CIBSE said it will be conducting CIBSE Week 2024, a series of events focusing on building services engineering, from October 28 to November 1 in Dubai. CIBSE’s President, Fiona Cousins, and CIBSE’s CEO, Ruth Carter, will be taking a leading role in the planned extensive series of discussions, focusing on climate resilience and progressive strategies for improving building performance. Cousins and Carter will be visiting the UAE and Saudi Arabia to participate in key activities that further the cause of building services engineering in the region. The event’s highlights will include conferences that bring together industry stakeholders to explore innovative approaches to retrofitting and climate resilience. Cousins and Carter will engage in strategic collaborations with prominent universities, fostering academic and practical
advancements in sustainable building practices. Additionally, their visit will include high-level
roundtable discussions with leading figures in the industry, aimed at addressing issues related
to climate resilience and sustainable building solutions. The itinerary also includes tours of
some of the region’s most exciting projects, providing an insight into the latest advancements
in building technology.
CIBSE Week will also feature the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with major industry partners. The agreements are set to reinforce CIBSE’s commitment to advancing sustainable building practices and driving progress in the GCC region. The event will also feature the 6 th Edition of the CIBSE Awards, which has a mandate to recognise exceptional performance in building services, spread over 29 competitive categories. With over 300 attendees expected – including major consultants, contractors, manufacturers and suppliers – the CIBSE Awards will feature marquee participation of Cousins and Carter, making it an unparalleled platform for networking and celebrating industry milestones.
“We are thrilled to provide a platform that not only honours excellence but also fosters sustainable practices and innovative solutions within building services engineering,” said Imran Shaikh, CIBSE UAE Chapter. “The 2024 CIBSE Week and its Awards aim to highlight the outstanding progress in the field, supporting the goals set for COP 28.

“We invite you to join us during this exciting week as we celebrate excellence, innovation and
sustainability in the building service industry.”

The eagerly awaited 2024 edition of Tawdheef x Zaheb, the UAE’s premier Emiratisation event,
will be held at ADNEC Centre, Abu Dhabi, from November 19 th to 21 st .
Among the many offerings at Tawdheef x Zaheb are career counselling services, mock interview
sessions, and guided tours of the exhibition floor. Key highlights include exclusive skill-building
workshops led by industry experts, motivational speaker sessions featuring successful leaders,
and a Keynote Circle that will tackle crucial regulatory and policy matters shaping the future of
employment in the UAE.
One of the most anticipated features is the Speedy Knowledge Hub, where participants can
engage in 20-minute sessions to rapidly upgrade and get certified in a range of career
enhancement skills. Topics include crafting standout CVs and cover letters, leveraging AI tools,
job search techniques, mastering interviews, understanding recruiter preferences, and social
media networking. Attendees can also capture professional headshots and participate in contests
designed to provide both insights and a chance to win exciting prizes.
With the number of participating companies, organisations, and job opportunities increasing each
year, Tawdheef x Zaheb continues to grow in both scale and prestige. The 2024 edition of the
event has received notable support from the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry,
underscoring its role as a strategic partner for the UAE government’s ambitious Emiratisation
programme.
The event emphasises practical skill development and insider advice, making it particularly
appealing to younger visitors. Sessions like The Art of Effective Job Hunting, and Ace the
Audition will provide essential strategies for career success. A standout session, Future Trends in
the Job Market, will explore the latest careers-related digital tools, helping attendees stay ahead
in an dynamic employment landscape. Tawdheef x Zaheb will also feature panel discussions on
vital topics such educational excellence, diversity and inclusion in the workplace, and the
challenges related to Emiratisation efforts.
As Fadi Harb, Event Manager of Informa Middle East, highlights, Tawdheef x Zaheb is designed
to offer much more than a conventional career fair. It aims to provide crucial insights into exciting career paths while facilitating essential discussions on the UAE as a hub for emerging and innovative industries.

AlephYa Education (“AlephYa” or “Company”), a leading pan-GCC education provider, today announced a majority
investment from TA Associates (“TA”), a leading global private equity firm, to support its next
phase of growth. As part of the transaction, existing investors Gulf Investment Corporation
(“GIC”) and Oman International Development and Investment Company SAOG (“Ominvest”)
will retain a meaningful stake in the business, partnering closely with TA. Ashmore Investment
Saudi Arabia (“Ashmore”), an investor in AlephYa since 2017, will fully exit its investment in
the Company.
Founded in 2017, AlephYa has become a fast-expanding school platform committed to providing
high-quality, affordable education to local and expat families across the Middle East. The
Company’s network of schools offers a mix of American, British and local curricula designed to
empower students with the skills to become future leaders while retaining their national heritage.
Today, AlephYa owns and operates 13 schools across Saudi Arabia, UAE and Oman, with a
combined enrollment of over 18,500 students.
“Since AlephYa’s founding only seven years ago, the Company has established a strong,
diversified platform driven by an impressive track record of M&A and operational excellence.
As experienced investors in the education space, we see great potential for AlephYa’s continued
expansion, both organically and through strategic acquisitions,” said Dhiraj Poddar, Managing
Director at TA. “We are thrilled to partner with the AlephYa team to achieve further scale and
bring high-quality, affordable education to more communities across the GCC,” added Vishal
Gupta, Director at TA.
“TA shares our commitment to academic excellence, and their investment provides a major
opportunity to enhance our educational infrastructure, improve our facilities and increase our
impact on new and existing students,” said Shailesh Doshi, CEO and Co-Founder of AlephYa.
“We are excited to welcome TA as an investor and look forward to leveraging their deep
expertise in scaling companies to reach our full potential,” added Nadeem Masud and Chandra
Tiwari, Co-Founders of AlephYa.
“Since investing in the Company in 2017, it has been a privilege to significantly scale AlephYa
working alongside Ominvest and GIC during a period of such transformational growth,”
commented Ibrahim Assem, Head of Private Equity, MENA at Ashmore Group plc. “We wish
AlephYa and its shareholders the best as they solidify its position as one of the largest school
groups in the region,” added Kartik Patel, Head of Alternatives at Ashmore Investment Saudi
Arabia.

“We believe AlephYa is well-positioned to sustain its rapid growth as the demand for accessible,
high-quality education continues to increase across the GCC. This transaction is part of GIC’s
strategy to partner with leading global firms and we look forward to the next chapter ahead in
partnership with TA,” said Mohammad Al-Fares, Head of Diversified Projects Division at GIC.
“We are pleased to welcome TA as a fellow investor in AlephYa. As knowledgeable investors in
the education sector, we are confident TA’s partnership will enable us to enhance AlephYa’s
offering and further strengthen its footprint. This investment is aligned with Ominvest’s Purpose
Statement of transforming businesses to enrich societies,” commented Badar Al Shanfari, Chief
investment Officer (Private Equity) at Ominvest.