WWW.GULF-INSIDER.COM Bahrain BD2 | KSA SR20 | Kuwait KD1.75 | Oman RO2 | Qatar QR20 | UAE DHS20 JULY - AUGUST 2022 | ISSUE 202 The multi-award winning Arabian Magazine CopyComplimentary
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Contents July - AugustIssue2022202 Simply unparalleled online presence that connects the region’s most inspired communities. 14 0612Forward and upward - ASB 08 Giving students real-life financial literacy skills - CSB 12 How impactful are peer connections in choosing a university? - AUBH 14 Fun in the Bahrain Sun with Porsche’s Boxster GTS 4.0 16 When a luxury car is also a supercarPorsche Panamera GTS 18 The VW Golf GTI (Mk 8) Is in a League of Its Own 20 Good quality, good value - Bait Maryam, Dubai 22 Teamwork makes the dream work! - BEYON InsiderFinancialGulf
Publisher & Editor in Chief Nicholas C. Cooksey Editorial Elyzabeth Ramirez Editorial Contributors Angela Acosta Vinita NicholasV Cortes Sales & DevelopmentBusiness Charlie Cooksey Account Manager Noor Albasri Zain Alhanbali Layout Designs Dhanraj S Admin & Finance Nikesh Pola Photography Angelo Jose A Cover Image: Rizky Aditya Pratama KNOWLEDGE IS POWER Comment... www.Gulf-Insider.com Registered with Ministry of Information approval no. TFI-431©. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any manner without the written permission of the publisher. All Rights Reserved. Views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher. Printed at Awal Press, Kingdom of Bahrain. P.O. Box 26810, Kingdom of Bahrain Tel: +973 1700 4575 Fax: +973 1772 1722 Published by: For advertising contact Charlie Cooksey +973 3652 0004 charlie@gulf-insider.com A picture is worth a thousand words. Here's last month’s most 'Liked' #theoldbahrain picture posted to our social media. Sendusyourownphoto–itcouldbefeaturednext!c1987BH:BahrainMotorClub(BMC)DesertChallengeChampionship@theoldbahrain WWW.GULF-INSIDER.COM Bahrain BD2 KSA SR20 Kuwait KD1.75 Oman RO2 Qatar QR20 UAE DHS20 JUNE 2022 ISSUE 201 The multi-award winning Arabian Magazine The Art Revolution Interview with Shaikh Rashid bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Chairman of the National Council for Arts WWW.GULF-INSIDER.COMJULY AUGUST 2022 ISSUE 202 The multi-award winning Arabian Magazine WWW.GULF-INSIDER.COM Bahrain BD2 KSA SR20 Kuwait KD1.75 Oman RO2 Qatar QR20 UAE DHS20 APRIL 2022 ISSUE 200 The multi-award winning Arabian Magazine CopyComplimentary PURE POWER. PURE DARKNESS. Rolls-Royce Black Badge Ghost WWW.GULF-INSIDER.COMFEBRUARY 2022 ISSUE 199 The multi-award winning Arabian Magazine
5Gulf Insider July - August 2022 Inbox Follow @Gulf Insider A few of our social media posts from last month. Don’t forget to like our Facebook page! /GulfInsider@GulfInsider@GulfInsideronusFollow Highlighted Posts: Highlighted Posts: FANS FOLLOWERS FOLLOWERS 464,350 22.5K 2,559 25,759 people reached 2,708 commentsreactions, & shares 9.9k people reached 10.6k people reached 23,391 people reached 4,687 commentsreactions, & shares Blue Tick Verified
FORWARD
Two new highly experienced International Baccalaureate educators join the American School of Bahrain’s leadership team. AND UPWARD
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ASB focuses on studentsempoweringto thinkers.independentbecome Recently authorised by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO), the American School of Bahrain (ASB) onboarded Dr. Juan Saavedra as the Middle & High School Principal, and Ms. Casey Bucheler as the new coordinator of the school’s Early Childhood Center. Dr. Saavedra has over 28 years of educational experience, with 18 years as a High School principal. Formerly an IB Biology teacher and IB coordinator, he has worked around the world in countries including the UK, Kuwait, China, Columbia and the Ivory Coast. Importantly for the school, Dr. Saavedra has served, multiple times, on accreditation teams for the Council of International Schools (CIS), a body which performs rigorous school-wide evaluations to ensure that schools align with internationally benchmarked standards, and would thus be able to strategically guide the school and upgrade its quality standards. His role at the school will be to provide guidance towards achieving
ASB focuses on empowering students to become independent thinkers. Both Dr. Saavedra and Ms. Bucheler, being so closely aligned with the school’s philosophy, will add to the its growing momentum towards being one of the best in the region, Dave McMaster, the Founding Director said. As an Esol Education school, ASB provides holistic American and International education to its students. It aims to create ideal learning environments and attract the right educators to develop a strong international curriculum, as well as guarantee a diverse range of activities and opportunities to enable students to be well balanced individuals. ASB is currently accepting applications for the new academic Foryear.more information, contact the school admissions office at 1721 1800 or visit https://www.asb.bh/.
As an early childhood educator with over 30 years of experience, Ms. Bucheler has extensive knowledge of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP) and the Reggio Emilia approach. Both these programmes emphasise self-directed and experiential learning, therefore aligning her experience with ASB’s own ‘experiential learning’ philosophy that allows young children to be agents of their own education.
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Education several strategic objectives, including academic growth and further improving the student experience.
As an EducationEsol school, ASB provides holistic American and students.educationInternationaltoits Ms. Casey Bucheler Dr. Juan Saavedra
8 Gulf Insider July - August 2022 Education
FINANCIAL
GIVING STUDENTS REAL-LIFE LITERACY SKILLS
In collaboration with Al Salam Bank, the Canadian School Bahrain (CSB) launched a ‘Mini Bank Branch’ at the school campus where the students get to experience and learn real-life financial literary skills. Students from Grades 5 and 6 will learn how banking works by taking the role of both bankers and customers, experiencing real time exchanges with their peers. The students will learn the day-to-day responsibilities of a CEO, customer representative, branch manager, and teller as well as how to work together as a collaborative team to ensure that
The CSB Junior Banking Programme allows students to learn the ins and outs of banking through a hands-on learning experience.
Children learn best when they are fully engaged, and one of the most effective ways to engage them is through a hands-on approach. operations run smoothly in a fastpacedChildrenenvironment.learnbest when they are fully engaged, and one of the most effective ways to engage them is through a hands-on approach. It challenges them through experience and encourages them to experiment, think outside the box, and learn new problem-solving strategies.
9Gulf Insider July - August 2022 Education
CSB is a certified offshore school offering the British Columbia, Canada curriculum (BC Curriculum). Its core competencies are integrated into all learning, namely: communication, critical and creative thinking, and personal and social responsibility. For more information on CSB and their Junior Banking Programme, call 66644234 or www.canadianschoolbh.comvisit
LOOKING TO PURSUE YOUR MBA IN BAHRAIN?
The AUBH fundamentalsbuildsprogrammeMBAbusinesswith strong foundations in strategy.marketing,accounting,and
10 Gulf Insider July - August 2022 Education
The modern workplace is all about innovation, strategic communication, and an entrepreneurial spirit. In an economy governed by competition, technological advances, and rapid growth, more and more workplaces are looking for dynamic leaders with Masters in Business Administration (MBA)-level qualifications.Whetheryou’re fresh out of college or looking to take your career to the next level, an advanced MBA program can accelerate your skills for management across sectors and equip you to deal with real-world challenges.
The AUBH MBA programme builds business fundamentals with strong foundations in accounting, marketing, and strategy. The two-year programme helps students master skills in leadership, creating partnerships, interpreting industry data, managing crises, and negotiation techniques. The programme spans across four semesters, augmented by additional summer coursework. The concentrations cover topics such as Leadership for Innovation in Global Contexts; Data Analysis and Mining for Business; People Analytics for Leaders; and Intercultural Communication in Business.Theprogramme will be offered outside of regular working hours to accommodate the schedules of busy, mid-career professionals. The design of the programme is aimed at making this new chapter for all those interested as seamless as possible. The experience combines flexibility, executive-and leadership-focused curriculum taught by world-class faculty, and the opportunity to build community among students andThealumni.deadline for admissions is September 4, 2022. To apply, visit http://aubh.edu.bh/ or contact AUBH Admissions via email: admission@aubh.edu.bh.Formoreinformation,call +973 7799 7008 orWhatsApp +973 3366 3343.
The American University of Bahrain (AUBH) announced its first postgraduate program, co-created with California State University, Northridge.
Unlock Tomorrow at AUBH Bahrain’s UniversityAmerican-style
For a lifetime of success. Apply now: +973 77999997 aubh.edu.bh #AUBH At the American University of Bahrain, it is a core part of our mission to provide quality education and prepare our students for an evolving and competitive job market. AUBH students have access to a wide array of opportunities to realize their professional and personal goals, in a student-centric, multicultural, and flexible, American-style University environment, on par with the best universities around the world. Beyond academia, they also have access to social, athletic and other extra- curricular activities making AUBH home. Admissions are open for the 2022-2023 academic year. The deadline to apply is 4 September 2022.
12 Gulf Insider July - August 2022 Education You can connect with current students at the American University of Bahrain (AUBH) and learn about student life, academics, and more through Unibuddy. HOW IMPACTFUL ARE PEER CONNECTIONS IN CHOOSING A UNIVERSITY?
The American University of Bahrain (AUBH) has partnered with student peer-to-peer service Unibuddy to allow prospective students to chat with current students and ambassadors. They can get an inside look and learn about the university from another student’s perspective, ask questions, and receive advice.Connecting with students directly will give a better understanding of the culture and community at the university, and can also bring about a sense of belonging. Thus, helping them to make a more informed university choice.
Choosing a university is a huge and important decision. Will you get a quality education? What will student life be like there? Will you have the time and opportunity to pursue other interests andBeforehobbies?making any valuable investment, people today have become more and more interested in hearing about others’ authentic experiences – from online reviews, to peer-to-peer word of mouth. What then would be the most trustworthy source for prospective university students? Existing students.
According to a Unibuddy user survey, 89% of users said they felt more confident about their university choice after chatting with other students on the platform. Since November 2021, nearly 1,150 questions have been answered by AUBH students through Unibuddy. This benefits all three parties –students, prospective students, and the university. It is an opportunity for students to share their personal experiences and give advice, while providing prospects access to information that can help them make their decision. In turn, this could positively impact enrollment rates.
Connecting with students directly will give a theunderstandingbetterofculture sensealsouniversity,communityandattheandcanbringaboutaofbelonging.
13Gulf Insider July - August 2022 Education
According to an Intead report, 65% of students applied to the university where they had chatted with an ambassador.
AUBH places students at the centre of their efforts while promoting a “culture of care”. It is the Kingdom’s first comprehensive, purpose-built coeducational university. To start chatting with a student, visit https://aubh.edu.bh/connect.FormoreinformationonAUBH, visit https://aubh.edu.bh/ or call 7799 9997.
Gulf Insider drives the new Porsche 718 Boxster GTS 4.0, and is impressed. By Charlie Cooksey FUN IN THE BAHRAIN SUN WITH PORSCHE’S BOXSTER GTS 4.0
Things have changed since the days when the Boxster was considered by many as the poor stepchild of the Porsche line-up. This model looks fantastic and may have even eclipsed the 911 cabrio in good-looks. This is a real sports car, so the cockpit is snug with absolutely no space wasted, and there’s a traditional power folding soft top. Under the bonnet there is a naturally-aspirated, flat-6 “boxer” engine offering 395 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque – a huge engine for the size of this car. The 0-100 km/h takes just 4.0 seconds, with a top speed of 288 km/h.
14 Gulf Insider July - August 2022 Automotive
Fantastically dark 20-inch wheels are even more eye-catching with the optional ceramic brakes and their yellow callipers.Ihadfar too much fun driving the 718 Boxster GTS with the roof down the entire time, despite Bahrain’s extreme summer heat. I cannot compare the Porsche GTS cars that I drove with each other, as they each offer something different. But I can absolutely confirm that I had the most fun in this one.
The 718 Boxster may not share the same iconic image of the Porsche 911, but it not only has great styling, it also is without doubt one of the best-driving sports cars there is. GTS spec includes the Sport Chrono package with its clock atop the dash, Sport Plus mode for even faster gearshifts, active engine mounts, torque vectoring, a mechanical limitedslip differential, and Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) sports suspension. Also coming as standard on the GTS is a high-res seven-inch touchscreen and enhanced Track Precision App which originates from motorsport and shows performance-related data on the PCM display while in race track use, recording it for later analysis.
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I had far too much fun driving the 718 Boxster GTS with the roof down the entire time, despite Bahrain’s extreme summer heat. The mid-engine layout helps it to feel balanced and stable through corners, while the superb steering reacts quickly and accurately. The 718 Boxster’s handling and steering is just wonderful.
Starting prices: Porsche 718 Boxster From BD 27,627 including VAT Porsche 718 Boxster GTS 4.0 From BD 38,670 including VAT To arrange your own test drive in Bahrain, call 1745 9911 or www.porsche.com/MIDDLE-EAST/_visitBAHRAIN_/.
16 Gulf Insider July - August 2022 Automotive Gulf Insider experiences the Porsche Panamera GTS - By Charlie Cooksey WHEN A LUXURY CAR IS ALSO A SUPERCAR
Some people want to own a Porsche but for whatever reasons may feel the brand’s 911 and 718 two-doors aren’t the most practical forms of transportation for them. Enter the Panamera, a Porsche supercar with a four-door body and an upmarket interior. You sit low in the Panamera, which gives a sports-car feel. The handling is great, just like you’d expect a Porsche to be, while it provides much additional space and comfort for even the tallest drivers and passengers. The Panamera GTS has a 473hp twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8. “Normal” mode is best for comfortable high-speed cruising, while “Sport” makes everything firmer and favors more sporty driving. Despite its weight, the GTS can get you from zero to 100 kph in just 3.9 seconds, with a 300 kmh topThespeed.interior of the GTS models come fitted with black leather and Alcantara adaptive Sports seats. There are ‘GTS’ logos on the headrests, as well as decorative trim and door sill guards made of brushed aluminium. The GT sports steering wheel and roof lining are also finished in Alcantara. The centre console is littered with touch-sensitive controls, and there’s a big 12.3-inch touchscreen.Porscheshave a very good reputation for safety and crash performance, and the Panamera is available with numerous driver-assistance features.
Porsches have a very good reputation for safety and crash performance, and the Panamera is available with numerous driverassistance features.
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Starting prices: Porsche Panamera From BD 40,440 including VAT Porsche Panamera GTS From BD 59,203 including VAT To arrange your own test drive in Bahrain, call 1745 9911 or www.porsche.com/MIDDLE-EAST/_visitBAHRAIN_/.
GTS models are recognisable by their use of contrasting black elements, such as the side window trims, side air outlets, GTS logos, and tailpipes of the sports exhaust system. Also, the lower section of the Sport Design front and rear aprons and the 20-inch wheels are finished in satin black. The taillights and light strip are also tinted. It has a fastback roofline which gives it a sporty look, and there’s plenty of storage room and boot space. On the Panamera GTS and Turbo S, the adaptive rear spoiler splits in two after extending and becomes wider – ensuring an efficient reduction in lift. Personally, Porsche’s Panamera was the Porsche that didn’t make sense to me and when it first launched in 2010 it never really got me excited. Since then I have grown an admiration and appreciation as the Panamera has come a long way with much improved sleeker exterior (and interior) design, performance and driving experience. The Panamera is not just a luxury sedan, it is a luxuriously thrilling crossover with supercar powers that must be taken seriously.
18 Gulf Insider July - August 2022 Automotive Gulf Insider drives the car that, since its launch nearly 50 years ago, sets the standard for ‘hot hatches’ - By Charlie Cooksey THE VW GOLF GTI (MK 8) IS IN A LEAGUE OF ITS OWN
From picking up the kids, to carting around boxes, to driving just for the sheer fun of it… the Golf GTI is considered the daddy of hot hatches – a fast and practical car that will do just about anything you need. Now in its eighth generation (Mk8), a new 2-litre turbo four-cylinder engine provides 245 horsepower and a substantial 273 pound-feet of torque. Choose Sport mode and the car instantly becomes stiffer.
To arrange your own test drive in Bahrain call 1745 9977 or www.volkswagen-bahrain.comvisit
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An ultra-responsive throttle gets this car from zero to 100 kph in 6.4 seconds. VW has reworked the suspension for better performance and the steering feels good. Understeer is usually a letdown in front-wheel-drive cars, but the GTI is in another league. Further noticeable changes from the previous model include new rear hatch and taillight designs, a greater sloping bonnet, and full-width running lights below the bumper. Inside, a big difference from the previous model is the fully digital cockpit making the interior clean and uncluttered. There are no knobs and few buttons on the dash – whether this is a good thing or not is subjective. A 10.3-inch screen displays virtual gauges, navigation, music, a trip computer, and more.Acool feature of the start button is that it pulses red until the engine is started. It is located on the centre console near a short, stubby gear lever and an electronic parking brake. This is an impressive driver’s car and is brilliant at everything it does. Interestingly, motoring journalists around the world seem to agree that this is by far the best driving GTI to date.
Starting prices: Prices start from BD16,595 with 7 years’ service package, 5 years extended warranty, and 3 years roadside assistance (for a limited time period).
An throttleultra-responsivegetsthiscar from zero to 100 kph in 6.4 seconds.
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B
Gulf Insider speaks with the award-winning team of Bait Maryam, Dubai.
GOODGOODQUALITY,VALUE
ait Maryam, a Dubai-based restaurant specializing in Levantine cuisine recently became the recipient of a Michelin Star Guide award. The Bib Gourmand Award for highquality food at low prices was awarded to 14 restaurants featured in the comprehensive manual exploring the best eateries in Dubai. Inspired by her mother’s relationship with the community, Chef Salam Daqqaq established Bait Maryam, providing a homely experience for those visiting the Levantine restaurant. We recently had an opportunity to interview Nada Darraj, General Manager at Bait Maryam to know more about the restaurant. You are one of 14 restaurants in Dubai to receive the prestigious Bib Gourmand Award. How will this recognition affect your business? The award will positively affect the business in terms of worldwide exposure. A Palestinian-owned restaurant and chef achieving a prestigious award like this one is a matter of great pride for us! We are grateful to have been recognized in a city that brims with F&B options. What is the bestselling item off your menu? What makes it special? Our best seller is the Fatet mouskhan and what makes it so special is that my mother, Chef Salam Daqqaq created Inspired by her therelationshipmother’swithcommunity, Chef Salam Daqqaq established Bait Maryam, providing a homely experience
Why did you choose Jumeirah Lake Towers as a location for your restaurant? We chose this location to attract customers from around the UAE. The more visitors we have, the happier we are to serve!
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What’s next for Bait Maryam? We have a lot of ideas and plans coming up, so stay tuned. For now, we are enjoying the recognition that comes with the award and as always, our ultimate focus is to keep our customers happy.
Bait Maryam is in essence ‘the home of toEveryoneMaryam’.comingtherestaurant finds an extremely warm, welcoming, and experience.authentic it inspired by the famous Mouskhan in Levantine cuisine. Eating the original dish – taboon bread topped with chicken, onion, sumac, yoghurt, and fried bread – is a bit of a process. So, my mother recreated this dish, making it easier to eat and customers really enjoy it! How would you describe the atmosphere at your restaurant? Bait Maryam is in essence ‘the home of Maryam’. Everyone coming to the restaurant finds an extremely warm, welcoming, and authentic experience. A city with so many expatriates – they have found a new home in Bait Maryam. Furthermore, the fact that Chef Salam Daqqaq treats the restaurant like her home, welcoming everyone coming in, makes customers feel as if they are dining at a relative’s place.
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TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK!
The team at Beyon Money has created a range of WhatsApp groups, each relating to a department or service – one of these is related to handling issues faced within the app.
The Incident One Friday night at around 11:45 pm, one of the employees noticed that there was a minor malfunction on the app. The team has in place a continuous process of testing of the app, monitoring any potential issues that some clients may face from time to time.
The team has in place a theprocesscontinuousoftestingofapp, monitoring any potential issues that some clients may face from time to time.
Teamwork at the workplace is essential to maximise the output and yield better productivity out of everyone involved. It is crucial to spark and maintain a continuous flow of motivation, enthusiasm, and encouragement within the team members throughout the process.
Roberto Mancone, CEO of Beyon Money, shared an impressive and inspiring story with us recently that highlighted the power of great teamwork. The team’s management of the incident reflected the leadership quality and strong team spirit at the up and coming company.
A great team can either make or break a company.
The Takeaway
The Response As soon as the first WhatsApp alert message was sent, everybody jumped in the group chat in a coordinated manner: one member started testing, another one contacted one of the IT Vendors in USA, another one coordinated the messages to be sent to clients to advise of possible temporary issues, and another one coordinated the testing of issues with other Vendors in Turkey, Germany, and Pakistan. By 12:45 am – within one hour – the issue was solved. No calls were made within the group to assign tasks… only very well-structured WhatsApp crosscommunication between the team.
The team was motivated by one another to do their part and fix the problem as soon as possible – one that couldn’t have been achieved in an hour if it wasn’t for their combined efforts.
The team partanothermotivatedwasbyonetodotheirand fix the problem as soon as possible.
Roberto was watching the flow of the chat on his phone without interfering or giving inputs – it was not necessary. He watched the team face and solve the entire issue without him needing to tell them what to do. He expressed that as a leader, it brought great satisfaction to witness how the team works together to succeed and please customers without limitations or boundaries. Each team member was readily available, took on their role, and did their part without delay, knowing that it is necessary for the company and what senior management would have instructed them to do.
If a team takes action on a late Friday night (a weekend) without the management’s interference to solve an issue, it is a symbol of great leadership and a strong team foundation. It symbolises the powerful can-do attitude within the company that makes a team great. Roberto took on the challenge of growing the team while ensuring to maintain this spirit, and delivered. He considers human capital as their strength and investment. This real-life example further emphasises that great leadership and building a solid team foundation results in a team that works together seamlessly to achieve objectives, leading to a successful organisation and fruitful professional relationship.
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