellence in all his endeavours and contributing to the UAE’s growing reputation as a centre for technological innovation.

Hashem Al Marzouqi’s vision was simple in its magnitude: on a plate, the rich history of a place. What began as a dream first materialized in 2011 with the opening of the maiden Al Fanar Restaurant in Dubai, igniting a culinary voyage that would set Emirati traditions a league beyond. Today Al Fanar has become a family business, nine establishments in locales as far away as London, and playing a key role in the globalizing Emirati cuisine.

Ever since you enter into an Al Fanar restaurant, you literally enter an anthropologic show booth. Every twig is painstakingly designed to transport the diner to a time before the UAE’s oil boom, making the evening an experience rather than just one meal; it was a slice of life as the view was in the 1960s. A tribute to the abandoned village of Al Jazirat Al Hamra, the latest Al Fanar Seafood Market gazes out over the serene environs of Al Barsha Pond Park. Whilst the coral houses of this village now stand eternally still, haunting monuments to the past, Al Fanar’s menu reflects that same intention to preserve the flavours, and heritage, of days gone by.

 Operations Manager of the group is now the son of Hashem, Sohail al Marzouqi. Al Fanar, for him, is much beyond being a restaurant; it is a tribute to the Emirati style of living that shaped up for his ancestors. “We wanted to recreate an old town as old as Fisherman’s Village on Alhambra Island in Ras al Khaimah,” he says, noting the extent he goes into in ensuring design with such detailing at every branch. The coral-wurked artefacts’, the furniture itself all depict that era when life in this part of the world was simple, quiet, and one of traditions. “The Sixties were a pivotal time for us,” Sohail continues, “It was when we found oil and the country began to develop, but this is how people lived before then, and this is how their houses looked like.

The menu at Al Fanar celebrates this era with dishes passed down through time. Many of them, like their signature dish of machboos samak, have originated from the rich culinary heritage of Sohail’s own grandmother, so every single meal in this place has its authenticity. Traditional sweet dishes comprise the legaimat dough balls and asidat al tamor or date pudding, while the dining feels like experiencing Emirati culture to the core since you sit on cushions around a table that is low in height and one can eat with their hands.

At the Fish Market in Al Fanar, the dinner experience is just a tad bit exotic. The restaurant also offers several Western treats dating from the 1960s and 1970s-old-style sweets that do much to keep alive, for those with a sweet tooth, an age based on an epoch of sucrose imports from the Emirates’ friends abroad. Among the most popular of these is Vimto, a mixed-berry refresher first produced in 1908 by a Manchester company. This high-octane cordial is, today, a more cultural exchange that has come to symbolize the UAE, a goodwill offering of the Ramadan holiday.

Dr. Raja Easa Al Gurg, by name, epitomizes business leadership through value addition via innovative and resolute means in steering one of the most widely identified diversified conglomerates in the United Arab Emirates: Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group LLC, vital to the contribution of various sectors to the economy. Having etched her path with strategic brilliance and a quest for perfection, she positioned herself within the crème de la crème of the corporate sector in the region. She came from a family among the oldest business houses in the region, where the trajectory of Dr. Raja Easa Al Gurg was set just as that of her father, Easa Saleh Al Gurg, the pioneer of Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group LLC. The group was founded in 1960 and has since grown to be a beast with interests across building and construction materials, consumer goods, electrical and mechanical engineering, and health.

Under the leadership of Dr. Al Gurg, the group has been expanding in a steady fashion and diversifying its operations. The Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group further diversified into a portfolio of over 27 companies that collectively play a critical role in the economy of the United Arab Emirates. That kind of vision-driven leadership could have the power to drive effectiveness in steering the firm through the shifting economic sands while holding deep values of integrity and innovation at its core. Out of the corridors of the corporate world emerges one of its most influential business leaders: Dr. Al Gurg. She is pegged to be the pioneering lady in this male-dominated industry, signatory of a champion for the women of her country.

Her leadership position as a member of the board at the Dubai Business Women Council puts her in a position where she mentors and coaches other women businesspersons and professionals. This is with the aim of inspiring such women beyond their comfort zones and enabling them to be productive members of society.

She had been a frontline corporate machete, hacking away at the forest of women’s rights. Dr. Al Gurg’s work was opening new windows of opportunity for UAE women and combining in the bricks in the making of a stage for regional women leaders for generations to come. These accomplishments remind one of the transformation that society can get from decisive and visionary leadership. It has, in a nutshell, been the visionary and ambitious leadership in the mold of Dr. Raja Easa Al Gurg, under which the Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group has been greatly instrumental in contributing to infrastructural development in United Arab Emirates in both buildings and engineering related sectors over the last couple of decades. What is more, this relentless group support for iconic projects—just like it does for Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Metro—proves that it is very much on the way along this journey of growth for this nation. Innovation is something that will amount to the success of the group, at least according to Dr Al Gurg. For years now, she has been fostering this innovative culture within the organization, where new ideas are supported and taken up.

This kind of foresight sets the group ahead and enables it to cope with a dynamic, competitive market.

The business community, through Dr. Raja Easa Al Gurg, has been a big player in adding value to the UAE economy. In this aspect, over time, she has been feted and awarded in various quarters, with her latest include the Forbes listing of “Most Powerful Arab Women” and “Businesswoman of the Year” at the Gulf Business Awards.

Both of these accolades are not only a testament to her capabilities as a business leader but befit her dedication to social good and ethical leadership. To Dr. Al Gurg, business would equate to honesty, integrity, and respect—values instilled in her from the beginning of her career, training her to lead that way even today.

Not only has Dr. Raja Easa Al Gurg taken Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group LLC to new heights, but this is also the legacy of business leadership, mentorship, and the empowerment of women she left behind. Her contribution toward changing the entire scenario of women in the business community in the UAE has been mammoth, and so is her tale now in becoming an inspirational story for aspirants to become business leaders in the future, both in this nation and across the world.