Humanities & Arts

under the supervision of Ms. Heba – Interpersonal skills

Interpersonal communication

(Wasta) Influence in Gulf countries

Names: Ali Hussain Ahmed – 161420059

Rashed Mohammed – 201410023

‘WAASTA’- hindrance to a beneficial interpersonal communication

About WAASTA

Waasta is an Arabic term which means ‘Who you know’ or a reference. There are many of us who will agree to make good use of a waasta, but there others who will not. Therefore, its disadvantages are heavier than the advantages on the whole.

Opinion

As we are aware, Interpersonal communication is majorly effected by 2 factors:

Cultural factors- includes language, belief systems, morality, perspective, and customs.

Situational factors- include physical and social environments.

It thus made me ponder about the topic Waasta as it has been acting as a barrier between the seeker (without a waasta) and the provider.

Waasta has been actively present around us as a social belief or as a system or fashion.

Thus such kind of hindrance to having a quality and systematic yet moral interpersonal communication led me to this topic.

Therefore in my opinion, the trend that has been spread all around for making good use of an influence shall thus be stopped and monitored so as to stop the misuse and ill practices and also the corruption resulting from it.

About this topic

There is a hand-on experience that I have been through due to lack of waasta. Thus which brings me to put it out in this document and of course through the poster to create an awareness and share my story.

I wanted to start my business for which I needed work permit or license to be attested. Without commenting or pinpointing on where I faced trouble in reaching my goal, I would like my readers to simply know that I wasn’t accepted for the permit due to a lack of an influence with me. Whereas, today in Dubai, I now have my work permit with me and achieved it with full ease even without any additional help of favor from an influence.

There is a system in everything around us. Be it government or at home or at university or work places etc. if this system is well maintained and is equal to all and for all for the ease of the movement then there shall be no problem nor any corruption.

 Disadvantages of Waasta at work

• Good job opportunities are limited and due to it the good living standards or opportunity to have one is lost by the one without an influence
• Waasta destroys the persons skills and ability to make fair efforts at his job due to having the mentality of a having a waasta
• Waasta kills the self-confidence of the person who is taking the waasta and also the one who is not, because who is using a waasta will be dependent on the influence he has and not be confident on his own abilities, also the person who doesn’t have waasta but incurs good capabilities will start to sink with his confidence because of rejection.
• People with an influence start to misuse the power of an influence and take it easy to follow the rules which are meant for all.
• A person who makes use of waasta has to be in an impression of a favor all while long of his service
• Also he becomes more dependent on the influence and causes him to become inefficient and thus not give his best in service.

Conclusion

Thus it is in the hands of new generation to let go off the old trends which can corrode the society and its wellbeing and thus follow a systematic set of rules meant for all from which there is opportunity for all and wellbeing for all as well.

References

Poster created via. https://www.canva.com/design?create&category=tACFat6uXco&referrer=poster-landing-page&utm_source=onboarding

Under the supervision of Faculty Ms. Heba

by Mais Obaji, under the supervision of  Dr. Nahla

AUE and School Outreach

In the belief of the American University in the Emirates in the importance of school outreach, the student Mais Obaji  from the College of Education who works as, High School Academic Advisor and Supervision, facilitated the communication between the AUE and the Dubai Arabian American School.

On Wednesday, 4^th November 2020 the students and parents from Dubai Arabian American Private School had a meeting with the representatives of American University in Emirates Dr. Nahla Moussa, the Department Chair and Ms. Hala Albukhary, College of Education. The meeting targeted the students in Inclusion Department and their parents. An overview about the university admission process was given to these students. They were exposed to different topics that will help and support students in completing their educational journey after graduating from school.

Dr. Nahla Moussa and Ms. Hala Albukhary, gave an outline about the transition from high school to university, the challenges students face, and the possible approaches to overcome these difficulties. It was an introduction of the curricular programs of the university and provision of support to address students’ needs as they enter university life.

Dr. Nahla discussed the 7 colleges and the different programs that the AUE offers and recommendations for admission to activate the students’ recruitment, and she presented helpful tips for successful students such as time management and Ms. Hala talked about the student expectation, and future aspiration.

This webinar gave students tips on how to prepare themselves academically and socially as they decide on viable career path after high school.

The school is looking for a greater collaboration between the SENCO and university to establish a strong relationship with higher education providers to enable students of determination to move into meaningful next steps.

Prepared by

Mais Obaji,

College of Education

191010001

Under the supervision of Faculty Ms. Amani

Students show their creativity in establishing a virtual organization by employing their own core values in the University Life Courses

Under the supervision of Faculty Ms. Amani

Download Presentation

Written by senior student Sara Asender  under the supervision of Dr. Nahla

Educational Psychology & Counseling Program

The Department of Education chaired by Dr. Nahla Moussa hosted their orientation adopting a new idea of “Students-Faculty Gathering Night” virtually for the Fall semester of 2020/2021 in line with the safety measures set during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Department Chair, Dr. Nahla Moussa, started off the gathering by welcoming everyone, presenting a brief talk about the goals of the department of education, congratulating the first graduate student with Bachelor of Educational Psychology and Counseling Fall 2020 , Sara Khalil Asender, and then introducing the agenda for the meeting and introducing all guest speakers. Then the Associate Dean to the College of Education, Dr. Nessrin Shaya, discussed the college’s mission as well as strategic goals that align to ensure delivery of excellent curricula and teaching practices as well as ensuring active engagement of students in community services. She also spoke about AUE’s virtual learning environment that is contemporary in its teaching and learning practices which has elevated the university’s status to become among the top 10 universities in UAE that provide the best online learning services.

Next on the agenda was Ms. Heba Ibrahim, the assistant to the dean. Ms. Heba’s orientation was about plagiarism. Ms. Heba provided a new perspective on the topic by differentiating between knowledge and facts and then encouraging students to find motivation and passion in what they write about to avoid plagiarism. Attendees were then shown a video brought by Dr. Wael Ali, the director of Counseling and Disability Office in AUE, to introduce himself and the department of education. He explained to attendees the role of school counselors in helping students in educational environments and promising students with confidentiality unless they are harming themselves or other people. Finally, we had a guest speaker, Ms. Hiba Bahsoun, the Director of the Inclusion in the Pulse Center for Learning Disabilities and a special education and psychology specialist working with schools and government entities in Dubai. She presented an enlightening talk on the future of counseling career in the UAE. She provided students with detailed options of what to do after graduation, as well as the trending professions in the field. The students were then given a chance to ask questions and have discussions with her.

This orientation was brief and highly informative. Even though we were not able to meet physically like we do every semester, it was pleasant to be able to meet virtually thanks to the excellent services provided by the Department of Education, AUE and the continuous support  that the Department Chair, Dr. Nahla does to achieve the strategic goals and objectives of the Department of Education. It helped eliminate any sense of isolation or boundaries between everyone. May everyone stay positive and test negative!