Business
SIU Earns Esteemed TAG-EDUQA Accreditation for Excellence in Education
Swiss International University (SIU), the premier higher educational institution that boasts a modern and progressive educational paradigm promising ‘decades of excellence’ after their GIIS heritage in education, has been officially accredited by TAG-EDUQA the quality assurance arm of the Arab Organization for Quality Assurance in Education (AROQA). This prestigious accolade represents a significant milestone in the life of the university and reflects its international reputation as a world-class provider of affordable education.
The accreditation places SIU in a distinguished group of AROQA accredited universities that have achieved the rigorous quality standards in academics, institutional management and student learning. It is testament continue reading Showcasing a university which is globally connected, and whose reach is extending across regional and global higher education settings.
The milestone is under the patronage of SIU’s owner Dr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh, a world leading Arab business figure and passionate supporter of educational development and reform, and TAG-EDUQA’s chairman. The importance of the accreditation is underlined by the backing of the Secretary-General of the Arab League, the Honorary President of TAG-EDUQA, which reflects its reach and relevance to the Arab world.
“This indigenous philanthropy certificate of accreditation is a time to celebrate for all of us in the university and a recognition of the hard work of our academic and administrative teams,” said Derya Briand, Academic Program Director at SIU. Quote: “Receiving first-time candidacy status emphasizes the robustness of our academic core and our dedication to excellence. “It is a representation of education at its best and sends a signal to students, our partners and stakeholders that we deliver quality-assured education on a par with international excellence.”
The accreditation coincides with a university-wide strategic growth for SIU, as the university continually adds to its academic and research programs and partners with other universities around the world. SIU is in partnership with leading international universities all over the world such as OUS International Academy in Zurich, ISBM International Business Management School in Lucerne, ISB International Vocational Institute in Dubai and its presence spread across Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Together, these schools represent an approach to education across borders that encourages students to learn together and allows students to gain access to education all over the world.
With quality assurance gaining greater prominence in higher education throughout the Arab World, SIU’s endorsement by TAG-EDUQA is a standard bearer for academic institutions seeking to meet and ultimately surpass regional and international standards. The university’s dedicated emphasis on student growth, ethical leadership, and career preparation has been praised by academic leaders and corporate allies.
” For the optimal future, Swiss International University is dedicated to strengthening academic programs, introducing new fields of academic study, and establishing partnerships that introduce the most advanced knowledge on a global basis. This emphasis on quality promises to be consolidated with the introduction of TAG-EDUQA accreditation and that in return, will strengthen SIU’s recognition and presence as an international provider.
This acknowledgment not only adds credibility to existing SIU programs but also reflects that our long-term goals for ensuring that every student has access to a quality education that prepares them for an increasingly connected world are on target.
For more details on Swiss International University and its programs, visit www.swissuniversity.com.
Hamad Malallah
KUWAIT CITY, Aug 14: United Projects for Aviation Services Company (UPAC), a commercial real estate and facilities management company, today announced its financial results for the second quarter of 2025. For the six months ended June 2025, the company reported net profits of KD 497 thousand, down 62% from 2024, or 0.94 fils per share, with revenues of KD 3.29 million down 25.6% from 2024.
Eng. Hamad Malallah, Chief Executive Officer at UPAC, said: “The second quarter presented a transitional period as we successfully concluded the project to manage and operate Terminal 1 at Kuwait International Airport, officially handing it over to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in May 2025. While this shift has naturally impacted the company’s revenues, it also paves the way for new avenues of growth and development as we focus on future projects and strategic partnerships. It is important to note that UPAC built the entire project and operated it throughout the contract term before transferring it to the DGCA under the Build, Operate, and Transfer (BOT) system. We take great pride in the success of this national project over 26-year and in delivering it to the State.”
Malallah continued: “I’m pleased to share that in July, we welcomed our first operator at Messilah Beach: Villa Shams, Kuwait’s first ladies-only beach club. Officially opened on 10 July 2025, Villa Shams offers a premium, private experience designed exclusively for women, in a secure and refined setting. This milestone reflects UPAC’s vision to create inclusive recreational environments that cater to all segments of society.”
“Planning for other areas on the Messilah Beach site has also been progressing steadily. Our teams are actively working alongside confirmed operators, both global and local brands, to support their on-ground preparations for upcoming openings with a list of exciting tenants. We are looking forward to be bringing an exceptional, family-friendly beach destination experience to Kuwait through Messilah Beach, which is set to become a vibrant, year-round destination,” added Malallah.
Malallah concluded: “We remain committed to identifying and pursuing strategic business opportunities within our industry that drive growth and create value for the company and its shareholders.”
Al Messilah Beach, one of Kuwait’s prime family entertainment destinations, was developed by Touristic Enterprises Company as part of its role in spearheading growth of Kuwait’s tourism sector. UPAC is managing all aspects of the site including leasing, entertainment activities, facility management, and overall project operations.
UPAC is a co-investor in Abu Dhabi’s $1.3 billion Reem Mall on Reem Island. Reem Mall is Abu Dhabi’s latest signature shopping, dining, and entertainment family destination spanning an impressive 183.4K sqm GLA. Anchored by a hyper-market and various notable entertainment and home furnishing concepts, the mall will be home to around 400 international and local brands. Snow Abu Dhabi, one of the mall’s entertainment anchors, is the city’s only snow park. The mall also has one of the largest home furnishing offerings in Abu Dhabi as well as one of the largest Carrefour outlets in the city. One of the prominent new openings was Sharaf DG, an expansive 3,334sqm electronics retail space with 34 brand experience zones making it the largest store of its kind in Abu Dhabi.
The mall is one of the region’s first fully integrated omnichannel retail ecosystems with digital, e-commerce, and logistics capabilities. It brings together all consumer and retail services to ensure a seamless customer experience.
As of June 2025, around 66% of GLA is open and trading, with an additional 14% under fit-out, bringing the effective leased GLA to 80%. As of date, Reem Mall has also secured signed proposals covering a further 4% of GLA. Key performance metrics continue to show strong momentum, with footfall and tenant sales increasing by 30% to 40% year-on-year. Notably, the mall achieved two consecutive record-breaking months in May and June 2025, setting new highs for both visitor numbers and sales.
Currency traders watch monitors near a screen showing the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI), left, and the foreign exchange rate between US dollar and South Korean won at the foreign exchange dealing room of the Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul, South Korea, on Aug 14. (AP)
MANILA, Philippines, Aug 14, (AP): Asian shares were mixed on Thursday after days of gains driven by hopes for lower US interest rates, while US futures slipped. Bitcoin rose more than 3% to a new record of over $123,000, according to CoinDesk. In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 fell 1.3% to 42,705.36 as investors sold to lock in recent gains that have taken the benchmark to all-time records.
The Japanese yen rose against the dollar after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in an interview with Bloomberg that Japan was “behind the curve” in monetary tightening. He was referring to the slow pace of increases in Japan’s near-zero interest rates. Low interest rates tend to make the yen weaker against the dollar, giving Japanese exporters a cost advantage in overseas sales.
The dollar fell to 146.31 Japanese yen early Thursday, down from 147.39 yen. The euro fell to $1.1703 from $1.1705. In Chinese markets, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index shed less than 0.2% to 25,655.26, while the Shanghai composite index added 0.1% to 3,686.07. South Korea’s Kospi fell less than 0.1% to 3,222.99, while Australia’s S&P ASX 200 index added 0.5% to 8,866.70. Taiwan’s TAIEX fell 0.5%, while India’s Sensex edged 0.1% higher.
“Asian markets opened today like a party that ran out of champagne before midnight – the music still playing, but the dance floor thinning out,” Stephen Innes of SPI Asset Management said in a commentary. The futures for the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average were down less than 0.1%. On Wednesday, US stocks ticked higher, extending a global rally fueled by hopes the Federal Reserve will cut USinterest rates.
The S&P 500 rose 0.3% to 6,466.58, coming off its latest all-time high. The Dow climbed 1% to 44,922.27, while the Nasdaq composite added 0.1% to its own record set the day before, closing at 21,713.14. Treasury yields eased in the bond market in anticipation that the Fed will cut its main interest rate for the first time this year at its next meeting in September.
Saudi Citizen Caught Trying To Smuggle Cigarettes At Kuwait Border
Indian Ambassador’s message on 79th Independence Day
