Announcements

A Dubai institute teaching next-level entrepreneurship to business scions

Published

3 years ago

November 13, 2023

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Those wanting a traditional global MBA programs to support their family business growth or boost entrepreneurial aspirations rather than be directed towards the job market now have an option thanks to a brand new institute in Dubai.

Midas and CS Institute of Management is all set to offer a first of its kind curriculum titled ‘Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Management’ catering to this specific niche. Crafted for the scions of business families, this new program will offer the knowledge, skills, and exposure to take family businesses to their next level or launch independent ventures on a global stage. Brainchild of Chandrasekhar Singh and Pooja Shah, the co-founders of this institute, this course has accomplished business coaches, global faculty from leading business schools and cutting-edge topics imparting knowledge and expertise on how to take one’s business global.

This is designed for individuals between the ages of 21 to 30 who hail from business family backgrounds. To be eligible, applicants must have completed at least a recognized bachelor’s course. Students will get almost 350 hours of classroom coaching besides a significant amount of experiential learning and onsite trainings. Upon completion of the program they will be awarded a certificate from the institute that is duly recognized by Dubai Government’s Educational Quality Assurance and Regulator – Knowledge & Human Development Authority (KHDA).

Singh feels that the program will be particularly beneficial for Indian business families looking to bring in a global perspective in their home-grown businesses through their next-gen successors. In fact both of them have a ‘first-movers advantage’ in this unique mix of education and entrepreneurship.

Before helming this institute, Pooja successfully ran the Midas Institute of Entrepreneurship in Pune, India for the last 10 years creating and enabling 250+ successful new-age entrepreneurs. Her prior involvement as the Dean of Student Affairs in her family founded Flame University also adds to her experience and acumen. Armed with an M.Sc. degree in Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Management from the Nottingham University Business School in UK, Pooja feels that many promoters are actually facing this genuine problem. “Either their children are not interested in the business or are not experienced enough to take it forward. We want to tackle this issue with the best possible approach as every family business must take its step ahead with a new generation taking over and I can understand that deeply being from a family business background myself where I started my association in any and all my father’s business ventures from a very young age,” she says.

Chandrasekhar on his part has a seasoned corporate, entrepreneurship, and higher education background. He worked in leadership positions for global banking majors such as Standard Chartered and Citibank. He was a prominent Director for Corporate Relations at SP Jain School of Global Management and a Co-Founder of Sunmaya Fashion – an upcoming ladieswear brand in Dubai. He says, “We understand that every entrepreneur’s journey is unique. That’s why we want to offer programs tailored to suit their needs. Our aim is to offer a global platform for aspiring entrepreneurs and successors of business families. The institute’s positioning and approach will help them propel their business forward.”

Pooja being an acclaimed Transformation and Impact Coach also stressed on the importance of developing the right mindset for the students. She said, “We will be definitely be teaching them the new forms of learning along-with data science, Artificial Intelligence and Design Thinking but our main focus is towards building ‘the right mindset of an entrepreneur’. Bring a critical thinker who is creative and ready for challenges in life. We are not only working on getting them ready for their business but overall for life. They must be ready to taste success by facing challenges and failures”.

CS further elaborated that right from the selection criteria to the final certification, the approach is dynamic and completely customized as per market requirements. “You will have to present your case to enroll for this course. After the six months of rigorous coaching by some of the best global business minds, you will have to make another presentation on your business plan. The best new venture idea of the batch will be funded the entire course fee as an investment to start your own venture,” he added.

They both feel that this could be an unparalleled opportunity as there are currently no international entrepreneurship programs catering to students from family business backgrounds in India. “Dubai’s strategic location, business-friendly policies, and safety standards make it an ideal destination for both learning and business establishment,”

The participants are all set to gain valuable experiences such as diverse peer learning, cultural understanding, global perspective, industry insights, and international expansion. They will be assisted on coming to Dubai on an investor visa for the course and can explore business expansion opportunities in other Gulf Co-operating Council Countries (GCC) such as Saudi Arabia and Oman along-with handpicked European countries by being taken there for experiential learning during festival and course breaks.

About Midas and CS Institute of Management
Located in the global business hub of Dubai at a most strategic location of Dubai Healthcare City right next to Wafi Mall, the Midas and CS Institute of Management offers tailor-made, cutting edge programs for aspiring entrepreneurs and family business successors. These market-oriented, practical programs are poised to provide the students with the tools necessary for their global journey, setting them on a path towards success and innovation in the ever-changing world of business. Currently there are two courses. One is called ‘Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Management’ for 21 to 30 year old graduates from business families or aspiring entrepreneurs. Another upcoming program is for business and startup owners who are 30 years and above. This intensive one-week program will provide a global exposure to them for transforming their business and also show them how to start a business in Dubai.

Announcements

Dubai-born HOP Events targets 25 cities in global expansion

Published

4 days ago

October 2, 2026

Staff Reporter

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A Dubai-founded events company is planning to expand into 25 cities worldwide over the next two years, as it looks to build an international business around music and culture.

HOP Events, founded by Dubai-based entrepreneur Kalpesh Kinariwala, said it aims to stage more than 250 events a year across 75 venues and arenas, reaching more than one million people annually.

Its planned expansion includes London, New York, Doha and Singapore, alongside its existing base in Dubai.

The company has organised concerts featuring artists including A.R. Rahman, Arijit Singh, Lucky Ali, Nancy Ajram, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and sitarist Rishab Sharma.

HOP now plans to broaden its programme beyond large-scale concerts, with storytelling, art and other cultural events forming part of its international expansion.

“Our goal has never been to build an events company,” Kinariwala said. “We’re building a platform where culture becomes a catalyst for connection.”

The plans were outlined after a recent Dubai event featuring storyteller Laksh Maheshwari.

HOP is the cultural arm of PANTHEON ACR, a Dubai-based venture founded by Kinariwala with interests spanning art, culture and real estate.

Kinariwala said Dubai’s position as a city with a large international population provided the starting point for HOP’s expansion.

The company said its programme over the next 24 months would feature both established international performers and emerging creative talent, alongside storytelling and other cultural experiences.

“The moments people carry with them for years are rarely the biggest,” Kinariwala said. “They are the moments that make us feel connected, inspired, understood or part of something larger than ourselves.”

Announcements

New-look Abu Dhabi T10 raises the stakes with star-studded 2026 draft; Naseem, Hales, Amir and Shanaka among top picks

Published

4 days ago

October 2, 2026

Sudhashree Dash

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The 2026 Abu Dhabi T10 Player Draft saw a host of international stars find new homes ahead of the upcoming season, with Naseem Shah (Royal Desert Champions), Noor Ahmad (Emirates Eagles), Muhammad Amir (UAE Bulls), Alzarri Joseph (Arabian Aces), Dasun Shanaka (Yas Lions), Shadab Khan (UAE Bulls), Kusal Perera (Emirates Eagles) and Chris Jordan (Royal Desert Champions) among the headline names selected.

The Draft also saw several of the UAE’s leading players join the six franchises, underlining the growing depth of local talent in the reimagined Abu Dhabi T10. Alishan Sharafu (Arabian Aces), Aayan Afzal Khan (Royal Desert Champions), Muhammad Waseem (Royal Desert Champions), Haider Razzaq (Emirates Eagles), Muhammad Rohid (UAE Bulls), Ansh Tandon (Yas Lions) and Luqman Faisal (Emirates Eagles) were among the prominent UAE selections.

Awais Ali Shah (United Tigers), Dhruv Parashar (Royal Desert Champions), Harshit Kaushik (Emirates Eagles), Wali Muhammad (UAE Bulls), Adithya Shetty (United Tigers), Haider Ali (Yas Lions) and Vriitya Arvind (Arabian Aces) were also among those selected, further strengthening the UAE presence across the six squads.

The Arabian Aces will have plenty of experience and firepower in their ranks, with Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Sam Billings and Imran Tahir among their notable draft selections. Alzarri Joseph, Richard Gleeson, Dwayne Pretorius and Dunith Wellalage add further bowling and all-round options to a squad that already featured Moeen Ali, Andre Russell and Liam Livingstone as pre-draft signings. The Aces also secured further local and emerging talent to complement their international core.

The Emirates Eagles’ batting stocks feature Alex Hales, KS Bharat, Hassan Nawaz and Kusal Perera, while David Wiese and Chris Green offer valuable all-round options. Noor Ahmad, Rehan Ahmed and Ali Raza further strengthen the bowling department, complementing pre-draft signings Rovman Powell, Shimron Hetmyer and Trent Boult.

The Royal Desert Champions assembled a formidable side led by the likes of Naseem Shah, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera and Chris Jordan. Muhammad Waseem, Brandon King and Jayanth Liyanage add batting depth, while Gulbadin Naib and Keemo Paul provide all-round ability. The side already had Nicholas Pooran, Phil Salt and Sherfane Rutherford on board as pre-draft signings.

The UAE Bulls have an abundance of power-hitting options through Andre Fletcher, Aneurin Donald, Khwaja Nafay, Max Bryan and Azam Khan, with Shadab Khan and Khushdil Shah offering all-round depth. Muhammad Amir and Nuwan Thushara add to the bowling attack, while the franchise had already secured Kieron Pollard, Sunil Narine and Romario Shepherd before the Draft. Scotland’s Bradley Currie also joins the squad.

The United Tigers have established international experience with Azmatullah Omarzai, Odean Smith and Mahedi Hasan offering all-round options, while Abbas Afridi and Sufyan Moqim strengthen the bowling resources. The Tigers’ pre-draft haul comprised the Pakistani trio of Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed and Faheem Ashraf.

The Yas Lions have plenty of experience with James Vince, Dasun Shanaka, Tom Moores and Akeal Hosein among their notable selections. Eshan Malinga and Obed McCoy build their bowling strength, while the Lions had already secured Jason Holder, David Willey and Andries Gous before the Draft. Netherlands’ Aryan Dutt also joins the squad as their Associate Member selection.

Arabian Aces: Moeen Ali, Andre Russell, Liam Livingstone, Alishan Sharafu, Muhammad Arfan, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Richard Gleeson, Sam Billings, Paul Walter, Alzarri Joseph, Imran Tahir, Salman Irshad, Quentin Sampson, Dwaine Pretorius, Vriitya Arvind, Ibrahim Masood, Amshi De Silva, Dunith Wellalage

Emirates Eagles: Rovman Powell, Shimron Hetmyer, Trent Boult, Haider Razzaq, Luqman Faisal, David Wiese, Noor Ahmad, Alex Hales, KS Bharat, Akif Javed, Hassan Nawaz, Rehan Ahmed, Ali Raza, Chris Green, Harshit Kaushik, Hilal Afghan, Toby Albert, Kusal Perera

Royal Desert Champions: Nicholas Pooran, Phil Salt, Sherfane Rutherford, Ali Naseer, Aayan Afzal Khan, Muhammad Waseem, Naseem Shah, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Luke Wood, Gulbadin Naib, Brandon King, Janith Liyanage, Keemo Paul, Dhruv Parashar, Raizal Nadir, Tajinder Singh Dhillon, Chris Jordan

UAE Bulls: Kieron Pollard, Sunil Narine, Romario Shepherd, Muhammad Rohid, Tahir Zaman, Aneurin Donald, Muhammad Amir, Andre Fletcher, Khwaja Nafay, Nuwan Thushara, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Max Bryant, Azam Khan, Wali Muhammad, Uddish Suri, Bradley Currie, Shadab Khan

United Tigers: Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Zeeshan Naseer, Awais Ali Shah, Azmatullah Omarzai, Sufyan Moqim, Abbas Afridi, Odean Smith, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Habibur Rahman Sohan, Noor ul Rahman, Shamim Hossain, Adithya Shetty, Noor Ullah Ayubi, Paul van Meekeren, Yasin Patel

Yas Lions: Jason Holder, David Willey, Andries Gous, Ajay Kumar, Ansh Tandon, James Vince, Dasun Shanaka, Eshan Malinga, Karim Janat, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Tom Moores, Khuzaima Bin Tanveer, Obed McCoy, Kamil Pooran, Haider Ali, Masood Gurbaz, Aryan Dutt, Akeal Hosein

Announcements

UAE petrol prices rise again: New fuel rates for October revealed

Published

6 days ago

September 30, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Filling up in the UAE is about to get more expensive, with petrol and diesel prices rising across all categories from October 1.

UAE motorists are set to feel another pinch at the pump this month after the UAE Fuel Price Committee announced higher petrol and diesel rates for October 2026.

The increase means drivers will pay more per litre across every petrol category, while diesel prices have also moved higher.

Fuel prices for October

The new rates will take effect from Thursday, October 1. Here’s what motorists will pay:

Super 98: Dh4.40 per litre
Special 95: Dh4.28 per litre
E-Plus 91: Dh4.21 per litre
Diesel: Dh4.80 per litre

That means Super 98 rises by 60 fils per litre, while Special 95 and E-Plus 91 increase by 59 and 60 fils respectively. Diesel is up by 50 fils per litre.

How much more will a full tank cost?

For motorists, the increase could quickly add up over the course of a month.

For example, filling a 50-litre tank with Super 98 will cost Dh220 in October, compared with Dh190 in September, a difference of Dh30 per fill-up.

A 50-litre tank of Special 95 will cost Dh214, compared with Dh184.50 previously.

For E-Plus 91, the same tank will cost Dh210.50, up from Dh180.50.

Diesel drivers filling 50 litres will pay Dh240, compared with Dh215 in September.

Why are fuel prices changing?

The UAE Fuel Price Committee reviews retail fuel rates at the end of each month, with prices linked to movements in global energy markets.

UAE fuel prices have experienced notable fluctuations this year. Rates fell in July after several consecutive monthly increases, before moving higher again in August and September.

The latest increase comes amid continued volatility in global and regional energy markets.

What does this increase mean for household budgets?

For people who drive every day, higher fuel prices can have an effect beyond the cost of a single trip to the petrol station.

Commuters, families and businesses that rely heavily on road travel may see their monthly transport expenses rise, particularly if they fill up frequently.

Even a relatively small increase per litre can become more noticeable when multiplied across several refuelling trips over the month.