Press Release

Wednesday 21st June, 2006

HIGHER COLLEGES OF TECHNOLOGY ANNOUNCE ALDAR PROPERTIES AS SOLE SPONSOR OF ITS THIRD ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE FORUM

"Built Environment for Sustainable Development" November 7, 2006Abu Dhabi Men's College, Higher Colleges of TechnologyThe Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) Abu Dhabi announced today that its third annual Engineering Excellence Forum will take place on November 7 2006. Sponsored exclusively by ALDAR Properties PJSC, this years Engineering Excellence Forum will discuss "Built Environment for Sustainable Development" and will be hosted by Abu Dhabi Men's College.

The Forum an HCT initiative will provide a platform for engineers to meet with international and local specialists to discuss technical issues relating to built environment, urban planning and architecture; to explore new technologies used in sustainable development; to develop ideas on new building materials for construction and to discuss business issues relating to environment. Making the announcement, John Shaw Chief Investment Officer, ALDAR Properties commented: "ALDAR and HCT have invested in this forum and brought in expert international speakers to address key issues relating to new technologies, processes and design approaches – so as to ensure that urban planning and its careful implementation creates high quality sustainable development."Our objective in Abu Dhabi is to create a model world capital city. Abu Dhabi is blessed with a wonderful setting and a series of valuable natural coastal habitats. With careful land use, planning, investment infrastructure, high quality design and construction and thoughtful conservation practices a truly remarkable and sustainable city will be taken to its next level.

"Dr. Tayeb Kamali, Vice Chancellor of HCT said "Higher Colleges of Technology are delighted to welcome ALDAR Properties as sole sponsor for this years Engineering Excellence Forum. Sustainable development is of concern to all stakeholders in the development of U.A.E.- government, industry, real estate developers, educators and the public at large."

The one day Forum will act as a catalyst, bringing together specialists, academics and practitioners to exchange ideas and provide solutions to address concerns relating to urban planning and landscaping linked to sustainable development; production and use of alternative energy sources and the latest innovations in new energy efficient and environmentally friendly building materials. There will be three keynote speakers, Mr John Shaw Chief Investment Officer, ALDAR Properties; Dr Simos Yannas, Director – Environment and Energy studies programme, AA Graduate school of Architecture, London UK and Professor Dr Werner Sobek Head of the Institute for Lightweight Structures and Conceptual Design, University of Stuttgart, Germany. These keynote speakers will be joined by a panel of international and local experts and the forum will conclude by formulating and agreeing a regional action plan.

The forum is open to potential delegates from all sectors of the construction industry. For further information please log on to www.hctengineeringexcellence.com