Sharjah: Faizal E. Kottikollon, Founder and Chairman of KEF Holdings, has been appointed to the prestigious board of directors at the Sharjah Research, Technology, and Innovation Park (SRTIP). This appointment represents a significant milestone for KEF Holdings, with Faizal Kottikollon bringing his expertise and entrepreneurial vision to contribute to the development of SRTIP under the leadership of Sheikha Bodour Bint Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi.

SRTIP is poised to become a leading hub for cutting-edge research, technological advancements, and innovation in the region. The inclusion of Faizal Kottikollon on the board of directors reinforces KEF Holdings' commitment to innovation and sustainable impact in the fields of offsite construction, healthcare, education, and clinical wellness.

The esteemed board of directors comprises distinguished individuals such as His Royal Highness Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Sheikh Dr. Majid bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Dr. Abdulaziz Saeed bin Butti Al Muhairi, Dr. Hamid M.K. Al Naimiy, Hussain Mohammed Al Mahmoudi, Dr. Susan Mumm, Najla Ahmed Al Midfa, Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer, Khaled Issa Al Huraimel, Dr. Aisha Bint Butti Bin Bishr, Adel Abdullah Ali, Samer Salim Al Sayegh, Abdulaziz Basem Al Loughani, Mudassir Sheikha, and Alisha Moopen. Together, they will shape the strategic direction of SRTIP.

Faizal Kottikollon expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration with SoiLAB, a venture within SRTIP, which aims to cultivate an environment conducive to creativity, technological advancement, and lasting impact on innovation, entrepreneurship, and technological progress not only in Sharjah but also beyond.

Faizal is the son of renowned Malayali entrepreneur and philanthropist PK Ahammed, Chairman of Peekay Group of Companies. He is married to Shabana Faizal, daughter of Late B Ahmed Haji Mohiudeen, Founder of B A Group, Thumbay, and a prominent business and community leader.

About KEF Group

KEF Holdings invest in businesses that are innovative, sustainable, cost-effective, and deliver positive disruptive solutions across core business sectors encompassing infrastructure, healthcare, and technology, to benefit society and build a better tomorrow.

It has a 20-year legacy of building successful businesses. It began its journey in 1995 with the opening of Al Ahamadi General Trading in Ajman, following this it launched a world-class Foundry, and a valve trading company JC Middle East. It then created Emirates Techno Casting, an integrated facility incorporating cutting-edge engineering and design lab, the world’s largest automatic molding line, steel refining furnace, machine shop, and research and development lab, rated among the top 3 technologically advanced foundries in the world.

In 2012 Tyco International, bought the business for USD 400 million, becoming the impetus for the launch of KEF Holdings'​ two new verticals KEF Investments and KEF Infra. KEF Investments, have built a global investment portfolio by capitalizing on low-risk, high-income opportunities in growing markets.

In the year 2018, KEF Infra announced a strategic merger with Katerra, the Menlo Park US-based technology company, revolutionizing the design and construction industries.

Staying true to its belief of being a social enterprise the company, in close collaboration with stakeholders in the public and private sectors, actively drives, funds, and supports high-impact social activities undertaken by the  Faizal & Shabana Foundation

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Bengaluru (PTI): With large scale flight cancellations by Indigo airlines leaving passengers stranded, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Saturday urged the Centre to act immediately and bring the situation under control.

He called the IndiGo fiasco a the direct result of the govt's monopoly model.

Taking to social media platform 'X', Shivakumar said India is witnessing the worst aviation meltdown in its history. "Thousands of flights cancelled - leaving our people stranded everywhere".

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"The IndiGo fiasco is the direct result of the govt's monopoly model. And as always, it is ordinary Indians who are paying the price," he said.

Shivakumar said that the Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, which is India's 3rd busiest airport with nearly 40 million travellers a year, is in complete chaos.

"This is hurting families, businesses and our national reputation. I urge the Union Government to act immediately and bring this situation under control. Our people deserve better," he added.

Domestic carrier IndiGo cancelled over 800 flights on Saturday, the fifth day of the ongoing crisis, even as the government imposed a cap on airfares and directed the airline to process all refunds by Sunday evening.