News

Sun Siyam marks 35 years with fresh identity and signature Maldivian experiences

Published

7 months ago

October 1, 2025

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Sun Siyam Resorts has unveiled a milestone brand transformation as it celebrates 35 years of Maldivian hospitality. More than a visual refresh, the (r)evolution introduces a powerful new statement, “The Home of the Maldivian Spirit”, reaffirming the group’s reputation as one of the most culturally authentic resort operators in the Maldives.

The rebrand unites five Maldivian resorts and the group’s Sri Lankan property under a single umbrella, The House of Siyam, while rolling out Signature Experiences and a refreshed loyalty programme, Siyam Rewards.

Three Distinct Resort Collections

To make it easier for guests and partners to navigate the portfolio, Sun Siyam Resorts has introduced three clear collections:

Luxury Collection:
Island indulgence at its finest. Sun Siyam Iru Fushi leads this flagship tier with elevated experiences in a sun-soaked paradise.
Lifestyle Collection:
Energetic and adventure-driven, perfect for families and groups. Sun Siyam Olhuveli and Siyam World offer vibrant entertainment and recreation.
Prive Collection:
Secluded barefoot escapes. Sun Siyam Iru Veli, Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, and Sun Siyam Pasikudah (Sri Lanka) provide privacy and personalised service for romantic, soulful getaways.

Signature Experiences with a Maldivian Soul

The transformation goes beyond design, adding immersive experiences that bring local heritage and creativity to every stay. Highlights include:

Maldivian Roots: Weekly culinary and cultural journeys celebrating island traditions.
Insta Villa: The Maldives’ first over-water photo studio for picture-perfect moments.
Sun Siyam Beach Club: A lively hub where laid-back afternoons turn into nights of music and dance.
Plant-based bliss, hidden treasure chests, moonlit cinemas and the ceremonial wow welcome, unique touches that create memorable stays.

Loyalty, Sustainability and Community

The group also launched Siyam Rewards, a digital membership programme offering personalised itineraries, room upgrades, optional carbon offsets, and rewards from the very first booking.

Every stay continues to support marine conservation and community initiatives through the Sun Siyam Care sustainability platform.

Leaders on the Milestone

Founder, Owner & Managing Director Ahmed Siyam Mohamed said: “When we founded Sun Siyam in 1990, our goal was to share the warmth of our islands and our people with the world. This transformation preserves that soul while creating space to innovate for the next generation of free-spirited travellers.”

CEO Deepak Booneady added: “This rebrand is about more than design — it’s about cultural authenticity, purpose-driven hospitality, and creating moments that spark joy.”

A Modern Maldivian Identity

The new look ties together every touchpoint, from redesigned interiors to the refreshed website at sunsiyam.com, blending a vibrant Maldivian spirit with a contemporary edge.

Redesigned website

With a redesigned website now live at sunsiyam.com, the new brand identity unifies every touchpoint, from print and digital platforms to guest experiences on the islands. The result is a look and feel that is authentically Maldivian yet confidently modern.

To bring this transformation to life, Sun Siyam partnered with top industry experts:

JHAGGER&CO led the year-long project, starting with in-depth audience research and an internal reset of the group’s vision, purpose, and values.
Lee McNichol and Jose Rivero, Founders and Creative Directors of London-based StudioSixty7, reimagined interiors to reflect a refreshed, contemporary island aesthetic.
Maldives hospitality pioneer Dominik Ruhl guided the creation of new operational standards and Signature Experiences, embedding the brand’s spirit in daily service.

This collaborative effort, brought to life by Sun Siyam’s island operations team, led by VP of Operations Abdulla Thamheed and supported by General Managers, Resort Managers, and the brand’s sales, marketing, and PR teams, has produced a warm, vibrant design system that preserves Maldivian soul while embracing a fresh, modern edge.

Why This Matters for Travellers

Easier to choose the right island stay with clear Luxury, Lifestyle and Prive categories.
New Signature Experiences offer deeper cultural immersion and memorable activities.
Direct bookings now come with personalised rewards and benefits.
Commitment to sustainability and local heritage means travellers support conservation with every stay.

From one property to six resorts

Founded in 1990, Sun Siyam Resorts has grown from a single Maldivian property to six resorts across the Maldives and Sri Lanka, including the newest addition, Siyam World. The brand is anchored in The Home of the Maldivian Spirit, blending heartfelt island hospitality with innovative experiences and a commitment to sustainability.

For more information, visit sunsiyam.com or follow @sunsiyamresorts on social media.

Michael Gomes

With over 35 years of experience in journalism, copywriting, and PR, Michael Gomes is a seasoned media professional deeply rooted in the UAE’s print and digital landscape.

Education

CBSE results: UAE students celebrate after months of uncertainty

Published

6 hours ago

May 13, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Students across the UAE are celebrating as India’s Central Board of Secondary Education officially announced the 2026 Class 12 board exam results on Tuesday.

Homes and schools across the Emirates were filled with excitement and relief as students rushed online to check their scores shortly after the results were released.

Relief after months of uncertainty

The results come after an unusually challenging academic period for CBSE students in the Middle East.

In March, CBSE announced the cancellation of Class 12 board exams across Gulf countries, including the UAE, following regional tensions linked to the US-Israel-Iran conflict, which has since entered an extended ceasefire period.

Schools across the UAE had temporarily shifted to distance learning during that time, forcing major adjustments to academic schedules and assessment plans for graduating students.

Digital scorecards released first

Students are currently receiving provisional digital marksheets, while original certificates and official documents will be distributed later through schools.

CBSE confirmed that digital scorecards available through DigiLocker can, in the meantime, be used for university admissions and official applications.

Students celebrate across the UAE

While many schools are still waiting to receive consolidated results, social media has already been flooded with reactions from students celebrating strong scores and sharing their results online.

The announcement marks a major milestone for thousands of Indian curriculum students across the UAE preparing for higher education admissions in India and abroad.

News

Learning to drive in Dubai? The RTA just changed the training curriculum

Published

7 hours ago

May 13, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Dubai is getting a major tech upgrade for trainee drivers. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has updated its light vehicle driver training curriculum to include modern smart driving technologies and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).

The move reflects the growing number of vehicles equipped with intelligent safety features on Dubai’s roads and aims to better prepare new drivers for modern driving conditions.

What’s included in the new training?

The updated curriculum now covers training on:

Forward collision warning
Blind spot monitoring
Lane departure alerts
Parking assist systems
Adaptive cruise control
ABS braking systems
Other advanced driver safety technologies

According to Sultan Al Akraf, Director of Drivers Licensing at the RTA, the revised programme is designed to improve driver behaviour, enhance road safety and help reduce traffic accidents.

Integrated into driving schools and tests

The new content has been added to:

Theoretical lessons
Practical driving sessions
Official driver handbooks

The programme was developed in collaboration with Dubai’s driving institutes to align training with internationally recognised road safety standards.

RTA says more than 250,000 trainees have already benefited from the updated curriculum in recent years, while workshops continue to be held for driving schools to ensure instructors stay updated on evolving vehicle technologies.

As cars become increasingly automated and technology-driven, understanding ADAS systems is becoming a key part of safe driving.

News

Know all about Dubai’s new AI parking cameras and how to pay

Published

7 hours ago

May 13, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Finding parking in Dubai could soon become much easier. Parkin has launched new AI-powered smart parking camera systems across three major locations in the city, introducing curb-side parking technology in the region.

The rollout covers Trade Centre One, Burj Khalifa and Al Corniche, where more than 500 curb and pole-mounted cameras are being installed.

How the system works

The new system uses AI to automatically capture vehicle images, read number plates and detect entry and exit times without the need for traditional parking meters or manual checks.

Parkin has also deployed 200 parking lot cameras capable of:

Calculating parking fees automatically
Enabling seamless auto-payment
Detecting parking violations
Tracking real-time parking occupancy

All cameras are solar powered, supporting Dubai’s wider sustainability goals.

Integrated with Parkin app

The smart parking system will be fully integrated into the Parkin app, allowing drivers to pay automatically through the Parkin Wallet feature.

Officials say the technology is designed to reduce congestion caused by drivers searching for parking spaces while improving overall traffic flow and parking management efficiency.