Finland Special Report

Finland SPECIAL REPORT

Green Technology: Banking on an eco-friendly future

A New Era in Waste Collection Overflowing waste bins, unpleasant odours and hygiene problems caused by rotting food scraps, and endless rumbling of fast-moving waste disposal trucks will all be consigned to history. This is being taken care of by MetroTaifun, developed and manufactured by MariMatic in Finland.

The most modern, cost effective and energy efficient waste collection system in the market sucks the waste deposited at feeder points into an underground pipe and transports it up to four kilometres away to a waste terminal. At the terminal the waste is compacted into containers and transported onwards.

MetroTaifun’s superiority has been verified for instance in the Al-Masjid al-Harām . mosque extension project in Makkahal-Mukarramah (Mecca), Saudi Arabia.

The first stage of the world’s longest pipe waste collection system will be completed in 2013.

Further information from www.metrotaifun.com

Khaleej_Times_1s_221111.indd 1

25.11.2011 09:48:55

Finland

SPECIALREPORT DECEMBER 4, 2011

EDITORIAL

Executive Editor Patrick Michael Supplements Editor Suchitra Steven Samuel Reporting Anil Kumar Vijayan

PRODUCTION Designers Mohammad Ejaz Khan Sidharthan Imaging Venugopal Prabhu

ADVERTISING

Director Advertising Haroon Qureshi Senior Advertising Manager (Supplements) Philip Smith

Dubai Head Office: P.O. Box 11243 Tel: +971 4 3383535 Fax: +971 4 3383345/46 E-mail: supplements@khaleejtimes.com Abu Dhabi: P.O. Box 3082 Tel: +971 2 6337666 Fax: +971 2 6351122 E-mail: ktimesad@eim.ae Bahrain: Universal Enterprises P.O. Box 1062 Manama Tel: +973-17290303 Fax: +973-17293818 Oman-Muscat: United Media Services SAOC, P.O. Box 3305 Ruwi Postal Code 112 Tel: +968 24700896 Fax: +968 24706512 E-mail: alpana@umsoman.com India: Mediascope Publicitas, 51 Doli Chamber, Colaba, Mumbai 400005 Tel: +91 22 613 77400 Fax: +91 22 22875718 E-mail: representations@publicitas.com Pakistan: Millennium Media, Karachi Tel: +92-21-5480795 Fax: +92-21-5870242 Email: tauqeermuhajir@gmail.com England: 47, Great Cumberland Place, London W1H 7 LH Tel: +44 20 7723 5083 Fax: +44 20 7706 4157 A Publication of Galadari Printing & Publishing L.L.C.

CONTENTS Exploring bilateral ties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

More companies turn green . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Patria — high-tech competence in varied technologies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4 5 6

SMART GREEN BUILDING GROUP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 - 12

• • • • • •

Energy efficiency the Finnish way Multidisciplinary expertise for healthy, safe and sustainable buildings Finnish experts in business law Sustainable information management for built environment Investing in Green Living Refreshing water

Cutting-edge technology for automatic solid waste collection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Surface treatment solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Solutions and technologies for intelligent green buildings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Turning waste into fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Solid foundation of partnerships in teaching with Finnish institutions . . . . . .

Creating the best performing schools in the world . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Emirati-Finnish fusion schooling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Global leader in developing language teaching software and digital language labs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Excellence in vocational higher education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Dedicated to people flow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Complete cargo-handling solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Experienced, intelligent lifting solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

13 14 15 16 18 20 22 23 24 26 28 30

AVENUES OF CO-OPERATION

SUSTAINABLE LIVING

Exploring bilateral ties KT photo by Nezar Balout

Bilateral relations between the UAE and Finland have reached ‘adulthood’, according to Ilkka-Pekka Similä, Finland’s new ambassador to the UAE SILVIA RADAN

E

VER since Finland established diplomatic relations with the UAE in the midseventies, and then set up an embassy in Abu Dhabi in the early 90s, bilateral relations have constantly grown, and so have economic ties.

“The embassy’s main mission here is to enhance bilateral relations in all aspects, but in particular trade and commerce relations,” said Ilkka-Pekka Similä, Finland’s newly-appointed Ambassador to the UAE, at the embassy in Abu Dhabi.

Bilateral relations have reached “adulthood” with an increase in the number of visits by Finland’s government functionaries. During 2007-11 there were eight such visits at the ministerial level, including delegations from trade, environment, employment and economy, communication, defence and education sectors.

The UAE’s interest in Finland was also reflected in several delegations from here that paid a visit to the Scandinavian country. Such official visits included those by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Energy Mohammed bin Dha’en Al Hamili and Minister of Education Humaid Mohammed Obaid Al Qatami, who was in Helsinki just three months ago.

“The idea of these minister-level visits is that the minister usually has quite a large business delegation and it’s an opportunity to enhance business and trade relations,” pointed out Similä.

As for the government-level agreements, there have been several in the past few years on economic co-operation, double taxation and investment protection. In February 2010, an anti-money laundering agreement was signed between the Central Bank of the UAE and Finland. It covers mutual co-operation in fields such as financial information related to money laundering and terrorism financing with a view to support, enhance

4

Finland

KHALEEJ TIMES SPECIAL REPORT

Ilkka-Pekka Similä, Finland ambassador to the UAE and strengthen policies for fighting money laundering and tourism financing.

Only days ago, on November 21, another agreement was signed, this time between the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation and Finland’s Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, allowing the two bodies to exchange information, experience, staff and technology in order to ensure safe, secure and peaceful use of nuclear energy, materials and applications. Some agreements are in the pipeline.

“Our relations are obviously expanding,” stressed Similä. “More and more Finnish companies are operating in the UAE nowadays — more than 50 of them.”

From traditional profile big companies such as Nokia, the growth in numbers has also shifted recently towards smaller new generation high-tech solutions and ecofriendly companies, as well as engineering consulting ones. Deal-wise, there have been some pretty big ones too between the two countries.

Many of these major deals have come up in the past couple of years. The financial crises did hit the trade between Finland and the UAE, but according to statistics they are recovering fast.

“Trade relations are picking up now after the 2008 recession,” stressed Similä.

“Our exports to the UAE in 2010 was 250 million euros (Dh1.23 billion). In the good old days it used to be almost a billion euros, but this year, from January to August, the exports are almost the same as the whole of last year — 250 million euros.”

Our export to the UAE in electronics has grown by 236 per cent this year.

High-class environment-friendly technology and consultancy services are also something Finland has to offer to the UAE when it comes to business. Tourism and education are also strong in Finland and both countries are now looking at developing relations in these areas.

According to the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2009, which assessed 65 countries, Finland offers the best education of them all.

As a result, a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between Abu Dhabi and Finland to help upgrade and improve education in the emirate.

“We have here around 40 Finnish teachers in two different schools in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, teaching side-by-side with Emirati teachers. One of these is a boys’ school and the other is a girls’ school,” said Similä.

“They are not using the Finnish curricula, but together they are building a new one, which is most suitable for the country’s circumstances.

“This is something we emphasise.

We don’t bring our model to the UAE because it doesn’t fit as such; it is best for our circumstances. We try instead to find together an ideal solution for your school system.”

In the field of education many new avenues are being explored currently.

Given the limited resources of the embassy here, which also services Qatar and Bahrain, and the relatively small number of Finns living in the UAE (about 1,200), small-scale cultural co-operation has also been initiated, especially in the field of book translations into Arabic. These include a project to translate into Arabic the “Kalevala”, which is a 19th century work of epic poetry compiled by Elias Lönnrot from Finnish and Karelian oral folklore and mythology. Tourism, though, is what the new ambassador would like to see growing. Last year alone, almost 26,000 Finnish tourists visited the UAE. The country also now has three travel operators offering travel services to the UAE, as well as a flight operator flying here directly.

“I would also like to see more Emiratis visiting Finland,” said the ambassador.

He believes that in the same way as the Finns enjoy the hot climate here, the Emiratis might appreciate the cold, snowy winters or even the cooler summers and midnight sun in Finland’s holiday resorts or cities.

— silvia@khaleejtimes.com

G

REEN economy brings growth, employment and well-being. Different industries or companies, however, cannot be classified as green or non-green, because greenness can be included as part of all business activity, says Tellervo Kylä-Harakka-Ruonala, Director of the Confederation of Finnish Industries.

“In green economy environmental aspects are taken into consideration in all functions of the economy. Business based on the environment, or environmental expertise, is a central source of growth and a success factor,” he adds.

“We must simultaneously be able to generate economic growth and solve environmental problems. There is an immense global need for environmental technology and expertise especially due to the climate change and the growing demand on energy and raw materials.

Sustainable strategy: In March the European Commission published a proposal for the European Union’s new strategy, EU 2020. It has been appointed to be a strategy for intelligent, sustainable and involving growth, which relies for instance on green business. Also in Finland people speak of green technology as the new pillar of support for Finnish export.

At the same time, as companies reduce their environmental emissions and impacts, they acquire special expertise, which is needed and on demand also elsewhere, confirms Kylä-Harakka-Ruonala.

According to him, the Finns are particularly skilled producers of energy-efficient, and environment-saving industrial processes, machinery and devices, renewable energy engineering, water and waste management systems, as well as information and communication technology applications.

More companies turn green As Finnish companies reduce their environmental emissions and impacts, they acquire special expertise which is needed

Keys to success: Low-carbon and ecoefficiency are the characteristics of greenness. Kylä-Harakka-Ruonala reminds us that these alone do not guarantee success in business. In order to succeed, green business requires the same prerequisites as any other business. Companies must be economically profitable and competitive, the products must meet a demand and political decision-makers must offer companies favourable investment and operating environment, he informs.

Competitive investment and operating environment concerns not only all factors of production, such as energy and labour, but also the framework of innovation activities, taxation and legislations. Since green and non-green sectors cannot be separated, all sectors must be provided good competitive prerequisites.

Finland

KHALEEJ TIMES SPECIAL REPORT

5

AVENUES OF CO-OPERATION

SUSTAINABLE LIVING

Exploring bilateral ties KT photo by Nezar Balout

Bilateral relations between the UAE and Finland have reached ‘adulthood’, according to Ilkka-Pekka Similä, Finland’s new ambassador to the UAE SILVIA RADAN

E

VER since Finland established diplomatic relations with the UAE in the midseventies, and then set up an embassy in Abu Dhabi in the early 90s, bilateral relations have constantly grown, and so have economic ties.

“The embassy’s main mission here is to enhance bilateral relations in all aspects, but in particular trade and commerce relations,” said Ilkka-Pekka Similä, Finland’s newly-appointed Ambassador to the UAE, at the embassy in Abu Dhabi.

Bilateral relations have reached “adulthood” with an increase in the number of visits by Finland’s government functionaries. During 2007-11 there were eight such visits at the ministerial level, including delegations from trade, environment, employment and economy, communication, defence and education sectors.

The UAE’s interest in Finland was also reflected in several delegations from here that paid a visit to the Scandinavian country. Such official visits included those by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Energy Mohammed bin Dha’en Al Hamili and Minister of Education Humaid Mohammed Obaid Al Qatami, who was in Helsinki just three months ago.

“The idea of these minister-level visits is that the minister usually has quite a large business delegation and it’s an opportunity to enhance business and trade relations,” pointed out Similä.

As for the government-level agreements, there have been several in the past few years on economic co-operation, double taxation and investment protection. In February 2010, an anti-money laundering agreement was signed between the Central Bank of the UAE and Finland. It covers mutual co-operation in fields such as financial information related to money laundering and terrorism financing with a view to support, enhance

4

Finland

KHALEEJ TIMES SPECIAL REPORT

Ilkka-Pekka Similä, Finland ambassador to the UAE and strengthen policies for fighting money laundering and tourism financing.

Only days ago, on November 21, another agreement was signed, this time between the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation and Finland’s Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, allowing the two bodies to exchange information, experience, staff and technology in order to ensure safe, secure and peaceful use of nuclear energy, materials and applications. Some agreements are in the pipeline.

“Our relations are obviously expanding,” stressed Similä. “More and more Finnish companies are operating in the UAE nowadays — more than 50 of them.”

From traditional profile big companies such as Nokia, the growth in numbers has also shifted recently towards smaller new generation high-tech solutions and ecofriendly companies, as well as engineering consulting ones. Deal-wise, there have been some pretty big ones too between the two countries.

Many of these major deals have come up in the past couple of years. The financial crises did hit the trade between Finland and the UAE, but according to statistics they are recovering fast.

“Trade relations are picking up now after the 2008 recession,” stressed Similä.

“Our exports to the UAE in 2010 was 250 million euros (Dh1.23 billion). In the good old days it used to be almost a billion euros, but this year, from January to August, the exports are almost the same as the whole of last year — 250 million euros.”

Our export to the UAE in electronics has grown by 236 per cent this year.

High-class environment-friendly technology and consultancy services are also something Finland has to offer to the UAE when it comes to business. Tourism and education are also strong in Finland and both countries are now looking at developing relations in these areas.

According to the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2009, which assessed 65 countries, Finland offers the best education of them all.

As a result, a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between Abu Dhabi and Finland to help upgrade and improve education in the emirate.

“We have here around 40 Finnish teachers in two different schools in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, teaching side-by-side with Emirati teachers. One of these is a boys’ school and the other is a girls’ school,” said Similä.

“They are not using the Finnish curricula, but together they are building a new one, which is most suitable for the country’s circumstances.

“This is something we emphasise.

We don’t bring our model to the UAE because it doesn’t fit as such; it is best for our circumstances. We try instead to find together an ideal solution for your school system.”

In the field of education many new avenues are being explored currently.

Given the limited resources of the embassy here, which also services Qatar and Bahrain, and the relatively small number of Finns living in the UAE (about 1,200), small-scale cultural co-operation has also been initiated, especially in the field of book translations into Arabic. These include a project to translate into Arabic the “Kalevala”, which is a 19th century work of epic poetry compiled by Elias Lönnrot from Finnish and Karelian oral folklore and mythology. Tourism, though, is what the new ambassador would like to see growing. Last year alone, almost 26,000 Finnish tourists visited the UAE. The country also now has three travel operators offering travel services to the UAE, as well as a flight operator flying here directly.

“I would also like to see more Emiratis visiting Finland,” said the ambassador.

He believes that in the same way as the Finns enjoy the hot climate here, the Emiratis might appreciate the cold, snowy winters or even the cooler summers and midnight sun in Finland’s holiday resorts or cities.

— silvia@khaleejtimes.com

G

REEN economy brings growth, employment and well-being. Different industries or companies, however, cannot be classified as green or non-green, because greenness can be included as part of all business activity, says Tellervo Kylä-Harakka-Ruonala, Director of the Confederation of Finnish Industries.

“In green economy environmental aspects are taken into consideration in all functions of the economy. Business based on the environment, or environmental expertise, is a central source of growth and a success factor,” he adds.

“We must simultaneously be able to generate economic growth and solve environmental problems. There is an immense global need for environmental technology and expertise especially due to the climate change and the growing demand on energy and raw materials.

Sustainable strategy: In March the European Commission published a proposal for the European Union’s new strategy, EU 2020. It has been appointed to be a strategy for intelligent, sustainable and involving growth, which relies for instance on green business. Also in Finland people speak of green technology as the new pillar of support for Finnish export.

At the same time, as companies reduce their environmental emissions and impacts, they acquire special expertise, which is needed and on demand also elsewhere, confirms Kylä-Harakka-Ruonala.

According to him, the Finns are particularly skilled producers of energy-efficient, and environment-saving industrial processes, machinery and devices, renewable energy engineering, water and waste management systems, as well as information and communication technology applications.

More companies turn green As Finnish companies reduce their environmental emissions and impacts, they acquire special expertise which is needed

Keys to success: Low-carbon and ecoefficiency are the characteristics of greenness. Kylä-Harakka-Ruonala reminds us that these alone do not guarantee success in business. In order to succeed, green business requires the same prerequisites as any other business. Companies must be economically profitable and competitive, the products must meet a demand and political decision-makers must offer companies favourable investment and operating environment, he informs.

Competitive investment and operating environment concerns not only all factors of production, such as energy and labour, but also the framework of innovation activities, taxation and legislations. Since green and non-green sectors cannot be separated, all sectors must be provided good competitive prerequisites.

Finland

KHALEEJ TIMES SPECIAL REPORT

5

Patria

Patria Nemo, 120 mm mortar on a vessel

Finnish NH90 transport helicopter

Patria — high-tech competence in varied technologies Patria is a trusted provider of defence, security and aviation life-cycle support services and technology solutions. Patria’s most significant export products include the Armoured Modular Vehicle, Patria AMV and the Patria Nemo mortar system, which have both been selected by global customers, including the UAE Armed Forces

The Armoured Modular Vehicle, Patria AMV, is selected by the UAE Armed Force

Patria is a globally operating defence, security, and aviation group providing customers with competitive solutions based on strong expertise and collaboration with trusted partners. The most significant market areas are the Nordic countries, Central and Eastern Europe, and certain countries in the Middle East.

Patria’s strength lies in its excellent products complying with NATO standards.

Originally Patria was established in Finland 90 years ago starting as a national manufacturer of aircraft. Since then Patria has widened its fields of expertise to new grounds of defence technology and services such as armoured wheeled vehicles, advanced mortar systems and defence electronics.

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KHALEEJ TIMES SPECIAL REPORT

Patria in the UAE Patria’s most significant export products globally include the Armoured Modular Vehicle, Patria AMV and the Patria Nemo mortar system.

They have both been selected by the UAE Armed Forces.

Today the number of globally contracted Patria AMV 8x8 exceeds 1,400 vehicles.

In addition to the UAE Armed Forces, Patria AMV is contracted also by the Finnish, Polish and Swedish Defence Forces, and it has been fielded in ISAF operations since the year 2007.

The newest product of Patria’s mortar systems is Patria Nemo, which is a 120-millimetre remote-controlled mortar turret, providing both direct and indirect fire support. As a modern and

Cirrus aircraft, pilot training

compact system, Patria Nemo can easily be mounted onto various tracked and wheeled chassis. Due to its low weight of only 1500 kilogrammes, Patria Nemo is now also adaptable to lightweight, high-speed vessels and can be effectively used for harbour patrolling and protection, coastal guarding and infantry landing operations.

Patria is very pleased that the UAE Armed Forces has chosen Patria Nemo especially after having ordered Patria AMV vehicles earlier.

This order confirmed Patria’s position as the global market leader in turreted mortar systems. For Patria, the Arabian Peninsula is an important focus area in the future. In the UAE, Patria has a high interest in building a strong local partnership.

Proven technology transfers In the global production of Patria AMV vehicles and other products, Patria’s experience with proven technology transfers enables building production capabilities in different locations — Patria operates both globally and locally.

Technology transfers have proved efficient when manufacturing customers’ products locally in the customer state.

Patria has successfully transferred its special expertise and practical know-how of technology for many customers, for example in the case of manufacturing Patria AMV for Polish defence forces.

Patria’s current operations with the life-cycle support of F-18 Hornet jet fighters, Hawk training jets, and NH90 transport helicopters have all required a thorough technology transfer, which Patria has successfully adapted.

A firm footing in aviation With a firm footing in aviation, Patria is one of the leading European providers of aviation life-cycle support services.

Patria is also an experienced provider of pilot training specialising in both military and civilian training.

In the military pilot training, Patria has achieved excellent results in elementary pilot training under contract for the Finnish Air Force (phase I - II training for conscripts, cadets and flight instructors).

In the area of advanced military jet pilot training, Patria is giving Hawk simulator training in the Kauhava air base.

Patria also operates in the civilian sector specialising in professional pilot training.

Patria Pilot Training is a leading Flight Training Organisation (FTO) in Northern Europe. Flight Training in Finland is based on JAA/EASA training requirements. Hundreds of our students have been employed by airlines throughout the world and have gone on to build successful careers.

System integration know-how Today’s defence systems are large entities that are comprised of several subsystems. Patria’s solid system integration know-how ensures that the entire system functions faultlessly. Patria specialises in reconnaissance, surveillance and command systems, as well as their integration and life-cycle support. Patria’s system integration know-how has been developed for decades to meet the needs of the increasingly complex systems used by customers.

www.patria.fi

In all we do, we deliver protection and performance.

In all we deliver, we offer partnerships and potential.

SMART GREEN BUILDING GROUP

SMART GREEN BUILDING GROUP

Multidisciplinary expertise for healthy, safe and sustainable buildings Vahanen architects, engineers and experts link together the knowledge and experience necessary to meet today’s and tomorrow’s challenges

ENERGY EFFICIENCY THE FINNISH WAY Smart Green Building Group is an alliance of Finland’s leading technology companies which share a vision of sustainable development in the region DRIVING the effort to bring the latest in Finnish environmental technology and green building expertise to the Arabian Gulf, the Smart Green Building Group is an alliance of Finland’s leading technology companies which share a vision of sustainable development in the region.

Based in Abu Dhabi’s Masdar City, the Smart Green Building Group comprises a range of companies - each a leader in its own field - which represent the latest advancements in environmental expertise.

The group has strong linkages to each other and has been working in close collaboration with Masdar City in the arena

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KHALEEJ TIMES SPECIAL REPORT

of new technological solutions for energy and water savings.

An initiative of the Vahanen Group, Finland’s largest architectural and engineering consulting company, the Smart Green Building Group comprises reputed companies such as Buildercom Ltd, Cold Cargo Solutions Ltd, Educluster Finland Ltd, Ensto / Enervent Ltd, PAC Solution Oy, Plant Technology Ltd, Procope & Hornborg and Tambest Oy. The group also supports and assists other companies from Finland which are interested in establishing their operations in the Gulf.

VAHANEN GROUP: OVER 400 EXPERTS AND 10 OFFICES IN SIX COUNTRIES Vahanen Group is one of the biggest Finnish owned technical consulting organisations in construction and property branch. We offer a wide scope of services in architecture, geotechnics, building services and structural engineering, refurbishment and property management and expert services in building physics together with environmental consulting. Our company network extends from Finland to Russia, Baltics, Romania, India and United Arab Emirates. In 2010 and 2011 Vahanen Group was chosen as one of the best places to work in Finland in the Great Place to Work competition.

Read more at www.vahanen.com.

MULTIDISCIPLINARY EXPERTISE FOR HEALTHY, SAFE AND SUSTAINABLE BUILDINGS Vahanen Group provides sustainable and multi-professional services for the construction and property sectors.

The company’s activities are tuned to enhance the client’s business in terms of energy and environmental efficiency helping them to create healthy Green Buildings for whatever the end-user needs might be.

Vahanen architects, engineers and experts link together the knowledge and experience necessary to meet today’s and tomorrow’s challenges – environmental, economic or functional. The marketplace has changed and Green Building is increasingly a given challenge. As it is not only a matter of energy efficiency or the responsible use of material resources but also an issue that relates directly to the quality of life, a multi-professional approach is needed.

In the Gulf, the Vahanen Group is focusing on energy efficiency in new and existing buildings, with cutting-edge solutions that offer considerable water and energy savings, as well as a clean indoor

environment free of fungus and mould.

Another of the company’s top engineering offerings is the design and furbishing of schools of all levels which meet the pedagogic goals set by the responsible authorities and are defined by the rapidly changing world where we live. Built in a modern style yet incorporating traditional elements of design, the schools are 50 per cent more efficient in terms of water and electricity consumption, with cleaner air quality leading to increased effectiveness among students. Together with its partner Educluster Finland Ltd, Vahanen is able to offer complete solutions for schools.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING SERVICES Vahanen’s expert services guarantee an excellent, safe and healthy working and living environment for building users, and optimise the building owner’s strategic targets for the property. Buildings can then withstand time and changing climate conditions, without compromis-

PROGRESSIVE SOLUTIONS • Solutions for low-energy building.

• Guidelines and planning for moisture performance of new construction projects.

• Total property condition assessments, and also, all required surveys and scheduled inspections which are conducted before, during and after a construction project.

• Determining the cause of structural moisture, mould damage and indoor air problems when planning renovations.

• Value Engineering: technical, economical, risk and quality

ing on functionality and aesthetics. A proactive approach helps the client to avoid future problems with the property. A typical part of the company’s operations is to seek practical and functional solutions based on research and observations.

COMPREHENSIVE QUALITY AND RISK MANAGEMENT Construction is often done in demanding conditions, where achieving high quality requires precise preplanning.

With comprehensive quality assurance measures, the Vahanen Group ensures that building and renovation procedures are carried out as prescribed and the client achieves the desired end result.

GREEN BUILDING CERTIFICATION Green Building has become a necessity because of concerns about climate change, energy use and carbon footprint.

Building owners and users are asking for sustainable buildings and they need to understand how well the buildings function. Certifying buildings using internationally acknowledged systems like LEED, BREEAM or ESTIDAMA give a third party recognition to the building and offer the possibility for all interested parties to compare the level of sustainability through an easily understandable scale.

PROPERTY SERVICES TO SUIT EACH STAGE OF THE LIFE CYCLE The Vahanen Group also offers a comprehensive range of services for effective and cost-efficient management of properties throughout their life span. These include strategic planning, property management and formulating maintenance, repair and upgrading plans.

A well-planned, supervised and maintained property optimises the cash flow and profit for the owner and maximises user satisfaction. www.vahanen.com

Finland

KHALEEJ TIMES SPECIAL REPORT

9

SMART GREEN BUILDING GROUP

SMART GREEN BUILDING GROUP

Multidisciplinary expertise for healthy, safe and sustainable buildings Vahanen architects, engineers and experts link together the knowledge and experience necessary to meet today’s and tomorrow’s challenges

ENERGY EFFICIENCY THE FINNISH WAY Smart Green Building Group is an alliance of Finland’s leading technology companies which share a vision of sustainable development in the region DRIVING the effort to bring the latest in Finnish environmental technology and green building expertise to the Arabian Gulf, the Smart Green Building Group is an alliance of Finland’s leading technology companies which share a vision of sustainable development in the region.

Based in Abu Dhabi’s Masdar City, the Smart Green Building Group comprises a range of companies - each a leader in its own field - which represent the latest advancements in environmental expertise.

The group has strong linkages to each other and has been working in close collaboration with Masdar City in the arena

8

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KHALEEJ TIMES SPECIAL REPORT

of new technological solutions for energy and water savings.

An initiative of the Vahanen Group, Finland’s largest architectural and engineering consulting company, the Smart Green Building Group comprises reputed companies such as Buildercom Ltd, Cold Cargo Solutions Ltd, Educluster Finland Ltd, Ensto / Enervent Ltd, PAC Solution Oy, Plant Technology Ltd, Procope & Hornborg and Tambest Oy. The group also supports and assists other companies from Finland which are interested in establishing their operations in the Gulf.

VAHANEN GROUP: OVER 400 EXPERTS AND 10 OFFICES IN SIX COUNTRIES Vahanen Group is one of the biggest Finnish owned technical consulting organisations in construction and property branch. We offer a wide scope of services in architecture, geotechnics, building services and structural engineering, refurbishment and property management and expert services in building physics together with environmental consulting. Our company network extends from Finland to Russia, Baltics, Romania, India and United Arab Emirates. In 2010 and 2011 Vahanen Group was chosen as one of the best places to work in Finland in the Great Place to Work competition.

Read more at www.vahanen.com.

MULTIDISCIPLINARY EXPERTISE FOR HEALTHY, SAFE AND SUSTAINABLE BUILDINGS Vahanen Group provides sustainable and multi-professional services for the construction and property sectors.

The company’s activities are tuned to enhance the client’s business in terms of energy and environmental efficiency helping them to create healthy Green Buildings for whatever the end-user needs might be.

Vahanen architects, engineers and experts link together the knowledge and experience necessary to meet today’s and tomorrow’s challenges – environmental, economic or functional. The marketplace has changed and Green Building is increasingly a given challenge. As it is not only a matter of energy efficiency or the responsible use of material resources but also an issue that relates directly to the quality of life, a multi-professional approach is needed.

In the Gulf, the Vahanen Group is focusing on energy efficiency in new and existing buildings, with cutting-edge solutions that offer considerable water and energy savings, as well as a clean indoor

environment free of fungus and mould.

Another of the company’s top engineering offerings is the design and furbishing of schools of all levels which meet the pedagogic goals set by the responsible authorities and are defined by the rapidly changing world where we live. Built in a modern style yet incorporating traditional elements of design, the schools are 50 per cent more efficient in terms of water and electricity consumption, with cleaner air quality leading to increased effectiveness among students. Together with its partner Educluster Finland Ltd, Vahanen is able to offer complete solutions for schools.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING SERVICES Vahanen’s expert services guarantee an excellent, safe and healthy working and living environment for building users, and optimise the building owner’s strategic targets for the property. Buildings can then withstand time and changing climate conditions, without compromis-

PROGRESSIVE SOLUTIONS • Solutions for low-energy building.

• Guidelines and planning for moisture performance of new construction projects.

• Total property condition assessments, and also, all required surveys and scheduled inspections which are conducted before, during and after a construction project.

• Determining the cause of structural moisture, mould damage and indoor air problems when planning renovations.

• Value Engineering: technical, economical, risk and quality

ing on functionality and aesthetics. A proactive approach helps the client to avoid future problems with the property. A typical part of the company’s operations is to seek practical and functional solutions based on research and observations.

COMPREHENSIVE QUALITY AND RISK MANAGEMENT Construction is often done in demanding conditions, where achieving high quality requires precise preplanning.

With comprehensive quality assurance measures, the Vahanen Group ensures that building and renovation procedures are carried out as prescribed and the client achieves the desired end result.

GREEN BUILDING CERTIFICATION Green Building has become a necessity because of concerns about climate change, energy use and carbon footprint.

Building owners and users are asking for sustainable buildings and they need to understand how well the buildings function. Certifying buildings using internationally acknowledged systems like LEED, BREEAM or ESTIDAMA give a third party recognition to the building and offer the possibility for all interested parties to compare the level of sustainability through an easily understandable scale.

PROPERTY SERVICES TO SUIT EACH STAGE OF THE LIFE CYCLE The Vahanen Group also offers a comprehensive range of services for effective and cost-efficient management of properties throughout their life span. These include strategic planning, property management and formulating maintenance, repair and upgrading plans.

A well-planned, supervised and maintained property optimises the cash flow and profit for the owner and maximises user satisfaction. www.vahanen.com

Finland

KHALEEJ TIMES SPECIAL REPORT

9

SMART GREEN BUILDING GROUP

Finnish experts in business law Procopé & Hornborg’s Middle East and Africa team advises its clients throughout the spectrum of doing business in the region

SMART GREEN BUILDING GROUP Procopé & Hornborg offers legal advice for the needs of the Finnish export and finance sectors operating in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar and Kuwait. Likewise we offer services in relation to transactions towards Finland and Scandinavia to institutions and enterprises in the region. The firm’s Middle East and Africa team advises its clients throughout the

spectrum of doing business in the region, all the way from the initial start-up stage to complex multi-jurisdictional transactions such as mergers and acquisitions, investment banking and corporate governance.

The lawyers at Procopé & Hornborg have an experience of working in the Middle East that stretches out over four decades. References include

Sustainable information management for built environment Helsinki-headquartered Buildercom offers enhanced and effective information management tools for the whole lifecycle of a building

EFFICIENCY AND BETTER QUALITY According to experts, there are 10 - 20 per cent mismanagement costs in construction projects. With the Buildercom solution all project information is available online 24/7 and all project members receive activity notifications when information is

10 Finland

KHALEEJ TIMES SPECIAL REPORT

the most valuable legal advice to its clients through quality and individually-tailored services when and how the clients demand it.

The MEA-team was launched in April 2011 due to a steady increase in demand for area-specific services. Currently the team is operating out of Helsinki, from where it carries out work in the Middle East as well

updated.

Industry-specific concepts ensure predefined places and formats for data in all projects. Quality Control, Daily Reporting and Procurement Planning keep users informed even on their mobile devices.

ACCURATE DOCUMENTATION RAISES THE VALUE OF THE PROPERTY Accurate and up to date information means big savings to future operations.

Pictures taken with a digital camera from hidden structures and details are valuable during the life cycle of the property.

Centralised information ensures good basic data for the maintenance process.

This information is also valuable for all kinds of technical due diligences.

Buildercom services are used by over 20,000 professionals across more than 5.000 companies in Finland and customer satisfaction is one of the company’s top priorities.

Since the products are provided as Internet applications, customers can be sure that they always have the latest and most up to date version of the software, without the hassle of upgrades and installations. www.buildercom.fi

as other areas of economic growth such as the emerging African economies. The long term goal of the firm is to establish a hub for its services in the Gulf region, which is the financial and logistics centre connecting the African economies with the Asian ones. www.procope.fi

climates and environments. For example, the Enervent Twin Tropic is especially designed to provide ventilation with energy efficient cooling and air humidity control in warm weather conditions. A by-product of the process is the generation of condensate water, which can be utilised for toilets or irrigation.

Investing in Green Living Ensto is a company that is committed to lasting sustainable development and its goal is to be the world’s leading company in green energy efficiency and distribution

Buildercom is Finland’s leading information management ASP-service provider for the construction and real estate maintenance industries. The Helsinki-headquartered company offers enhanced and effective information management tools for the whole lifecycle of a building - from the feasibility study through design and building phases, to maintenance management.

SHORTER PROJECT TIMES AND ACTUAL SAVINGS It is proven by several independent studies, that digital and collaborated information management shortens project times. Buildercom’s solution saves mailing and even emailing costs and time, and members of the project team can rely on up-to-date change management. The digital tendering process also brings remarkable savings.

advising on joint venture, project and corporate finance, government tenders and the resulting construction and infrastructure projects.

As a top ten Finnish law firm, the firm’s size is its strength: big enough to handle all sizes and styles of assignments but in a personal, flexible and entrepreneurial way. Procopé & Hornborg aims to deliver

Green building technology and the zero-energy design principle are becoming more practical to adopt due to the increasing costs of traditional fossil fuels and their negative impact on the planet's climate and ecological balance. Ensto is one of the leading experts in sustainable and energy efficient building.

Traditional buildings consume a third of the total fossil energy in the US and European Union. This issue is being addressed within the EU by constantly tightening energy efficiency directives for buildings. New building technology must be developed and utilised to meet these strict standards. Low-energy, passive, zero-energy and plus-energy houses offer solutions for increased energy efficiency.

ENERGY EFFICIENT SOLUTIONS FOR LIVING ARE HERE The large amounts of energy needed to light, heat and cool houses called for saving both money and natural resources.

The focus has been on finding solutions especially for energy efficient heating and cooling and low energy consumption.

The answer is comprehensive energy planning for the whole house. In a well-

designed and airtight house, heating, cooling and ventilation which previously may have consumed large amounts of energy, can with modern building technology be arranged cost-effectively and energy efficiently.

ENSTO HYBRID HOUSE — A HIGHLY SOPHISTICATED SOLUTION The Ensto Hybrid House is a smart solution designed to complement houses built or renovated using low-energy principles, maximising energy efficiency in everyday living. It is a comprehensive solution combining heating, cooling, ventilation, lighting and electric vehicle charging under the same control and monitoring system. It enables cost-effective and energy efficient living without sacrificing the health and comfort of the residents.

Ventilation systems are the lungs of the house: efficient ventilation ensures good and healthy indoor air quality. With the Ensto Hybrid House solution, the air-source cooling recovery system and dehumidification transforms otherwise wasted cold dry air into energy. Thanks to a high efficiency ratio, only top-up heating is required in wet areas to prevent moisture problems especially during cold times. This can be devised by modern electric under floor heating. Its benefits are low cost of initial capital investment, minimum energy loss, and quick and accurate response to temperature changes.

The system can be applied to different

SMART LIVING IS GREEN LIVING All the functions of the Ensto Hybrid House can be accessed with the control unit system — Ensto eGuard energy monitor — making it easy to perform the right adjustments to ventilation, heating, cooling and lighting, and to ensure they function in the most energy efficient way in every situation and even in changing conditions.

The full potential of the Ensto Hybrid House is utilised when the system is connected to the Smart Grid and powered by renewable energy. Electric vehicle charging system can be utilised as power storage for excess energy, and clean energy can be distributed both ways in the power grid according to changing needs. This is a smart and sustainable solution for energy efficient living, making zero-energy and even plus-energy living a reasonable possibility in the very near future. This is Green thinking at its best and a major innovation of today.

ENSTO IN SHORT Ensto is a family business and international cleantech company specialising in the development, manufacture and marketing of electrical systems and supplies for the distribution of electrical power as well as electrical applications.

The company is committed to lasting sustainable development and its goal is to be the world’s leading company in green energy efficiency and distribution.

Ensto products, manufactured in seven different countries, are environmentally friendly, energy efficient and leave a minimum carbon footprint. www.ensto.com / www.enervent.fi

Finland

KHALEEJ TIMES SPECIAL REPORT

11

SMART GREEN BUILDING GROUP

Finnish experts in business law Procopé & Hornborg’s Middle East and Africa team advises its clients throughout the spectrum of doing business in the region

SMART GREEN BUILDING GROUP Procopé & Hornborg offers legal advice for the needs of the Finnish export and finance sectors operating in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar and Kuwait. Likewise we offer services in relation to transactions towards Finland and Scandinavia to institutions and enterprises in the region. The firm’s Middle East and Africa team advises its clients throughout the

spectrum of doing business in the region, all the way from the initial start-up stage to complex multi-jurisdictional transactions such as mergers and acquisitions, investment banking and corporate governance.

The lawyers at Procopé & Hornborg have an experience of working in the Middle East that stretches out over four decades. References include

Sustainable information management for built environment Helsinki-headquartered Buildercom offers enhanced and effective information management tools for the whole lifecycle of a building

EFFICIENCY AND BETTER QUALITY According to experts, there are 10 - 20 per cent mismanagement costs in construction projects. With the Buildercom solution all project information is available online 24/7 and all project members receive activity notifications when information is

10 Finland

KHALEEJ TIMES SPECIAL REPORT

the most valuable legal advice to its clients through quality and individually-tailored services when and how the clients demand it.

The MEA-team was launched in April 2011 due to a steady increase in demand for area-specific services. Currently the team is operating out of Helsinki, from where it carries out work in the Middle East as well

updated.

Industry-specific concepts ensure predefined places and formats for data in all projects. Quality Control, Daily Reporting and Procurement Planning keep users informed even on their mobile devices.

ACCURATE DOCUMENTATION RAISES THE VALUE OF THE PROPERTY Accurate and up to date information means big savings to future operations.

Pictures taken with a digital camera from hidden structures and details are valuable during the life cycle of the property.

Centralised information ensures good basic data for the maintenance process.

This information is also valuable for all kinds of technical due diligences.

Buildercom services are used by over 20,000 professionals across more than 5.000 companies in Finland and customer satisfaction is one of the company’s top priorities.

Since the products are provided as Internet applications, customers can be sure that they always have the latest and most up to date version of the software, without the hassle of upgrades and installations. www.buildercom.fi

as other areas of economic growth such as the emerging African economies. The long term goal of the firm is to establish a hub for its services in the Gulf region, which is the financial and logistics centre connecting the African economies with the Asian ones. www.procope.fi

climates and environments. For example, the Enervent Twin Tropic is especially designed to provide ventilation with energy efficient cooling and air humidity control in warm weather conditions. A by-product of the process is the generation of condensate water, which can be utilised for toilets or irrigation.

Investing in Green Living Ensto is a company that is committed to lasting sustainable development and its goal is to be the world’s leading company in green energy efficiency and distribution

Buildercom is Finland’s leading information management ASP-service provider for the construction and real estate maintenance industries. The Helsinki-headquartered company offers enhanced and effective information management tools for the whole lifecycle of a building - from the feasibility study through design and building phases, to maintenance management.

SHORTER PROJECT TIMES AND ACTUAL SAVINGS It is proven by several independent studies, that digital and collaborated information management shortens project times. Buildercom’s solution saves mailing and even emailing costs and time, and members of the project team can rely on up-to-date change management. The digital tendering process also brings remarkable savings.

advising on joint venture, project and corporate finance, government tenders and the resulting construction and infrastructure projects.

As a top ten Finnish law firm, the firm’s size is its strength: big enough to handle all sizes and styles of assignments but in a personal, flexible and entrepreneurial way. Procopé & Hornborg aims to deliver

Green building technology and the zero-energy design principle are becoming more practical to adopt due to the increasing costs of traditional fossil fuels and their negative impact on the planet's climate and ecological balance. Ensto is one of the leading experts in sustainable and energy efficient building.

Traditional buildings consume a third of the total fossil energy in the US and European Union. This issue is being addressed within the EU by constantly tightening energy efficiency directives for buildings. New building technology must be developed and utilised to meet these strict standards. Low-energy, passive, zero-energy and plus-energy houses offer solutions for increased energy efficiency.

ENERGY EFFICIENT SOLUTIONS FOR LIVING ARE HERE The large amounts of energy needed to light, heat and cool houses called for saving both money and natural resources.

The focus has been on finding solutions especially for energy efficient heating and cooling and low energy consumption.

The answer is comprehensive energy planning for the whole house. In a well-

designed and airtight house, heating, cooling and ventilation which previously may have consumed large amounts of energy, can with modern building technology be arranged cost-effectively and energy efficiently.

ENSTO HYBRID HOUSE — A HIGHLY SOPHISTICATED SOLUTION The Ensto Hybrid House is a smart solution designed to complement houses built or renovated using low-energy principles, maximising energy efficiency in everyday living. It is a comprehensive solution combining heating, cooling, ventilation, lighting and electric vehicle charging under the same control and monitoring system. It enables cost-effective and energy efficient living without sacrificing the health and comfort of the residents.

Ventilation systems are the lungs of the house: efficient ventilation ensures good and healthy indoor air quality. With the Ensto Hybrid House solution, the air-source cooling recovery system and dehumidification transforms otherwise wasted cold dry air into energy. Thanks to a high efficiency ratio, only top-up heating is required in wet areas to prevent moisture problems especially during cold times. This can be devised by modern electric under floor heating. Its benefits are low cost of initial capital investment, minimum energy loss, and quick and accurate response to temperature changes.

The system can be applied to different

SMART LIVING IS GREEN LIVING All the functions of the Ensto Hybrid House can be accessed with the control unit system — Ensto eGuard energy monitor — making it easy to perform the right adjustments to ventilation, heating, cooling and lighting, and to ensure they function in the most energy efficient way in every situation and even in changing conditions.

The full potential of the Ensto Hybrid House is utilised when the system is connected to the Smart Grid and powered by renewable energy. Electric vehicle charging system can be utilised as power storage for excess energy, and clean energy can be distributed both ways in the power grid according to changing needs. This is a smart and sustainable solution for energy efficient living, making zero-energy and even plus-energy living a reasonable possibility in the very near future. This is Green thinking at its best and a major innovation of today.

ENSTO IN SHORT Ensto is a family business and international cleantech company specialising in the development, manufacture and marketing of electrical systems and supplies for the distribution of electrical power as well as electrical applications.

The company is committed to lasting sustainable development and its goal is to be the world’s leading company in green energy efficiency and distribution.

Ensto products, manufactured in seven different countries, are environmentally friendly, energy efficient and leave a minimum carbon footprint. www.ensto.com / www.enervent.fi

Finland

KHALEEJ TIMES SPECIAL REPORT

11

SMART GREEN BUILDING GROUP

METROTAIFUN

Cutting-edge technology for automatic solid waste collection The world’s most advanced automatic solid waste collection system will consign to history problems associated with waste disposal trucks and containers

Refreshing water PACS System destroys the microbes dangerous for human health and eliminates odour, flavour and colour problems during purification of waste and utility water The PACS System is a purification solution for waste and utility water that uses the latest technology cost-effectively to respond to municipal and industrial water purification needs. Developed in co-operation with Finland’s top universities and research institutes, the PACS System destroys the microbes dangerous for human health and eliminates odour, flavour and colour problems. The system includes the PACS solution and its delivery and real time feeding, monitoring, analysing, and alarm systems.

At the moment, the PACS Systems are mainly used in wastewater treatment plants, where they can be used both in eliminating odours and in post-disinfection. The use of the PACS System in mechanical purification for sludge disinfection enables the further use of sludge for soil improvement in e.g. arable land and landscaping sites. The process eliminates the odours connected to sludge, which can also be used as a valuable source for energy and fertiliser.

Water treatment plants can utilise the PACS System in the pre-treatment of raw water for eliminating flavour, colour, and odour problems, harmful microbes, fungi, germs, and bacteria and for dissolving organic material such as humus.

The Pac–Solution enables the intensifying of the water circulation, destroying microbes, and creating more sustainable and energy-efficient solutions.

12 Finland

KHALEEJ TIMES SPECIAL REPORT

EASILY INTEGRATED, COMPLETE SYSTEM The PACS System has been designed for various targets of use in water purification. It is a comprehensive system that can be easily integrated in operating water plants. It consists of four elements that are data collection sensors, analyser, monitoring and feed programme, and the PACS liquid.

The PACS system is scalable for daily flow rates from 10,000 to over 1,000,000 cubic metres and the same technical system is suitable for both large and small plants. The problems and needs are evaluated separately for each plant, which enables selecting the most suitable solution.

Prior to the installation of the PACS system, data concerning the water quality is collected and the target values for purification are set. The real time measuring device feeds the data concerning the water flows to the control device adjusting the amount of the chemical.

The amount of the PACS liquid fed is based on the target value set for purification. Before the purified water leaves the plant it is analysed in order to ensure that the set targets are met and that the optimal operation of the system is maintained.

As a member of the internationally renowned Cleantech Finland PAC Solution Oy promotes sustainable development with individually tailored and responsible solutions for environmental problems, which improve the level of water safety at a global level. www.pacs.fi

For further information contact: Stephan von Walzel, Regional Director Middle East Smart Green Building Group Masdar City, Abu Dhabi Tel: +971 56 122 5102 Email: stephan@marsaana.com

MetroTaifun, designed and manufactured by MariMatic in Finland, is the world’s most advanced automatic waste collection system. The system operates like a huge central vacuum cleaner. Recycled The world’s largest waste collection system will be waste is collected from 300 completed in 2013 at Al Masjid Al Haram in Makkah Al to 600-litre feeder points and Mukarramah, Saudi Arabia taken to a waste terminal via Two revolutionary an underground pipe. At the innovations terminal, the waste is comThe cost and energy efpacted into containers and ficiency of MetroTaifun are transported onwards. based on two innovations.

MariMatic is part of the Firstly, the pipe diameter has MariCap group. It has supbeen reduced from the conplied some 700 systems ventional 400-600 millimein more than 40 countries tres to 200-300 millimetres. over a period of 30 years.

“The pipe diameter has One of the largest projects a dramatic impact on the is currently underway at Al system’s energy consumption: Masjid Al Haram in MakWhen the diameter is halved, kah Al Mukarramah, Saudi the energy consumption falls Arabia. The world’s largest by 3/4. The CO2 and nitrogen automatic waste collection emissions are also reduced,” system for solid waste will Jari Enontekiö, VP Sales and deal with the waste left behind Göran Sundholm, CEO and Projects, explains. by the mosque’s 13 million Chairman of the Board, Secondly, the core pipe annual pilgrims, totalling up believes that MariMatic will network runs in a circular to 600,000 kilogrammes, or be the global market leader “Ring-Line” (patent pending) 4,500 cubic metres, of waste within three to five years pattern. The Ring-Line soluper day. tion reduces the amount of air blown out and the amount A superior alternative of noxious fumes, thus saving competitors, and retrofitting MetroTaifun’s cost and the environment through the energy-efficiency are superior the system to existing urban reduction of smells and small structures is quick and costto any other waste collection particles. It is also possible to effective,” Göran Sundholm, system. clear blockages and impuri“It consumes approximately CEO and Chairman of the ties from the pipe network Board, explains. half the energy of traditional automatically.

What does MetroTaifun container-based collection “The biggest problems enbring to the lives of ordinary by waste trucks, and a third countered by traditional pipe people? of the energy required by waste collection systems are “It brings solid aesthetic conventional pipe collection blockages in the pipe network. values, the reduction of noise solutions. The installation In MetroTaifun the risk of pollution and unpleasant costs of the MetroTaifun sysblockages has been minimised tem are up to 25 per cent lower odours, and safer residential by a MariMatic-designed environments.” than those offered by our

Waste moves through the pipe at the speed of up to 100 kilometres per hour, and the longest collection distance is four kilometres waste Formator device which automatically reshapes the waste that is fed into the pipe in order to ensure it passes through unencumbered,” Enontekiö continues.

MariMatic invests in product development In recent years MariMatic has invested millions of euros in research and development, which has made MariMatic the pioneer in its sector. The new 7,500-square metre product development, training and demonstration centre will be completed at the end of the year. The property will house a full-scale indoor collection system for solid waste.

“The centre will enable continued product development and testing of the Metro Taifun system in its entirety.

It offers excellent opportunities for training and space for demonstrating the function and features of the complete system,” Göran Sundholm explains.

Following large-scale acquisitions, MariMatic’s revenues will increase by as much as several hundred per cent.

“We believe that MariMatic will be the global market leader within three to five years,” the CEO concludes.

More information: www.metrotaifun.com

Finland

KHALEEJ TIMES SPECIAL REPORT

13

SMART GREEN BUILDING GROUP

METROTAIFUN

Cutting-edge technology for automatic solid waste collection The world’s most advanced automatic solid waste collection system will consign to history problems associated with waste disposal trucks and containers

Refreshing water PACS System destroys the microbes dangerous for human health and eliminates odour, flavour and colour problems during purification of waste and utility water The PACS System is a purification solution for waste and utility water that uses the latest technology cost-effectively to respond to municipal and industrial water purification needs. Developed in co-operation with Finland’s top universities and research institutes, the PACS System destroys the microbes dangerous for human health and eliminates odour, flavour and colour problems. The system includes the PACS solution and its delivery and real time feeding, monitoring, analysing, and alarm systems.

At the moment, the PACS Systems are mainly used in wastewater treatment plants, where they can be used both in eliminating odours and in post-disinfection. The use of the PACS System in mechanical purification for sludge disinfection enables the further use of sludge for soil improvement in e.g. arable land and landscaping sites. The process eliminates the odours connected to sludge, which can also be used as a valuable source for energy and fertiliser.

Water treatment plants can utilise the PACS System in the pre-treatment of raw water for eliminating flavour, colour, and odour problems, harmful microbes, fungi, germs, and bacteria and for dissolving organic material such as humus.

The Pac–Solution enables the intensifying of the water circulation, destroying microbes, and creating more sustainable and energy-efficient solutions.

12 Finland

KHALEEJ TIMES SPECIAL REPORT

EASILY INTEGRATED, COMPLETE SYSTEM The PACS System has been designed for various targets of use in water purification. It is a comprehensive system that can be easily integrated in operating water plants. It consists of four elements that are data collection sensors, analyser, monitoring and feed programme, and the PACS liquid.

The PACS system is scalable for daily flow rates from 10,000 to over 1,000,000 cubic metres and the same technical system is suitable for both large and small plants. The problems and needs are evaluated separately for each plant, which enables selecting the most suitable solution.

Prior to the installation of the PACS system, data concerning the water quality is collected and the target values for purification are set. The real time measuring device feeds the data concerning the water flows to the control device adjusting the amount of the chemical.

The amount of the PACS liquid fed is based on the target value set for purification. Before the purified water leaves the plant it is analysed in order to ensure that the set targets are met and that the optimal operation of the system is maintained.

As a member of the internationally renowned Cleantech Finland PAC Solution Oy promotes sustainable development with individually tailored and responsible solutions for environmental problems, which improve the level of water safety at a global level. www.pacs.fi

For further information contact: Stephan von Walzel, Regional Director Middle East Smart Green Building Group Masdar City, Abu Dhabi Tel: +971 56 122 5102 Email: stephan@marsaana.com

MetroTaifun, designed and manufactured by MariMatic in Finland, is the world’s most advanced automatic waste collection system. The system operates like a huge central vacuum cleaner. Recycled The world’s largest waste collection system will be waste is collected from 300 completed in 2013 at Al Masjid Al Haram in Makkah Al to 600-litre feeder points and Mukarramah, Saudi Arabia taken to a waste terminal via Two revolutionary an underground pipe. At the innovations terminal, the waste is comThe cost and energy efpacted into containers and ficiency of MetroTaifun are transported onwards. based on two innovations.

MariMatic is part of the Firstly, the pipe diameter has MariCap group. It has supbeen reduced from the conplied some 700 systems ventional 400-600 millimein more than 40 countries tres to 200-300 millimetres. over a period of 30 years.

“The pipe diameter has One of the largest projects a dramatic impact on the is currently underway at Al system’s energy consumption: Masjid Al Haram in MakWhen the diameter is halved, kah Al Mukarramah, Saudi the energy consumption falls Arabia. The world’s largest by 3/4. The CO2 and nitrogen automatic waste collection emissions are also reduced,” system for solid waste will Jari Enontekiö, VP Sales and deal with the waste left behind Göran Sundholm, CEO and Projects, explains. by the mosque’s 13 million Chairman of the Board, Secondly, the core pipe annual pilgrims, totalling up believes that MariMatic will network runs in a circular to 600,000 kilogrammes, or be the global market leader “Ring-Line” (patent pending) 4,500 cubic metres, of waste within three to five years pattern. The Ring-Line soluper day. tion reduces the amount of air blown out and the amount A superior alternative of noxious fumes, thus saving competitors, and retrofitting MetroTaifun’s cost and the environment through the energy-efficiency are superior the system to existing urban reduction of smells and small structures is quick and costto any other waste collection particles. It is also possible to effective,” Göran Sundholm, system. clear blockages and impuri“It consumes approximately CEO and Chairman of the ties from the pipe network Board, explains. half the energy of traditional automatically.

What does MetroTaifun container-based collection “The biggest problems enbring to the lives of ordinary by waste trucks, and a third countered by traditional pipe people? of the energy required by waste collection systems are “It brings solid aesthetic conventional pipe collection blockages in the pipe network. values, the reduction of noise solutions. The installation In MetroTaifun the risk of pollution and unpleasant costs of the MetroTaifun sysblockages has been minimised tem are up to 25 per cent lower odours, and safer residential by a MariMatic-designed environments.” than those offered by our

Waste moves through the pipe at the speed of up to 100 kilometres per hour, and the longest collection distance is four kilometres waste Formator device which automatically reshapes the waste that is fed into the pipe in order to ensure it passes through unencumbered,” Enontekiö continues.

MariMatic invests in product development In recent years MariMatic has invested millions of euros in research and development, which has made MariMatic the pioneer in its sector. The new 7,500-square metre product development, training and demonstration centre will be completed at the end of the year. The property will house a full-scale indoor collection system for solid waste.

“The centre will enable continued product development and testing of the Metro Taifun system in its entirety.

It offers excellent opportunities for training and space for demonstrating the function and features of the complete system,” Göran Sundholm explains.

Following large-scale acquisitions, MariMatic’s revenues will increase by as much as several hundred per cent.

“We believe that MariMatic will be the global market leader within three to five years,” the CEO concludes.

More information: www.metrotaifun.com

Finland

KHALEEJ TIMES SPECIAL REPORT

13

GALVATEK

Surface treatment solutions Global leader in chemical cleaning lines for the aviation industry Lahti-based Galvatek is the world’s leading supplier of chemical cleaning lines for the aviation industry, having delivered fully automated plants to locations across the globe for three decades.

Besides chemical cleaning lines high-class anodising lines for aviation and aluminum industry are also a vital part of Galvatek’s global offering. Most of the automated chemical cleaning lines have been supplied to the international MRO industry or to air-

lines having their own engine overhaul operation.

Galvatek’s international success is based on pioneering innovations and cutting-edge technology, with every plant built to the customer’s specifications. With over 500 successful projects in 30 different countries, the company’s solid experience of the aviation industry and knowledge of the industry’s challenges are an important benefit for its cus-

tomers. References include N3, HAESL, Rolls Royce, TEC, EADS, SAESL, SR Technics and All Nippon Airways.

Jointly with these customers Galvatek has developed effective cost-saving and environ-

mentally friendly technologies fulfilling even the highest demands. Outstanding development has been made in automation and production traceability as well as savings in operational costs and quality costs, all improving significantly the total profitability of the MRO operation.

Galvatek guarantees the reliability of all its plants as well as any servicing and upgrades in the future.

LONIX

Solutions and technologies for intelligent green buildings Lonix Ltd offers energy-efficient solutions for a wide variety of needs An industry leader in intelligent building automation, smart security and integrated building management systems, Lonix Ltd offers energy-efficient solutions for a wide variety of needs — ranging from offices, hotels and residential towers to palaces and private villas.

The company’s cutting-edge

solutions combine the most advanced, open technologies in the fields of automation and security into a complete solution, with seamless integration allowing for automatic adjustment and easy monitoring.

The Helsinki headquartered company opened a regional office in Dubai in 2008 with the name COBA Middle East and has since then successfully executed as many as 60 major projects in the UAE. Tuomas Koskenranta, Chairman, COBA Middle East

explains, “The COBA Building Operating Systems platform which lies at the very heart of our offering is designed for systems integration which is our strongest point. As market moves more and more away from vertical building automation, access control, video monitoring and lighting systems and demand integrated building maintenance systems, our solutions become the most viable choice. For this reason we have been able to steadily grow our market share.

With inputs and controls all under one system, a building can achieve up to 30 per cent savings in energy consumption and operating costs.”

The recent reference projects include Mazaya Business Avenue in Jumeirah Lake Towers which comprises three, 50 storey towers and the prestigious Sorbonne University on Reem Island, Abu Dhabi, featuring 400 IP cameras and 300 controlled and monitored doors. “The Lonix name is very well established in the UAE market and we have developed strong partnerships with a number of leading companies here.

We are now looking forward to working with professional system integrator companies in other GCC countries to implement our smart solutions in those markets”, Koskenranta adds.

Turning waste into fuel With the right knowhow, waste is a valuable resource for the cement industry and power plants. The TYRANNOSAURUS® Waste-to-Flame Process

by BMH Technology offers a proven turnkey solution for the introduction of wastederived Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF) as substitute fuel for the cement production process and power boilers Virtually any type of combustible waste — municipal waste, commercial and industrial waste, scrap tyres, etc. — is raw material that can be converted into SRF in a Tyrannosaurus Plant.

The SRF produced in the Tyrannosaurus Process is standardised high-quality fuel. It originates from an inexhaustible and local energy source — the waste — and in many aspects it is similar to a primary fuel. As such it is suitable as a replacement for fossil fuels in various burning processes. Only the preparation process may be slightly different depending on the use.

Tyrannosaurus Shredders are unbeatable in processing tyres into fuel for cement kilns’ pre-calciners. They are capable of automatically processing 3,000 tyres an hour into 70-millimetre Tyre Derived Fuel (TDF) in a single pass. The process is unaffected by entrapped metal and occasional rims.

TYRANNOSAURUS® SRF Production Process The process typically involves a large feeder, which is used to put the raw material into the Tyrannosaurus

16 Finland

KHALEEJ TIMES SPECIAL REPORT

Shredder, where the material is shredded into an 80-millimetre particle size. Tyrannosaurus 9900 series shredders are in fact the world’s largest waste reducers, and are fully protected against unshreddable metals by the patented MIPS® Security System (Massive Impact Protection System).

In the shredding and sorting process harmful substances and recyclable materials, such as ferrous and non-ferrous metals, sand, and stones are separated out.

The entire Tyrannosaurus process is virtually unmanned during operation.

SRF fuel properties The end product from the Tyrannosaurus Process — the SRF — is light fluff, which predominantly consists of two-dimensional material, such as plastic foils, paper, cardboard and textiles.

It is cheap, clean and standardised fuel.

The typical net calorific value of SRF is 18-24 MJ/kg,

equalling 4,300-5,730 kcal/kg.

The high calorific value and low fossil CO2 emissions make it ideal to replace fossil fuels in power boilers and energy-intensive industries like the cement industry.

SRF logistics If the SRF production plant is positioned close to the user of SRF, the fuel can be transported directly to the burning process by chain or tubular belt conveyors.

In cases of longer distances, the SRF fuel is usually transported by trucks. The Tyrannosaurus process can be fitted with fully automatic truck docking stations or alternatively intermediate storage bunkers or silos.

Furthermore, the SRF fuel can be compacted into plastic wrapped energy cubes, which are highly efficient during transportation. These are also a long-term storage solution.

Dosing and feeding Both pneumatic and mechanical feeding systems are available.

The pneumatic system includes a dosing hopper with accurate discharge control.

SRF fuel is fed into a rotary valve from where it is injected into the pneumatic system and further into the process.

The mechanical systems include receiving bunkers, silos, dosing and flow monitoring. They are designed and dimensioned so that the process can receive a wide range of substitute fuels.

Special attention is paid to ensuring that the flow of fuel is undisturbed and controlled.

Waste is a resource Over the years the use of refuse-derived alternative fuels has raised mixed feelings. BMH via its Tyrannosaurus Process and Process Optimisation Technology, seeks to produce a beneficial environmental impact by tailor-making the SRF and its implementation to the plant’s process and chemical characteristics.

In the BMH language, waste is a resource rather than a problem.

ABU DHABI EDUCATION COUNCIL

Solid foundation of partnerships in teaching with Finnish institutions Abu Dhabi Education Council plans to start building student capacity on the best practices and best models like the Finnish one, Dr Jihad Mohaidat, Division Manager of Global Partnerships at ADEC, tells Olivia Olarte of Khaleej Times Building student capacity has never been more aspired anywhere else in the world than in the emirate of Abu Dhabi emirate, which has taken great strides in ensuring that its future workforce is able to compete in the global market and ready to take on the mantle of leadership of an economy that is not fully reliant on oil.

In an endeavour to realise this vision, the Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC), the education regulator of the emirate, has outlined a 10-year Strategic Plan to transform the sector and give it a high-quality and comprehensive system of education that is based on world-class standards and expertise.

This essentially means building partnerships with the best practices and models in the world and tailoring those education systems to fit in with Abu Dhabi’s culture.

“Partnership is a key issue (as) building capacity from scratch will take a lot of time.

The best thing to do is actually to start where people ended and try to build on the best practices and best models that

18 Finland

KHALEEJ TIMES SPECIAL REPORT

KT photo by Nezar Balout

If you really want to build a good system, you have to have good teachers — Dr Jihad Mohaidat the world (has) achieved,” stated Dr Jihad Mohaidat, Division Manager of Global Partnerships at ADEC. The main goal was to adopt a system that will improve the quality and standards of teachers and eventually raise student performance to be on par with their peers abroad on international exams.

Finnish system One of these best systems was the Finnish model. The Finnish curriculum and method of teaching is recognised internationally in developing well-rounded and innovative students who also rank high in international examinations.

This is because in Finland, teachers cannot teach without a master’s degree in education.

Last year, ADEC signed a five-year agreement with EduCluster Finland Ltd (ECF), an organisation in Finland that specialises in education and development, to train the Emirati school teachers in the best teaching methodologies.

For the pilot phase, two public schools — the Al Ameen School in Abu Dhabi and the Al Raqiah School in Al Ain — were selected to implement the Finnish education system model initially for Grades 1 to 3, to include a higher grade every year.

The programme was aimed at strengthening the subjects taught in English such as Math, Science, IT (Information Technology) and English language by the Finnish teachers, and those in Arabic including Islamic Studies, Social Studies and the Arabic language by the Emirati teachers.

As part of the agreement, Finnish teachers and other ECF experts will work closely with their UAE peers at the two schools. Twenty teachers, per batch, will undergo 60 hours or almost two years of professional development courses while Finnish principals will work with the Emirati vice principals in transferring the Finnish system “knowhow”.

During summer, the teacher trainees will go to Finland to be trained there in the Finnish standards of teaching, learn Finland’s teaching methodologies and teaching tools.

Once fully-trained, the teachers will receive a certificate of teaching qualification as required by the Finnish education system. Their professional development courses also count as partial requirement for their Master’s degree entry to the University of Jyvaskyla in Finland.

Within the duration of the agreement, 40 Emirati teachers are expected to develop their skills and become capable of replicating the “skeleton of the Finnish system” that is tailored for Abu Dhabi, at other schools here.

To measure the impact of the Finnish system on student performance, ADEC will compare the students’ External Measurement of Student Achievement (EMSA) exam at the end of this year to their results last year, as well

as, with their peers from other schools.

PPP and NSM The ECF was not the first and only entity that ADEC has signed an agreement with for the professional development of teachers.

In 2006, ADEC partnered with private school operators to work with 181 government schools across the emirate to transform the teaching methods, adopt higher curriculum standards and enhance public school operations.

The public-private partnership (PPP) operators have laid the groundwork for the new school model (NSM), which was implemented last year to KG1 — Grades 3 at all government schools across the emirate. The child-centred model was adapted by ADEC from the best early childhood education systems including Australia, Finland, the US and the UK. According to the Council’s long-arching strategy, all P-12 public schools in the emirate will be fully transferred to NSM within five years.

Teachers, who form an important part in the NSM implementation, underwent a professional development training to equip them with the skills and knowledge necessary to deliver the new curriculum.

“We want our students in P-12 when they sit with their peers from the international systems to perform on the same bar,” Dr Jihad pointed out.

Al Ameen School in Abu Dhabi is one of the two public schools in the emirate to be selected for implementation of the Finnish education system model rank very high in their respective fields to bring to Abu Dhabi the needed expertise.

These include the Sorbonne University, INSEAD and New York University.

Apart from providing quality education for UAE nationals, Abu Dhabi aims to offer other students worldwide, an option to come and do their graduate or undergraduate studies with those high-ranking institutions in Abu Dhabi, and get recognised for having some of the best education systems in the world.

Going forward Going forward, ADEC is currently working on a partnership with an American

University to carry out research to improve the human capital in the Abu Dhabi education system and provide teacher licensing.

“At one point in time, every single teacher in Abu Dhabi schools will be licensed.

Because we did realise that, the key component in student performance is teachers. So if you really want to build a good system, you have to have good teachers,” explained Dr Jihad.

ADEC is also working on bringing in a veterinary school, which is currently not available in the UAE and the region, and link it to a local institution to guarantee the transfer of knowledge.

In 2006, ADEC partnered with private school operators to work with 181 government schools across the emirate to transform the teaching methods, adopt higher curriculum standards and enhance public school operations

Higher education “If you really want to build a knowledge-based economy, the Abu Dhabi vision of diversifying the economy, you really need the knowhow... and you need the people of the country to lead those kind of non-oil based industries, particularly of high tech industries,” said the global partnerships manager.

Thus, ADEC brought to Abu Dhabi some of the top universities in the world that

Finland

KHALEEJ TIMES SPECIAL REPORT

19

ABU DHABI EDUCATION COUNCIL

Solid foundation of partnerships in teaching with Finnish institutions Abu Dhabi Education Council plans to start building student capacity on the best practices and best models like the Finnish one, Dr Jihad Mohaidat, Division Manager of Global Partnerships at ADEC, tells Olivia Olarte of Khaleej Times Building student capacity has never been more aspired anywhere else in the world than in the emirate of Abu Dhabi emirate, which has taken great strides in ensuring that its future workforce is able to compete in the global market and ready to take on the mantle of leadership of an economy that is not fully reliant on oil.

In an endeavour to realise this vision, the Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC), the education regulator of the emirate, has outlined a 10-year Strategic Plan to transform the sector and give it a high-quality and comprehensive system of education that is based on world-class standards and expertise.

This essentially means building partnerships with the best practices and models in the world and tailoring those education systems to fit in with Abu Dhabi’s culture.

“Partnership is a key issue (as) building capacity from scratch will take a lot of time.

The best thing to do is actually to start where people ended and try to build on the best practices and best models that

18 Finland

KHALEEJ TIMES SPECIAL REPORT

KT photo by Nezar Balout

If you really want to build a good system, you have to have good teachers — Dr Jihad Mohaidat the world (has) achieved,” stated Dr Jihad Mohaidat, Division Manager of Global Partnerships at ADEC. The main goal was to adopt a system that will improve the quality and standards of teachers and eventually raise student performance to be on par with their peers abroad on international exams.

Finnish system One of these best systems was the Finnish model. The Finnish curriculum and method of teaching is recognised internationally in developing well-rounded and innovative students who also rank high in international examinations.

This is because in Finland, teachers cannot teach without a master’s degree in education.

Last year, ADEC signed a five-year agreement with EduCluster Finland Ltd (ECF), an organisation in Finland that specialises in education and development, to train the Emirati school teachers in the best teaching methodologies.

For the pilot phase, two public schools — the Al Ameen School in Abu Dhabi and the Al Raqiah School in Al Ain — were selected to implement the Finnish education system model initially for Grades 1 to 3, to include a higher grade every year.

The programme was aimed at strengthening the subjects taught in English such as Math, Science, IT (Information Technology) and English language by the Finnish teachers, and those in Arabic including Islamic Studies, Social Studies and the Arabic language by the Emirati teachers.

As part of the agreement, Finnish teachers and other ECF experts will work closely with their UAE peers at the two schools. Twenty teachers, per batch, will undergo 60 hours or almost two years of professional development courses while Finnish principals will work with the Emirati vice principals in transferring the Finnish system “knowhow”.

During summer, the teacher trainees will go to Finland to be trained there in the Finnish standards of teaching, learn Finland’s teaching methodologies and teaching tools.

Once fully-trained, the teachers will receive a certificate of teaching qualification as required by the Finnish education system. Their professional development courses also count as partial requirement for their Master’s degree entry to the University of Jyvaskyla in Finland.

Within the duration of the agreement, 40 Emirati teachers are expected to develop their skills and become capable of replicating the “skeleton of the Finnish system” that is tailored for Abu Dhabi, at other schools here.

To measure the impact of the Finnish system on student performance, ADEC will compare the students’ External Measurement of Student Achievement (EMSA) exam at the end of this year to their results last year, as well

as, with their peers from other schools.

PPP and NSM The ECF was not the first and only entity that ADEC has signed an agreement with for the professional development of teachers.

In 2006, ADEC partnered with private school operators to work with 181 government schools across the emirate to transform the teaching methods, adopt higher curriculum standards and enhance public school operations.

The public-private partnership (PPP) operators have laid the groundwork for the new school model (NSM), which was implemented last year to KG1 — Grades 3 at all government schools across the emirate. The child-centred model was adapted by ADEC from the best early childhood education systems including Australia, Finland, the US and the UK. According to the Council’s long-arching strategy, all P-12 public schools in the emirate will be fully transferred to NSM within five years.

Teachers, who form an important part in the NSM implementation, underwent a professional development training to equip them with the skills and knowledge necessary to deliver the new curriculum.

“We want our students in P-12 when they sit with their peers from the international systems to perform on the same bar,” Dr Jihad pointed out.

Al Ameen School in Abu Dhabi is one of the two public schools in the emirate to be selected for implementation of the Finnish education system model rank very high in their respective fields to bring to Abu Dhabi the needed expertise.

These include the Sorbonne University, INSEAD and New York University.

Apart from providing quality education for UAE nationals, Abu Dhabi aims to offer other students worldwide, an option to come and do their graduate or undergraduate studies with those high-ranking institutions in Abu Dhabi, and get recognised for having some of the best education systems in the world.

Going forward Going forward, ADEC is currently working on a partnership with an American

University to carry out research to improve the human capital in the Abu Dhabi education system and provide teacher licensing.

“At one point in time, every single teacher in Abu Dhabi schools will be licensed.

Because we did realise that, the key component in student performance is teachers. So if you really want to build a good system, you have to have good teachers,” explained Dr Jihad.

ADEC is also working on bringing in a veterinary school, which is currently not available in the UAE and the region, and link it to a local institution to guarantee the transfer of knowledge.

In 2006, ADEC partnered with private school operators to work with 181 government schools across the emirate to transform the teaching methods, adopt higher curriculum standards and enhance public school operations

Higher education “If you really want to build a knowledge-based economy, the Abu Dhabi vision of diversifying the economy, you really need the knowhow... and you need the people of the country to lead those kind of non-oil based industries, particularly of high tech industries,” said the global partnerships manager.

Thus, ADEC brought to Abu Dhabi some of the top universities in the world that

Finland

KHALEEJ TIMES SPECIAL REPORT

19

EDUCLUSTER FINLAND

Creating the best performing schools in the world EduCluster Finland offers tools and expertise to developing school performance all around the world

EduCluster Finland is your gateway to Finnish excellence in education and innovation with access to the best teacher training in the world, the best educational practices, expertise and operational models for developing education.

Our operational model is integration of top-quality Finnish expertise in partnership and close collaboration with the client. Recently EduCluster Finland has introduced Finnish education best practices in several programmes in the Gulf region.

The Finnish educational system is recognised as one of the leading education systems in the world. The Finnish fame in education has inspired researchers and educators to seek out the key factors behind the Finnish success. Many countries that have recognised education as the key for future competitiveness and prosperity are interested in applying the Finnish best practices to create the world’s best performing schools.

PATHWAY TO IMPROVING EDUCATION Six steps to increase the performance in the system and school level School performance and quality in education is a sum of many factors facilitating and promoting the achievement of desired learning outcomes. Quality enhancement in all education is based on continuing development of identified core elements in both structures and operations.

STEP 1: Provide education for all In Finland each child has equal opportunities for education, regardless of the background. The school network is regionally extensive, and there are no gender-specific school services. Finnish basic education is completely free of charge, including instruction, materials, school and student welfare.

STEP 2: Educate competent teachers On all school levels in Finland, teachers are highly qualified and committed.

Master’s degree is a requirement, and teacher education includes intensive teaching practice periods. Teaching profession is very popular in Finland,

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KHALEEJ TIMES SPECIAL REPORT

and hence universities can select the most motivated and talented applicants.

Teachers work independently and enjoy full autonomy in the classroom.

STEP 3: Focus on the student Curriculum implementation and organisation of schoolwork in Finland is based on the concept of learning that focuses on students’ activity and interaction with teachers, other students and the whole school community. Special focus is on student-centred working approaches and learning environments.

STEP 4: Build an effective practice for student guidance and counselling A unique system of guidance and counselling is in place in Finland.

Individual support for the learning and welfare of students is well-accommodated at all levels of Finnish education system.

Guidance and counselling is considered an educational strength, which is highly important especially when young people graduate and enter working life.

STEP 5: Encourage with assessment and evaluation In Finland, student assessment and evaluation of education and learning outcomes are encouraging and supportive by nature. The aim of evaluation is to produce information that supports both schools and students to develop further.

National testing, school ranking lists and inspection systems do not exist.

STEP 6: Nurture flexibility and trust The Finnish education system is flexible and the administration is based on the principle of “centralised steering — local implementation”. Though steering is conducted through legislation, national core curricula, government planning and information steering, schools and teachers enjoy large autonomy. Trust is the most significant element of school operational culture both in school and classroom management.

(By Elise Tarvainen and Anna Korpi, EduCluster Finland (derived from the founding principles of the Finnish education system by Finnish Ministry of Education)

EDUCLUSTER FINLAND

Emirati-Finnish fusion schooling

Partnering to create a leading education system in the UAE LATHA KRISHNAN EduCluster Finland (ECF) represents the best Finnish expertise and practices in the field of education. Its strength is in a large pool of top educational experts and organisations that co-operate with educational organisations in countries around the world to provide development services for national, local and public institutions responsible for education. One of the core business areas of ECF is to refine and customise components of the Finnish education system to fit in different cultural settings around the world.

The Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) signed a five-year agreement with ECF in 2010 to implement the Finnish education model in two public schools — Al Ameen School in Abu Dhabi and Al Raqiah School in Al Ain. ECF considers these schools as Emirati-Finnish Fusion Schools, as the partnership to them is truly about fusion. There are various aspects of educational techniques used in some Finnish schools, which are interesting for Abu Dhabi, just as there are competences useful for enabling Finnish schools to respond to emerging challenges. Examples of such challenges include motivating children to learn and at the same time becoming bi-literate learning Arabic alongside English.

Al Raqiah and Al Ameen schools have now advanced on introducing bi-literacy techniques

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Al Raqiah and Al Ameen schools have now advanced on introducing bi-literacy techniques using pedagogical methods

using pedagogical methods. “We call this an integrated educational approach,” says Jussi Kainulainen, Programme Manager for the two schools. “New research from the neurosciences supports the idea that it is better to have two languages like Arabic and English used in a school, than one which is often the case in international schools. We are actively developing this integrated educational approach, which is commonly found in Finnish schools and initial results are promising.”

“Research in the neurosciences is increasingly giving hard evidence to support the view that languages are good for you. Here in Abu Dhabi, we can use this knowledge to adapt the methods used in Arabic and English so as to turn around what are often perceived as language problems into solutions – with the children and teachers emerging as winners,” adds David Marsh (University of Jyväskylä, Finland) who works closely with the schools.

Having the flexibility to tailor-make its programmes to suit different circumstances, ECF makes the Emirati-Finnish Fusion schooling exciting for the students. “We ensure that Arabic and English medium education is given equal support within the curriculum and in Cycle 1 this can result in a range of advantages for young children. Making them excited about school, and giving them a hunger to learn is vital if they are to be happy and succeed. Too often they feel restless and distracted because they keep failing to understand what a teacher is saying and indeed why they are learning topics at all,” comments Kainulainen.

In its drive to promote child-centred learning, ECF supports teacher education too. It runs an ongoing professional development and support for teachers. The successful exchange programme offers Emirati teachers access to a Finnish university whereby they are given the opportunity to study tailor-made and hands-on teaching methods. They can achieve Teacher’s Pedagogical Studies in the University of Jyvaskyla and if interested can also pursue a Masters degree in Education.

The partnership with ADEC in the pilot project of two schools is also part of ADEC’s New School Model (NSM) initiative, which reflects a common interest for both ECF and ADEC to take part in developing the educational system in Abu Dhabi.

ECF is also interested in partnering with the leading education organisations in the whole of the UAE by sharing the best practices and experiences in the field of education. With this view it has also established some cooperation with other educational organisations and universities in the country. ECF continues to actively seek opportunities to establish new cooperation within the region.

Advertorial

Sanako Corporation – Finland

Global leader in developing language teaching software and digital language labs Sanako is the global leader in developing tutor-led language teaching software and language labs for the educational sector. It has worked closely with its customers for nearly 50 years towards a single goal: to enable better comprehension, speaking and communication skills for language learners. Satisfied customers in over 100 countries and over 30,000 classroom installations worldwide are proof of Sanako’s dedication to delivering customer value.

The headquarters of Sanako is located in Finland.

The company’s product portfolio includes digital language labs and state-of-the-art software that come with a range of classroom management functions.

“The Sanako Study software suite is flexible, easy-to-use and offers effective tools for language teaching and learning such as listening comprehension, discussions and

Mohammad El Qudsi model imitation,” explains Mohammad El Qudsi, Sanako’s Regional Director in the Middle East, and continues: “The study software is easily installed on top of any existing IT infrastructure, and thus brings customers added value to their PC investments.”

Sanako Corporation’s business in the Middle East has increased steadily year-onyear. The education market in Middle East overall is growing rapidly because of the high development pace of education

and training sector in many of the countries of this region.

The demand for our products has increased rapidly in the Middle East during the recent years. Investment into the language learning on a national level enhances the competitiveness of the entire nation. Communication in a globalised world demands good language skills. However, it is not just a question of learning languages it is also a question of using technology to improve learning results.

Using language teaching software or language labs allows students to speak more during the lessons resulting in better communication and speaking skills and increasing the underlying motivation to learn.

Sanako Middle East Office JAFZA 6, Office F05 P.O. Box 261134, Dubai, UAE Tel: +971 4 8872990 Fax: +971 4 8871947 Email: Mohammad.Qudsi@ sanako.com www.sanako.com

Finland

KHALEEJ TIMES SPECIAL REPORT

23

HAAGA-HELIA UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES

Excellence in vocational higher education Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences brings Finnish vocational education expertise to the Middle East As the worldwide demand for Finland’s educational expertise continues to grow, HaagaHelia University of Applied Sciences proudly provides its services and programmes to the international market.

Haaga-Helia is the largest business university in Scandinavia and one of the largest universities of applied sciences in Finland, with more than 10,500 students in six campuses in the Helsinki area. Apart from Vocational Teacher Education, HaagaHelia offers a range of challenging programmes, which include International Business Management, Hospitality and Tourism Management and Business Information Technology. Over 1,000 foreign students representing nearly 100 nationalities take part in the university’s English-lan-

Ritva Laakso-Manninen

guage degree programmes.

Haaga-Helia is working with a number of partners in countries such as South Korea, Sweden, China, Vietnam and Malaysia. In the Middle East, Haaga-Helia is active in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. These activities include a continued co-operation with Saudi Arabia’s Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC).

From September to December this year, the renowned university, together with Educluster Finland Ltd is hosting a delegation of 20 teachers from TVTC for a three-month

intensive residential training programme — Excellence in Vocational Teaching. The delegates from TVTC are especially interested in learning about Finland’s system of secondary vocational education, on the job learning methodologies and teacher training.

Teachers in Saudi Arabia are being presented with the best aspects of Finnish vocational teacher education during a programme covering 12 weeks of intensive training, including pedagogical methods, subject specific training as well as teaching practice.

The programme has been tailored to meet the needs of TVTC and aims to provide the participants with skills to develop their own expertise by familiarising them with the most recent methods and best practices of Finnish education competence and teaching.

“We are working closely with our partners from TVTC in Saudi Arabia, and expect that these initial programmes are the first actions of a longterm partnership,” says Ritva Laakso-Manninen, President, Haaga-Helia. “The feedback

FACT BOX • • • • • •

700 faculty and specialists 10,500 students Six campuses 1,000 students from abroad 180 partner universities around the world More than 200 ongoing research and development projects • Close working relationships with more than 40 international companies Areas of specialisation • • • • • • • •

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KHALEEJ TIMES SPECIAL REPORT

International business Business information technology Hospitality and tourism management Management assistant education Sports and leisure management Experience and wellness management Journalism Vocational teacher education

has been excellent and we are confident that the programme will go a long way towards bringing the latest educational know-how to our international partners.”

Supported by Finland’s Ministry of Education and Finpro, the programme is considered as the next step in the co-operation that started over a year ago, and it is expected that it will develop into a longterm strategic partnership in the field of education between Finland and Saudi Arabia.

International growth is one of the key strategic objectives for Haaga-Helia. “At the moment we are working with partners in several countries providing tailor-made solutions in the area of vocational teacher education and educational management. In future we will introduce activities in other key competence areas such as business management, hospitality and tourism management as well as sports business management and business information technology. The market for vocational higher education is growing strongly around the world and the outlook for the export of Finnish education is very good. There is an everincreasing demand for Finnish education expertise and we are very keen to develop partnerships to implement our vocational higher education model with other organisations in the Arabian Gulf region,” concludes LaaksoManninen.

KONE

Dedicated to people flow Elevators and escalators giant KONE’s growth in the last 100 years has been phenomenal all over the world including the Middle East

Amazing views can be enjoyed from the high-speed scenic elevators found in Al Fattan Marine Towers in Dubai

26 Finland

KHALEEJ TIMES SPECIAL REPORT

LATHA KRISHNAN KONE, a global leader in providing complete and innovative solutions for the installation, maintenance and modernisation of elevators and escalators, was founded in 1910 in Helsinki, Finland.

With a turnover of 5 billion euros last year and over 33,000 employees worldwide, KONE’s growth in the last 100 years has been phenomenal all over the world including the Middle East.

“We have been present in the Middle East since the early 1970s but we set up our regional office in 1993 in Dubai as KONE Middle East and have become a leading industry player in this region too covering 14 countries,” informs Samer Halabi, Regional Managing Director of KONE. Amongst the many prestigious projects of KONE in the region are the Princess Tower and the Elite Residence in Dubai, Capital Plaza and Etihad Towers in Abu Dhabi, Twin Palms and Doha City Centre Towers in Doha, a big portion of King Abdullah Financial District, and Princess Noora University in Riyadh and the redevelopment of the passenger terminal in Muscat International Airport where KONE is providing all escalators and elevators.

In all its projects KONE makes use of industry-leading innovations and service enhancements in order to meet customer needs better and provide fast, safe and energy-efficient People Flow solutions. The innovations in design and technology in the trade marked People Flow that KONE continues to bring into the industry has enabled the company to win several awards and recognitions including being ranked the 39th most innovative company in the world by US-based business magazine Forbes.

KONE is also the only el-

KONE elevators can be found in The Princess Tower and Elite Residence — prestigious super-tall residential buildings soon to be completed in Dubai Marina. — Photo: Tameer

evator and escalator company to have made it to the top 50 in the Forbes ranking, which is based on a metric called the “Innovation Premium”.

This is a grade bestowed by Forbes upon a company as a measure of the premium the stock market has placed on the value of the company due to expectation of future innovative products, services and new markets that will generate even larger income streams.

“We are a challenger in the industry and aim always to develop products and services to deliver a better customer and user experience. Consequently we enjoy enviable customer loyalty and employee loyalty, both essential for the success and growth of the company. KONE employees everywhere are fully aware of the values of the company, understand its clear vision and follow its strategy in their daily work. And they use their knowledge and experience to provide the best to our customers,” says Halabi.

AVIATION

Finnair and Lufthansa to fly on biofuel The Finnish company Neste Oil has pioneered the production of biofuel for the aviation industry Finnair and Lufthansa will begin flights powered by a mixture of biofuel produced from renewable sources and conventional fossil fuel, produced by the Finnish company Neste Oil. Finnair is planning to start using the new fuel on a significant proportion of its flights, as soon as it passes certification in spring 2011.

The biofuel can utilise sources like logging waste and lard as its raw material.

Airlines have demanded

that the new fuel should not contain palm oil, which has been linked to rain forest destruction. According to Neste Oil CEO Matti Leivonen, being a pioneer in this area is very positive for

Neste Oil and could open up major business opportunities in the future.

According to Neste Oil, aviation fuel needs to have a high energy content and be capable of dealing with

the very cold temperatures found at the altitudes aircraft travel. As a pure hydrocarbon with a chemical composition identical to that of conventional jet fuel, Neste Oil’s NExBTL renewable jet fuel meets all these requirements.

Under a target agreed by the member airlines of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), future growth of aviation will be carbon-free from 2020, which will require the large-scale adoption of renewable fuels.

Flights to and from EU destinations will be included in the EU's Emissions Trading Scheme from 2012 onwards.

Airlines will then be required either to offset their emissions using emission certificates or use renewable fuels.

CARGOTEC

Complete cargo-handling solutions Cargotec does not just provide cranes or trucks but whole cargo-handling solutions, making improving efficiency of cargo flows its mission LATHA KRISHNAN Cargotec improves the efficiency of cargo flows on land and at sea providing complete cargo-handling solutions through the products of its daughter brands, Hiab, Kalmar and MacGregor, all recognised leaders in cargo and load-handling solutions around the world.

“We do not just provide cranes or trucks but the whole cargo-handling solution. Our mission is to improve the efficiency of cargo flows. Our vision is to be the world’s leading provider of cargo-handling solutions. And we are doing all we can to realise both our mission and vision by sticking

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steadfast to our core values of global presence — local service, working together and sustainable performance,” says Rob van Klingeren, General Manager of Cargotec Middle East, which began operations in 2009.

Cargotec’s global network is positioned close to customers and offers extensive services that ensure the continuous, reliable and sustainable performance of equipment.

Cargotec’s sales totalled 2.6 billion euros (Dh12.842 billion) in 2010 and it employs approximately 11,000 people.

The Middle East office in Dubai handles all the three brands and a few others to serve industrial, terminal and marine businesses. Currently there are four Cargotec offices in different locations in Dubai, including a workshop but that is set to change when all of them come under one roof shortly, resulting in better synergy among all departments.

According to van Klingeren, the most popular Hiab product

in the region is the loader crane for trucks. Orders for loader cranes and all other products are taken here and are delivered from Cargotec factories around the world.

“Being a frontline unit dealing directly with customers, we provide sales, service and spare parts. The biggest order we got was what we call the Iraq Project, where we delivered 95 Hiab loader cranes on trucks to the Ministry of

Electricity and Water in Iraq within 50 working days,” he informs.

While Kalmar’s container and heavy material handling solutions are part of many projects in the region, Dubai Ports World (DPW) is a significant customer of Cargotec from around the world. A dedicated Cargotec key account department has been established only to accommodate DPW. In October this year Cargotec was chosen as the preferred partner to supply 40 Kalmar automatic stacking cranes with related technology and 28 Kalmar shuttle carriers to DP World’s deep-sea container port London Gateway, making it a perfect example of how Cargotec provides complete solutions. Cargotec cargo handling solutions are also competitive and at the same time of high quality because the company strictly conforms to European standards in all aspects, be it production, supply, service or operating terminals around the world.

KONECRANES

Experienced, intelligent lifting solutions Konecranes offers their legendary service back up for all the equipment provided LATHA KRISHNAN Konecranes have been operating in the Middle East region with a representative office since 1994. In 2008 it expanded their operations to increase sales of Port Cranes and Lifttrucks, two important business divisions of Konecranes. In 2010 Konecranes took the next step and established their Free Zone Enterprise in the Jebel Ali Free Zone, Dubai, as the regional office to cover 15 countries from Syria in the north to Yemen in the south, Egypt in the west to Pakistan in the east. Due to their rapid development Konecranes consequently had to move to new and purpose-built offices as late as this past October.

Niklas Brönn, Managing Director for Konecranes Middle East FZE and Area Director for Konecranes, says, “Currently we have 15 employees in the office in Dubai and having acquired our licensee called Saudicranes in Saudi Arabia, we have added more than 100 personnel of that organisation

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Niklas Brönn reporting to this office.”

Last year Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC) awarded Konecranes ME the contract to provide 30 automated stacking cranes in Khalifa Port in Taweelah. At an estimated value of $120 million, it is the biggest order ever for Konecranes. Work has begun and the first crane was erected in September 2011. The cranes are fully automated without drivers but can be remotely operated if a problem arises. In conjunction with the cranes Konecranes will also be providing the container terminal operating system, thereby supplying an intelligent turnkey solution of both hardware and software, which is a first in the industry.

The full order of cranes is on schedule to be delivered by end of June 2012 and the terminal will go live in the fourth quarter of 2012.

Konecranes is also bringing in additional personnel from all over the world to aid in the project.

Ports using Konecranes Port Cranes in the region include Gulftainer terminal

in Khor Fakkan and the ports of Salalah in Oman and Damietta in Egypt.

Konecranes industrial cranes are serving numerous projects in the steel and petroleum industries in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan to name a few. In the UAE, Konecranes’ customers include organisations like ADWEA and DEWA, Wärtsilä, etc.

For all the equipment they provide, Konecranes also offers their legendary service back up. Brönn explains, “Service is implanted in our genes and brings 40 per

cent of our 1.7 billion Euro annual turnover. Currently we have almost 400,000 cranes on service contract and other manufacturers make 80 per cent of them.

In the UAE for the service part of our business we are partnering with Kanoo Group and working through Crane Industrial Services for supply and service of cranes.

Konecranes intends to further expand their facilities to have a distribution centre and a training centre in the country ready by early next year.

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