20 October 2007

Like the BNPP

The National Broadband deal is facing a lot of controversies today due to impracticality and allegations of bribery like what the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant had 30 years ago. Till now, aside from disputes on its safety and economic viability, corruption charges committed by the contractors as well as the Marcos Administration had arisen. Bataan might have been the best site for a nuclear power station (as argued by the IAEA experts), it might have been designed to withstand earthquake and any lava flows, and it might have used low-enriched uranium and non-explosive fuel, but these measures did not cloud the fact that almost $2.1 billion was spent for a $600 million only nuclear plant, augmented by the payoffs for the government officials.

The idea of using nuclear power in the Philippines was considered in June 13, 1958 when Republic Act 2067 or the Philippine Science Act was enacted, creating the Philippine Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC). It was mandated to conduct researches and develop atomic energy. Ten years later, through the assistance of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Atomic Energy Regulatory and Liability Act (Republic Act 5207) was passed and gave the PAEC the authority to issue building and operating licenses of nuclear facilities in the country.

The second feasibility study undertaken by the UN Development Programme and the Coordinating Committee for Nuclear Power Study (CCNPS) led the next step in building the nuclear power plant. A year after President Ferdinand Marcos declared Martial Law, all the committee’s thinking was where the plant should be situated and what type of reactor should be used. This had brought them to Morong, Bataan and settled them on a Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR).

The $1.1 billion contract between the National Power Corporation (NPC) and the Westinghouse Electric Corporation was already in place, including the provisional and construction permits to assemble the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP). But a civilian nuclear accident in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania caused the construction to stop in June 1979 and compelled another commission to look into the plant’s safety. It was not only until September 1980 and another $1.95 billion that work for the nuclear plant resumed. But that was not until more and more Filipinos became anxious of the project; it did not help that over 4,000 defects were found out in the construction of the plant and it was built near a volcano and earthquake fault.

The Aquino administration listened to the pleas of most of her constituents and, through the Presidential Committee on Philippine Nuclear Power Plant, filed a lawsuit against Westinghouse for bribery and overpricing. They ended up into a compromise whereby Westinghouse would be responsible in the upgrade and operations of the plant, and would pay the country $10 million in cash and $75 million worth of discounts on non-nuclear-related equipment, while the Philippines will be paying $40 million in return. The case, however, was rejected by the United States.

Under President Fidel Ramos, the chance of a nuclear power program was reconsidered. Within two years that the Nuclear Power Steering Committee (NPSC) was formed, it proposed to convert BNPP into a combined gas cycle plant. “We found that conversion is technically possible, but economically unwise. New and dedicated coal or natural gas fired power plants would give much higher efficiencies, and thus would give the Philippines much better value per peso spent on fuel consumed. The M.E.T.T.S.'s study concluded that the only way of obtaining a reasonable return from the Bataan 'machine' is to use it as a nuclear power plant.”

But the Constitution has ruled out utilizing the BNPP again – although it has not prohibited converting the plant into a fossil fuel power station; although Filipinos has paid $155,000 a day for thirty years for its management and maintenance; although the CEO of Philippine National Oil Corporation (PNOC), Thelmo Cunanan, himself admitted that the BNPP is the country’s white elephant; and although a South Korean company has expressed an interest in taking over the nuclear power station and developing it into commercial operation.

Why it should not be worth the risk when our dependence on oil, which makes the economy vulnerable to sudden spikes in its world prices, will be reduced once we decided to employ nuclear energy is what its proponents are arguing about. In 2000-2001, the Philippines has imported 349,000,000 bbl/d of oil because it was only able to produce 23,500 bbl/d when it consumed 377,000 bbl/d.

So why would the Philippines be different when its electricity demand grows 9% per year until 2009? How would its four hydroelectric plants in Mindanao that can give out 650 MW only and its 150 MW hydroelectric facility in Luzon fill the 10,000 MW needed two years from today? To date, there are already 31 countries operating 435 nuclear power reactors, providing 6.5% of the world’s energy and 15.7% of the world’s electricity. Our Chief Executive, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, supports the Department of Energy of its Energy Plan for 1998-2035, which envisions nuclear power to provide the 600 MW needed in 2021-2025.

Because there is still the geothermal energy to which the Philippines is the second largest producer. There are still fossil fuels and hydropower plants installed on the Agno and Angat rivers of Luzon and MarĂ­a Cristina Falls on the Agusan River of Mindanao. There is an oil production field in West Linapacan. There is the Malampaya Field, which also contains gas reserves. And there is the Alternative Energy Program, which considers the "alcogas" (gasohol) and "cocodiesel" (coconut oil in diesel fuels).

Among of the companies that are helping promote renewable sources of energy are: Solar Electric Company Inc., Green Energy LLC (GESOLAR), Reiden Development Management and Marketing Corporation, Physics Research Cebu, Alternative Energy Solutions, ALTENSOL Corp., Asian Renewables, Cammon WindSolar Energy Inc., CHRP Solar Fil Enterprises, Edward Marcs Philippines Inc., Edward Marcs Philippines Inc., Energy Saving Solutions (ESS), Freidrich Enterprise, La Union Solar Energy Systems, Maxx-Energie Ventures Corp., Physics Research - Engineering & Consulting, SolarDeck Inc., Sonne, Sunsaver Technology & Manufacturing Corporation, and Talion Equipment And Contracting, Inc..

Nuclear Power may bring lower power rates and attract investors to the Philippines. It may produce very little carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and other “greenhouse gases” that destroy the ozone layer. It may become generally cheaper and more stable than other fuels in the long-term. But the risk involved is not worth taking as of now, especially with a third-world country like ours. We should do something else for the mean time to save or maximize the energy we need like developing alternative sources of fuel. It is simply the safer and peaceful choice.


References:
Clarke, M. et al. Options for the Conversion of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant
to Fossil Fuel Firing.

Porcalla, D. Graft Raps Re Bataan Nuclear Power Plant Bid vs. Disini Revived. 02 Jul 2004.
Quilop, R. Using Nuclear Energy: A Philippine Experience.
Samonte, A. GMA wants nuke power harnessed. 21 Aug 2007.
Wilson, K. Philippines: Bataan nuclear plant costs $155,000 a day but no power. 30 Jun 2004.
Villafania, A. To save environment, go nuclear, says DOST exec. 13 Jun 2007.Energy Information Administration, http://www.eia.doe.gov/cabsEnergy and Power, http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Asia-and-Oceania/Philippines-ENERGY-AND-POWER.html

House of Arts offers music class for special children

September 22- October 6, 2007
Issue 32
www.alaintimesuae.com

Her passion for music inspired Gabrielle Malzahn, Director of the House of Arts, to establish a music class that would serve the children with special needs in Al Ain.

“Music is such a wonderful tool to help the special children realise and enrich their lives. It would help them express themselves because, often, they do not have any language that can make them do it. Music, therefore, will be their channel. Whatever the outcome is in the end, it is the process that is important because it would give them a way to express, deal with frustrations, socialize and learn non-verbal communication. And you know, they are just human beings like everybody else and they should have chances to live their lives as well,” said Malzahn.

The Music Class for Children with Special Needs has just started its first term last September 8, but they would still be opening for more groups. “We want to have more children, but we will keep only four in a group.” Sessions can be on a Monday or a Thursday, at 3:00 to 3:45 p.m., and there will be a behavioral therapist and a music teacher present.

“The aim is to have the kids in tuned with the rhythm, with the feelings and with the emotions through music. Sometimes we cannot express ourselves with words, but we certainly can express ourselves with actions and, in particular, through music. Music is such a fabulous way to distress our minds and bodies, and kids, particularly kids with different needs, will benefit from it because they are always wired up and much more frustrated than we can think of because they too want to communicate with us. But it is very difficult for them to express what they want us to understand. So what we are doing here is give them a therapeutic session using music,” said Tatiana Margan, Behavioral Therapist of the House of Arts.

Margan’s theory on using music in teaching children with special needs is based from researches that conclude the many benefits music can give. Aside from being able to stimulate speech development, music can also aid in memory and learning by organizing information into smaller chunks, and create a meaningful environment for socialisation and leisure pursuits. Music can also improve functional communication, promote relaxation and auditory feedback, and process sensory stimulation as well.

“Passing around something that makes sounds already teaches them interaction, succession, and rhythm, among others. But of course, some might not benefit from this; it is very important to try and see. I have seen different countries that have given wonderful results when they have treated special children with music. Hopefully, we can teach them an instrument. I particularly know of somebody from my country who plays piano beautifully, but that is only what he can do.”

Recently, the UAE has created programs to assist these people. Last June, the first language speech centre in Abu Dhabi has opened. It teaches Arabic and English and is open for all those who need language and speech therapy regardless of age. The Health Authority -Abu Dhabi (HAAD) has also collaborated with the New England Centre for Children (NECC) to treat children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and support their families.

There are also schools – most of which are non-profit organizations – set up in some of the emirates. These are the Al Noor Centre for Children with Special Needs, which is managed by the Ministry of Social Affairs; the British Institute for Learning Development, which offers a neuro-developmental programme, sensory integration therapy, educational psychology, SAMONAS (spectrally activated music of optimal natural structure), reading development programme, play therapy, speech therapy and auditory processing; the Dubai Center for Special Needs;

Emirates English Speaking Centre; Emirates International Center; Future Centre for Special Needs; and the Special Needs Family Children Development Center.

Even the UAE Armed Forces lent a hand in motivating people with special needs. Last year, in an agreement with the ministry’s Centres for Rehabilitation of People with Special Needs, about 300 people were entrusted civilian jobs. "These people are a very important part of our society. We need to rehabilitate them so they can also play their role in social development... I hope this important agreement will lead to further developing the skills of these people and provide more job opportunities for them," Lieutenant General Shaikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Interior was noted saying.

Three legislations were also passed to protect these people: Federal Law No. 29 of 2006, which gives the disable person the right to lodge lawsuit at court if his/her right is abused whether at work site or public places; Federal Law No. 2 of 2004, which instituted the Zayed Supreme Establishment for Humanitarian Welfare, incorporating the Zayed Foundation for Charitable and Humanitarian Works, Social Welfare and Juveniles Authority, Zayed House for Comprehensive Care, Abu Dhabi Elderly Centre, Al Ain Handicapped Centre, Al Ain Handicapped Club and the Rehabilitation Centre for People With Special Needs; and another law that will require private sector companies with more than 100 employees to delegate 3% of jobs for the people with special needs.

Al Ain launches sports centre

September 8 – September 21, 2007
Issue 31
www.alaintimesuae.com

A new sporting facility has opened early this month ensuing the vision of Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler of Abu Dhabi and President of the UAE to turn Al Ain into a sports destination.

Situated on the west side of the city (at the south of the road between Tawam Hospital roundabout and the Maqam Palace traffic lights, where the old Equestrian Centre was), the Palm Sports Resort is a sporting facility comprised of a 9-hole grass golf course, an equestrian centre and a rugby club. Another 9-hole golf course, race track, grand stadium, a shooting club and a 120-room hotel will be added once the second phase of the resort is finished within the next two years.

The Golf Course also has advanced teaching equipments, a floodlit driving range and putting area, 40 electric carts, 16 caddies, and changing facilities, among others. Within the restaurant is an indoor golf simulator that stages the other golf courses in the world.

Beside it is the Equestrian Centre, a purpose built facility with air-conditioned stables for 70 horses and a clubhouse. Around 30 horses will be available for its Riding school, which will provide horseback riding lessons in all levels.

On the other side is the Rugby Club, which will be the new home of the Al Ain Amblers Rugby Club. The Rugby Club has two floodlit grass playing fields, 300-seater grandstand, a 25-meter swimming pool and separate toddlers pool, two tennis courts and a fitness centre. Its clubhouse is sectioned into two bars: the Ruck-and-Maul, which consists of a restaurant and a sports bar theme with four wide screen televisions showcasing all sports around the world; and the Terrace, which offers an outdoor atmosphere to its users.

“The first game will be on September 14, and we will be going against the players from Kuwait. About 15% of our players were Muslims, and we are inviting the local children to come and play. Every two weeks, we will have games here,” said Steve Arnott, Chairman of the Al Ain Rugby Club.

“Many expatriates play rugby. We have 200 members of the club last year. About 120 children and 50 adults are playing the sport. In the Gulf Region, there are more than 2,000 adults and 3,000 children playing rugby… We are just beginning here in the UAE. We have a team called the Arabian Gulf made up of all the best players from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Doha, Muscat, Kuwait and Bahrain. They are all picked and they represent the Middle East as one team called the Arabian Gulf.”

“Rugby is a very safe sport – we will also conduct training courses that will teach safety for them – and a very easy game for children. It has more physical contact than the other sports. In soccer, you just kick the ball and stand around. In rugby, you have to kick the ball and attack people as well. But the club will not only host rugby. Members can play other sports such as swimming, scuba diving, soccer, tennis, netball, judo and softball.”

Abu Dhabi poses for education growth

Education department and technical institutions planned
August 25 – September 7, 2007
Issue 30
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Education, for His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, is ‘a pillar that will enable the emirate to meet the standards of excellence achieved in the most highly educated countries in the world.’ And starting this school year, the government will be working on the ‘highest quality, comprehensive system of education that applies world-class standards and expertise,’ which was only available overseas.

Based on the Policy Agenda 2007/08, an 83-page document containing 18 policy statements on energy, health, urban planning, transport, labour, environment, culture and heritage, the education sector will be undergoing administrative restructuring and streamline processes to give the Ministry of Education more time regulating educational institutions rather than directly supervising their day-to-day operations. This action will eventually goad the private sector to redouble their participation in the field as well as their collaboration with the public sector.

Integrating key platforms to the proposed education initiatives, launching of early childhood education programs, assessing school operations and partnering with some international institutions are the other strategies the government will implement to attain a world-class education. “The development goals of the United Arab Emirates and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi will be achieved only with the support of a sophisticated and entrepreneurial workforce,” the agenda stated.

Among of the reforms is the Public-Private Partnerships for Public School Management Pilot Project, which will determine if the participation of private providers currently managing 30 schools in Abu Dhabi should be expanded. “Early indications of improved educational outcomes mean that the pilot program will be expanded to another 30 schools from September 2007. Whereas the first 30 pilot schools cover Grades K to Five, the second wave of PPP schools will cater for Grades Six to Nine.”

The government also wants to coordinate school planning between federal and local government departments. “The Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) is completing a demographic study, to inform planning and civil works decisions on the future needs for new or upgraded school facilities. And greater coordination will be required with the Department of Municipal Affairs and private property developers in order to coordinate public planning for schools in new residential developments, and with transport authorities to facilitate public access to schools.”

Technology learning platforms will also be at hand. Anything that will allow for an efficient administrative and data management, effective curriculum delivery and student learning system, and access for teacher-to-student and teacher-to-parent communication will be employed.

2007 Projects

On top of the list of the proposed approaches is to establish a Department of Education, which will manage the progress of education in the emirate; and the Abu Dhabi Vocational Education and Training Institute, which will provide international vocation based training on health, legal and tourism.

Next in line is to empower local and international private sector education providers by introducing public schools throughout Abu Dhabi. “This initiative further builds on the government’s effort to more effectively leverage the expertise of the private sector in the delivery of education services.”

A new curriculum, which will focus on health and physical education, will be applied to Grades Six to Nine in all PPP and model schools, following a review conducted by the ADEC. They will also work with relevant public health entities to help in propagating the importance of a healthy lifestyle. “While schools do have physical education courses, there is an insufficient focus on healthy living and disease prevention.”

To compensate for the 44% of teachers who are already in practice but do not hold university degrees, a skills development training will be provided by the Emirates College for Educational Development to strengthen professionalism among the existing teachers. Newly entering teachers, on the other hand, are required to have a Bachelor’s Degree, know English and attend a university-level teacher training certification course.

Previously, the government has laid out foundations to advance its education system. His Highness has issued Law No. 14 establishing the Paris Sorbonne University in Abu Dhabi. The emirate has also agreed with graduate business school INSEAD and Colorado of Mines, while the first higher education, the UAE University, concurred a 28-year concession agreement with the Al Hikma Development.

Technical education is also given prime importance as a corporate with financial and administrative independence, the Institute of Applied Technology, was funded two years ago to lecture on aviation, automotive, health and defence. The National University of Science, Technology and Research was also established to further technical and vocational education.

Al Ain researcher advises against giving water away

July 28 - August 10, 2007
Issue 28

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Weeks ago, space photographer Farouk Al Baz who is also a veteran of the Apollo Programme, and a Research Professor and Director of the Centre for Remote Sensing at Boston University in the United States, discovered large underground reserves and numerous courses of rivers and streams under Arabian deserts through radar images. He pointed out that these ‘have yet to be exploited’ and ‘could provide vital resources for agriculture in some of the world's driest areas.’

In reaction to this, Dr. Ahmed Murad, Coordinator of the College of Sciences-Research Affairs at the UAE University, warn against heeding to his hint. “The Arabian Peninsula, including the UAE is facing a problem related to the water, so it would be better to use these waters here in our country instead of transporting them overseas. If the waters are pure, we need to use them as a reservoir for drinking water. Let us secure our countries first, and then transport the remaining later on,” he said.

“Here in the UAE, the water resources are facing a serious problem due to many factors. One of which is the population growth. Immigration increases to the country and that is why there is insufficient amount of water,” he added.

“Second, an economy requires water. Without water, there can be no growth in an economy. Ours depend mainly in water. Water is life. Without water, agriculture will also not grow. Industries will not grow too. Without water to suit a human’s need, the economy will not proceed since it requires human beings to monitor and operate it. It will suffer, so you need to provide sufficient amount of water for these uses.”

“Most of the people in UAE use desalinated water. If we would get the waters underground and if there is sufficient quantity of them, we should use it for drinking purposes first. The groundwater is fresh, and that would reduce our need for desalinated water, thereby lessening its cost.”

Dr. Murad will be one of the researchers the UAE will be sending for the 4th Annual Meeting of Asia Oceania Geosciences Society (AOGS) on July 30 to August 4 at Bangkok, Thailand. He is going to present four studies namely the Assessment of Surface Water and Groundwater in the UAE, the Evaluation of the Falaj Water in the Al Ain area in the UAE, and about the Interaction of Water and Aquifer in a plain near Jebel Hafeet.

Reference:
E. Landais. “Call to tap hidden water under desert.” Gulf News. 01 July 2007.

Finally, a building that breathes

May5 - May 18, 2007
Issue 22
www.alaintimesuae.com

In collaboration of the UAE University and the University of Aberdeen, and with the support of the Dubai Municipality and the Al Hamad Group of Dubai, the first dynamic breathing building (DBB) will be erected in Al Ain.

"Our buildings need to breathe because you need to bring air to the occupants of that building. In most buildings, the air comes in through pipes. But in the type of building we are talking about, we developed an innovation called 'dynamic insulation,' wherein the ventilation can come through the walls or through the roof," Dr. Imbabi said.

"Usually, a building uses a lot of energy. But it loses it through the walls that 'pulls' the air that people breathe. It is as if you are throwing air away. With a breathing building, the air becomes trapped through the walls, pre-cooling the building with less energy. Aside from energy conservation, a breathing building can filter the air that comes in and comes out. What is more is that the air that is exhausted out will be cleaner than the air that came in because of this wall system. All in all, you have a building that functions with less energy, and with a clean-up technology that picks up pollution so that you can have a healthy life both inside and outside of the building."

Dynamic breathing buildings, although serving an ideal function, will not look any different from other buildings. "It will just give you more pleasant energy. You know, everybody is talking about the environment, especially the hazards of global warming. This is a technology that would enable us to do something about that."

Developers will also gain from DBBs. "In the UAE, the benefit is even greater. In addition to saving some energy and refining a building system, air-conditioning costs will also be reduced. We have tried this out in a residential block in Abu Dhabi last year from June to December using an 'Energyflocell.' There, we measured the performance of the system in this kind of environment, and we found out that it will work here throughout the year without any problem. It is also applicable to commercial and residential buildings alike in an affordable price."

But, just like with other researches that did not come into being, DBBs run into the risk of staying as an idea only. "Although this would be an opportunity to produce a 21 st century building, the economic argument is very strong because it will cost twice the amount of a conventional building. But fortunately, there are some countries that already showed interest in this project. In fact, I was in Korea three weeks ago to sign a memorandum with them. I think, once it is shown in one or two buildings, many people will benefit. It will hit off in a big way."

Lack of HIV and AIDS education hounds Al Ain students

May 5 – May 18, 2007
Issue 22
www.alaintimesuae.com


There is an insufficient knowledge on the issue of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) among the Grade 12 students of Al Ain as well as a lack of support for the patients who have the disease, Dr. Michal Grivna, Assistant Professor at the Department of Community Medicine of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at the UAE University found out.

In their research entitled "Knowledge, Attitudes and Beliefs among UAE High School Students regarding HIV/AIDS," Dr. Grivna and his peers discovered that only 89% of males and 92% of females believe that HIV is a virus, while 57% of males and 60% of females consider AIDS as a disease. The study was participated in by 1903 students from 18 schools in Al Ain (1525) and Abu Dhabi (378). Out of the respondents, 57% were UAE nationals while 99% are Muslims.

" The main goal of our present study was to act upon the results of our first survey in order to reduce the frequency of HIV transmission among young Emiratis and other Arabs in the UAE by improving knowledge about HIV and AIDS prevention among Arab high school students in Al Ain and Abu Dhabi. A second goal included helping train medical students in research methodology, AIDS educational methods, and methods of evaluation of educational interventions for health promotion. A third goal was to provide research-based recommendations for future HIV and AIDS teaching for the Department of Preventive Medicine and School Health Authorities," he said.

Only 19% of males and 9% of females adhere to the fact that mosquito bites can cause an HIV transmission. About 95% of males and 96% of females thought babies can inherit their mother's disease. Some 71%, on the other hand, insisted on having HIV tests, and 12% would report to the police if they had the virus during a premarital intercourse.

In lieu of this, Dr. Grivna's team had conducted an intervention programme to rectify the presumptions of the students regarding the virus and the disease. "Prior to the intervention, there were many misconceptions of knowledge about HIV/AIDS, and stigmatizing attitudes towards people living with HIV/AIDS. Overall, there were highly significant improvements in both knowledge and attitudes after the intervention."

"We recommend that this educational program should be given to all high school students, and perhaps also to university students. The program should be given by individuals who have received appropriate training in conducting the workshops, as these are essential in helping to modify attitudes. Since the time requirements are minimal, all schools should be able to include HIV/AIDS educational interventions of this nature in their programs."

Dealing with Thalassemia

January 13 – January 26, 2007
Issue 14
www.alaintimesuae.com

When Dr. Elsadig Kazzam, Senior Consultant Cardiologist and Associate Professor in UAEU-Faculty of Medicine, did his research about the human heart, he saw that a certain blood disorder could affect it and lead to more fatal problems. So he talked to some of his colleagues who also happen to be interested with the infection, considering it not only as scientific research problem, but as a public problem as well. Their curiosity and willingness to improve the quality of life inspired them form a group, chaired by Dr. Kazzam, which will help combat the disease.

“We are building a society now, the Thalassemia Research and Working Group. This group would try to work with the patients in Al Ain. Our working group is going to check on the four aspects of thalassemia, while the research group, in his or her own specialties, will be doing researches on this,” said Dr. Kazzam. “Now, we are currently looking on the effect of thalassemia on heart. Usually, there are two reasons why a patient dies because of his or her heart: because of heart failure or abnormalities. The latter can be brought by the blood transfusions a person with thalassemia needs to have, as the extra iron can accumulate in the heart leading to iron overload,” he added.

Thalassemia is a condition that occurs when the proteins in the hemoglobin is altered or mutated. This happens when one or more of the genes – the alpha or the beta hemoglobin chain – fail to produce protein. It has two types: the thalassemia minor, which is a situation where only one of the genes is not working, and the thalassemia major, which is a situation where genes fail completely. Thalassemia minor is less severe than thalassemia major.

Among the objectives of the group are to have a Patient Care Officer that will give their patients the best possible treatment and follow up on them; have a Family Support Officer who will assure, comfort, advise and give psychological and moral support to the patients’ families whenever they need help; and make a ‘thalassemia register’ in Al Ain and Abu Dhabi that will contain information on all patients such as their name, age, social condition, and others. “But it will be keep anonymous so that only the people involved will know about it. This will be useful for the government, patients, relatives and researchers,” said Dr. Kazzam.

“We also like to increase public awareness and community service. We will have symposiums and lectures, and orient the families, societies, communities, women associations and patients associations. We would also organized highly specialised courses where we would invite national and international experts to deal and discuss the problem of thalassemia.”

The Thalassemia Research and Working Group is composed of hematologists, cardiologists, psychologists, scientists, x-ray technicians, and members of the UAEU-Faculty of Information. It also contacts from the United Kingdom. “I hope that when this group establishes itself, it will be a Thalassemia Society in Al Ain or in Abu Dhabi. After we ascertain this, we will coordinate with the Dubai Thalassemia Centre to work as one team.”

Touring Al Ain Zoo

January 13 – January 26, 2007
Issue 14
www.alaintimesuae.com

Amidst the biting cold, there is always a good reason to stay here in Al Ain. Trying to be at par with modern zoological parks in the world is the Al Ain Zoo, which has 68 species of mammals, 88 species of birds and 35 species of reptiles to date. It has been renovated last summer and is now set to give outright education and fun.

“Together with the Al Ain Zoo Technical Committee, I have conducted rapid improvements and implemented a series of programs for the development of the zoo,” said Mark Craig, Director of the Al Ain Zoo. “We were trying to resemble what you see in the wilds of Africa. We have added green areas and picnic areas, and upgraded our services as well from our toilets to our restaurant areas to our shade facilities. Right at the zoo entrance, we have placed exhibits such as the Mixed Arabian exhibit, where the Arabian Gazelle and the Arabian Oryx together in a landscape that looks like the wild; and the Mixed African and Savannah Exhibit, where we have 70 different species of animals from Africa. In the coming weeks, we will put up an education centre to look after students visiting the zoo. This will be really a new experience for the public as they would engage themselves in education and entertainment at the same time,” he added.

Currently, the 850-hectare wildlife sanctuary has only its 50 hectares open to visitors. “But it’s still big. Any zoo beyond 50 hectares is really big. We call it the ‘Core Zoo’,” said Craig who had been a keeper in Adelaide Zoo in South Australia when he began his career in 1985. Within 23 years of his service there, he became the zoo’s Bird Supervisor, Curator, Manager of Life Sciences, and Director. He also managed the Monarto Zoological Park, a 1000-hectare open range zoo in South Australia.

Craig’s love for animals materialized in the zoo. "Passion for animals and wildlife has always been with me. Whenever I travel in my travels in Southeast Asia, Europe and Australia, I study the animals there and visit their zoos. The first species that I was made to look after were penguins. And then I worked with reptiles.”

About Dh35 million was allotted for the zoo’s development last year. And along with the reconstruction of its appearance is the restructuring of its objectives. “Part of our program is to improve the welfare of the animals. It’s no good bringing in an animal that likes things we cannot provide here. I believe that a zoo can be a resource not only for recreation but also for wildlife education and conservation as well,” Craig explained.

Aside from increased awareness on the needs of animals, the zoo intends to educate the public by letting them see the animals in their natural habitats while informing them of their individual needs and sensitivities. “Zoos provide better entertainment. For Dh10 only, you can have a whole day of fun. You have the real thing. You can watch the animals. You can smell the animals. You can also learn something and get exercise,” the Director said.

Al Ain Zoo was established in 1968 by the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Some of the animals that thrive in the zoo are the leopards, giraffe, crocodiles, gibbons, lions, Arabian wolves, African gazelles, gorillas, cheetahs, ostriches, Barbary sheep, ibexes, servals, flamingos, baboons, Mohr gazelles, patas monkeys, gemsboks, green monkeys, cats and tortoises. It is open from 8 o’ clock in the morning to 6 o’ clock in the evening. Entrance free for the adults are Dh10 while children (from 6-15 years) need only to pay Dh5. Children under 6 years, on the other hand are free, and the zoo purchased wheelchairs for them upon request.