UAE 500 Dirham Polymer Banknote: Setting High Standards in EMEA Region

by News Editor

February 24, 2025

The UAE Central Bank’s 500 Dirham banknote has been celebrated as the ‘Best New Banknote Issue for 2025’ in the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region. This honor was announced at the prestigious High Security Printing EMEA conference in Basel, Switzerland.

This cutting-edge banknote, part of the UAE’s innovative third polymer series, has been praised for its advanced security features and a design emphasizing sustainability. Building on the technological advancements of the Dh1,000 note issued in 2023, its stunning three-dimensional design includes the largest surface-applied foil stripe in the Middle East.

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Manufactured by Oumolat Security Printing, a subsidiary of the UAE Central Bank, the new note entered circulation on November 30, 2023. It highlights landmarks such as the Terra Sustainability Pavilion in Expo City Dubai and the Museum of the Future, reflecting the nation’s architectural prowess and dedication to green initiatives. Notably, it incorporates Braille symbols, showcasing a commitment to inclusivity.

The shift to polymer not only extends durability but also reduces environmental impact, as these materials are fully recyclable, aligning with the UAE’s vision for a sustainable economy. Similar initiatives can be seen with Cyprus’s own efforts in promoting renewable energy, like those detailed in our article on Cyprus’s Renewable Energy Targets for 2030.

Saif Humaid Al Dhaheri, Assistant Governor of the Central Bank of the UAE, noted, “We proudly lead the region in adopting banknotes with advanced security and sustainable materials. Our dedication to accessibility ensures that everyone, including the visually impaired, can easily identify our banknotes.”

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University Of Nicosia Ranked In The Global Top 600 In THE Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026

by News Editor

July 6, 2026

UNIC placed in the 401-600 band worldwide, strengthened its position among universities in Cyprus and Greece, and recorded standout results in SDG 10, SDG 11 and SDG 17

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The University of Nicosia (UNIC) has earned another important international distinction in the Times Higher Education (THE) Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026, ranking in the 401-600 band globally among 1,646 universities from 116 countries and territories evaluated across 17 individual SDG tables and one overall ranking.

This result places UNIC in the global Top 600 and reinforces the University’s standing as one of the region’s most internationally engaged higher education institutions. Based on the published results, UNIC is one of the universities from Cyprus and Greece to secure a place within this band, underlining both its regional strength and its growing international visibility.

UNIC’s strongest performances in this year’s results were recorded in SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, where it ranked in the 101-200 band globally. It also achieved a 301-400 result in SDG 3: Good Health and Wellbeing and SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.

Particularly significant was UNIC’s strong result in SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, an indicator that carries special weight in the overall methodology of the THE Sustainability Impact Ratings. This performance highlights the University’s growing capacity to build meaningful academic, research, and societal partnerships that create measurable impact at both local and international level.

Commenting on the result, the Rector of the University of Nicosia, Professor Philippos Pouyioutas, said:

“This is a highly significant result for the University of Nicosia and one that we are proud to share. Our placement in the global Top 600 of the THE Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026 reflects the University’s sustained commitment to meaningful impact through education, research, outreach, and collaboration. Our particularly strong performance in Reduced Inequalities, Sustainable Cities and Communities, and Partnerships for the Goals demonstrates the values that define UNIC as a modern, outward-looking university, committed to contributing in practical ways to society and to the global sustainability agenda.”

Among the universities from Cyprus, UNIC is one of the universities included in the global Top 600, while across Cyprus and Greece it stands among the universities recognised for strong performance in this year’s sustainability-focused results. This positioning adds further weight to UNIC’s profile as a university that combines academic quality with social contribution and international engagement.

For the University of Nicosia, this latest recognition marks another important step in its continuing international development, highlighting the strength of its academic environment, the breadth of its partnerships, and the increasing impact of its contribution to sustainable progress.