Education

Age-appropriate learning vital for economic development, says expert
•    Less than 10 per cent of children at pre-school in the UAE are Emirati
•    Working mothers create demand for early years’ education

Dubai, UAE May 14 2012: Many global reports suggest that there is a clear link between the standard of a country’s education and its economic performance, according to Badr Al-Olama, chairman of Bidayaat, the newly-launched Childcare Development Company.

He said that over the past two decades the importance of early years’ education specifically has also come to the fore as a key global economic indicator.

“Studies show that education, in particular the pre-school years, is an important factor in a nation’s social and economic development,” he said.

Al-Olama explained that a child’s early years’ experience is critical in determining their ability to maximise life’s potential.

“Age-appropriate education is proven to have a direct positive effect at all stages of a person’s journey in life.”

Dubai, United Arab Emirates: 3rd May 2012 – London Business School has brought together an expert panel for its ‘IT, Media and Telecom Insights in the Middle East’ event, the latest in a series of sector-specific forums organised by the School.


Professionals from across these industries provided commentary and analysis, and debated a range of observations and recent trends affecting IT, media and telecoms in the region in front of an audience of students and alumni from the School and other industry experts.


The event took the format of a panel discussion, with seven regional participants from the industries’ international game-changers taking part, including News Group International, OSN and Google.  A recruitment Q&A followed the discussion, with representatives from Morgan McKinley, Microsoft, Delta Partners, Eutopia Solutions and Boyden in attendance to take questions from the 111-strong audience.

•    Student road safety campaign, conducted by Total Marketing Middle East, Ciel Marketing & Events and supported by Dubai Police, receives positive response during first week

Dubai, United Arab Emirates:  A three-week road safety campaign for school children, which is being conducted by Total Marketing Middle East, Ciel Marketing & Events, and supported by Dubai Police, has seen a positive response from schools and students alike.

When completed, the campaign, named ‘My First License – I Know My Road Rules’ will have successfully educated 5,000 school children (between the ages of five and nine) about road safety, from 10 schools across the UAE.

Top student performers from EWS-WWF’s Be’atiWatani programme attend dedicated workshop to increase their skill sets preparing them to take future environmental actions.

Dubai – 30th April 2012:Emirates Wildlife Society in association with the WWF joined hands with the British Council to offer a series of workshops for teachers and students under its environmental education programme Be’atiWatani.

Organised and sponsored by the British Council for the top performing and participating schools’ students in EWS-WWF’s online and interactive Be’atiWatani programme, these workshops focused on empowering youngsters to become responsible citizens with the necessary skills and information for environmental issues. The aim of the teachers’ workshops was to empower them to effectively and interestingly raise awareness about issues related to sustainability.

Abu Dhabi, (Thursday, 19 April, 2012) –  In the first leg of the Northern Ireland Executive’s trade visit to the Middle East, the First and Deputy First Ministers this morning held discussions with the University of Ulster and the Automobile & Touring Club of the UAE, the governing body of motorsport in the country, about the further development of their relationship, including the prospects for a jointly taught undergraduate sports management degree with the Higher Colleges of Technology in the United Arab Emirates, which would be accredited by the University.

The discussions took place at Abu Dhabi’s spectacular Formula One race track on Yas Island where the University of Ulster’s Sports Academy has been working in collaboration with the Automobile & Touring Club of the UAE to develop new standards within motor racing. The work focuses not just on enhanced driver skills, but extends to issues affecting how the sport is managed and run.

Speaking after the discussions First Minister, Rt Hon Peter Robinson MLA said:
“The Jordanstown campus of the University of Ulster is one of the leading sports centres in the UK and its role in developing driver talent and in quality controlling the conditions under which motorsport is conducted internationally reinforces our position on the global map.  The opportunity for the co-delivery of an undergraduate course in sports management will further enhance Northern Ireland’s relationships in the Gulf region and fits in with the Executive’s strategy to increase internationalisation.

“As ambassadors for Northern Ireland skills and research we are able to take considerable pride in the University of Ulster’s special relationship with the ATCUAE and its potential for future growth.  

Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness MP MLA praised the role played by the University of Ulster Sports Academy:
“The fact that young drivers who emerge with success from the UAE Motorsport Star Programme come to the Jordanstown campus to be groomed for elite motor sport speaks volumes about our expertise.

“The intensive training provided concentrates not just on racing skill, but also upon the importance of discipline, professional focus and psychological awareness. Nothing is left to chance. The star performers in Emirati motorsport are being nurtured and created at Jordanstown.”

Mohammed Ben Sulayem (President of the ATCUAE) added

“We are delighted to have this strong, mutually beneficial relationship with the University of Ulster, and believe it will continue to grow in years to come. This relationship, which is unique in world motorsport, provides great opportunities for the university in terms of research and education, while also bringing a new, academic approach to our sport that increases both safety and sustainability, both of which are cornerstones of the Motorsport Knowledge Institute, the ATCUAE’s new training and education division.”

Meanwhile the signing in late 2010 of a research and training agreement between ATCUAE and the University of Ulster is on track to produce results, as Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster MLA pointed out:

“Once again our Universities are demonstrating their world class reputation in the areas of research and development and quality of teaching.
“Further Investigation into the problem of dehydration at major sporting events will be conducted when the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix takes place in November, before being completed shortly after at the Dubai International Rally, and the results are eagerly awaited. A loss of only 2% bodyweight can reduce task performance by 10 – 20% and the findings produced by this research will contribute towards the formulation of best practice for race marshals working in high temperature environments across the motorsporting world.”    

Professor Richard Barnett, Vice Chancellor, Ulster of Ulster who joined the Ministers for their discussions said:“This exciting partnership has been brought about by the personal drive and ambition of Mohammad Ben Sulayem to see motorsport here operate at the highest international level. And I am delighted that the University of Ulster is working with him to achieve this ambition.

The Ministers’ visit to the UAE to support the University of Ulster and Northern Ireland education and business interests in the region has helped us move along the negotiations for the delivery of the first ever jointly taught sports management undergraduate course and I am confident we will be in a position to make an announcement in the near future.

ALHOSN discusses ‘critical thinking in higher education’ at Region's largest English as a Foreign Language conference

April  17, 2012

The English Department of ALHOSN University, a leading Abu Dhabi-based university dedicated to high-quality, value-based education, recently fielded nine delegates to TESOL Arabia's 18th  International Conference and Exhibition 2012 held at Dubai Women’s College.  The group included faculty members Hassan Mustapha, Hassan Belhiah, Mark Neville, Richard Baltus, Amanda Tinnin, Mongi Baratli, Chantal Mercier, Maha Elhami, and May Elhami.

Held under the theme ‘Achieving Excellence Through Life Skills Education,’ this year’s conference gathered over 1,000 delegates and offered participants a wide range of professional development opportunities including presentations by plenary and featured speakers, concurrent sessions, and specialized professional development courses. Delegates also availed of the opportunity to see the latest teaching aids and tools up close during the Innovative Materials Showcase as well as new books and other literary materials from international publishers and distributors displayed during the TESOL Arabia Exhibition.

Dr. Hassan Belhiah, Associate Professor at ALHOSN’s English Department, delivered a presentation titled ‘Thinking Critically in English: Challenges and Opportunities.’ In his presentation, Dr. Belhiah explained the process of launching new curricula that focus on problem-solving and critical thinking. The presentation walked the audience through the decision-making process involved in the development of the critical thinking component with a view to enabling participants to design effective critical thinking tasks taking into account their students’ proficiency level in English.  The audience had the opportunity to see the materials and resources used during the process, including exams, tasks, materials, and online references.

The presentation concluded with a set of recommendations on the effective integration of critical thinking into curricula that foster students’ expert thinking and promote the level of cognition needed in a globalizing economy and culture. 

“The International TESOL Arabia Conference is an inspirational annual event representing a must-attend forum for English Language Training professionals. We thank ALHOSN University for supporting the members of its English Department and encouraging them to attend this landmark conference,” said Prof. Hassan Mustapha, Chair of the Department of English, ALHOSN University.

TESOL Arabia is the regional arm of TESOL Inc., a US-based global professional organization for Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages. TESOL Arabia aims to provide a network of communication among professionals – mostly based in the UAE and Gulf region – who use English as a medium of instruction. It promotes and maintains excellence in teaching and administration.

Named after Abu Dhabi’s historic ALHOSN Palace, ALHOSN University was founded in 2005 by the Abu Dhabi Holding Company in response to growing local demand for high-quality, value-based educational institutions. It currently offers 12 undergraduate and 7 graduate programs under the Faculties of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Business, and Arts and Social Sciences. ALHOSN accepts students of all nationalities and also accommodates youths with special needs. All its programs are accredited by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.

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Renowned Author Ben Simpfendorfer presents best-selling book on Middle Eastern economy to AHU Library

April 9, 2012

ALHOSN University, a leading Abu Dhabi-based university dedicated to high-quality, value-based education, recently welcomed Ben Simpfendorfer, the acclaimed author of the best-selling book ‘The New Silk Road,’ who signed two copies of his best-selling work in front of an audience composed of university faculty, guests, students, and staff.

H.H. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Board Member of the Make-a-Wish Foundation of the UAE, graced ALHOSN University with his presence during the event.  Simpfendorfer presented an autographed copy of ‘The New Silk Road’ – a book that closely examines the Middle East’s relations with China and has been published in five languages – to His Highness. The ALHOSN University Library received a special copy as well. H.E. Khalifa Mohamed Rubaya Al Muhairi, Chairman of the Board of Trustees at ALHOSN, and Prof. Abdul Rahim Sabouni, Vice Chancellor and CEO, were also among the attendees.

Global EdTech Forum designed to complement sustained growth of UAE’s USD 7.31 billion education sector

April 4, 2012
GETEX 2012 has announced that it has prepared a comprehensive presentation by international professionals on the effective use of the latest tools, skills and technology to enhance the teaching and learning experience. The presentation forms the basis of the Middle East’s most comprehensive education & training event and is titled, the Global EdTech Forum – The Teachers’ Conference. The conference focuses on educators and school leaders for all levels of education across the GCC. The event is part and parcel of GETEX 2012 will take place from 19th to 21st April 2012 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.