Great initiative for Dubai students and UAE blue chips are chasing global, our editors comment on the top stories of November 18

GREAT INITIATIVE TO SUPPORT TOP DUBAI STUDENTS: Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council on Thursday met top Dubai students who graduated from high school. Sheikh Hamdan announced rewards including golden visas, scholarships and financial aid for top students. It is a great initiative as Sheikh Hamdan’s plan focuses on empowering youth, talent and scientific competencies from across the world. The new system will benefit both Emirati and expat students. Emirati students can obtain scholarships within and outside the country at the international universities while resident students can get financial aid for international university branches in free zones and a priority issuance of golden visas for them and their families. (By Ashfaq Ahmed, Senior Assistant Editor)

FORGET REGIONAL, UAE BLUE-CHIPS ARE CHASING GLOBAL: The AD Ports Group’s Dh2.5 billion buy of a Spanish logistics powerhouse is not limited to make its presence felt in any particular market or region. Not by a distance. Noatum Logistics already has a well-entrenched global presence, and that’s exactly what AD Ports Group craves. And stated as much – be one of the world’s biggest logistics and freight forwarding entities. UAE’s bluest of blue-chips are increasingly looking outwards to create catalysts that will drive the next round of top-line and bottom-line gains. Dubai’s DP World already has such a globalized presence, and others are fast getting to the same point. Think ADQ, IHC and Aldar, and in Dubai, the likes of Damac and Emaar have become true globetrotters. The region is no longer enough…(By Manoj Nair, Business Editor)

A GREAT WEEKEND FOR SPORTS: UAE is the sports capital of the world and this week once again three major events are happening simultaneously. The F1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Globe Soccer Awards and the season-ending DP World Championship bring the best in the business along with stars like Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, who did their preparations for the Fifa Qatar World Cup in UAE. Sports fans will be awestruck by the galaxy of stars. (By A.K.S. SATISH, Sports Editor)

TICKETING NIGHTMARES NEED TO END: Back in the day, buying a concert ticket was a pretty simple affair. Sometimes you’d have to wait in a long line at the ticket counter, but mostly it involved paying a reasonable price to see your favourite artist. However, the Taylor Swift ticketing debacle has exposed one of the worst aspects of being a fan of a major musician. Hours-long online queues, sky-high prices and battles with scalpers are issues that have plagued the concert experience for fans of stars such as BTS, Harry Styles, My Chemical Romance and even sporting fans. Authorities need to put measures is place to ensure genuine fans aren’t scammed or forced to deal with unfair practices in order to get access to tickets. (By Jennifer Barretto, Assistant Editor – Entertainment)