Madrasa e-learning platform, part of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), has partnered with TikTok as the latter launched its globally successful STEM Feed in the UAE. This partnership brings the largest free Arabic language educational library to the platform, marking a key milestone in both organizations’ shared commitment to enhancing learning opportunities, promoting innovation, and enriching communities across the region.

The announcement was made during the signing of a cooperation agreement attended by His Excellency Saeed Al Eter, Assistant Secretary General at MBRGI; Dr. Waleed Al Ali, General Coordinator of the Madrasa.org online platform; and Kinda Ibrahim, Regional General Manager of Operations for TikTok Middle East, Turkey, Africa, Pakistan, and South Asia. The partnership aims to deliver high-quality, verified content focused on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to millions of Arab youth through innovative formats that resonate with today’s learners.

Dr. Waleed Al Ali said MBRGI continues to expand its strategic partnerships and initiatives to spread education and knowledge, reflecting the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, which emphasizes education as fundamental to building a new Arab generation capable of positive societal change. MBRGI is also keen to implement the directives by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, for the development of a world-class educational environment that empowers Arab students with modern knowledge and skills, fostering their creativity and contribution to a knowledge-based future.

“Launching the largest free Arabic educational video library on TikTok marks a new phase for Madrasa in advancing self-learning and providing Arab students with essential knowledge. This initiative offers accessible, high-quality content through an innovative approach that blends structured learning with engaging presentation, leveraging the reach and appeal of social media and educational videos.”

Dr. Al Ali noted that this launch significantly contributes to Madrasa’s success since 2018, highlighting its impressive video views, growing subscriber base, and regional and international recognition for its influential role in promoting self-learning and strengthening the Arabic language among younger generations. The partnership also reflects TikTok’s long-term strategy to amplify educational impact through strategic partnerships. It delivers STEM topics while sparking curiosity, promoting creativity and inspiring youth in the region to pursue STEM careers.

Kinda Ibrahim said, “Launching the STEM Feed in the UAE furthers our mission to empower the next generation of innovators. With nearly 10 million STEM-related videos shared globally on TikTok over the past three years, it’s clear there’s a strong appetite for educational content,” she added “Partnering with MBRGI is part of TikTok’s long-term strategy to amplify educational impact through collaboration. By launching the STEM feed in UAE and through Madrasa’s largest free Arabic educational video library, we aim to encourage the community to explore, experiment, and expand their knowledge. This aligns with our shared vision of prioritizing education as a key driver of community development.”

This partnership expands Madrasa’s mission to transform Arabic into a language of modern science and learning. Since its launch in 2018, the platform has offered more than 7,000 interactive lessons across STEM subjects and Arabic language studies, earning international accolades from organizations like UNESCO and ESCWA. The STEM Feed is now available to all users, with users aged 18 and above able to activate it by going to their app settings, selecting Content Preferences, and turning on the STEM Feed. The feed will feature leading STEM creators as well as content from partners like Majarra, a trusted provider of high-quality Arabic content.

To maintain the quality and integrity of the STEM Feed, all content will be carefully reviewed by TikTok’s internal teams in collaboration with Common Sense Networks and Poynter. These partnerships ensure that every piece of STEM content is thoroughly vetted for both appropriateness and accuracy. Common Sense Networks will evaluate the educational value of the content, while Poynter will verify the reliability of the information presented. Any content that does not meet these standards will not be featured.

Together, MBRGI and TikTok are paving the way for knowledge-based societies by making STEM education accessible, entertaining, and impactful. They are empowering young people to explore, experiment, and innovate one short video at a time.

UAE-based tech holding group Astra Tech has officially launched its ‘Send Now, Pay Later’ (SNPL) feature within its Botim Ultra App. This new service allows users to instantly send up to AED 5,000 to over 200 countries with the option to repay over six months. Designed to address urgent financial needs and improve remittance accessibility, particularly for UAE expatriates who may have limited access to traditional credit, SNPL offers a secure, deferred payment method for international transfers directly within the Botim app.

“The introduction of the ‘Send Now, Pay Later’ feature on Botim marks a significant step in our mission to enhance financial inclusion in the UAE,” said H.E. Dr Tariq bin Hendi, CEO and Board Member of Astra Tech and Botim. “By offering a secure, flexible remittance solution, we are meeting the real financial needs of the expatriate community, empowering them to support their families. This innovation aligns with the UAE’s broader commitment to foster financial inclusion and literacy, positioning the nation as a global leader in inclusive growth and sustainable development.”

The introduction of SNPL coincides with significant growth projections for the UAE’s digital remittance market, expected to reach $1.5 billion by 2030. Botim’s new feature is poised to play a crucial role in this evolution, solidifying its position as a key driver of accessible, tech-driven financial solutions in line with the UAE’s broader digital economy goals.

While the concept was initially announced in 2024, the official rollout is now supported by a Finance Company License granted by the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) to Astra Tech’s Quantix subsidiary. This launch reflects strong user demand and Astra Tech’s ongoing commitment to delivering embedded financial services that cater to evolving consumer needs.

The SNPL feature was officially unveiled at the Dubai Fintech Summit 2025, further highlighting Astra Tech’s role in shaping the future of integrated fintech offerings in the region. This latest addition marks a significant step in Botim’s ambition to evolve beyond a messaging platform into a comprehensive ultra-app. By introducing features like SNPL, Botim is actively promoting financial empowerment by expanding access to flexible and embedded remittance options for previously underserved users.

The HUAWEI AppGallery Gamers Cup has made a spectacular return to Ras Al Khaimah with the action-packed Esports Carnival 2025 held on 2nd & 3rd May at the Radisson Resort Al Marjan Island. Organized under the guidance of the Emirates Esports Federation (EESF) and in partnership with Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA), the two-day event delivered a spectacular showcase of mobile Esports, reaffirming Ras Al Khaimah’s position at the forefront of the Middle East’s fast-growing Esports scene.

 

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Building on the success of its 2024 edition, this year’s event delivered a bigger and better platform, attracting a record number of gamers, tech enthusiasts, and esports professionals from across the region. A standout addition this year was the collaboration with Jetour, whose sleek and innovative vehicles were on full display at the venue entrance, adding a dynamic lifestyle element to the experience. Additionaly, LikeCard, was a key sponsor of the event, whose generous support was instrumental in powering the tournament’s success. Providing seamless hospitality, the newly opened Rove Al Marjan Island hosted participants, ensuring their comfort and convenience throughout the weekend. Together, these partnerships played a vital role in creating a world-class atmosphere that seamlessly blended competition, innovation, and lifestyle.

The tournament featured a thrilling two days packed with competitions across the most popular two esports games on the main-stage; with PUBG MOBILE on Day 1 and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) on Day 2 with AXE MENA esports team emerging as the champion. The teams participating underwent a challenging two weeks of online qualifiers across a 100+ players competing for the top 4 seed placements for the final event to stand a chance in becoming the champion teams to win the AED 300,000 prize-pool.

In addition to the Main-Stage esports events, gaming booths for the top casual mobile games were set together with their respective prizes, in which passionate players participated in mini-tournament elimination brackets with the top 5 in each booth receiving massive prizes from HUAWEI AppGallery that totaled to an approximate of 600 on-site participants! The game booths included top mobile game titles including, King’s – Candy Crush Saga, Yalla Group’s – Yalla Jackaroo, Gameloft’s – Asphalt Legends Unite, and EA Games’ – Golf Clash.

The tournament formats for the casual games included leaderboards across all booths. The leaderboard for Candy Crush Saga was determined by racing through completing a fixed amount of levels within a time limit with the players that completed the stages in the fastest time with the highest combo score getting the top winning placements. Yalla Jackaroo featured thrilling 2v2 classic Jackaroo matches, where top players competed fiercely, eliminating rival teams one by one to claim the coveted number one spot. Asphalt Legends Unite participants played in an elimination bracket of 4 racers competing against each other in each race with the top place racers of each match competing against each other in the final race that determined their placements. For Golf enthusiasts, the elimination bracket included 1v1 matches where the winner qualified for the next stages after defeating their opponent.

A key highlight of the event was the official launch of the AppGallery Gamers Cup – Emirates Women’s Championship on May 2nd, a joint initiative with the Emirates Esports Federation to promote the representation of female gamers and foster innovation in women’s esports. During the conference, industry leaders, prominent female gamers, and media representatives participated in an engaging discussion titled “Breaking Barriers: Women in Esports”, highlighting the importance of inclusivity in the gaming community. This event also provided an excellent opportunity for one-on-one interviews, Q&A sessions, and extensive media engagement.

Adding a vibrant creative dimension to the event, the GoPaint activation brought together art and gaming in a dynamic fusion of culture and technology, where 60 young artists participated in digital painting sessions using Huawei tablets, and expressed their passion through digital art. Raki Phillips, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority said, “We are incredibly proud to continue supporting events that speak to the interests of next-generation visitors and residents. Hosting events like the HUAWEI AppGallery Gamers Cup is a prime example of how we are embracing innovation to diversify our tourism offerings and support the intersection of technology, entertainment, and culture. Esports today are much more than just entertainment, they are a platform for talent development, inclusion, and community engagement.”

EESF General Secretary, Saeed Al Tahir added, “At the Emirates Esports Federation, we are proud to witness the growing impact of esports as a force for innovation, inclusion, and economic opportunity across the UAE. Collaborations like the AppGallery Gamers Cup – Ras Al Khaimah Esports Carnival reflect our commitment to building a vibrant and sustainable esports ecosystem that nurtures talent, celebrates diversity, and positions the UAE as a global hub for digital culture.”

William Hu, Managing Director of Huawei Consumer Business Group for the Middle East and Africa, reflected on the success of the event, stating, “The AppGallery Gamers Cup – Ras Al Khaimah Esports Carnival 2025 aligns perfectly with Ras Al Khaimah’s ambitious vision to lead in Esports and gaming initiatives. We are honored to support Ras Al Khaimah’s ambition by creating a platform where gamers can showcase their skills, driven by the vibrant community spirit, innovation, and enthusiasm that are shaping the region’s Esports future.”

The success of the AppGallery Gamers Cup – Ras Al Khaimah Esports Carnival 2025 highlights HUAWEI AppGallery’s ongoing commitment to nurturing a thriving mobile Esports ecosystem across the region. As a key milestone for the UAE’s Esports sector, the event reflects the accelerating growth and professionalization of the industry throughout the Middle East and Africa.