Home Integrator
SOBHA GROUP JOINS HANDS WITH 10 UNIVERSITIES TO POWER NEXT-GENERATION LEADERSHIP IN THE UAE
Sobha Group has entered strategic Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) with 10 leading global and regional universities, reinforcing its long-term commitment to building future-ready leadership talent and strengthening its position as a people-first organization that invests as deeply in its people as it does in its projects.
Aligned with the UAE’s vision of becoming a global hub for innovation, higher education, and advanced talent development, the initiative represents a long-term investment in leadership capability, continuous upskilling, and future talent pipelines amid rapid business transformation and regional expansion.
At the core of the programme is Sobha Group’s People Development Team, which drives leadership development through bespoke workshops, executive coaching, capstone projects, and strategic learning interventions designed to enhance enterprise-wide capability building for Talent readiness for meeting the Global expansion plans of Sobha Group. The university partnerships will further expand the scale, depth, and global exposure of these initiatives.
The partner institutions include globally respected universities such as BITS Pilani, INSEAD, Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Amity University, Symbiosis Institute, Heriot Watt, Canadian University, Abudhabi School of Management and Northwood University, alongside other leading academic institutions operating across the UAE and internationally.
Speaking on the initiative, Mr. Ravi Menon, Chairman, Sobha Group, said, “As industries evolve and business environments become increasingly dynamic, organizations must equally evolve in how they nurture talent and leadership. Our partnerships with leading universities represent a long-term investment in building future leaders equipped with global perspectives, stronger capabilities, and the agility to navigate a rapidly changing world. This initiative also reflects our confidence in the UAE’s vision to become a global center for knowledge, innovation, and advanced talent development.”
Mr. Francis Alfred, Managing Director, Sobha Realty, said, “Our growth has always been powered by our people – Sobha family, and this collaboration with leading universities strengthens that foundation further. We are creating structured access to global knowledge, research, and leadership development opportunities to help our people grow into future-ready leaders while embedding continuous learning deeper into our culture.”
Reflecting the growing role of the private sector in strengthening academia-industry collaboration in the UAE, the programme also positions the country as an emerging crossroads for global academia and enterprise collaboration. With several partner institutions operating internationally, the programme brings together global faculty, research ecosystems, and industry leadership under a unified talent development framework.
The collaboration also highlights strengthening India-UAE education and business corridor, with institutions such as BITS Pilani, IIM Ahmedabad, and Manipal Academy (Bcz Manipal is name of a place) playing an increasing role in cross-border executive education, leadership development, and talent exchange between the two countries.
The MoUs have been formally endorsed by all participating universities and mark the commencement of a long-term collaboration focused on leadership development, innovation, and sustainable growth.
Home Integrator
IKEA Turned Last-Minute Hosting into a 90-Second Guest-Ready Tidy-Up Challenge
IKEA, operated by Al-Futtaim in the UAE, gathered residents and visitors together for the Guest-Ready Tidy-Up on 15 October, at IKEA Festival Plaza and Dubai Festival City stores.The activation brought IKEA’s storage solutions to life through a playful challenge, showcasing how IKEA continues to be part of customers’ everyday stories.
From laundry on the sofa, to toys on the floor – the last-minute tidy up before welcoming guests into our home can be familiar. Inspired by a relatable hosting moment, what happens after you receive the message that guests are on their way, the challenge gave IKEA Family members 90 seconds to put misplaced items into designated storage spaces in a staged living room, before the doorbell rang and their time was up.
An IKEA coworker assessed whether items were stored correctly within the allocated time, with 60 IKEA gift cards handed out to the winning customers across both stores, each worth AED 500.
The Guest-Ready Tidy-Up challenge celebrated the everyday moments that bring people together. Through practical, well-designed storage solutions at affordable prices, IKEA helps customers create homes that work for their routines, making it easier to clear the clutter and welcome friends and family. The challenge offered visitors a firsthand experience of IKEA’s storage solutions and ideas to use at home long after the activation.
Home Integrator
Ohana Development Announces Erling Haaland as a Proud Homeowner at Manchester City Yas Residences by Ohana, During Phase 2 Launch
Ohana Development has announced Erling Haaland as a proud homeowner at Manchester City Yas Residences by Ohana during the launch of the project’s second phase. Featuring two- and three-bedroom townhouses, duplex villas, and four- and five-bedroom villas, Phase 2 sales will commence on 19 October 2026. The event at Etihad Arena welcomed over 4,000 guests, including Pep Guardiola, who was announced as the project’s official brand ambassador.
Located along Yas Canal, adjacent to Yas Island, the development spans 1.67 million square metres and will feature more than 2,000 residences. The world’s first Manchester City-branded residential community has already broken ground, with phased delivery scheduled by 2029.
In a video appearance by Manchester City star Erling Haaland, he announced that he was excited to be joining the Ohana family as a proud homeowner with a five-bedroom villa for his family at Manchester City Yas Residences by Ohana. Additionally, Manchester City legend, Alfie Haaland also picked up the keys to his new home in the community.
Pep Guardiola also appeared on stage for a discussion exploring teamwork, resilience and the importance of sport and wellbeing beyond football.
Husein Salem, CEO of Ohana Development, said: “The response to our first phase demonstrated the confidence buyers place in Abu Dhabi and our vision for Manchester City Yas Residences by Ohana. Phase 2 builds on that momentum, offering more families and investors the opportunity to become part of this unique community. Welcoming Pep Guardiola as our official brand ambassador further reinforces our commitment to creating a residential destination centred on sport, wellbeing and lasting value.”
Pep Guardiola said: “In professional sport, we understand that performance depends on more than training. Recovery, balance and wellbeing are just as important, and those principles matter in everyday life too. Manchester City Yas Residences by Ohana places sport and wellness at the heart of the community, giving residents opportunities to stay active, recharge and spend time together. That approach is what makes the project particularly appealing to me, and I am pleased to join Ohana Development as its official brand ambassador for this unique community.”
Home Integrator
Deyaar builds on its 2026 handover momentum with 711 new homes at Tria in Dubai Silicon Oasis
Deyaar Development PJSC (Deyaar), a DFM-listed integrated real estate company and one of Dubai’s leading developers, has announced the handover of Tria, a landmark residential development that brings a new scale of elevated living to Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO). Rising prominently above its surroundings, the development comprises 711 residences and six retail units, distinguished by a striking three-wing architectural form designed to create three unique view corridors, ensuring residents enjoy prime outlooks across the Dubai skyline, Dubai Silicon Oasis and the surrounding parklands.
The handover lifts Deyaar’s deliveries in 2026 to more than 2,100 units, following the completion of 1,436 units across Regalia, Jannat and Talia Residences earlier in the first half. Built with families in mind, Tria pairs its homes with podium and rooftop amenities that include swimming pools, landscaped gardens, children’s areas, fitness and wellness facilities, sports courts, social spaces, and outdoor dining and entertainment areas.
Saeed Mohammed Al Qatami, CEO of Deyaar, said: “Earlier this year we welcomed owners to three of our projects across Dubai. Today, Tria adds another 711 homes to that momentum. It was conceived as a modern urban sanctuary, and seeing it come to life in the heart of Dubai Silicon Oasis is a proud moment for Deyaar. We thank our owners and investors for their trust, and our partners, contractors, government stakeholders and team for making it possible.”
With more than two decades of experience across residential, commercial and hospitality developments, Deyaar continues to diversify its portfolio and build on its momentum this year. Tria reflects a clear vision: creating vibrant communities where thoughtful design, wellbeing and lasting value shape the way Dubai lives.
As Deyaar looks ahead, its focus remains on scaling a balanced pipeline of projects, strengthening its position as one of Dubai’s most dynamic developers and contributing to the emirate’s long-term urban growth.
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