Expat News

India's JUSPAY to open Dublin office

India's JUSPAY, which provides next-generation payment solutions for enterprises and banks, is to open a new office in Dublin, Ireland. As per the company, it plans to expand its Dublin team to more than 30 professionals in the next three years. The new Dublin office marks a significant milestone in its international expansion and reflects its commitment to a growing European customer base. The company's expansion here is supported by IDA Ireland. Headquartered in India's Silicon Valley of Bangalore, JUSPAY processes more than 175 million transactions a day, at 99.999% reliability, with over $670 billion in annual total processed volume. "Dublin's thriving tech ecosystem, combined with access to global clients and world-class talent, makes it the perfect location for JUSPAY's European expansion," said Sheetal Lalwani, COO and co-founder of JUSPAY. "We are excited to contribute to the ecosystem while driving growth with new and existing clients and partners," he added. "This demonstrates strong confidence in Ireland as a prime location for Indian and Pan-Asian headquartered companies to expand their business into Europe and aligns with IDA's strategy to secure FDI from a diverse range of markets," Michael Lohan, CEO of IDA Ireland, said.

Google Maps or Waze: What's UAE Residents' Choice?

Navigating the roads of the UAE has become easier than ever, thanks to a variety of navigation apps. But which app do UAE residents prefer, Google Maps or Waze? Some prefer Waze over Google Maps, because it specifies which road one should be on to be able to take the exit, if needed. Google Maps just mentions to turn right in a few metres, but with Waze it will guide you with more specific instructions. While there are pros to using Waze, just like some others opined, for instance, the issue they have found so far with Waze is that information about certain places is not updated on the app yet, which makes it a little difficult. But how did people navigate before Google Maps or Waze became popular? Many used their vehicles’ inbuilt navigation system, or depended on their own knowledge of the city. Despite the growing popularity of Waze, many UAE drivers still voted for Google Maps as their app of choice.

Indian Students In New Zealand Put Desi Twist On TV Show, Friends

The University of Otago’s Indian Students’ Association (ISA) has bagged the coveted Cultural Society of the Year 2024 award, an accolade that cements their reputation as trailblazers in cultural engagement and inclusivity on campus. Founded in 2005, the ISA has grown into a vibrant cultural hub, uniting students and the broader Ōtepoti community with a blend of tradition, creativity, and contemporary flair. With a 17-member committee leading over 200 active members, ISA has planned a dynamic slate of events, from Holi celebrations and Bollywood nights to their grand Dosti 2024 Cultural Night. The committee’s efforts weren’t just about hosting events, but they also built a sense of belonging, bringing diverse students together through food festivals, collaborative balls, and quirky cultural productions, such as their Friends-inspired skit. This isn’t ISA’s first taste of glory; they previously won the same award in 2019 for their community-driven initiatives. However, 2024 marked a new chapter in their journey, with a focus on innovation, inclusivity, and cultural immersion.

Misk Art Week Returns For Artists, enthusiasts in Riyadh

The eighth annual Misk Art Week is being held between December 5 and 10. It features a spectacular display of the latest on the local art scene. Enthusiasts are rushing to Prince Faisal bin Fahd Arts Hall and its neighboring venue to explore new exhibitions, art fairs, markets, and educational programs. Ibrahem Al-Suhaibani, executive director for marketing, communication, and user experience at Misk Art Institute, observed: "We do have artists who are now establishing their career in the art and design market. So we see ourselves supporting and bridging between the establishment and the mature galleries, and in between we support the artists through all the value chain." This year’s event is curated around the theme of art and technology, pushing artists to contemplate the aspects of digital and media through an artistic lens.

Gulf Region Mulls Reforms To Immigration Policies

Countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) are undergoing deep socio-economic reforms as they seek to transition from oil-based, rentier economies to diversified, knowledge-based development. As part of this process, these governments are looking to overhaul past labour and immigration policies, including the much-criticized "kafala" (sponsorship) system that binds millions of foreign workers to their employers. Longstanding barriers to immigrants’ integration have progressively been lifted, and new pathways to long-term stay and naturalization have begun to open. However, these reforms are selectively targeted, and the largest benefits have fallen to foreign investors and white-collar workers, leaving behind those with lower skill levels who often come from countries in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Ultimately, changes may widen the rights and inclusion gaps between highly skilled foreign nationals and other migrants.  Until recently, Gulf states did not conceive of themselves as immigration countries, and they still designate non-citizens as temporary expatriate workers (Wafidîn). This is in contrast to places, such as the European Union and North America, where immigrants are generally able to integrate into host societies and, depending on their legal status, eventually become citizens.