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Female Engineer From Heriot-Watt University Dubai Develops Revolutionary Smart Baby Wristband

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smart wristband baby

When an electronics engineer from Heriot-Watt University spent three nights caring for her unwell son, she was struck by an idea that could soon revolutionise healthcare for babies in the home.

Dr Rula Sharqi, a lecturer at the University’s Dubai campus, has co-developed what is believed to be the world’s first ‘smart baby wristband’ capable of round-the-clock monitoring of a child’s vital signs with the ability to send text alerts and, in extreme cases, raise the alarm with emergency services

She has spent the last 12 months working on the LittleGard project alongside fourth-year robotics engineering student, Nakhul Kalaivanan, who joined as part of his final year coursework.

After successfully building a working prototype, the pair are now willing to offer their idea for free to an industry partner with the capabilities of bringing the invention to market.

Dr Sharqi, an MIT-trained associate professor from the University’s School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, said: “We really believe in this product and its potential to save lives.

“Uncontrolled fevers account for the highest number of fatalities in infants so it’s a very serious problem.

“That’s why we are happy to give away our work for free to a company that has the knowledge and passion to bring this to market.”

Inspiration for the smart wristband came in 2018 when Dr Sharqi, a single-mother, was caring for her two-year-old son Joseph who was suffering from a fever.

Frequent trips to and from Joseph’s room to check his temperature left Dr Sharqi ‘drained and exhausted’.

She explains: “A baby’s fever often worsens at night because everyone’s body temperature naturally rises in the evening. This circadian rhythm, which regulates our body temperature throughout the day, causes temperatures to peak in the late afternoon and evening. As a result, any existing fever can seem more severe during these hours, making night-time monitoring particularly important for ensuring your baby’s well-being.

“But this can be exhausting for the parents, who often lose sleep.

“It was through my own terrible experience that I had the idea for a device capable of notifying me via text message, when my child’s temperature had risen beyond or below a safe level.”

The wristband monitors body temperature, oxygen levels and pulse rate through a sequence of advanced nano sensors. While similar products are available, the smart wristband is thought to be the first that can send monitoring alerts direct to parents, carers, medical professionals and emergency services. 

It is fixed to a baby’s skin using a rubber material similar to that found in an Apple watch, helping to provide accurate readings. It is also wireless and powered by a rechargeable battery that is expected to last around six-months between charges.

When vital readings breach a safe limit, an email and/or text is automatically sent to parents via an app. There is also the option to issue the same alert to a family doctor to ensure the health authorities receive real-time information in the event medical attention is required.

Nakhul Kalaivanan is in his final year studying for a BEng (Hons) in Robotics Autonomous and Interactive Systems. He said: “With our wristband design, there won’t be any false readings as the sensors are placed directly onto the skin.

“It’s also a safe option as the device is battery powered and won’t overheat. We have used advanced sensors incorporated into our design, and have built-in safeguards so that a message can always be sent in the event WiFi temporarily drops.

“Besides monitoring vital signs, this device has the unique feature of sending alarm SMS alerts to parents and even directly to 911 in case of emergencies. This ensures immediate response and support, providing an extra layer of security for the baby’s health and safety.”

Dr Sharqi’s mother was one of the first female engineering graduates in the Arab world.

Now, following in her footsteps, Dr Sharqi hopes her work at the University will empower other women to consider engineering as a career.

She said: “My mother inspired me to enter the field of engineering and specialise in teaching in the School of Engineering and Physical Sciences. Through being involved in projects, such as this one, I hope I can inspire the new generation to apply for an engineering degree.”

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FVC and SearchInform Join Forces to Boost Insider Threat Prevention and Data Protection in MENA

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FVC and SearchInform Join Forces to Boost Insider Threat Prevention and Data Protection in MENA

FVC, a prominent distributor specialising in innovative technology solutions, is pleased to announce its strategic partnership with SearchInform, a leader in information security and insider threat prevention solutions. Together, they are committed to strengthening organizations’ defenses against data leaks, corporate fraud, human-factor related risks.

K.S. Parag, Managing Director, FVC:

“We are excited to welcome SearchInform to our cybersecurity portfolio. The company offers the most powerful and localized DLP on the MENA market. SearchInform solution stands out from the competition due to a number of advantages. The system can be deployed within a few hours, protects the maximum number of data transfer channels, provides smart content-based blocking for all controlled channels and also use digital watermarks to trace the source of potential leaks. SearchInform DLP supports analysis of data in Arabic and has security policies, tailored for requirements of local organizations, enabling timely detection and prevention of confidential data leaks. The solution leverages AI to monitor atypical data transfer channels, recognize graphic elements, transcribe audio into text, detect attempts to photograph PC screens with smartphones.”

SearchInform offers a range of products, including DCAP, DLP, and SIEM. All the tools are seamlessly integrated. Technical support is provided through a specialist assigned to the company, who has extensive experience thanks to clients from various fields.

Commenting on the Partnership, Artem Volodin, CEO SearchInform MENA, stated:

“We are proud to collaborate with FVC, whose expertise in the Middle Eastern market will strengthen our efforts to combat insider threats and data leaks. The region needs a comprehensive solution that will enable organizations to meet regulatory standards, including SAMA, PDPL, DCC, ECC, UAE Information Assurance (IA) Regulation etc. and global ones, such as GDPR, PCI DSS. SearchInform delivers tools for data protection and risk mitigation across all levels: FileAuditor secures file systems, DLP covers workstations and human risks, Risk Monitor addresses corporate fraud, and SIEM protects IT infrastructure.”

The partners are currently conducting expert training, partner enablement sessions, and are also negotiating the implementation of SearchInform products in local companies.

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Etihad Salam and AFR-IX telecom Join Forces to Boost Intercontinental Digital Links Across Europe, Middle East, and Africa 

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Etihad Salam and AFR-IX telecom Join Forces

Etihad Salam, a premier telecommunications and digital infrastructure company in Saudi Arabia, has entered into a strategic with AFR-IX telecom, an infrastructure and telecom operator and the developer and operator of the Medusa Submarine Cable System.

This collaboration aims to elevate digital connectivity spanning Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, and Asia.  Through this agreement, Etihad Salam becomes the primary landing and interconnection hub for the Medusa system within Saudi Arabia through Aqaba (Jordan), solidifying the Kingdom’s position as a pivotal digital gateway connecting Asia, Europe, and Africa.

The partnership introduces resilient, high-bandwidth, and low-latency pathways from the Mediterranean to the Arabian Peninsula, fostering expansion for hyperscale data centers, cloud service providers, and digital operators throughout the region. 

With this partnership, Etihad Salam will deliver terrestrial backhaul services and capacity swapping to seamlessly incorporate Medusa’s network into Saudi Arabia and the broader GCC, and onward to Asia. This initiative represents a significant advancement in Etihad Salam’s global cable strategies and underscores its dedication to Saudi Vision 2030’s goals for digital innovation and economic diversification. 

Medusa Submarine Cable System is an 8,760 km undersea cable network linking critical points in the Mediterranean, such as Spain, France, Italy, Malta, Greece, Cyprus, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Egypt. Engineered for high-speed, reliable data transfer between Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, Medusa delivers up to 480 Tbps of capacity, serving as a vital conduit for surging intercontinental data flows. 

Quote from Salam

“Our partnership with Medusa underscores Salam’s commitment to positioning Saudi Arabia as a central hub for regional connectivity,” stated Amjad Arab, Chief Wholesale and Alliances Officer at Etihad Salam. “By linking the Medusa cable to our robust infrastructure, we’re creating innovative international routes that expand our worldwide presence and meet the surging needs for digital and cloud services in the Kingdom. Through this partnership, we seek to offer enriched connectivity services, experiences and bring the world closer, ultimately empowering businesses to scale and innovative in an increasingly digital landscape.” 

Quote from AFR-IX telecom

“We’re excited to collaborate with Etihad Salam, whose expertise and network complement our objective of providing secure, expansive, and high-performance connectivity from the Mediterranean outward,” said Norman Albi, Chief Executive Officer of AFR-IX. “This partnership elevates reliability and coverage for carriers worldwide, driving forward digital advancement across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.” 

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Infinia Technologies and Satya Retail Launch AI and Blockchain-Powered Retail Transformation at GITEX 2025

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  • Revolutionizes India’s retail market by empowering merchants with first time real use case of AI and Blockchain
  • SAII is a world’s first initiative set to turn millions of low-tech, high-potential neighbourhood retailers into a data-rich, AI-enabled commerce network



Infinia Technologies, a subsidiary of Sirius International Holding, announced a strategic partnership with Satya Retail, a DS Group affiliate, at GITEX Global 2025, the world’s largest technology and innovation event in Dubai. Through this collaboration, Infinia Technologies aims to leverage its advanced AI operating ecosystem to power Satya Retail’s merchant network with AI-driven analytics, blockchain-based invoicing, and digital financial tools, transforming India’s retail landscape.

By combining Infinia Technologies’ AI and blockchain infrastructure with DS Group’s unmatched distribution expertise and Satya Retail’s deep merchant network, this initiative will create an intelligent, scalable, and inclusive retail ecosystem designed to empower millions of small businesses across the country. The official signing took place today at GITEX Global 2025, in the presence of Arif Khan, CEO of Infinia Technologies, along with Ritesh Kumar, Director at DS Group.

The collaboration marks the launch of SAII – Smart AI Integrator, a world’s first initiative that turns millions of low-tech, high-potential neighbourhood retailers into a data-rich, AI-enabled commerce network. Branded as “The Digital Saathi for Merchants,” SAII provides a single platform for all merchant needs; from blockchain-based e-invoicing and micro-financing to insurance, hyperlocal advertising with two-way data transfer for merchants and vendor network.

For the first time, India’s retailers will receive access to powerful digital capabilities at scale through SAII. It will help merchants operate smarter, improve efficiency, and build deeper partnerships across the supply chain.

Commenting on the announcement, Arif Khan, CEO of Infinia Technologies, said: “This partnership represents a defining moment in how AI and Blockchain can drive real-world impact. This collaboration will positively accelerate India’s digital economy. Through SAII, we’re enabling millions of India’s retailers to access intelligent tools and digital services that were once out of reach, while advancing our mission to take advanced AI from Abu Dhabi to the world. This is only the beginning; we plan to extend the SAII model across Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa, with more projects to be announced soon.”

Ritesh Kumar, Director at DS Group added: “Our collaboration with Infinia Technologies brings together the strength of our retail network and their AI innovation to empower small businesses across India. SAII will help local merchants modernize their operations, access financial and digital tools seamlessly, and become part of a larger connected commerce ecosystem. This is a major step toward building a more inclusive and technology-driven retail economy.”

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