Volume IV, Issue 3, Summer 2006
Contents
Al Rawi
Annual Conference
Special Edition
Focus:
Today’s Students, Tomorrow’s Entrepreneurs: Enterprise, Innovation, Initiatives
Editorial Team
Michael O’Brien (editor)
Jennifer George
Catherine Mayerlen
A Special Focus on HCT 2006
Annual Conference: “Today’s
Students - Tomorrow’s
Entrepreneurs”
Contributors
Meera Balouchi
Douglas Cousino
D’Arcy Drury
Mary Gillis
Paul Mace
Senthil Nathan
Jeffrey Rossiter
Christine Thorne
Kevin Watson
This issue of Al Rawi, produced
specially for the HCT Annual
Conference, held at the Madinat
Jumeirah Hotel on August 30,
2006, celebrates the theme
of the conference, “Today’s
Students – Tomorrow’s
Entrepreneurs”. In our Focus
and Student Initiative sections,
we highlight the enterprise,
innovation and initiative of both
current students and graduates
of the HCT, and the prominent
roles they are taking in the
growth and development of
the UAE as a nation.
14
Publisher
Central Services
Higher Colleges of Technology
PO Box 25026, Abu Dhabi
2 Special Focus
12
Male Education Students
aim to make an impact
HCT are breaking new ground
with a B.Ed program to prepare
teachers of boys
United Arab Emirates
Telephone: +971-2-681-4600
2
HCT Annual Conference Set to Inspire
Fax: +971-2-692-2524
Email: [email protected]
4 College & Community
Website: http://www.hct.ac.ae
Copyright 2006
4
HCT-Accomplishments
Academic Year 2005-2006:
a year to remember
Design and Layout
French Vision Advertising and Marketing
Printing
Abu Dhabi Printing and Publishing
11
Long serving academic appointed
to a HCT senior position
Dr Behjat Al Yousuf
14
Focus: Today’s Students,
Tomorrow’s Entrepreneurs:
Enterprise, Innovation, Initiatives
14
Abu Dhabi Women’s College
Entrepreneurship Day: at Abu Dhabi
Chamber of Commerce
Women’s Entrepreneurship Day
celebrated the success of UAE
national businesswomen
24
20
15
37
16
A Graduate Success Story:
Ibrahim Ali Ahmed Al-Rais
18
HCT Graduate Huda Al Matroushi
wins top prize:
At Shell Intilaaqah Awards, Muscat
20
A Graduate Success Story:
Nayef Al Mansouri
22
A Graduate Success Story:
Farkhonda Mohammed
Energy, creativity, international connections
lead to business success in Sharjah
32
HCT’s Bachelor of Education
Program Maintains
International Rating
24 Student Initiatives
33
24
Dubai Summer Surprises 2006
Building success upon success-naturally!
Announcing the HCT Press
34
CERT: Encouraging Collaboration
24 Global Connections
37 Looking Ahead
30
“On the Move” at the Higher
Colleges of Technology
37
HCT: An Exciting Year Ahead
2
HCT Annual
Conference
Set to
Inspire
With the theme “Today's Students
... Tomorrow's Entrepreneurs”,
WELCOME
As we begin the 19th Academic Year at the Higher
Colleges of Technology (HCT) we can look forward to
a challenging yet exciting year. I take this opportunity
to welcome all new faculty and staff to the College.
I am confident that each one of you will find a place
within the family that is the HCT. I also welcome back
all returning faculty whose invaluable contributions
have helped the HCT to gain a reputation within the
community that is second to none.
Through the vision and leadership of our Chancellor,
His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan,
the HCT has consistently demonstrated its commitment
to delivering technical and professional programs of the
highest quality, fostering in our students life long
learning skills and the leadership potential to make the
fullest possible contribution to the development of the
nation in a global context.
Aligned to this philosophy, this Al Rawi Special Annual
Conference edition celebrates specific, measurable
accomplishments of the system and profiles just a few
of the success stories from among our graduates and
students. The theme for this year’s annual conference
“Today’s Students… Tomorrow’s Entrepreneurs”
highlights the HCT objective to graduate more than
just employees but leaders, achievers and thinkers.
My best wishes to you all for a successful year.
Dr Tayeb Kamali
Vice Chancellor
Al Rawi Magazine • Summer 2006
the Higher Colleges of Technology
(HCT) Annual Conference 2006
is sure to inspire and enlighten
the more than 1500 staff and
faculty who will attend.
F
ollowing the welcome and opening
at 1:00pm, attendees will have an
opportunity to participate in four of 30
offered 45-minute breakout sessions
and will attend one of four special guest
speaker sessions. At the time of printing,
this year’s guest speakers are Dr George
Ebbs, Chief Executive Officer, Dubai
Aerospace Enterprise University, Professor
Gregory Farrington, President Lehigh
University and Professor David Johnston,
President University of Waterloo.
Dr Ebbs is hailed as one of the most
experienced and talented individuals in
aerospace academia, and in his former
post as President of the Embry-Riddle
Aeronautical University in Florida, he
helped expand the institution into one
of the biggest aviation universities in the
world, with internationally recognized
curricula in engineering, aviation
sciences and aviation business
administration.
Professor Farrington has proven to be
an innovative leader throughout his
academic career. He has a strong focus
on the needs of students and a vision
for meeting the challenges of higher
education in the new millennium.
Professor Johnston was also the Principal and
the Vice Chancellor of McGill University and
has taught law in Queen’s University, University
of Toronto and University of Western Ontario.
Professor Johnston’s academic specializations are
securities regulation, corporation and information
technology law.
The ‘menu’ of more than 30 breakout sessions
has been selected for their relevance to the HCT
learning model and will address topics relevant
to teaching and learning. Some examples of
sessions include:
Special Focus: The 2006 HCT Annual Conference
3
HCT Conference 2006
Theme “Today’s Students…
Tomorrow’s Entrepreneurs”
Keynote Speakers
Professor Gregory
C Farrington
President, Lehigh University
Pennsylvania, USA
Learning Beyond Borders: The HCT
Overseas Experience
Phonetics & Basic Literacy – The Way
Forward?
Teacher-Designed Assessments: Are
they effective? How do we know?
Professor David Johnston
President, University of Waterloo
Ontario, Canada
Cappuccino, Credit Cards and
Critical Thinking
What Skills – the 2010 Graduate?
Employers have their say
Engineering Entrepreneurs: Born or
made?
Repetition Priming – An Effective
ESL Strategy for Teaching Mathematics.
Dr George Ebbs
Chief Executive Officer,
Dubai Aerospace
Enterprise University
United Arab Emirates
New staff will receive a corporate and community
orientation during the session “You’re Here! So
Now What?” In a mandatory session for all staff,
a system-wide technology update will provide
the low-down on “The ‘T’ in HCT”.
The last breakout session concludes at 6:45pm
when participants will then move to the Madinat
Arena for dinner and the evening program which
will include addresses by HE Sheikh Nahayan and
other keynote speakers.
The Madinat Jumeirah-venue for this year’s HCT Annual Conference.
Special Conference Edition
4
College & Community
Academic Year 2005-2006:
a year to remember
By Dr Senthil Nathan - Director, Policy and Planning
T
he Chancellor and the Vice Chancellor set the
tone of the academic year to come at the HCT
conference on August 20, 2005 under the theme
“Students: Our Business”. The Chancellor, HE Sheikh
Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan summarized the
challenges ahead of us and encouraged all HCT
staff to collectively engage in overcoming these
challenges:
pose several questions that I hope will promote
dialogue and discussion among all of us. And I do so
out of a strong belief that our collegial success will
come not only from your collective efforts but also
from your creative interaction with your students and
with your community.
“As we embark on a new academic year, it is
important that we understand the mission and goals
of the Higher Colleges, and be aware of the many
challenges that face us. To meet these challenges, we
must continue to define clear performance standards
for ourselves and for our students. We must also use
systematic evaluation procedures to determine to
what extent we have met these standards and how
we can implement strategies for improvement.
2. What is our vision for our programs?
As befitting our institutional culture, I have chosen
this morning to involve all of you in the search for
achieving these important and worthy goals. I will
1. What is our vision for serving our students?
3. What expectations should we have of our Faculty
and Staff?
4. What organizational changes should we make to
ensure our institutional efficiency and effectiveness?
5. What should be our relationship with the Public
Schools?
6. What is the Higher Colleges’ role in serving the
community?”
The Vice Chancellor,
Dr Tayeb Kamali, commenced
his first academic year as Vice
Chancellor outlining his vision
of quality improvement and
our institutional culture by
all of us continuing to:
• set goals at the highest
international standards;
• stay focused on the needs
of our students;
• keep abreast of technological
developments;
• work in partnership with the
communities; and
• enhance our significant role
in national development.
Former Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Kuan Yew signs a
tablet on a visit to HCT’s Abu Dhabi Men’s College campus.
Al Rawi Magazine • Summer 2006
College and Community
5
HE Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak
Al Nahayan outlines future challenges
at the 2005 HCT conference.
In keeping with the challenges outlined by
the Chancellor, the HCT management, staff
and students forged ahead with energy and
enthusiasm to complete a year of unique
achievements and to take several major
initiatives that would significantly and positively
impact the progress of the HCT for years to come.
Program Initiatives:
“In all of our college programs, our goals and
objectives must be stated in clear and
unambiguous language. This language should
reflect our commitment to meeting the needs of
our communities. It must also reflect our desire to
match our programs with the highest international
standards. Every change we make, whether
immediate or long-range, must move us to a
higher level of relevance and quality. That is why
international accreditation is a standard against
which we must measure ourselves. Through
continuous assessment of our programs, we will
assure that they remain dynamic and relevant.”
HE Sheikh Nahayan
In response to the Chancellor’s call to seek
continuous quality improvement, relevance and
accreditation, a strong drive is now on to seek
institutional accreditation as well as encouraging
every program area to seek program level
professional accreditation.
In 2006, the HCT Learning Model was reviewed,
refined and elaborated so it could be better
understood and implemented by all HCT students
and staff. After much deliberation, another
graduate outcome was added to reflect the
growing need for mathematical skills in the
increasingly science and technology driven world.
In response to the changing needs of industry,
a large number of new programs were also
introduced. In fact, most of these new
programs are sponsored by UAE industry.
These include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Ship Building (Electro-mechanical engineering);
Safety Engineering;
Paramedics;
Dental Nursing;
Insurance Services and Management; and
Applied Business and Technology.
A new three-year diploma program structure was
launched this year, with enhanced exit standards
as compared to the previous CD programs.
Industry feedback on these enhanced graduate
standards has been very positive. There has been
significant growth in the Work Readiness Program
and other such programs to cater for those
students who are not successful in entering or
progressing in these new Diploma programs.
These programs seek to provide entry level basic
work skills so these students can also find gainful
employment.
To meet the increasing demand from industry
for highly specialized vocational skills, a new
credential, Advanced Diploma, has been created
this year. This credential will facilitate further
development of industry-specific vocational skills
for our Diploma graduates. A few such Advanced
Diploma programs, sponsored by specific
employers, are already in the design stage.
Special Conference Edition
The latest technology, such as
this touch screen, has enhanced
HCT’s learning environment.
Technology
infrastructure upgrade:
“We are constantly promoting state-of-the-art
technology. We must ensure that our faculty and staff
understand the need to keep abreast of these new
instructional technologies that are now globally
based.”
HE Sheikh Nahayan
In line with this challenge given by the Chancellor at
the HCT Conference, special efforts were made last
year to enhance the technological infrastructure in all
our colleges to provide students with state-of-the art
technology enabled learning environments.
Banner ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning), a tightly
integrated suite of Student, Finance, and HR modules,
was implemented by the HCT. Now for the first time
the HCT has a fully integrated, proven, scalable,
enterprise-wide application that allows students and
staff to access information such as academic records
and administrative data online any time, anywhere.
It also provides HCT executives with access to unified
data that will increase accuracy and transparency in
decision-making processes.
Special user-friendly modules ensure students can
access relevant information including their own
transcripts, course progress, attendance records, GPA
and graduation eligibility on their laptops anywhere in
the world. Teachers, supervisors, deans and directors
can also monitor relevant data using modules
customized for each of their roles.
HCT Portal: The 2005-2006 academic year also saw
the development of a single HCT Portal (intranet and
internet), taking the best practices of several lead
colleges and integrating these into a single entry point
Al Rawi Magazine • Summer 2006
for all HCT students, staff and visitors. This web-based
portal solution utilizing Microsoft Sharepoint Portal
provides real-time collaboration, enterprise application
integration and a highly customized platform for the
delivery of information and applications including
single-logon technologies.
e-Collaboration: A Microsoft Exchange messaging and
collaboration solution was implemented system-wide.
This enables the HCT to send and receive electronic
mail and other forms of interactive communication,
allowing all faculty and students to benefit from the
latest features of collaboration which come with the
Microsoft suite of applications including Outlook.
With the implementation of the Microsoft Exchange
system this year, our staff and students can now
access their HCT emails and portal anywhere in
the world.
e-Learning: The Enterprise version of WebCT Vista
was implemented and will provide a state-of-the-art
online learning environment for all HCT faculty and
students. This is used to augment standard classroom
instruction with technology-enhanced learning as well
as provide key tools for online instruction.
Infrastructure upgrades continue and have provided
HCT students access to the best technology available
in the world. The state-of-the-art technology that the
HCT continues to invest in enables sharing of
information for all students, staff and faculty and
provides for strategic services such as streaming video,
mobile telephony and email integration and Internet 2.
Syllabus plus classroom scheduling software was
purchased and installed this year and will be used
by all campuses in the upcoming academic year.
This will lead to better classroom allocation and
improved institutional efficiency and is fully
integrated with the Banner ERP.
7
College & Community
Organizational review
and restructuring:
“I have asked Dr Kamali to review our organizational
structure and to propose changes as needed. We aim
to increase accountability throughout all levels of our
organization. All our services must remain seamless
and transparent. These areas include strategic and
operational planning, budgeting, and program
evaluation, as well as our external relationships
with the community.”
HE Sheikh Nahayan
The Vice Chancellor’s Office and the Policy Council
were fully engaged in reviewing the organization of
the colleges as well as HCT Central Services. This
work throughout the year culminated with the Policy
Council Strategic Planning Retreat in which the HCT’s
future challenges and opportunities were deliberated
in five sessions: strategic positioning, academic
directions, organizational structure and processes,
resourcing and accreditation.
deliberated and identified the key planning
elements necessary to strategically place the HCT
in a position of leadership in the region for the next
decade. More work will be done this year by the
HCT’s Policy and Planning directorate to develop a
five year strategic plan with specific focus on resource
planning, institutional effectiveness and institutional
development.
Moving the system forward in this new direction
involved achieving an optimal mix of fiscal prudence
and resource optimization, continuous quality
improvement in teaching and learning, and an
entrepreneurial approach to resource enhancement.
As a result of the recruitment drive, the HCT would
like to welcome the following leaders for its colleges
and the system:
The organizational review and restructuring has been
completed to a large extent. Outcomes are:
• optimal key and leading positions have been
identified to best meet the changing needs of the
HCT system;
Dr Andrew Wismayer
Director of Academic
Services
Dr Brent Mills
Director of Al Ain
Colleges
Dr Brad Cook
Director of Abu Dhabi
Women’s College
Dr Senthil Nathan
Director of Policy and
Planning
Dr Phil Quirke
Director of Madinat
Zayed Colleges
Mr Mark Johnson
Chief Administrative
Officer
• Senior Director and Associate Director positions
have been created to best meet the needs of the
larger campuses and functions; and
• academic leadership positions have been renamed
as Dean and Chair of departments to better reflect
the current status of HCT colleges.
The first appointments as Senior Directors of the
system are Dr Howard Reed, Dubai Women’s
College, and Dr Farid Ohan, Sharjah Colleges.
The Policy Council Strategic Planning retreat
Dr Behjat Yousef - Special mention must be made of Dr Yousef
who has been promoted to Associate Director of Dubai Women’s
College, an HCT academic of 15 years (See story on page 11).
The Chancellor, HE Sheikh Nahayan, leads the discussion at the Policy Council retreat.
Special Conference Edition
8
College & Community
Facility Expansion:
Through constant interaction with the leadership of
the local emirates, a significant number of facility
expansion projects have been initiated this year.
These include:
A new life sciences and environment building has been
commissioned at CERT Technology Park in Abu Dhabi.
• Permanent campuses are in the process of
completion for Ras Al Khaimah Men’s and
Fujairah Men’s colleges.
Business Development Projects
and Initiatives:
• Two new colleges are being established in Abu
Dhabi emirate in Madinat Zayed – facilities and
equipment are already in place.
The tenth year of CERT has been marked by a number
of achievements.
Education and Training Projects:
• Abu Dhabi Men’s College and Abu Dhabi
Women’s college facility expansion projects
are under way with the implementation of
Khalifa funds.
A number of major training outsourcing contracts
were given by the industry this year including:
• Military Language Institute;
• A new campus for Abu Dhabi Women’s College
at Khalifa City is being completed and will be
ready next September.
• ADNOC group’s English Language Centre; and
• Abu Dhabi Police’s language training.
• A state-of-the art health science building has been
completed for the health science programs offered
at CERT campus. Buildings for over 40 classrooms
have also been added in the CERT campus.
• New facilities have been added in every other
college to meet the increasing need for teaching
and learning spaces.
A number of new professional sponsored programs
are being introduced:
• Dental Nursing diploma program in Dubai
colleges – sponsored by the Department of Health
and Medical Services, Dubai;
• Electro Mechanical Engineering Diploma program
– Abu Dhabi Ship Building Company;
Work progresses on HCT’s Khalifa City campus.
• Al Ain – Food Inspection programs sponsored by
Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority;
• Insurance Services and Management (in
collaboration with the Ministry of Economy)
in Dubai and Abu Dhabi colleges;
• Fujairah Marine Institute: With the support
of the Ruler of Fujairah, CERT is mobilizing
the educational and financial resources for the
development of a regional marine institute in
Fujairah, working with a globally recognized
marine institute at Memorial University in Canada.
• HD/BAS in Safety Engineering and Paramedics in
Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, sponsored by Abu Dhabi
Police.
• Training program for Stockbrokers
in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi
Securities Market.
Al Rawi Magazine • Summer 2006
9
College & Community
Paramedic students get first hand
experience at this mass casualty exercise.
Facilities and Infrastructure
Research and Innovation
This year CERT has invested significantly in applied
research and emerging technologies. Initiatives
particularly worthy of note are:
• Abu Dhabi Bio City: A state-of-the art pediatric
teaching hospital along with associated research
and development facilities and allied health
science colleges are being developed at the
cost of Dh. 500 m.
• The first IBM Blue Gene Supercomputer in the
South Asia/Middle East/North Africa region has
been deployed at CERT. This technology will
facilitate the rapid computing of large volumes
of data from the oil and gas industry, financial
services sector, the life sciences and
nanotechnology.
• In collaboration with IBM, CERT has developed a
Telematics safety and convenience system leading
to the efficient, real time deployment and
management of large fleets of vehicles.
• Feasibility studies to establish UAE
Nanotechnology Research Centre in collaboration
with IBM have been completed and submitted to
the Chancellor for his review and decision.
• HCT-CERT is the prime sponsor of the project
‘Reconceiving the architecture of the Gulf region’
in association with the London School of
Architecture and a number of universities
in the region.
IPO Approval: In 2006 CERT was the first company
to receive regulatory approval for an initial public
offering in the field of education and technology.
• A new life sciences and environment building has
been commissioned at CERT Technology Park in
Abu Dhabi to serve the needs of health science
students and health care professionals within the
General Authority for Health Services.
• A second building to house CERT and partners
such as Lucent Technologies will be completed
at the end of November.
• Work has begun on a third 12-storey building to
provide additional laboratory and instructional
space as well as serve the growing needs of
technology partners.
• New CERT facilities at Dubai Women’s College,
Dubai Men’s College and Al Ain Men’s college
are nearing completion.
Special Projects:
Some of the major projects in various stages
of progress include:
• The HCT Schools of Excellence (for K-12 sector)
• The HCT has been invited to set up campuses
in other countries in the region at large.
• Collaborative higher educational project with
New York Institute of Technology.
• Collaborative post graduate programs, including:
MBA Strathclyde University, MIT-Stanford-Harvard
MBA, Masters in Banking with HFB School of
Management and Finance – Frankfurt, Global MBA
with University of Houston, Masters in Engineering
with University of Western Australia, Master of
Education with Deakin University.
Students and teachers thrive with the help of advanced
technology in classrooms.
Special Conference Edition
Al Rawi Magazine • Summer 2006
11
College & Community
Dr Behjat Al Yousuf
Long serving academic appointed
to a HCT senior position
By Mary Gillis
A
n honoree in May this year with an
Emirates Businesswomen Award for
Outstanding Career Achievement, Dr Behjat
Al Yousuf assumes a strategic leadership
and management role as Associate Director
within the HCT Dubai Women’s College
where she has taught for the past 15 years.
In announcing the new position, Dr Howard
Reed, DWC Director, described Dr Al Yousuf
as “a distinguished academic, teacher, manager
and leader”. As a high academic achiever
with high expectations she is an excellent
role model for other UAE national women
students. “She is also a mother who
encourages her children to be globally
aware”, says Dr Reed.
from the University of Wales, Cardiff,
UK, and her BS in Engineering Analysis
and Design, Electrical and Computer
Engineering from the University of North
Carolina, USA.
Dr Behjat Al Yousuf.
Dr Al Yousuf joined DWC in 1990 as an
Information Technology faculty member.
In 2000 she was promoted to the role of
IT Supervisor and was instrumental in
developing many key college initiatives,
including innovative industry partnerships.
She implemented a graduate recruitment
for the IT department that is focused
towards 100% employment of
IT graduates.
“In collaboration with the College
Director, management and staff,
I will continue to strategically
contribute and provide leadership
for the development of national
human resources,” Dr Yousuf said.
Her professional experience prior
to joining DWC included technology
positions with the Kuwait Municipality
and the UAE Ministry of Electricity
and Water. She received her PhD in
Computer Science, Software Engineering
from Reading University, UK, her MS in
Computing Math, Computer Science
Special Conference Edition
12
College & Community
In this article, Christine Thorne, who teaches
at the HCT’s Abu Dhabi Men’s College and was
instrumental in setting up the Bachelor of Education
IT program there, describes how the Higher
Colleges of Technology are breaking new
ground with a B.Ed program to
prepare teachers of boys.
Sultan Al Zaabi is congratulated by Principal of Hamoodah Bin Ali school,
Mohamed Ali Majed, at a presentation held for Sultan Al Zaabi and
Mohamed Al Zaabi at the conclusion of a successful teaching practicum.
Male education
students aim to make an impact
By Christine Thorne
I
n a first for the Higher Colleges of Technology,
in September 2005 nine male IT higher diploma
graduates embarked on a brand new Bachelor of
Education - Information Technology program at
Abu Dhabi Men’s College. They graduate as
qualified IT teachers this summer.
grounding in the latest approaches and methods of
teaching information technology in schools. So far
the signs are good, course feedback is positive and
the students are committed to the program - they all
acknowledge that it has been challenging but different
- and also enjoyable.
This followed the success of programs offered at the
Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Ras Al Khaimah Women’s
Colleges. It was felt the time was right to give male
students the opportunity to pursue studies in the field
of education and contribute to educational
development in the UAE.
“I enjoyed teaching high school students,” says Rashid
Al Falasi, one of the UAE Nationals on the program.
“I would definitely like to be a part of any future
projects to improve the education system in the UAE.
In fact, I have been lucky to join this excellent course:
my pedagogical skills have improved dramatically.”
Open to Higher Diploma graduates from any ITrelated program, the B.Ed IT gives a thorough
In addition to studying information technology in
the classroom, lab management, curriculum and
Al Rawi Magazine • Summer 2006
13
College & Community
Four partner schools have worked with Abu Dhabi Men’s College to provide a teaching practice experience for the trainee teachers.
Mohamed Al Zaabi (left) and Sultan Al Zaabi lead their students to class.
assessment, and educational theory, students also
participate in teaching practice placements. The
intensive practicum program takes place within
the college and in local schools, as well as a work
placement with the IT services department of the
Men’s College. This is intended to help students
experience life from the other side of the desk!
Four partner schools have worked with Abu Dhabi
Men’s College to provide a teaching practice
experience for the trainee teachers: Das School,
Hamoodah Bin Ali Model School, Future Model
School and El Ittihad Model School.
“The teaching practice was great,” says Ahmed
Abdullah Saeed, another course participant.
“I really loved teaching students from levels 1-4!”
Education authorities in the UAE have identified a
crucial need in schools for IT teachers and the future
offers great opportunities for those who choose to
enter the profession now. As Ahmed puts it, “This
course offered us a new experience. We started as
college students and have ended up as teachers!”
Special Conference Edition
14
Focus: Today’s Students, Tomorrow’s Entrepreneurs: Enterprise, Innovation, Initiatives
At Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce
AD Women’s Entrepreneurship Day
By Meera Balouchi
A
bu Dhabi Women’s College (ADWC) hosted Entrepreneurship Day on Wednesday May 10 at the offices
of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ADCCI). The event, a close collaboration between
ADWC and ADCCI, was opened by HE Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Higher Education
and Scientific Research, Chancellor of the Higher Colleges of Technology.
Entrepreneurship Day celebrated the success of UAE national businesswomen by providing a platform for
established ADWC graduate entrepreneurs to show their work and interact with ADWC students. Over 20
ADWC graduates participated in the event, exhibiting their products and talking to students about starting
and running a home-based business.
In his opening address, HE Sheikh Nahayan emphasised the importance of aiding the advancement of female
entrepreneurs whom he called “pioneers and role models for future generations of Emirati women”.
One such role model is ADWC graduate entrepreneur, Aysha Hareb, owner of the successful store,
Photographyia. Aysha shared her experiences in starting and growing a successful photography business
by taking part in the panel discussion.
Other panel members provided a wealth of information on how to start, grow and maintain a business. Dr Rawda
Al Mutawa, President of the Abu Dhabi Businesswomen Council, spoke about support services that the Council
offers in this respect. Mr Mohamed Al Neaimi, ADCCI Assistant Director General provided further information
on resources available from the Chamber. Mrs Jennifer Guy of the Canadian Businesswomen’s Council provided
participants with tools and ideas on how to overcome obstacles they might face in starting their own businesses.
Entrepreneur, Muna Al Dhaheri, closed the panel discussion with information about the Shell Intilaaqah Program,
a partnership between ADWC and Shell that teaches budding entrepreneurs the basics of successfully owning and
managing a business (see separate article in this issue of Al Rawi). Muna was the winner of the Intilaaqah award
for “Most Promising Start-up” at the Intilaaqah Regional awards last year.
Over 400 ADWC students participated in this most successful event and said that they remained highly motivated
by the direct contact with successful alumni of the College. Entrepreneurship Day was the third in a series of career
awareness days hosted by the ADWC Career Centre this academic year.
Dr Rawda Al Mutawa, President of
Abu Dhabi Businesswomens’ Council,
talks about support services offered to
women entrepreneurs.
A distinguished panel of business people
led the session on entrepreneurship.
Al Rawi Magazine • Summer 2006
HE Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan cuts the ribbon to mark the opening of Entrepreneurship Day at Abu Dhabi Chamber
of Commerce and Industry, accompanied by other dignitaries from ADCCI and ADWC.
ADWC graduate Noor
Al Tamimi proudly displays
her business at ADWC’s
Entrepreneurship Day event.
Focus: Today’s Students, Tomorrow’s Entrepreneurs: Enterprise, Innovation, Initiatives
15
Special Conference Edition
16
Focus: Today’s Students, Tomorrow’s Entrepreneurs: Enterprise, Innovation, Initiatives
Initiative and Hard Work -
A Graduate Success Story:
Ibrahim Ali Ahmed Al-Rais
By Douglas Cousino
W
orld famous inventor and industrialist Thomas
Edison is credited with saying that “Success is
90% perspiration and 10% inspiration”. Engineer
Ibrahim Ali Ahmed Al-Rais, graduate of Dubai Men’s
College certainly fits that description. He completed
his Civil Engineering Higher Diploma in 1998. While
he was a student, his hard work and initiative earned
him awards for the Top Engineering student at the
College for his second and third years of study.
He was the winner of the Bechtel Award for the
top Civil Engineering student in the Higher Colleges
of Technology in his graduating year. He graduated
with Distinction. During his Civil Engineering studies
he completed 38 weeks of work experience and was
courted by one of his work experience employers for
permanent employment. He worked at the Ministry
of Public Works in the Construction Management
section and quickly rose to the position of Senior
Engineer.
While he was pleased with his ability to perform
at the top of his group at work, he longed for more
academic challenges. He joined the Bachelor of
Applied Science in Engineering Management
program at the College studying at night. After
four quick semesters he completed his degree
and moved to the Dubai Development Board as
the Head of Supervision and Follow-up section. His
hard work and initiative earned him several awards
and promotions at the Development Board. Most
notably he was given the Most Valued Employee
Participation Award for his development of new
systems and procedures for his section. This resulted
in him receiving an award from Sheikh Mohommed
Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, then Crown Prince of
Dubai and Minister of Defense as part of the Dubai
Government Excellence Program in 2002.
Again, wanting to go further in all aspects of his
career, Ibrahim was awarded a Dubai Government
scholarship toward his Masters of Business
Administration studies at the American University
in Dubai. He completed his degree in 2004. His
initiative and hard work provided him with the
Al Rawi Magazine • Summer 2006
17
Focus: Today’s Students, Tomorrow’s Entrepreneurs: Enterprise, Innovation, Initiatives
opportunity to move into a new position with the
HH Ruler’s Court as the Director of Projects and
Maintenance Department. In this new capacity, he
is responsible for the projects that are initiated by
the Ruler’s Court of Dubai. Having just turned 30
years old, the Ruler’s Court has plans for Ibrahim’s
continued development and growth as he is given
increased responsibility and opportunity.
Ibrahim has continued to be active within the Dubai
Men’s College community over the years. He is an
active member of the Civil Engineering Program
Advisory Committee providing input on key issues
such as curriculum, quality assurance and
employment. He has arranged for many of the
students in the Civil Engineering related programs
to perform work experience and eventually
employment with the organizations he represents.
He also has coordinated sponsorship for some
student projects and travel to represent the HCT
at international events.
All the while he was pursing excellence in his
career and studies, he managed to find time to start
a family. While his new position requires him to
travel occasionally, he always has time to spend
with his growing family. We are certain that the new
generation will benefit from their father’s initiative
and hard work in all his endeavors. For the continued
success of the country, Ibrahim hopes that his sons
and daughters will follow in his footsteps - showing
initiative and putting in lots of hard work!
“Success is 90%
perspiration and 10%
inspiration”.
Special Conference Edition
18
Focus: Today’s Students, Tomorrow’s Entrepreneurs: Enterprise, Innovation, Initiatives
At Shell Intilaaqah Awards Muscat
HCT graduate Huda Al Matroushi
wins top prize
By Mary Gillis
Y
oung businesswoman, Huda Al Matroushi, has
followed a path of high achievement since she
graduated in the first cohort of HCT graduates from
Abu Dhabi Women’s College in 1991.
Her achievements as entrepreneur, government
employee and, not incidentally, as wife and mother
(she had just given birth to her fifth child when Al
Rawi talked to her), led to a first place grand prize
at the First Regional Intilaaqah Awards in Muscat.
Receiving a trophy and cash prize of $10,000 in the
“Business Success or Significant Progress” category
from Oman’s Commerce and Industry UnderSecretary, Ahmed Al Dheeb, Huda dedicated the
award to her country which, she said, “has supported
me throughout my journey”.
Huda is currently Head of Public Relations at Gasco,
founded in 2001, and runs the antique furniture design
and manufacturing company, Ancestor’s Heritage.
With a showroom in Mina Road, Abu Dhabi, and a
factory in Mussafah, the company recreates traditional
Emirati designs. She attributes some of her success in
juggling several roles to her training at HCT, and to
her “highly supportive” husband.
She looks forward to continuing her studies, first
towards a Bachelor degree in Business Administration,
then to the Master’s degree level. “That’s where I’ll
probably use my prize money from Intilaaqah,”
she says.
Huda Al Matroushi is pictured, left, holding the grand first-place award for Business Success
at the Regional Intilaaqah Awards ceremony in Muscat. With her is another Abu Dhabi award
winner, Muna Al Dhaheri who received first prize in the “Most Promising Start-Up” category.
Al Rawi Magazine • Summer 2006
19
Focus: Today’s Students, Tomorrow’s Entrepreneurs: Enterprise, Innovation, Initiatives
Regional Intilaaqah award-winners and dignitaries are pictured at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Muscat.
Shell Intilaaqah Program
Intilaaqah Abu Dhabi is based on the Shell LiveWire training program, an international social development
initiative launched by Shell in over 24 countries. It is aimed at encouraging young UAE nationals (aged 18-32)
with the enterprise to start their own businesses and includes training in various aspects of business development
such as market research, business planning, financial forecasting and resource requirements. Intilaaqah courses
are run through a collaborative partnership among Shell Abu Dhabi, the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and
Industry, National Bank of Abu Dhabi, Ernst & Young, and the Higher Colleges of Technology.
Candidates for the program must be competent in written and spoken English, be in full or part-time education, or
be working or unemployed. What unites them is their “drive, enthusiasm, and willingness to work hard to succeed
in becoming their own boss”.
Intilaaqah Abu Dhabi was launched in 2002 and has graduated some 200 graduates from its programs.
Special Conference Edition
20
Focus: Today’s Students, Tomorrow’s Entrepreneurs: Enterprise, Innovation, Initiatives
Initiative and Hard Work -
A Graduate Success Story:
Nayef Al Mansouri
By D’Arcy Drury
T
he Student Awards Ceremony at Abu Dhabi
Men’s College marked the culmination of a
remarkable year for Nayef Al Mansouri. In addition
to receiving a Top 25 Student Award, Nayef also
won the Abu Dhabi Music Foundation Award given
to the most outstanding graduate of the Applied
Media Studies program.
Despite these honours Nayef’s greatest pleasure came
from knowing that he’d recently secured the job he
had anxiously sought. After 14 years in the military,
he had felt it was time for a change. He hoped to get
a job with the Civil Aviation Authority but was told
that they contract out most of their work to a British
based company named SERCO.
Nayef believes that students need to actively seek
out their goals rather than just rolling with the flow.
“Everyone has something they’re good at,” he said.
“You’ve got to examine yourself to discover what it is.
Once you have found it you’ve got to trust in that
ability and go for it.”
Confident that he could impress the SERCO managers
if he could get a foot in the door, Nayef liaised with
the college’s Careers Centre to arrange the work
placement component of his program with SERCO.
Delighted with his performance during his work
placement, the managers were more than willing
to offer him the full time job he wanted.
Nayef has plenty more experience in going for it as
something of an entrepreneur. He owns a cleaning
service company, an interior decorating company and
a small auto showroom that sells right-hand drive cars
for export. He’s also a partner in two restaurants.
“Nayef is sort of a dream student,” says Paul Rawcliffe
who teaches in the Applied Media Studies program.
“He has achieved a near-native standard of English,
speaks Japanese and is a talented film producer.
His employer’s work placement report was glowing
with praise.”
Nayef was one of three students from ADMC’s
Applied Media Studies program who travelled to
Sri Lanka earlier this year to produce a documentary
about the activities of a volunteer organisation that is
working to rebuild in the wake of the tsunami. The
video won second prize in the documentary category
of the Emirates Film Competition.
“I think that students need to read a lot and educate
themselves,” Nayef said. “It’s not enough to simply
complete an assignment. There should be some
depth to it.”
When Nayef joined SERCO, which manages
operations at Abu Dhabi International Airport, he
found the company was anxious to hire Nationals
but concerned about the reliability of local students,
“I see it as my duty to fix that image,” said Nayef.
“I owe it to the college and the country to
demonstrate reliability and professionalism.”
“Everyone has something they’re good at ...
examine yourself to discover what it is.”
Al Rawi Magazine • Summer 2006
21
Focus: Today’s Students, Tomorrow’s Entrepreneurs: Enterprise, Innovation, Initiatives
“I owe it to the college and the country
to demonstrate reliability and professionalism.”
Nayef Al Mansouri is pictured receiving his special award from Dr Tayeb Kamali, HCT Vice
Chancellor, Dr Edward Guiliano, President of New York Institute of Technology, and Ms Linda
Davila, Chair of the Board NYIT and Vice President of Merrill Lynch.
Special Conference Edition
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Focus: Today’s Students, Tomorrow’s Entrepreneurs: Enterprise, Innovation, Initiatives
Farkhonda Ibrahim Mohammed is pictured
in the offices of Liberty Investment in Sharjah.
Dar al Dhyafa, her own business
in Sharjah.
Al Rawi Magazine • Summer 2006
23
Focus: Today’s Students, Tomorrow’s Entrepreneurs: Enterprise, Innovation, Initiatives
Farkhonda Mohammed
Energy, creativity, international
connections lead to business
success in Sharjah
By Kevin Watson
F
arkhonda Ibrahim Mohammed always dreamed of
launching her own business, and that time has now
come. I recently sat with her in the offices of Liberty
Investment Company sipping Kenyan coffee from
Gloria Jeans, one of the firm’s clients.
Farkhonda is a career woman who entered Al Ain
Women’s College in 1988, part of the first intake of
students into the newly-formed HCT. After graduating
in 1992 from the HCT Business Administration
program she spent the next eight years working in
most departments of the Municipality organising
events for the United Nations and the UN
Development Program (UNDP). “I needed work
experience before setting out on my own,” she
recalls. “It was my first school in the real world.”
She started her own company in 2000, but when
HH Sheikh Khalid of Sharjah called on her to join
his team, it was an opportunity she could not pass up.
She describes him as one of the most creative and
dynamic businessmen she has met. His company,
Liberty Investment, was established in the late 1960s,
just before the federation was formed, and is one of
the oldest firms in the UAE.
Under Sheikh Khalid’s direction she embarked on a
three-year project to create Dar al Dhyafa al Arabia,
a complex with traditional Arabian courtyard, souk,
and suites. It is furnished with Arabian antiques and
textiles she obtained from around the Emirates and
abroad, her travels taking her as far away as Zanzibar.
Organising events appealed to Farkhonda’s
entrepreneurial ambitions, and she cites the growth
she made with the Municipality and the Liberty
Investment Company as invaluable. Farkhonda is a
professional who is appreciative of her good fortune
and those who have placed their confidence in her.
Each project has been an affirmation that drives
her on.
Farkhonda’s energy extends beyond the workplace
and into the community, where she has long been
a volunteer for charitable organisations such as the
Mohammed Bin Rashid Humanitarian and Charitable
Foundation, as well as the Red Crescent Society. In
addition, she worked to form the ladies branch of the
Dubai Charity Association. She believes in our duty
to help others, and describes the rewards of these
efforts as “benefits you don’t put in the bank”.
Farkhonda is now ready to apply her artistic talents
and business acumen to a long-time goal: a private
venture in events organisation and fashion design.
She is optimistic about the future. Looking back,
she says that if she could change anything she would
have begun her own business earlier - but then she
recants, admitting that she would not be the same
person without the experiences she has had.
She acknowledges her time at AAWC as a bridge
between childhood and the working world. The
college encouraged her to trust her instincts and
become self-reliant. “The experience was whole
learning,” she recalls. “We felt free to approach
teachers and they gave us very special attention.”
She recalls the change in educational approach and
how she saw the students as hosts to a foreign faculty.
“We taught them things about us and our culture.”
The flow of information was no longer one-way as
it had been in secondary school; in the Higher
Colleges the relationship was circular.
“The college taught us that we all had a
contribution to make,” she remembers.
“It was an important lesson in my life.”
Special Conference Edition
24
Student Initiatives
T
his year's Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) project
raced off the scale with pure hard work and fun
for 198 students from across the HCT system and
universities country-wide.
The DSS project
was a rewarding
experience for all
involved.
The DSS project is designed to be a service to
the community, providing a platform for students
to exercise their own initiative in developing large
scale joint projects with corporate partners. It
presents students with opportunities for leadership
and personal development, and extended learning.
Dubai Summer Surprises 2006:
Building success upon success–naturally!
By Jeffrey Rossiter
Many hours
went into
planning
activities
for this year’s
DSS project.
Al Rawi Magazine • Summer 2006
DSS NATURE SURPRISES
Organized by Dubai Men’s College’s
(DMC) Student Administration Council,
122 men and 76 women students
came together under a well-structured
management team led by Fahad Al
Rais, a graduating CNET student, to
produce activities for DSS Nature
Surprises at the Mall of the Emirates
from 27th July to 2nd August.
The project, under the sponsorship
of Dubai Police since 1999, engaged
the students through the summer in
developing activities from simple
ideas to exciting crowd pullers on
the mall floor.
With the support of Etisalat as Key
Partner, E-Vision as Media Partner,
and no fewer than 47 other partners
plus many professional associates,
the students worked with obvious
enthusiasm and National pride to
please thousands of visitors.
Student Initiatives
25
Nature Surprises Activities
HCT Channel TV Studio
HCT students broadcasting
live on E-Vision STB333
Natural History
Learn about the flora and
fauna of the Arabian desert
Mobda
Fun with the live animated
Mobda character
Naturetoon
Game shows and fun with
animal characters
Fragrances
Game shows and activities
with flowers and perfumes
Recycling
Don’t throw it; recycle it!
Chocolata
Join the Cocoa Tree Academy
Home Video School
Shoot, edit and see your
home video on TV
Environmental Awareness
Enter the environment tunnel
and become aware
Visual Story Telling Workshop
Video production for young
media professionals
Nature’s Garden
Expressing nature with art
My Vision
Showcase of HCT Summer
Academy projects
Special Conference Edition
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Student Initiatives
Al Rawi Magazine • Summer 2006
27
Level 3 Civil Engineering
student Ayub Al Yousuf (right)
interviews Fuad Sharaf,
General Manager of Mall
of the Emirates and a
graduate of the HCT.
HCT CHANNEL TAKES
THE DSS TO THE AIRWAVES
Not stopping there, however, the students extended
the reach of the Dubai Summer Surprises project to
one half-million TV viewers with their own HCT
Channel broadcasting directly from the mall on
E-Vision STB333 cable TV channel.
Building on last year’s successful launch of HCT
Channel for DSS Knowledge Surprises, Samir Al
Marzouqi, a graduating CommTech student, forged
a blazing trail as channel manager with a carefully
structured team of 43 men and 26 women students
and supporting professionals.
Focused clearly on the value of quality programming
for the channel, Samir set up a solid management
team responsible for programs, crew coordination,
creative work, studio sets, and channel marketing.
With this structure firmly in place the next step was
arranging script writing and production training for
producers, followed by training for presenters,
directors, and cameramen, and the assignment of
production teams for each of the 17 live or recorded
programs (most with at least four episodes).
Relying on the talent of Ahmed Hassan the art
director, six TV studio sets were designed and built at
DMC in readiness for setting up overnight in the mall.
Dubai Media Incorporated (DMI) provided the TV
studio equipment and John Fee, Outside Broadcast
Manager with DMI headed up the carefully planned
installation operation including controls for four
studio cameras, one wireless camera, remote feeds
from studios at Modhesh Fun City and CentrePoint,
and provision for Vizrt 3D real-time graphics and
Animazoo’s live motion capture system.
Mohammed Rashid, who served as Producer for
“Dhoha Dubai” and Presenter for “Ektashif with
Emirates Holidays”, sums up the experience:
"It is a dream come true. Yes, we are organizing our
channel in our own way as students. We have our
own identity in producing the shows. We highlight
the things we see as important as students… [and]
we are learning from each other. We have one goal
and everybody is working towards that. It really
shows on the screen. From five programs to 17
programs. I am one hundred percent sure people
who did not participate this year will be sorry
because this is not just an achievement – this is
a great achievement."
HCT Channel broke all barriers to demonstrate that
given the chance National students can assume total
project ownership and handle responsibility as they
developed production workflows and operated to
tight program schedules of their own making. And
relying on the willing support of project partners
and associates many students benefited from
unprecedented learning experiences as they
developed and executed their activities to fill
the mall with youthful exuberance.
HCT Channel Shows
My Vision
Our Green
The Graduate
Zajal Info
Ektashif with Emirates
Holidays
Mashariana
Dhoha Dubai
The Mediana Show
Kawalesna
Ski Dubai
Tai Chi Show
Visual Story Telling
Workshop
Nature Surprises
Mobda Show
Habitata
Yola
Games Mania
Special Conference Edition
28
Student Initiatives
Program Highlights on the HCT Channel
Two of the HCT Channel programs in particular involved close
partnerships, engaging many students in extremely demanding
production work.
Ski Dubai, a reality TV show produced by Shahad Al Zarouni,
followed the progress of ten students engaged in a challenge
to learn to ski in four days.
Abdul Qader Al Suwaidi produced the Ektashif with Emirates
Holidays TV show, featuring a series of nature travel
documentaries on the Seychelles produced and directed by
Mohammed Bin Souqat. Facilitated by Emirates Holidays
and Seychelles Tourism Board, a production crew of six
students and two professionals spent seven gruelling but
exciting days shooting for the project in the spectacular
unspoiled Seychelles islands.
HCT SUMMER ACADEMY
Saeed Al Suwaidi and Ahmed Al Bakhit, organizers of four previous DSS projects, developed a unique extension
to the project this year with the launch of HCT Summer Academy, providing a structured leadership development
program and support base for the students. The Academy was facilitated by the celebrated Dr Abdul Aziz Al-Horr,
Director of the Arab Educational Training Center for Gulf States.
Al Rawi Magazine • Summer 2006
29
Platinum Partners
Animazoo UK Ltd
Dubai Media Incorporated
Emirates Holidays
Seychelles Tourism Board
Sharjah Natural History Museum
Gold Partners
Al Sayegh Brothers Computers
Federal Environmental Agency
Watani
Zayed Prize
Y
outh imagination has no limits, students' dreams know no sky, their countless
efforts towards making a difference are always faced by the reality of this world.
That's where our valuable sponsors come in: to back up student creativity with
necessary experience, to answer student enthusiasm with encouragement, and to
support student initiatives with valuable resources.
In our past projects our sponsors – or as we’d rather call them “our partners”
supported us in many different ways, whether financially or through training and
technical support – and even by consultancy and moral support. This support made
the difference between success and failure. That professionals will dedicate their time
and resources to help students has been very inspiring to us as students.
Working with professionals also gives students the chance to interact and learn
about the market, business environments and life outside college. I believe our
sponsor/partners have also enjoyed going through sometimes daring adventures with
students, while observing how students manage to sail their way to safety and a great
success in DSS 2005.
“Some of the people we worked with told us it’s been a nice change from their usual
work routines and that it reminded them of their good old school days," says one of
the students who worked on DSS 2005.
The cooperation and support for the student projects shown by our partners
have proved to be a valuable addition to the academic life of Higher Colleges and
Technology. This support bears witness to how a community can add and enrich the
educational process of a country. It has also been an inspiration to students on how
to make a difference in our world.
Fahad Al Qahtani, Media Team Leader, DSS 2005
Associates
Abdul Naser - Scheduling & Transmission Training
Abdulla Al Nakkas - Etisalat Facilitator
Adel Ismail Al Raees - E-Vision Services
Ahmad Al Mutaiwei - Engineer for HBR TV Links
Ahmed Abdulqader - Seychelles Project
Professional Coordinator
Ahmed Al Houli - Etisalat Consulting
Ahmed Hassan - Art Director
Faid Wadih Al Safi - Presenter Training
Fernando - Mall Technical Support
Gulam Ali Sajanlal - Recycling Activity
Jacob Philip - Chief Coordinator for HBR TV Links
John Fee - TV Studio Engineering
Julie Muirhead - Seychelles Project Facilitator
Khambete Ramesh Prabhakar - Engineer for
HBR TV Links
Merja Pollok - Seychelles Project Organizer
Omar M Al Muzakki - Etisalat Services
Rami Yasin - Producer Training
RC Rao - Engineer for HBR TV Links
Reem Ismaiel - Set Design
Saadi Saleh Ahmad - Script Writing Training
Saeed Al Shafey - Set Design
Salah Zain Eddine - Motion Capture Support
Vanessa Nanty - Seychelles Project Coordinator
Yaqoob Abu Alqassim - Coordinator for HBR
TV Links
Zubair - Assistant Engineer for HBR TV Links
DMC Staff
Ahmed Al Bakhit - Dubai Police Liaison
June Tupua - Tai Chi Show Producer
Nickie Christensen - Press Conference and
Closing Ceremony
Obet Borlongan - AV Support
Paul Herspiegel - Broadcast Engineer
Talal Ben Halim - HCT Summer Academy Website
Usha Singh - Closing Ceremony
Silver Partners
Advanced Satellite Media
Apple IMC - Middle East
Dubai Municipality
Dubal
Environmental Agency - ABU
DHABI
Film Quip
First Choice House
Hussain General Trading Est
Sony Gulf FZE
Telecine International
Vizrt Middle East
Bronze Partners
Al-Futtaim Panatech Co LLC
Atlas Television FZ LLC (Dubai)
Barcode Gulf
Canon Middle East FZ-LLC
Children's City
Emirates General Petroleum
Hafeet Gardens
National Bank of Dubai
Ski Dubai
Sub Partners
Abu Dhabi TV
Al Hallab Restaurant
Avalanche Café
Bee Organizer
Chen Qiang
Cinnabon & Seattle's Best
Debenhams
Indian Pavillion
Jumbo Electronics
La Piazza
Megamedia
Oleander Flowers
Pasha
PRO TECHnology Co LLC
QGM-ProTron
Showtime
SP Productions
Zaatar W Zeit
Project Sponsor
Dubai Police General HQ
Key Partner
Etisalat
Media Partner
E-Vision
Host Mall
Mall of the Emirates
Special Conference Edition
Global Connections
30
‘On the Move’
at the Higher Colleges of Technology
By Catherine Mayerlen
The Global Village program brings together young business people and bright students from around
the world to build management and entrepreneurial skills, increase knowledge, establish global networks
and explore ethical leadership in a multiculturally sensitive environment.
‘In a changing world a first step towards leadership is taking advantage of genuine opportunity.
A second is recognizing others who can do the same…..You must take the first step.’
(Lee Iacocca, Founder, Lee Iacocca Institute)
I
n May of this year the Higher Colleges of Technology partnered with Lehigh University’s Iacocca
Institute to run, for the first time ever in the Middle East, the Global Village on the Move program.
This innovative 7 day business program is modeled after the six week Global Village for Future
Leaders of Business and Industry program which has been held for the last nine summers on the
Asa Packer Campus at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA.
Al Rawi Magazine • Summer 2006
31
Global Connections
HE Sheikh Nahayan drops in and chats
to students during one of the workshops.
In response to interest from partner institutions, the
Iacocca Institute developed this off-shore themed
shorter version of the program. Previous Global
Village on the Move programs include Lima, Peru
in 2000, Madrid, Spain in 2003 and Perth, Australia
in 2005.
Global Village on the Move – United Arab Emirates
was officially opened by His Excellency, Sheikh
Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Higher
Education and Scientific Research and Chancellor
of the Higher Colleges of Technology. Taking place
at three different HCT campuses, the program really
lived up to its ‘on the move’ title! Participants, who
came from as far afield as China, the UK, Greece and
the United States had the opportunity to visit Sharjah
Women’s HCT Campus and both Abu Dhabi
campuses. But they didn’t stop there, also touring
the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research,
Jebel Ali Free Zone and The Palm Jebel Ali.
Internationally recognized professionals such as
Richard Brandt, Director of the Global Village
program and Director, Iacocca Institute; Charlie
Zeynel, Executive Vice President of Bulk Materials
International and Lehigh University Global Council
member, Dr Nicholas Guthrie, Editor, BBC World
Dateline London and BBC News 24 programs
and Dr Robert Richards, Chief Executive Officer,
CERT were among the distinguished presenters
for the program.
But the Global Village is more than lectures, case
studies, panel sessions and debates lead by local and
international experts. It is more than visits to local
business establishments and cultural points of interest.
It is also an opportunity for participants to learn from
each other and it opens the door to a large working
global network of business and industry leaders. To
date there are over 800 Global Village alumni spread
across more than 100 countries. Delegates from the
On the Move Abu Dhabi program have now joined
this network of like minded young people.
So what does this mean for the Higher Colleges of
Technology? ‘This partnership is part of our ongoing
initiative to continue expanding our professional
education offerings while bringing excellence in
education and training to the region’ said Dr Tayeb
Kamali, Vice Chancellor of the Higher Colleges of
Technology. Simply put, a continuation of the
HCT’s ongoing commitment to excellence.
Lehigh University
The Vice Chancellor and Chancellor joined Richard Brandt,
Director of the Global Village program and Director, Iacocca
Institute, at the opening.
Special Conference Edition
32
Global Connections
HCT’s B.Ed Program
maintains international rating
By Michael O’Brien
A
s part of the process to ensure the HCT’s B.Ed - English Language Teaching in Schools degree continues to
be of the highest international standard, every two years the University of Melbourne, Australia, reviews
the implementation of the program across the HCT system.
In December 2005, Dr Kristina Love and Dr Julie Hamston from the Faculty of Education at the University of
Melbourne, came to the UAE as part of the certification process. Dr Love and Dr Hamston visited each of the
colleges where the program is offered, reviewed course documentation, observed teaching sessions and spoke
extensively to faculty and students.
The University of Melbourne’s accreditation report subsequently concluded that
the HCT degree continues to meet the standards expected of an Australian degree
program, and is of an equivalent standard to an Australian Bachelor degree.
“Our B.Ed program was developed in collaboration with the University of Melbourne”,
said Dr Matthew Clarke, Dean of Education for the HCT, “and we’re delighted to have
one of the world’s leading universities continue to help us ensure we are producing
teachers of the highest quality for the UAE school system.”
University of Melbourne logo
Dr Julie Hamston and Dr Kristina Love took the opportunity to
discuss the B.Ed program with students across the HCT system.
HCT - University
of Melbourne
to study new B.Ed
Graduates’ professional
experiences
In a joint research project,
researchers at the University
of Melbourne and the HCT
have commenced a study of
graduates of the HCT’s B.Ed
program, investigating their
experiences as new teachers.
It is hoped that this study will
identify key issues facing
beginning teachers in the UAE
education system, and ways to
best support them in the early
phases of their careers in
education.
Al Rawi Magazine • Summer 2006
Announcing the HCT Press
The HCT Press is the new academic publishing imprint of the Higher Colleges of Technology.
The HCT Press will help highlight the HCT’s important role in the cultural and intellectual development of the UAE
by commissioning and producing works of a scholarly nature. These are sourced from among faculty and programs of the
HCT, and in collaboration with the HCT’s established partnerships in education, business and industry in the UAE, Gulf region
and internationally.
The HCT Press encourages participation in publishing projects by HCT students and graduates and other UAE Nationals
(academics, cultural and political figures, policy-makers).
This is demonstrated in the inaugural publication of the HCT Press, Action Research in English Language Teaching in
the UAE: Perspectives from the Higher Colleges of Technology. Featuring 6 refereed papers by final year Bachelor
of Education students, and 4 by HCT faculty, the research issues they outline give perceptive and authentic insights into
language classrooms in UAE government schools in areas such as promoting vocabulary acquisition, developing collaborative
learning approaches, and creating more interactive classrooms.
HCT Teacher Education
Series, Book I
AVAILABLE NOW
from the HCT Press
http://hctpress.hct.ac.ae
34
Global Connections
CERT: Encouraging Collaboration
CERT’s Technology Parks
attract world-class residents
The concluding part of our articles highlighting the global connections of HCT’s Centre of Excellence
for Applied Research & Training (CERT).
C
ERT, with parks in Abu Dhabi and Dubai,
is a member of the global science and
technology community through its membership
with the International Association of Science Parks.
Cutting-edge expertise is available throughout
IASP’s network and important incentives are
offered to residents at the CERT parks. There are
significant cost benefits but most important is the
easy access to quality education and the close
proximity to other high-tech organizations.
The Network of Excellence in Training is one such
resident. A consortium of Heriot-Watt University
in Scotland, University of Oklahoma, Texas A&M
University and Schlumberger Oilfield Services,
NexT offers a unique, accredited training
programme for the oil and gas industry.
Intel Energy Competency Centre provides solution
development assistance and technical knowledge
transfer services for petroleum geophysicists,
geologists and reservoir engineers involved in
locating and lifting hydrocarbons. Martin Curley
is director of IT innovation at Intel: “We are
working with a knowledgeable and expert partner
so that we can move rapidly from theory to reality.
There are very good synergies in the partnership
between CERT and Intel.”
Park resident the American-Mideast Educational
and Training Services, Inc. (AMIDEAST) offers, in
partnership with CERT, a range of management
programmes and seminars. The partners can tap
into North American education through career
and academic counselling and testing for US
higher education.
The British Business Group chose a base at the
Abu Dhabi Park. A benefit for CERT is the ease
of contact and cooperation with major British
corporations operating in the UAE.
Lucent Technologies provides specialised training
facilities for regional telecommunications personnel.
Al Rawi Magazine • Summer 2006
Its centre at the CERT Abu Dhabi Park also provides
consultancy services in the region.
IBM collaboration with CERT has resulted in the
largest telematics deal in history and the placement
in the UAE of the only supercomputer in the greater
35
Global Connections
region. Earlier cooperation has brought the IBM
ThinkPad University, the e-business University
and the Linux University to the Emirates.
agronomists with tailored products and is the Gulf’s
leading supplier of information gathered by satellites
and aircraft.
Landmark-Halliburton set up at CERT’s Abu Dhabi
Park to deliver specific technologies and consulting
expertise in support of Middle East reservoirs.
Consultants use a project-based approach to provide
local solutions for local companies. This global Centre
of Excellence for Reservoirs assists oil companies
throughout the region to test and evaluate the very
latest technologies. Landmark is the leading supplier
of software and services to the upstream oil and gas
industry. One reason for choosing to be at CERT was
that Halliburton wanted to work alongside Intel.
Xavier Castagnet, chief executive, points to the CERTThales Institute housed in a purpose-built building
at the heart of the Abu Dhabi Technology Park.
“The institute has been created to train professionals
with a good academic background in state-of-the-art
technologies. It aims to groom high-potential
engineers to fulfill more responsible functions and to
offer students the opportunity to develop their skills.”
This is one of CERT’s flagship collaborations, which
stemmed from contacts between Thales and the UAE
when the French firm supplied equipment for an order
of Mirage aircraft for the UAE. The joint initiative with
CERT has enabled Thales to provide training for the
country’s armed forces as well as developing the
ethos for the Thales University.
The Gulf Centre for Remote Sensing provides
cartographers, geologists, ecologists, planners and
“The institute has
been created to train
professionals with
a good academic
background in state-ofthe-art technologies.
It aims to groom highpotential engineers to
fulfill more responsible
functions and to offer
students the opportunity
to develop their skills.”
Special Conference Edition
36
Global Connections
Craig Barrett, CEO Intel, USA, delivering the Gala dinner
keynote address at the Festival of Thinkers Conference
IBM collaboration
with CERT has
brought the only
supercomputer in
the greater region
to the UAE.
Steve Ballmer, CEO Microsoft with HE Sheikh Nahayan
Mabarak Al Nahayan on a visit to CERT
Long-time resident Honeywell works with CERT to
provide training opportunities to HCT students and
graduates as well as supervisors and managers within
the oil and gas industry. The benefits of the location
are obvious to Hussain Al-Atrakchi, Honeywell’s
regional general manager, who says: “We are keen
to work more closely with other tenants at CERT’s
Technology Park.”
CERT-TIS at Abu Dhabi Park is a collaboration
between CERT and Tata Inter-active Systems (TIS),
the elearning arm of the Tata Group of companies.
CERT-TIS creates state-of-the-art e-learning content
and software solutions for corporations, academia,
government and defence organizations in the region.
Sanjaya Sharma, chief executive of TIS, reports that
his company saw a great opportunity in the Middle
East, especially in the UAE with its visionary
leadership: “CERT, with its deep understanding
of the region’s educational scenario, ideally
complemented Tata’s diverse global elearning
expertise. We see CERT-TIS accelerating the
pace of knowledge and technology transfer
to the region in the years to come.”
Al Rawi Magazine • Summer 2006
An Exciting
Year Ahead
Looking Ahead
37
By Paul Mace
T
he Higher Colleges of Technology
(HCT) has many opportunities for staff
and students to expand their horizons and
attend world class events created and
nurtured at the HCT. In addition to College
Campus Open Days and Career Fairs, world
class events such as Mosaic, Women in IT,
Counseling Arabia, Women’s Education
Worldwide, Engineering Excellence, Global
Medical Forum, Heal and the UAE IT
Challenge offer a wealth of information
for students and professional development
opportunities for staff.
Following the annual conference are two
events held in close collaboration with
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Sloan School of Management and MIT
Entrepreneurship Center. Firstly, the second
biennial HCT-MIT Global Entrepreneurship
Conference will be held at the Jumeirah
Beach Hotel on 19 and 20 September 2006. This conference addresses the theme "Entrepreneurship 2010:
Creating a Vibrant, Dynamic, Competitive Economy" and has attracted some of the world’s top business
and academic leaders including Professor Robert Sutton, Stanford Engineering School, Rick Stephens, Vice
President of The Boeing Company, Pat Toole, General Manager of IBM, Bryan Bergsteinsson, Group Vice
President of Toyota University, and more than 30 other renowned personalities. Visit www.hctmit.com for
more information.
Secondly, the MIT Sloan Executive Education program titled "Managing Global Enterprises and Projects
in a Rapidly Flattening World" will be held at the Burj Al Arab between 17 and 19 September 2006. This
exclusive three-day workshop for leaders of corporate, government, non-profit and academic organizations
is taught by three leading professors from the MIT Sloan School of Management, including world renowned
Professors Don Lessard, Duncan Simester, and SP Kothari along with Kenneth Morse, Managing Director
of the MIT Entrepreneurship Center.
In November, mark the eMerging eLearning Conference on your calendar. This popular educational
event will have key speakers such as Dr Gary Woodill, Jay Cross, Ellen Wagner and many more leading
international e-learning experts. You can expect the latest in educational technology, cross-cultural
learning and many other themes. This year includes a special needs education conference with the
Association of Behavior Analysis International members’ specialist presentations. With presentations that
include “Bringing Out the Best in People in an e-Learning Environment: Leading and Managing Students,
Faculty and Staff” by Dr Aubrey Daniels, you will have unique insight into developing internet-based
training/intervention programs. This is an insight into the impact of e-learning on tens of thousands
of learners who are developmentally disabled and previously not expected to succeed in society.
The venue is the Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi on 12 and 13 November 2006.
Visit www.emerging-elearning.com to find out more.
Special Conference Edition
38
Looking Ahead
HE Sheikh Nahayan opens the 2005
E-Merging E-Learning conference.
The Rt. Hon. Mike Moore, former WTO Chairman and Prime Minister of New
Zealand, was a keynote speaker at the 2005 E-Merging E-Learning gala dinner.
Now contact your College or University associates
and ensure they become an institutional partner
for next year’s Education Without Borders 2007
International Student Conference! Over 20
international and UAE students are currently
organizing the conference, expected to attract over
500 international students from over 100 countries.
Add another 500 HCT students, international faculty,
business leaders and entrepreneurs and you have a
high-powered environment that changes the lives of
participants. Affectionately referred to as EWB, the
conference is organized by the students for the
students. Replacing the previous three year’s
theme of e-learning will be four key tracks:
1. Inequitable Access to Education and
Technology in a Knowledge Economy
2. Media: A Tool for Social Impact
3. Responding to Natural Disasters
as a Global Community
4. Harnessing Education and
Technology to End Poverty
The latest addition to the event is the faculty track
which encourages faculty to attend the event with
a group of their institutions’ students, with their
own conference sessions and aims. It is expected
the faculty track will add to the academic growth of
EWB. The event will take place at the Emirates Palace
Hotel in Abu Dhabi from 25 to 27 February 2007. In
parallel, there will also be the EWB Forum at the Burj
Al Arab for leading business, political, media and
educational leaders who attend, giving generously of
their time to the students. Speakers such as Sir Terry
Mathews, returning for the second time, recognize
the value the experience imparts to the young future
leader delegates at the conference. Other speakers
confirmed to date include Nik Gowing from the BBC,
Heinrich V. Pierer, former CEO of Siemens, Chris
Cramer, managing director of CNN International, and
many more. Visit www.educationwithoutborders.com
for more information.
Rounding out the major events, a new Sedona
Conversations Conference will be held in Dubai in
May 2007 for Presidents of Universities and Colleges.
It is expected this will follow the publication of a
book Dr Paul Elsner is editing with George Boggs
and Judy Irwin for the American Association of
Community Colleges Press. The book covers over
20 countries’ developments in community college
education (including the UAE), further education,
technical education and polytechnic college systems.
The 2005 Education Without
Borders World Forum.
Al Rawi Magazine • Summer 2006
CERT City aerial view