When Zak Pilapil attended an open house at De Montfort University (DMU) in Dubai, he did not expect his life to change. Raised by a single mother, Zak faced an uncertain future. The rising cost of living and the financial burden of higher education made prospects in the UAE increasingly difficult.
Zak was recently awarded the first-of-its-kind GCC Impact Scholarship from DMU Dubai, covering 100%. This prestigious grant program is designed to support students whose education and life circumstances have been affected by regional instability. The scholarship covers three full years of study, lifting a huge financial load from the family.
For Zak's mother, Daisy, the past year has been a continuous test of endurance. A resident of the UAE for 21 years, she worked as a procurement specialist in the oil and gas sector. Daisy recalls: 'As a single mother, I was very worried.' She noted that it was hard to find work because many companies were implementing hiring freezes.
As the sole provider for Zak and his younger sister, who is currently in 11th grade, Daisy hesitated to disclose her unemployment to the children so as not to distract them during important exams. She stated: 'I didn't tell them right away so they wouldn't feel burdened.' She emphasized that living in Dubai is expensive, and she has no financial support from anyone.
Despite the growing pressure, Daisy remained determined to stay in the UAE, which she considers home, relying on her savings. By April, she managed to secure a short-term three-month contract, but the uncertainty of the future remained a serious issue.
When Daisy finally shared the reality of their situation with the children, Zak did not falter. Instead, he channeled all his energy into his studies, striving to repay his mother's sacrifices. He said: 'She didn't make us feel like we were suffering. She truly tried her best to provide for us.'
His hard work paid off: he graduated from a Philippine school in Dubai with honors and repeatedly received awards for academic excellence. Zak built a strong portfolio in STEM innovation and leadership.
The turning point came when the family attended an event at DMU Dubai. They had applied for the scholarship, but Daisy concealed their financial difficulties, only mentioning that she was a single mother. They did not know what to expect. Zak explained that they attended the event by invitation from DMU Dubai, and they were informed that he would receive an award.
The shock was evident when the Philippine Consul General announced Zak's name as a recipient of the 100% GCC Impact Scholarship. Zak remarked: 'At first, I was shocked. This is definitely a huge help for us and my mom, as the financial burden of my college tuition will be covered.'
Daisy's reaction was a mix of utter disbelief and immense gratitude. She said: 'I was very, very shocked, grateful, and touched. It is a answered prayer and a sign that we should continue to live here in the UAE.'
With tuition fully covered, Zak now plans to study mechanical engineering at DMU Dubai. He intends not only to excel academically but also to contribute to the university community. Zak stated that by receiving this 100% scholarship, he wants to try taking on leadership roles or doing whatever he can for the DMU Dubai community to give back.
He also hopes that his story will inspire other students facing similar difficulties. Zak urged such students not to take education for granted and always seek opportunities to achieve more.
For Daisy, the scholarship brought invaluable peace. Her son's future is secured, and her tireless efforts as a mother have truly paid off.
Other students were also recognized at the ceremony. DMU Dubai also awarded 75% GCC Impact scholarships to sisters Asil Sliman and Hadil Sliman, whose stories also reflect the transformative power of education. Asil, who resumed her studies after displacement and personal hardships, scored 37 points in the International Bachelor program and will study law at DMU Dubai, driven by a commitment to human rights. Her sister Hadil, who maintained her dedication to academic excellence despite interrupted education, will study psychology with a focus on trauma, resilience, and mental health support in the region.
Professor Simon Bradbury, Deputy Rector of DMU Dubai, commented on the scholarships: 'The GCC Impact Scholarship recognizes students who have demonstrated not only outstanding academic abilities but also exceptional resilience, leadership, and determination. Their inspiring journeys remind us that education has the power to transform lives, strengthen communities, and create long-term positive change. By investing in these remarkable students, we are investing in the future of the UAE and the entire Gulf Cooperation Council.'
The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism has announced the launch of the 'A Dubai Invite' program, which will run from July 20 to October 31, 2026. This initiative allows residents of the emirate to access various offers, including hotel stays, dining discounts, and visits to attractions costing over 3000 dirhams.
To participate, residents must apply through the program's online form, providing details of the invited family members or friends and their expected arrival date. Although an unlimited number of nominations can be submitted, a maximum of five applications can be submitted simultaneously.
Once the invited guest arrives in Dubai between July 20 and October 31, 2026, their visit will be automatically verified. Residents will then receive an email with a package of benefits and instructions on how to use the offers. Unless otherwise stated, the bonuses are valid until December 31, 2026. The program is open to UAE citizens and residents holding a valid Emirates ID.
Invited guests must be non-residents of the UAE and enter Dubai using a valid tourist or visit visa during the campaign period. Guests are responsible for arranging flights, visas, accommodation, and all travel expenses themselves. Registration for residents closes on September 30, 2026, although guests can arrive until October 31, 2026, to meet the requirements.
The program is designed to encourage Dubai residents to share their experiences of the city with friends and family while providing visitors with additional incentives to explore the emirate.
The benefits package includes special offers from a range of Dubai hotels and attractions. It is important to note that participating hotels, attractions, and offers are subject to availability and may change during the campaign.
Specifically, Melia Desert Palm offers a 45% discount on rooms, suites, and villas. Additionally, guests receive vouchers for spa treatments and dining worth 100 dirhams per person and per stay, respectively. At ME Dubai by Meliá, guests can benefit from a 35% discount on best available rates, as well as a complimentary room upgrade, with children under 12 staying free. A 35% discount is also provided for the daytime restaurant, room service, spa, and laundry. At the Mina Seyahi group of hotels (Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Waterpark, W Dubai - Mina Seyahi, The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi), guests receive a refund for the room cost, which they can use at various high-end restaurants and for relaxation at spa centers.
Guests can take advantage of an IHG offer allowing them to pay for two nights and receive the third free at participating properties. The hotel group also provides discounts on restaurants of up to 30%. The verification process is carried out by the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) through authorized government systems after the guest's arrival. Bonuses are provided only after DET confirms that the invited guest meets the selection criteria and has arrived during the campaign period.
For many residents and workers in the Business Bay, Barsha Heights, and Al Quoz areas, the most frustrating part of daily commutes is not the distance, but the process of entering Dubai's congested main roads.
Dubai plans to solve this issue with the recently approved Al-Haal Street Development Plan. This plan involves creating a 15-kilometer elevated corridor with three lanes in each direction, running parallel to Sheikh Zayed Road. Construction is scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2027 and be completed by the fourth quarter of 2030.
According to Dubai authorities, the new corridor will provide access to approximately 2.6 million people, improve connectivity to Al Barsha, Al Quoz, Business Bay, and Meydan, increase road capacity by about 9,000 vehicles per hour, and, most importantly, reduce travel time on Sheikh Zayed Road by 51 percent during peak hours.
An analysis by A Khaleej Times shows that Al-Haal Street serves a different function compared to Dubai's two main north-south highways. While Sheikh Zayed Road is designed for the rapid movement of large volumes of traffic across the city, Al-Haal Road itself acts as a high-speed bypass, passing through numerous residential and commercial zones where daily routes begin and end.
This corridor crosses areas such as Business Bay, Al Quoz, Barsha Heights, Green Zones, and Meydan—places where people live, work, study, receive deliveries, and use taxis daily. Unlike major city highways that primarily serve transit traffic, Al-Haal connects neighboring communities, becoming an important route for shorter daily journeys.
Mohammed Arif, a finance specialist residing in Business Bay and working in DIFC, noted that despite the short distance between home and office, the main difficulty lies in exiting Business Bay during peak hours. He emphasized that sometimes the time spent just reaching Sheikh Zayed Road exceeds the actual travel time, and the new corridor could significantly simplify these short daily trips.
Residents of Barsha Heights have also expressed hope for an additional north-south route. Anjali, who commutes daily from Techom to Business Bay, stated that she usually has to choose between Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Haal Road depending on the traffic. She believes that having another major corridor will distribute cars across more roads, and saving even 10 or 15 minutes a day would be a significant improvement.
Ridwan Ahmed, who works in Al Quoz and lives in JLT, sees the problem not so much in the distance as in bottlenecks. He reported that even when leaving the office on time, he spends a lot of time trying to reach the main roads. He believes that improving connectivity around Al Quoz and adjacent areas will make journeys less stressful.
Taxi drivers who spend most of their day on Dubai's roads believe the project could improve short trips between neighboring areas and allow them to arrive faster at online ride requests. Sajid Rasul, who has been driving a taxi in Dubai for over ten years, noted that many passengers travel only between places like Business Bay, Al Quoz, and Barsha.
He added that they often have to use Sheikh Zayed Road now because it is the faster option. If Al-Haal becomes a smooth corridor, many of these short trips will not require using the main highways, which will also help distribute traffic across the entire road network. Delivery personnel also noted that they sometimes choose longer routes on the highways because stopping at multiple traffic lights can take more time during busy periods. Shahid Hussain, who handles food delivery across central Dubai, said that if Al-Haal becomes a smoother route, it will help deliver orders to customers faster during peak hours.
