The third edition of the Reading for Pleasure Caravan Conference has concluded following four days of keynote addresses, panel discussions, workshops and practical sessions across Dubai, Al Ain and Abu Dhabi, bringing together about 120 local and international speakers and more than 2,000 parents, teachers, librarians and educators.

Organised by the Emirates Literature Foundation, the conference took on a new mobile ‘caravan’ format this year, travelling between four venues and exploring the role of reading in developing children’s learning, wellbeing, imagination and lifelong engagement with books. Inspired by the historic caravans that carried commerce, culture and knowledge across the Arabian Peninsula, the conference travelled from the Museum of the Future and Zayed University in Dubai, to United Arab Emirates University in Al Ain and the Higher Colleges of Technology in Abu Dhabi.

Now in its third edition, the conference forms part of the Foundation’s wider Reading for Pleasure initiative, a five-year pilot programme launched in 2023 to encourage children to read regularly for enjoyment in both Arabic and English, outside the pressures of academic assessment. The programme currently works with six schools in Dubai and brings together students, parents and educators as the three points of the ‘education triangle’.

Isobel Abulhoul OBE, Founder, Advisor and Member of the Board of Trustees of the Emirates Literature Foundation, said: “My life’s mission, and the purpose behind creating the Emirates Literature Foundation, has always been to put a book into the hands of a child and give them the opportunity to discover the joy of reading. I truly believe that everyone is a reader; sometimes, we simply have not found the right book yet. Our mission to help create the readers of the next generation is bigger than any one of us, which is why the Reading for Pleasure team and the Emirates Literature Foundation have leaned so heavily on our partners. Together, we have been able to take this conversation beyond the classroom and into communities across the UAE, because creating a nation of readers requires all of us to play a part.”

The conference opened at the Museum of the Future, with an opening ceremony by Isobel Abulhoul OBE, followed by a keynote address from Her Excellency Aisha Miran, Director General of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority. The opening day, which was livestreamed with the generous support of the Arab Reading Challenge, focused on Reading for Pleasure and featured conversations on the importance of developing positive reading habits and creating environments where children can discover books for themselves. As part of the programme, the winning children of the Arab Reading Challenge also took centre stage, bringing their own experiences and passion for reading to the conversation.

The opening day also recognised the six schools participating in the Reading for Pleasure pilot programme through the Reading for Pleasure Awards, celebrating the work being undertaken by schools to create stronger reading cultures for their students.

His Excellency Zaki Nusseibeh, Chancellor of United Arab Emirates University, said:

“Reading is not simply a skill to be acquired; it is a lifelong habit that shapes how we understand ourselves, our communities and the world around us. At United Arab Emirates University, we are proud to support an initiative that recognises the value of giving children the time, freedom and encouragement to discover the joy of reading. When young people are given the opportunity to read widely and follow their own interests, they develop not only knowledge, but also curiosity, imagination and a deeper understanding of the world.”

The conference then travelled to Zayed University for a day dedicated to Arabic Language and Bilingualism, followed by a day at United Arab Emirates University in Al Ain exploring Reading in Family and Community.

The conference concluded at the Higher Colleges of Technology’s Baniyas Campus in Abu Dhabi, in the presence of His Excellency Dr Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports and Chancellor of the Higher Colleges of Technology, who delivered an address at the opening of the final day, which focused on Reading in Early Years.

His Excellency Dr Faisal Alayyan, President & CEO of the Higher Colleges of Technology, said: “Reading starts in childhood, when a child first discovers the joy of a story and the beauty of language. Our role is to make reading a lifelong culture and to give children the freedom to choose what they read, so it stays a pleasure they return to willingly. The Reading for Pleasure initiative brings families, teachers, researchers and educational and cultural institutions together to exchange expertise, learn from what works and devise approaches that resonate with children’s interests and everyday lives.”

Across the four days, speakers examined the latest research and practical approaches to reading, with sessions addressing topics including Reading on the Spectrum, An Overview of Policies on Reading in Arabic, How the Brain Reads, and Overstimulated and Under-Imaginative: What’s Happening to Our Children’s Reading Brains?

His Excellency Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of Dubai Future Foundation, said:

“Preparing young people for the future means giving them more than the knowledge they need today. It means nurturing curiosity, creativity and the confidence to explore new ideas. Reading for pleasure gives children the freedom to imagine possibilities beyond what they already know, while developing the habits of learning that will serve them throughout their lives. Initiatives such as Reading for Pleasure play an important role in building a generation that is curious, adaptable and ready to shape the future.”

Dr Hanada Taha, Endowed Professor and Director of the Zai Research Center at Zayed University, said: “Children’s reading experiences are shaped by far more than what happens in a language lesson. The books they encounter, the languages they read in, the choices they are given and the attitudes towards reading at home and at school all influence whether reading becomes a lasting part of their lives. We need to understand these factors through both research and practice, particularly in multilingual communities such as the UAE. The Reading for Pleasure initiative provides an important opportunity to develop evidence that reflects the experiences of children here and can inform how we support readers in the UAE and beyond.”

A national and international exchange of expertise

The conference welcomed speakers from the UAE, the wider region and around the world, reflecting the growing body of research and practice focused on reading for pleasure and its role in children’s development.

Distinguished UAE speakers included His Excellency Dr Abdullah Majid Al Ali, Director General of the National Archives and Library of the UAE; His Excellency Dr Ali Bin Tamim, Chairman of the Arabic Language Centre; Dr Ahmed Al Kaabi, Assistant Dean for Student Affairs at United Arab Emirates University; Alan Williamson, CEO of Taaleem; Dr Amani Batakji Chazy, Education Policies Advisor, The Education, Human Development, and Community Development Council; Dr Bochra Kaddoura, Early Childhood Specialist at the Sharjah Private Education Authority; Deema Al-Alami, Co-Founder of Arab Child Summit; Dr Farah Sarraj, Chief Corporate Officer at Al-Futtaim School Management Company; Dr Fuzan Alkhalidi, Director of Programmes and Initiatives at Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives; Graham Paris, Director of Dubai Schools; Jessica Smith, Author and Former Paralympian; Dr Maddalena Campioni, Neuroscientist; Dr Maryam AlJassmi, Associate Professor, United Arab Emirates University; Dr Mona Aljanahi, Associate Professor, United Arab Emirates University; Nadine Bakhous, Author at Dar Al Bouma Publishing; Niamh Allen, Corporate Head of EAL at GEMS Education; Dr Reem Al Gurg, Director of Strategy and Institutional Excellence at Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences; Dr Saeed Kharbash, CEO of Policies, Research and Programmes at the Knowledge and Human Development Authority; Dr Saliha Afridi, Clinical Psychologist and Founder of The Lighthouse Arabia; Dr Sameera Alhosani, Director of Children’s Library at the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi; and Dr Tim Mackintosh-Smith, Arabist and Author.

International speakers included Dr Alaa Al Najim, Assistant Professor in Children’s Literature at King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia; Davinder Dosanjh, Researcher at the University of Birmingham, UK; Dr Fajer Bin Rashed, Assistant Professor at Australian University, Kuwait; Gavin McCormack, Founder of Upschool; Dr He Sun, Associate Professor at the National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, and Dr Simon Liversedge, Professor at Northumbria University, UK.

The full conference programme is available at readingforpleasure.ae/events and the full list of speakers at readingforpleasure.ae/author.

Building a culture of reading for pleasure

Launched in 2023 through a memorandum of understanding between Emirates Literature Foundation and DP World, the five-year Reading for Pleasure pilot programme aims to create sustainable reading habits among children in both Arabic and English.

Working with six primary-level schools in Dubai, the programme provides children with greater access to books and dedicated time to read for enjoyment, while supporting parents and educators in creating environments that encourage reading beyond the classroom curriculum. Activities include enhancing school and classroom libraries, creating outdoor reading spaces, developing age- and culturally appropriate reading lists, hosting author visits and providing professional development opportunities for teachers.

The programme is designed to establish centres of excellence that can provide a model for wider adoption across the UAE and the region. Alongside this practical work, a key component of the initiative is its commitment to rigorous academic research. Research partners from Zayed University, United Arab Emirates University, Higher Colleges of Technology, the University of Birmingham and the University of Cambridge are collecting baseline and ongoing data to build a body of local research around the impact of the initiative.

The research will contribute to the growing global body of evidence on reading for pleasure, while generating locally relevant insights into what helps children develop lasting reading habits in bilingual and multicultural communities. Its findings will add to the international conversation around reading for pleasure and provide an evidence base for educators, policymakers and researchers in the UAE and beyond.

Since the inaugural Reading for Pleasure Conference in 2024, the initiative has continued to expand its network of partners. Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives and the Arab Reading Challenge have provided strategic support, while Emirates Airline became a travel partner.

This year’s conference was supported by its four venue partners: Museum of the Future, Zayed University, United Arab Emirates University and Higher Colleges of Technology, enabling the conference to reach educators and communities across three cities.

The Reading for Pleasure initiative reflects the Emirates Literature Foundation’s wider commitment to developing a culture of reading and storytelling in the UAE, with a focus on giving children the opportunity to discover books, develop their interests and become lifelong readers.

Kingston Technology Europe Co LLP an affiliate of Kingston Technology Company, Inc., a world leader in memory products and technology solutions, today announced it has been ranked the top third-party DRAM module supplier in the world, according to the latest rankings by revenue from analyst firm TrendForce. Kingston retains its number 1 position with an estimated 62% market share.

TrendForce reported that the global DRAM module market generated approximately $21.2 billion in revenue in 2025, representing a 59% YoY increase and a significant acceleration from the 7% growth recorded in 2024. The market’s expansion was driven by rising DRAM prices and stronger shipment volumes during the second half of the year. According to the report, Kingston’s revenue grew 48% YoY in 2025, reinforcing its leadership position in a market where the top five DRAM module suppliers accounted for only 77% of total revenue. Kingston alone represented nearly two-thirds of the market.

The DRAM market experienced a dramatic shift during 2025. Early in the year, DRAM module manufacturers increased DDR4 inventory levels in response to tariff concerns and DRAM suppliers’ end-of-life plans for DDR4 products. Later in the year, growing demand from cloud service providers supporting agentic AI workloads significantly increased server DRAM consumption. This surge reduced DRAM allocations available for PC and consumer applications, contributing to higher memory prices and stronger module market performance.

Kingston’s industry-leading procurement scale allowed the company to strategically manage inventory throughout 2025 and as DRAM pricing strengthened during the second half of 2025, Kingston was well positioned to aggressively support channel demand, helping drive its strong annual performance. TrendForce also noted that DRAM module manufacturers increasingly focused on industrial and enterprise server markets during 2025 while accelerating the transition to DDR5-based product portfolios. Kingston continues to expand its comprehensive memory offerings across consumer, enterprise, industrial, and data centre applications, helping customers navigate evolving technology requirements and next-generation computing workloads.

“Maintaining our leadership position in a dynamic and rapidly evolving memory market reflects Kingston’s long-term strategy, strong supplier relationships, and commitment to serving customers worldwide,” said Iwona Zalewska, DRAM Business Manager, Kingston, EMEA. “Our ability to anticipate market transitions, manage inventory effectively, and provide reliable memory solutions enabled us to support partners and customers throughout the year.”

Symbiosis Dubai marked a significant milestone in its UAE journey with the inauguration of its newly added Block 4 at Dubai Knowledge Park on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, followed by its first Convocation Ceremony on Thursday, October 1, 2026 at JW Marriott Marquis Hotel-Dubai.

The expansion into Block 4, alongside the university’s existing presence at Block 14, reflects Symbiosis Dubai’s continued focus on growth with the student experience at its core. As the student community and academic portfolio continue to expand, the university has remained committed to creating better spaces, stronger learning opportunities and a more engaging campus environment. The additional facilities will further support academic delivery, student collaboration, innovation, industry interaction and overall student development.

The inauguration was followed by another landmark moment for the university as its inaugural MBA cohort graduated at the first Convocation Ceremony in Dubai.

The graduating cohort holds particular significance for Symbiosis Dubai, having joined the university at the very beginning of its UAE journey in 2024. Their graduation marks the completion of the institution’s first academic cycle in Dubai and reflects how both the students and the university have progressed over the past two years.

During this period, Symbiosis Dubai has expanded its academic portfolio across business, technology, computer studies, media and communication, psychology and commerce, while continuing to strengthen its engagement with industry and the professional ecosystem in the UAE.

For MBA students, this has translated into a strong focus on internships, placement support, industry projects, corporate interactions, networking opportunities and career-focused initiatives, helping students build practical experience and prepare for professional roles beyond the classroom.

The university has recorded high internship participation among first-year MBA students, while its broader career and placement initiatives continue to create pathways for students to connect with employers, explore full-time opportunities and transition more confidently into the workplace.

This emphasis on career readiness remains an important part of the Symbiosis Dubai student experience, supporting students not only through their academic journey but also as they move towards internships, placements and long-term professional opportunities.

The first Convocation Ceremony was graced by H.E. Dr. Deepak Mittal, Ambassador of India to the UAE, as Chief Guest, alongside Guests of Honor H.E. Dr. E. Vishnu Vardhan Reddy, Consul General of India in Dubai, and Mr. Marwan Abdulaziz Janahi, Senior Vice President, TECOM Group.

The ceremony was held in the presence of Dr. Vidya Yeravdekar, Chancellor, Symbiosis International University, Dr. Ramakrishnan Raman, Vice Chancellor, Symbiosis International University, Dr. Rajiv Yeravdekar, Provost, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Symbiosis International University and Dr. Anita Patankar, Executive Director, Symbiosis Dubai.

A special message and blessings from Prof. (Dr.) S. B. Mujumdar, Founder and President, Symbiosis, were also shared with the graduating cohort.

Dr. Vidya Yeravdekar, Chancellor, Symbiosis International University, said: “Our first Convocation in Dubai and the inauguration of Block 4 represent an important stage in the growth of Symbiosis Dubai. As our inaugural MBA cohort graduates, we are also expanding our academic capacity and creating greater opportunities for the students who will follow. The UAE has emerged as a dynamic global hub for education, innovation and industry, and we are proud to be growing within this ecosystem. Our focus remains on delivering strong academic experiences, deepening industry engagement and preparing students to contribute meaningfully to the region and beyond.”

The inauguration of Block 4 and the first Convocation mark a significant step in Symbiosis Dubai’s journey in the UAE. As the university continues to grow its academic community and industry partnerships, it remains focused on strengthening its presence in Dubai and contributing to the UAE’s evolving higher education landscape.