As an expat, private education is the only option in the Abu Dhabi. There are many international schools and a choice of curriculums.
University & Higher Education:
Over recent years, a number of institutions have opened within Abu Dhabi and the other emirates, so more people are staying for their higher education now. The list of universities in Abu Dhabi includes: Abu Dhabi University, Sorbonne University, Liwa University, Mohamed Bin Zayed University, Khalifa University, Syscoms, New York University Abu Dhabi, MAK Institute Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi School of Management, Times Education Abu Dhabi, Regional Education Institute, Fatima College of Health Sciences, Indian Institution of Technology, Zayed University, Emirates College for Advanced Education, etc.
General Medical Care:
The quality of medical care in the Emirates is generally regarded as quite high, and residents and visitors have little trouble in getting appropriate treatment. Both private and government hospitals have emergency services. Tourists and non-residents are strongly recommended to arrange private medical insurance before travelling, as private medical care can be very expensive and public hospitals will only treat nationals or resident expats at nominal rates. The list of hospitals includes: NMC Speciality Hospital, LLH Hospital, Ahalia Hospital, RETAJ Administrative Services, SEHA – Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Mediclinic Al Noor Hospital, Medeor 24×7 Hospital, Harley Street Medical Centre, Burjeel Hospital, SEHA – Corniche Hospital, Adam & Eve Specialized Medical Centre, NMC Royal Medical Centre, etc.
Climate:
A subtropical arid climate with sunny blue skies and high temperatures is expected most of the year. Rainfall averages 12 cm per year. Temperatures range from as low as 10°C on a winter night to a high of around 48°C on a summer day. The cooler months, November to April, are the most pleasant time to visit, when temperatures are around 24°C during the day and 13°C at night.
Flora & Fauna:
The flora and fauna are surprisingly diverse in a country with such an arid climate and little rainfall. A substantial variety of life manages to survive despite the conditions. The local municipality has an extensive greening programme. The city, being on the edge of a desert, has areas near the roads that are incredibly verdant, with grass, palm trees and flowers being watered around the clock and constantly maintained by an army of workers. The road from Abu Dhabi to Al Ain, covering a distance of 150 km, is green most of the way. The cities boast a large number of attractive and well-maintained parks.
Indigenous fauna include the highly endangered Arabian leopard and the ibex, but sightings of both are extremely rare. The only large animals seen are camels and goats (often dangerously close to the roads), now mostly fenced. Other desert life includes the sand cat, sand fox and desert hare, as well as gerbils, hedgehogs, snakes and geckos. A visit to the Arabian Wildlife Centre in Sharjah presents a view of indigenous animals.
Bird species are reported to be increasing, according to studies, partly due to the developing lushness of the area. This is observed in parks in spring and autumn, as the Emirates lie on the route for birds migrating between Central Asia and East Africa.
Marine life is abundant, and the coastal waters are home to tropical fish, jellyfish, coral, the dugong (sea cow) and sharks. Eight species of whales and seven species of dolphins have been recorded in UAE waters. Four or five of the world’s seven turtle species are indigenous to the region, including the hawksbill and leatherback. The best-known local fish is hammour.
Besides the UAE’s internationally recognised commitment to the environment, the country is party to international agreements on biodiversity, climate change, desertification, endangered species, hazardous waste, marine dumping and ozone layer protection, and is a signatory to the CITES convention. In addition to emirate-wide environmental controls, Abu Dhabi has strictly enforced laws governing the use of chemical insecticides.
The sewerage is upgraded to cope with the city’s expanding population. The Mahaq Wastewater Treatment Works receives and treats the sewage and waste from both industry and municipality for Abu Dhabi city and surrounding areas. The treated water is reused for irrigation, landscaping and agricultural activities. This is part of the city’s efforts to protect the environment from pollution. The sewage is collected on a regular basis by sewerage trucks from the septic tanks and is then pumped to the plant through over 15 pumping stations. The sewage undergoes complex treatments to free the water from bacteria, and it is regularly tested by the Environmental Agency.
Gas:
New apartment buildings supply gas for cooking from central storage tanks situated on the roof or underground. Each building has the name and contact number of the supplier stated in the entry lobby.
Solid Waste Disposal and Recycling:
In an apartment, the waste is generally disposed of down a garbage chute accessible from each floor. The solid waste is then transferred to a dumper. The dumpers are stationed by the roadside in residential areas, and all waste is emptied at night by the municipality on a regular basis and taken to a landfill in the Mussafah industrial area. There is no official recycling drive, though once a year there is a big can-collecting competition between all schools in the area. This is organised through the Environmental Agency. If one is keen on doing his bit for the environment, there is a recycling collection point at Spinneys with collection points for glass and paper.
The writer is a former chief engineer with J&K government
