CEDU

Maryam AlSaabri

AUE, Dubai:

Recently, numerous countries are calling for women empowerment and gender equality. The United Arab Emirates as one of the known leading countries in different sectors is dealing with the concept of “Women Empowerment” as one of the main 21st century challenges that the country would face. In other words, the UAE has not simply redefined the challenge by only setting the targets for that; however, it has started to embed the challenge from the government level to down towards the different sectors, including the private sector.

By 2017, I have read an announcement in one of the Government entities that grabbed my mind, which is:

“According to Dubai Statistics Center, the population size of the Emirate of Dubai is estimated by 2,698,600 individuals at the end of 2016, of whom 1,888,520 are males and 810,080 are females with rate

s of 69.98% and 30.02% respectively of the total population.”

If I will shed the light on females, the numbers are increasing, and the estimated population is still not simple for an Emirate full with opportunities like Dubai, where it is easy to find out the competition between genders in different sectors. Thus, if the given trend carried on, then the vision of having the UAE as a lead country at MENA region that is going to boost its economy through women contribution possibly will be a reality, which will enhance a new dimension of growth.

A proof of the ongoing process of development of women in UAE and their great amount of contribution in building the UAE economy has been realized in 2017, where an upgrade has been implemented and new ministers have been selected as new members at the UAE cabinet by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and four of them are females. Such disruptive shift in trusting women with decision making is leveraging the insights to reveal gender bias and taking actions to inspired conversations and set new expectations that motivate future disruptive change.

Maryam AlSaabri, 26 years old female working as a “Head of Future Fore

sight Section” at the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs. Our entity is a male-dominant entity, which might be a normal thing for a security entity. Nevertheless, the UAE trends and the Dubai Vision is calling for gender equality and the women holding 20% of the lead position in every single entity.

Thus, I believe in gender equality due to its equal opportunity, and fairness. Such workforce diverse will obviously help in better understanding of entity’s requirements and though create innovative solutions to meet these requirements through maintaining the capabilities development among female Emirati leaders in aligned with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to cultivate the knowledge of UAE nationals towards shaping the future of the UAE. It is crucial for us to shape a diversity of perspectives, skills, experiences at various organizations’ culture at all levels (executive, supervisory, and leadership), and in all sectors.

Last but not least, as a “Head of Future Foresight Section” I prefer equipping female leaders with unusual tools and skills in order to help Dubai and the UAE make the unbelievable believable, and the impossible possible. Our female leaders have the high ability in creating a paradigm shift in correlation with how their entities operate, and respond to various unique current and future challenges, just by cultivating a culture of disruptive innovation within their sole.

Dina Ahmed

AUE, Dubai:

The event commenced in the AUE auditorium, where we were honored by the presence and inspirational speeches of our AUE President Professor Muthanna, our Provost Prof. Abhilasha Singh, and our distinguished guests: Mr. Ravi Raman, the Vice President of Khaleej Times, and Mrs. Seta Tutundjian, the Director of partnerships and knowledge management of ICBA. Not only were we grateful and appreciative for gaining special advice and insights into their field of work, but especially for the opportunity to learn from such accomplished individuals within our community. Leading the exhibition, was an eye-opening and visually dynamic project titled ‘Environmental Sustainability and the Future’ presented by key speakers Abdullah and Faiq, among their fellow researchers; Khadidja, Edson, Olla and I.

“The core teachings of the faculty are based upon exploring and bridging the gap between theory and practice,” said Professor Muthanna, President, and CEO of the American University in the Emirates, while talking to media at First Science Exhibition, he adds on  ‘This is the fundamental principle behind the Unlimited Science Exhibition. It takes a semester-long planning for College of Education to organize this exhibition on 26th Nov 2017.

Finally, the highlight of the event was initiated by a ribbon cutting ceremony, that paved the way for student exhibitors to proudly showcased their unique projects. From creative models to exciting experiments, students confidently demonstrated the importance and their understanding of their chosen topic of interest. And most importantly, their semester’s worth of unyielding commitment, dedication, and hard work was evident throughout the exhibition.

This event proved to be a worthwhile learning experience that further refined student research, presentation, and management skills. It was also a wonderful opportunity for them to demonstrate AUE’s core values of ‘Innovation and creativity’, as well as ‘teamwork and partnership’. Ideally, such educational exhibitions are considered to be the perfect occasion that unifies students across various colleges and specializations, under one special concept that we constantly experience in our daily lives – science.

Faiq Shafqat

AUE, Dubai:

On the 17^th of November 2017, I had the privilege and honor of representing the American University in the Emirates at the EEG’s 17^th Inter College Speaking Competition. This was a very valuable and fascinating experience as it merged the idea of saving the environment for the future of the planet, and the idea of academic competition. I was chosen as one of two speakers to engage in competition again several other universities both from the UAE and outside it.

Along with two speakers, we were comprised of a team of fellow students that worked together as researchers, advisers, and supporters. We worked together to gather information and developed our strategy for our presentation. Through teamwork and support and direction from Mrs. Sabina was very useful in motivating us for this challenge.

By participating in this competition I was able to sharpen my public speaking skills as well as become better informed on the seriousness of the topic of the environment. This competition was unique in that, it not only instructed participants to address the problems but also required them to present solutions to these problems. This mentality of rewarding students based on the creativity of their solutions is the key to creating a world where problems are addressed and solutions are discussed.

The Emirate’s Environmental Group did a phenomenal job organizing the competition, and the inspiration that students gained through listening to the hosts’ opening statements was evident. The EEG did a very good job laying down the blueprint of what can be achieved if motivated university students come together to find solutions to an issue. Preparing for this competition would have been a herculean effort if we did not have the guidance and motivation given to us by Mrs. Sabina. All things considered, I believe that this competition helped me have a better understanding of the environment and gave me invaluable experience regarding the task of public speaking.