Three talented HCT media students have had cause for celebration after winning a number of categories in the 2008 Ibda’a Awards.

Khawla Al Marzooqi and Fatima Saleh, from Sharjah

Women’s College, and Abdullah Burfaroosha (pictured left) from

Dubai Men’s College were big winners at this year’s Ibda’a Awards.

For Fatima, who also won last year, it was a double celebration.

Fatima, last year’s winner of the TV Advertising category, won a special award for the Best UAE Project. Her classmate, Khawla, who was competing in the prestigious Ibda’a Awards for the first time, won the award for the best digital photography and Abdullah won

the best TV advertisement.

The awards were presented to the winners by His Highness Sheikh Mansour Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The students were among 42 finalists selected from more than 2200 entries from 25 countries

including many from UAE-based universities and colleges.

In her winning entry entitled ‘Faces’, Khawla brings together the two media of photography and painting to explore different possibilities that such a convergence offers portrait photographers.

“Although, when I was working on my project I was not thinking about any competition or prizes, I am now really happy to see that my work and the support

that I got from my teacher, Mr Shahin, was recognized in such an important way,” Khawla said.

Fatima was back in this year’s competition with yet another public awareness ad entitled ‘Peace For All’. In her work she tries to understand and offer a basis for understanding of the way in which the Arabs and the Muslims are represented by some media outlets.

According to Fatima, the topicality of the issue represented in ‘Peace For All’ was something that she thought could not go unnoticed.

Abdullah won the award for a Dubai Metro advertisement which catches the cosmopolitan spirit of Dubai. Against the backdrop of a Dubai Metro Train, the advertisement shows an Emirati changing into a tourist, a beachgoer and a labourer.

Abdullah, who is currently enrolled in the Applied Media Bachelors program said he was encouraged by the Ibda’a Award and now plans to set up his own production company.

Vol 5 Issue 7, January 2009

Inside

His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Chancellor of the Higher Colleges of Technology, and Rebecca Irvin, Director of Rolex Awards for Enterprise, have signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding which covers a series of activities between the two organizations.

The agreement established the HCT as the institutional partner for the Rolex Awards for Enterprise and the Rolex Middle East Forum which was held on 19 November 2008 in Dubai.

Under the agreement, the HCT provided

logistics arrangements at its campuses for Rolex Forum-related events and secured student participation in the forum.

Rolex shall also secure the active participation of relevant Rolex Awards personalities, such as former or current Laureates in two major HCT events, Education Without Borders and the Festival of Thinkers.

Dr Tayeb Kamali, Vice Chancellor of the Higher Colleges of Technology, said this agreement aimed to meet community needs and encourage initiatives in the area of innovation, as well as providing support to HCT conferences and events.

Inside Pg 4 Pg 6 Pg 10 Pg 12Discovering the worldTrekking the past Celebrating 37 years Countdown to EWB

- Dr Hilton Kolbe & Yousaf Darr

- Reem Saab

our big winnersIbda’a Awards 2009

Rolex partnership to draw big names

(from left) World renowned heart surgeon Sir Magdi Yacoub, HCT Vice Chancellor Dr Tayeb Kamali and CNN International reporter Hala Gorani at the Rolex Middle East Forum.

(from left) Ibda’a Award winners Khawla Al Marzooqi and Fatima Saleh.

2

News

Former Sharjah Men’s College (SMC) Student Council committee member and graduate, Ali Abdalla Ali Al Ansari, has been selected as the recipient of the Nikai Outstanding Student Achievement Award for 2008-09.

The Nikai award, which honors one HCT graduate each academic year, seeks to recognize individuals who have made noteworthy contributions to activities outside the academic curriculum, and who have excelled in their programs as well as their extracurricular activities.

Ali Abdalla, who was an active member of the SMC football team, debating and mathematics teams, now works at Etisalat as a graduate trainee after completing his Higher Diploma in Electronics Engineering Technology.

Upon hearing of his win, Ali thanked Nikai, his family and the HCT for helping him achieve success.

“In addition, I cannot forget my partner, Juma Al-Kitbi, who supported me a lot during the implementation period of the project. It was really great working with him,” Ali said.

Acting Chair of engineering programs at Sharjah Higher Colleges, Arif Karrani said it was an exceptional tribute to an outstanding student.

“Ali’s final year electronics project, which involved the design and construction of a ticketing device for use on public transport systems, provided ample concrete evidence of his rigorous and creative approach to both individual and team projects,” Mr Karrani said.

“The innovative feature of Ali’s ticketing project was the application of a finger print input system in place of the usual card triggered mechanism.”

Ali also managed to squeeze in time for public speaking, which he enjoys and he was a finalist in last year’s Mosaic public speaking finals. Ali also took time out for a trip to China with Huawei Telecomm and he participated in the HCT’s Festival of Thinkers seminar in Dubai.

SMC senior director Dr Farid Ohan welcomed the success at this year’s Nikai awards and said it was yet again an indication of the high standards applicable at Sharjah Higher Colleges.

“Ali’s success is also our success at SMC. We take great pride and joy in the achievements of our students and I extend warmest congratulations to Ali. He has undoubtedly been one of the high achievers of our electronic engineering program,” Dr Farid said.

This edition of Al Rawi highlights the continued success of the Higher Colleges of Technology and those of the students and graduates. We are proud to celebrate our students’ success at the recent Ibda’a Awards and our graduates’ success in being awarded such opportunities as participation in the inaugural Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Scholars program.

It is greatly satisfying to see HCT students and graduates living our messages of continual learning and striving for excellence.

The HCT’s continued adjustment to the needs of the student and employer community is evident in the new programs which began successfully last semester - such as the Executive MBA, and the new engineering programs for women in Fujairah, Abu Dhabi and Al Ain.

Last semester’s success also included the first in HCT’s regional series of EWB Forums, with the North American Forum held in New York in October. I am confident that the next Forum for South Asia to be held in New Delhi, will be similarly successful.

The plans for the rest of the year show no sign of a slower pace, with the Education Without Borders 2009 conference shaping up to be stimulating and productive. Particularly encouraging are the many excellent abstracts submitted by potential student attendees.

With these and numerous other activities being planned, it is certainly another great year for the HCT.

Wishing you all the very best for 2009!

Higher Colleges of Technology Vice Chancellor Dr Tayeb Kamali and Professor Geoffrey Crossick Warden of Goldsmiths, University of London have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to develop a new Master’s in Cultural and Creative Industries program at Abu Dhabi Men’s College to begin in September 2009.

The two-year Master’s in Cultural and Creative Industries program has been designed with the needs of employers in mind, incorporating areas of arts administration as well as cultural and creative industries.

“Our graduates will be equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to lead, innovate and disseminate knowledge in a rapidly emerging employment sector in the UAE,” Dr Kamali said.

“They will form the core of key strategic

decision makers in the functional areas of cultural and creative industries including the management of exhibitions, galleries and events; marketing and media; educational and historical perspectives and project management.”

According to Professor Crossick, Goldsmiths, University of London is delighted to be partnering with Abu Dhabi Men’s College.

“This builds on our acknowledged expertise in the creative industries and through this partnership delivers cutting edge education for the cultural and creative industries in the UAE,” he said.

For more information about the master’s program, contact Lynn Nicks via email lnicks@hct.ac.ae.

Cultural master’s program addresses booming industry

Dr Tayeb Kamali

Sharjah electronics graduate snares top Nikai award

Fatima Khalifa, a senior graphics student in Applied Communications at Sharjah Women’s College, has struck double success by winning the Dolphin graphics award for the second year in a row with a design for an Eid celebration card.

For her excellent work and outstanding graphic design skills, Fatima was awarded the 10,000 dirham first prize.

“I am so happy to have won this competition,” Fatima said. “And to win it two years in a row was a feat beyond my wildest dreams.

“It is all thanks to my graphics teacher Susan de Guzman who encourages me to strive for my best work and to try things that other designers do not think of. She is an inspiration to me and I am very happy to have been taught by her. My success is all due to her skills.”

Dolphin is a major energy

company based in Abu Dhabi and has an annual competition to promote the best graphic design work of students in the GCC.

Sharjah Women’s College senior director Dr Farid Ohan was on hand to deliver the prize and to congratulate Fatima on her success.

“This is another case of our talented graphics department scooping a major prize,” Dr Farid said. “They produce impressive portfolios and it is no accident that our students are rated so highly in competitions across the Gulf region.”

Fatima is looking to complete a bachelor program next year and then she hopes to take on some studio work. In her spare time she already does some graphic designs for a developing studio in Ajman.

Graphic design student enjoys second win

Nothing by Accident

Ali Abdalla Ali Al Ansari, the Nikai Outstanding Student Achievement Award winner.

- Dr Hilton Kolbe

- Dr Hilton Kolbe

- Adele Stevens

Quote“Anyone can be an ACE:Attitude + Commitment = Excellence”

Robert Inman Novelist, Playwright

2009: the pace continues

| Issue 7 | Jan 2009 | Page3

News

Under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Chancellor of the HCT, Abu Dhabi Women’s College (ADWC) held its second annual learning showcase, ‘Ajiyaluna’, on 23 December.

Ajiyaluna, which is Arabic for ‘our generation’, featured dozens of projects and exhibitions by ADWC students. A

highlight was a ceremony in which His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan announced winners of the first ‘Al Khaial Awards’ for student creativity.

In addition to inviting students’ families, the College hosted distinguished guests from throughout the Emirates, including the creator of the hit cartoon Freej, Mohammed Saeed Harib who addressed students at the ‘Al Khaial Awards’ ceremony.

After delivering a warm speech of encouragement and congratulations, His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan presented student Afra Mumtaz Ahmed Ali with the Al Khaial Award for her piano composition entitled “Inspiration”.

Afra’s piece was inspired by this year’s prompt for the Al Khaial creativity contest, which was ‘the key’. Audience members then had the pleasure of hearing Afra Ali

play her composition in a stunning live performance.

Four Al Khaial finalist awards were also presented to Afra Al Mehairi, for her entry “Always Remember”; Abeer Mubarak for “A Prisoner of My God’s Gifts”; Warda Mohammed for “The Keys of Peace”; and to a group of student filmmakers for their video, “The Basement Key”.

- Karen Belnap

Generation finds key to creativity in awards

Abu Dhabi Women’s College (ADWC) graduate Khadijah Al Ameri, who earned her Bachelor Degree in Education in 2008, has been awarded a scholarship from TOTAL to pursue a Master’s Degree at the Université Sorbonne Paris in Paris, France. Khadijah will pursue a graduate degree in International HR Management.

“I heard about this scholarship from a friend and now that I have won I’m hoping that more students will look into this opportunity,” Khadijah said. “I decided to pursue a degree in HR because there is a need in this country for HR personnel, especially in the education field. I want to do what I can to help my country.”

Khadijah says she recognizes the challenges of learning a new language and a new culture while at the same time studying for a degree, but she is ready to face that challenge and succeed.

“I will have to learn the rules and learn how to make it on my own, but I must be independent now. I will have to stand up!” she said.

In addition to her studies, Khadijah will also work for TOTAL, Paris and for L’Oreal, Paris. Khadijah should complete the program by the end of 2009.

Khadijah arrived in Paris at the end of September and almost immediately started classes. Her first class was an intensive French course which further immersed her in the French language and helps her to become more comfortable in speaking the language. Following this course, she will begin classes which are directly related to her field of study.

“My goals in pursuing this opportunity are to become fluent in French, earn my Master’s with a good GPA, and learn how things work in the international market,” Khadijah said. “I’m also hoping that I will have a chance to meet new people, make new connections and make new friends.”

ADWC director Dr Brad Cook congratulated Khadijah on her achievement.

“Khadijah was a star student during her time at ADWC,” Dr Cook said. “Her achievements are a reflection of the quality of her education through HCT and she is a wonderful example to her fellow classmates and to all young Emirati women who are currently pursuing higher education.”

- Stacy Smith

HCT graduate Khadijah Al Ameri is studying in Paris, thanks to dedication, hard work and a TOTAL scholarship.

Parisian dream becomes a reality

HCT special guests

His Majesty Carl XVI Gustaf, the King of Sweden visited Abu Dhabi Men’s College in October. Students presented His Majesty with a framed picture of a falcon in appreciation of his visit.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown was another distinguished visitor at Abu Dhabi Men’s College.

Applied Communications student Khaled Nabeel Al Shamsi interviews University of Oxford Vice Chancellor, Dr John Hood.

4

Student Life

During October, the halls of Al Ain Women’s College were brightly decorated in many shades of pink in support of an important cause which affects many people in some way. In partnership with Tawam Hospital and Johns Hopkins Medicine, the college’s counseling department organized a very successful breast cancer awareness event on campus.

During ‘Pink Day’ all staff, faculty and students were encouraged to wear pink in an effort to raise awareness of breast cancer. About 400 students attended a presentation by Dr Ghuwaya Al Neyadi covering many topics such as the causes of breast cancer, screening, myths, facts, and risk reduction.

There were also several nurses in attendance to answer individual questions and to provide further information.

- Nancy O’Shea

Sharjah Men’s and Women’s Colleges year 3 Bachelor of Education Technology students made a fitting start to their project, ‘GeoCaching Sharjah – Know Your World’, which also coincided with ‘EarthCache Day’. GeoCaching is a high-tech outdoor treasure-hunt played using GPS systems to navigate to a ‘geocache’ or hidden treasure.

The aim of the ‘GeoCaching Sharjah - Know your World’ project, according to their teacher Karen O’Donnell, is to set up GeoCaches, many of them virtual so as not to disturb the local environs, at important historical landmarks, cultural sites, geo-scientific features etc around Sharjah.

GeoCachers search for these usually well-hidden caches, sign the logbook, swap trinkets and leave the cache where it is. The GeoCaching basic rule is that GeoCachers return to the website where they got the GeoCache co-ordinates and post a blog about the adventure, often adding photos without giving the location away.

For more information about GeoCaching visit www.geocaching.com/.

- Dr Hilton Kolbe

GeoCaching - a modern take on an old pastime

After a four-week period of Jewellery Making and Design workshops, Ras Al Khaimah Women’s College Diploma Year 1 students revealed their entrepreneurial spirit by opening their own small business during the college’s Business Fair Week.

The students bought beads, designed and made jewellery, priced the finished pieces and presented them. All of the jewellery was sold out on the second day of the Fair.

Joanne Rowe, the Chair of Diploma Year 1 was delighted at the level of commitment and enthusiasm of the students involved. She said it was innovations like this that helped give the students a more practical perspective of the potential of small businesses for women.

Budding entrepreneurs shine

Tradition meets hi-tech onhistoric desert caravan trek

Thinking pink for a worthy cause

Twelve Sharjah Men’s College (SMC) students set off on a desert camel caravan expedition from Dibba to Sharjah, travelling in the tradition of their forefathers but with a bit of help using modern technology to guide them through the heavy terrain.

The camel caravan set off on 22 November in the foothills of the Hajar Mountains and ended at the college on 29 November, in time for National Day celebrations.

The purpose of the journey, the first of its kind by HCT, was for students to experience Sharjah emirate’s outstanding and diverse natural beauty and celebrate this nation’s heritage that makes students ‘Proudly Emirati’, the theme of Mosaic 2009.

In the ways of the traditional Bedouin, the students trekked through wadis, cut through the striking Hajar Mountains, crossed savannah-type plains and a vast sea of sand that is synonymous with the United Arab Emirates.

SMC engineering’s technical adviser Afaf Melika came up with the idea for tracking the camel ride using personal locator devices.

The GPS device sent their position via a GSM module to the internet, where the route could be monitored using Microsoft Virtual Earth on the college internet portal.

The trek was led by Sharjah Higher Colleges’ sports coordinator David Jenns and IT faculty member Dr John Raven.

The camel caravan expedition revisited the ways of the traditional Bedouin.

Day three of the camel trek. Sharjah colleges sports coordinator David Jenns joined the students on the trek.

The expedition comes to an end as it enters the college.

- Dr Hilton Kolbe

- Joanne Rowe

| Issue 7 | Jan 2009 | Page5

Student Success

The nomination process for the Sheikh Mohamed Bin

Zayed University Scholars program required you

to write an essay on reasons why you wish

to become a Scholar. What reasons did you state?

I stated that I always believed I could achieve more. I tend to delve into matters and gain a deep understanding of problems, which enables me to experiment with troubleshooting and problem solving. The beautiful coincidence is that before I joined HCT, my dream was to study in New York University (NYU) in the USA. Somehow, this dream did not materialize. Yet now I was selected to join the Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed University Scholars program, which is a major initiative of NYU Abu Dhabi Institute, to be established in 2010.

What challenges are you facing in the Scholars program?The basic challenge is that all my colleagues are outstanding and highly competent, which motivates me to excel and go beyond the expectations of the program. I always like to assess and improve my level and skills.

Another challenge is the long reading assignments. In the beginning we were assigned to read 20 pages, and now we have to read 130 pages. The vocabulary is often difficult as legal and technical language is used.

As part of the Scholars program, you will be travelling to New York and Washington DC in January. What will be the most exciting part of this trip for you?I was so impressed when I viewed the U S trip schedule, especially that the trip coincides with the US President Inauguration Proceedings. Frankly, I am eager to enjoy every experience, like the meeting with US Supreme Court Associate Justice, the visits to Congress and museums, watching a Broadway award-winning musical, etc. It is a one-of-a-kind enriching opportunity.

What do you believe is the special feature of the HCT?Most of the teachers are qualified and if the student is keen to learn more, many are wholeheartedly willing to give him extra support and time outside the classroom.

I feel the HCT is a microcosm and I like the fact that all HCT students are nationals. My view is not based on prejudice. It is just that outside the college we mix with non-nationals most of the time because we constitute 20% of the UAE population. At the HCT we can relate to each other and have common interests and aspirations.

What is your recipe for excellence?Pursuit of knowledge is my distinctive trait, as well my keenness to develop everything. I believe that commitment and good time management are also essential.

It is also important to pick a comfortable place and setting to study and get the best results. I usually get bored of one place, so I pick different places that make me feel at ease. Sometimes I take my laptop to the Corniche.

If you were to rewind, going back to the first two years of college, what would you change?I would take more breaks. I used to overwork and exhaust myself. I would have also liked to be more sociable the first year of college.

Another thing is that I only learned to say “No” last year. I would have liked to please less. With time, we set our priorities and learn what is important.

Who has helped you to move beyond what you thought you could do and showed you the bigger picture? My family in general and my father in particular. He always supported me whenever I discussed with him any educational experience. His motto is “anything for learning”. He supported me when I joined the eight-month course Microsoft Certified System Engineer (MCSE). When it comes to recreation, he obliges but does not spoil us at all. I am proud to say that excellence is a family tradition. My brother received the Hamdan Bin Rashed Excellence Award and my father was recognized as a distinguished parent in the same award for the same year.

What suggestions can you make for improving academic or student life at the HCT?I would stress the importance of recruiting qualified teachers who are professional and objective with students. I also suggest focusing on Arabic language courses to allow students to maintain and improve their Arabic language skills, as I started to forget Arabic grammar in the absence of recommendations for good books and extra courses.

Under the Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed University Scholars Program:Reaching beyond expectations

Fujairah Women’s College’s first photography competition, entitled ‘The Smile’, attracted more than 90 entries and it was a tough decision for judges to choose the winners.

The competition was for all HCT students and held with the support of the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation. Of the 90 plus entries, 50 were chosen for an exhibition held on 10 and 11 November.

The judges for the competition were Jasim Al Awadi, Director of the International Abu Dhabi Photography Association, Saeed Al Shamsi, author of “Trip in a Desert”, and Adeeb Shabaan, Director of the Arab Photographers Union.

The winners were:

First Place - Ali Hassan, Fujairah Men’s College

Second Place - Samir Al Jabri, Abu Dhabi Men’s College

Third Place -Maryam Al Zeyoudi, Fujairah Women’s College.

Competition unearths talented photographers

Al Rawi’s Reem Saab interviewed Sami Husain Mohamed Husain Al Marzouqi, a Bachelor of Business Administration (General) student at Dubai Men’s College. Sami received a Higher Diploma in Business and Management (Financial Services) with Distinction. He was selected, along with 15 other students from UAE University, Zayed University and the Higher Colleges of Technology, to be a part of the inaugural class of the Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed University Scholars program, whose purpose is to recognize outstanding students in the UAE and provide them with special academic and leadership opportunities.

First Place

Second Place

Third Place- Shaikah Al Kindi

6

Global Highlights

Students from three HCT women’s colleges were introduced to Japanese culture when they participated in separate study trips in November.

Four students from the Madinat Zayed and Al Ruwais Women’s colleges spent nine days in Japan thanks to the generous sponsorship of the Western Region Development Council, while Fujairah Women’s College students undertook a two-week trip.

The four Madinat Zayed and Al Ruwais students visited Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. In Tokyo, they presented at the Asian Youth Forum before an audience of over 100 people from 15 different countries including Russia, China, India and the Philippines.

One HCT student, Sara Abdulla, said, “We taught them a lot of things about our country including some Arabic. This trip was useful for me and I gained a lot of information and a lot of friends also.”

From Tokyo they boarded the famous bullet train whisking them past Mount Fuji and down to the old capital of Kyoto. In Kyoto, they toured the city and stayed at a traditional Japanese inn where they dined on dishes such as sushi, tempura and fried tofu.

Their second presentation on the Bedouin culture at Osaka Jogakuin Women’s College attracted their largest audience with over 200 fascinated attendees.

Their final presentation was given at one of the top universities in Japan to an audience of over 100 people. The presentation delved deeply into the environmental and economic aspects of solar energy and was well received by all in attendance.

The Fujairah students also visited many cities, such as Hiroshima, Osaka, Kyoto, Tokyo, and Niigata, where they had the chance to practice what they learnt in the Japanese

Club while living with a Japanese family for three days.

The students spent one day at Niigata Chuo High School where they attended classes, a tea ceremony and calligraphy club activities. They gave a presentation about Fujairah, FWC, and the UAE to students and teachers.

Another highlight was taking a tour of the Niigata

Animation College where they talked with students about their work. They got to practice making their own animation sketches with a teacher.

The group also attended a Kimono-fitting party and gave their thanks by presenting their Japanese hosts with traditional Emirati clothing.

Eight Dubai Women’s College students spent a week in China participating in an innovative training program with technology giant Huawei Technologies.

The Bachelor and Higher Diploma level students studied Datacom technologies including network fundamentals and basic routing technologies which are intended for first line field technicians, commission and testing IT specialists.

During the training program, which was fully funded by Huawei, the students were based at Huawei headquarters in Shenzhen and were introduced to robotic techniques,

product checking points and the data centre.

They also had the opportunity to experience Chinese hospitality and learn more about the Chinese cultre.

Earlier this year, a group of 12 male HCT students participated in a two-week training program.

The training program was prepared after careful evaluation of the skills and requirements of the participating students in order to make sure it added value to their IT skills.

- Jennifer George

HCT Applied Media Studies students in the Higher Diploma and Bachelor programs left a positive impression at the Americas Congress II in Mexico City in October, demonstrating the creative talents of UAE media students.

The short films, video documentaries, animation, and graphic design projects presented were related to the theme of the conference, ‘Exploring Media Convergence, Public Communication, and Intercultural Communication’, provoking intense dialogue between the students and an international audience.

The participants described the event as a fantastic once-in-a-lifetime experience, which gave them the opportunity to exhibit their work to a global audience and network consisting of renowned educators and professionals from different parts of the world.

Many international institutions also

expressed a keen interest in developing a relationship with the HCT.

The following HCT Media students presented at the Congress:

• Waleed Masood Abdullah Badr, Dubai Men’s College: Demented Whispers (Short film)

• Abdulhanan Asghar Mohammed Dad Kareem, Abu Dhabi Men’s College: Abu Dhabi Style (Video documentary)

• Shaima Ali Abdulla Ali Ahmed Al Maisari, Abu Dhabi Women’s College: Combine Arabic Calligraphy and Typography; Type in motion (Graphic Design)

• Noura Mohamed Ali Mohamed, Sharjah Women’s College: A Day in the Life of a Cleaner (Video documentary)

• Khadija Hussain Hassan Ahmad Abdulla, Dubai Women’s College: Color (Animation).

A genuine Japanese experience enjoyed by all

Huawei training program success

Media students promote intercultural dialogue in Mexico City

Madinat Zayed College student Hamla Al Mansoori immerses herself in Japanese culture.

Year two Dubai Men’s College Applied Communications students Yasser Al Khayat, Sultan Saleh, and Marwan Al Zarooni, travelled to Mumbai, India in November to attend the Global Millenium Development Goals Summit, organized by the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA).

The Global Millennium Development Goals Summit encourages young leaders to use their innovation, creativity and practical knowledge to achieve the

WFUNA Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015. MDGs are set by the United Nations as targets that the world must achieve in order to control globally pervasive problems.

The students produced a five-minute documentary as part of the conference, which will be showcased at a film festival in New York, providing a deep understanding of a global problem and an opportunity to capture “real” on “reel”.

Global issues on spotlight at summit

Shamsa Mohamed Saeed Sulaiman Al Mazrooei and a Japanese host exchange traditional clothing.

Alia Aref Al Sheikh participated in the Huawei program.

-Yousaf Darr

- Majeda Humeida and Keith Hill

| Issue 7 | Jan 2009 | Page7

Star Alumni

How did your academic preparation at the HCT contribute to your professional success?The HCT was the first higher education institution in the UAE to introduce the aviation program. Our main concern as students was the small aviation industry in the UAE. The only prospective employers were GAMCO, Emirates Aviation Services and Abu Dhabi Aviation. I vividly remember the inspiring words of Dr Tayeb Kamali, who was Head of the Aviation Program at the time, “We are the untouchables”. He encouraged us to continue in the program despite the limited opportunities.

I applied to GAMCO after graduation with a few other HCT avionics graduates. We were interviewed three times. They were impressed with our theoretical knowledge and our ability to draw diagrams often used in manuals. Yet, they recruited us reluctantly because they placed more value on qualifications earned abroad in this specialization. Six months after joining GAMCO more tests were administered to assess our performance level, and I can proudly say that we got the highest scores.

Due to my academic preparation at the HCT and professional success at GAMCO, the General Civil Aviation Authority approached me to offer me employment. I have been recently elected official spokesman of GCAA and was one of 30 selected out of 130 candidates to join the UAE Future Government Leaders one-year program designed to train us how to be successful leaders.

Having returned to the HCT after so many years to pursue your MBA, what are the developments that you have observed? Are you satisfied with your MBA program?When I first joined the HCT, faculty members were qualified, but their teaching experience was not so wide. In my present HCT experience, I particularly observed the extensive and rare experience of HCT faculty members. I can relate to them and benefit from their knowledge and expertise. For example, one teacher discussed with me an effective HR system, and I have made a proposal to GCAA to adopt this system.

I also observed the higher level of English language and advanced technical

information among HCT students. There are many qualified HCT graduates working at GCAA, three of whom are working in my department.

A survey conducted by Ascend, the world’s provider of information and consultancy to the global aerospace industry, asked industry professionals from around the world to identify the significant risks to improved aviation safety. Some major threats were “a shortage of experienced personnel” and “fatigue”. What are your views in this regard?I think that the two threats mentioned in this survey are linked. Due to the shortage of aviation engineers around the world, these professionals are overworked, which leads to fatigue and fatal mistakes. We need to limit their working hours and give them enough days to rest whenever they are exhausted. A combination of problems piles up to cause major accidents. We call it the “Iceberg Theory”. The Human Factor System used to measure the performance of pilots and cabin crew will be also applied to engineers.

How are the recommendations of the first Middle East Aviation Safety Summit of 2008 being implemented?Addressing the fatigue problem as mentioned above was one of the recommendations carried out. Another

issue addressed was the Safety Management System. We have decided to be proactive by inviting institutions in the Aviation industry to approach us and bring forth their problems so that we would investigate to find the causes of the problems and find suitable solutions. In order to encourage them to be open we assure them that no penalties will be imposed for any violations or mistakes.

It was said that the Middle East will be at the forefront of the Next Generation Aviation Evolution. What is this premise based on?Our geographical location is a blessing as we are in the middle between East and West, which makes it faster and easier to meet customer needs and deliver orders. For example, many manufacturers, like Boeing, have decided to have their assembly lines in the UAE because of the strong infrastructure. The UAE provides facilities, communication and technology to companies, which is not secured by other countries.

What is the status of aviation research at GCAA?We are planning to establish a research unit in the future. At present, we support external research projects. We supported a research conducted in Al Ain. Airbus A380, which is the biggest in the world, selected the UAE to test the aircraft performance in hot countries. The UAE is the number two user of this aircraft after Singapore.

Graduates soar to success in major UAE institutionsAl Rawi’s Reem Saab spoke with the Director of Aviation Safety and Security at the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Mr Aws Najem Al Khanjari. Aws has more than 16 years of experience in the Aviation Industry. Since joining GCAA eight years ago he has successfully increased the efficiency of performance of the Aviation Safety and Security Department in accordance with international standards. Prior to his career at GCAA, he was a Certified Engineer at GAMCO. He received a Higher Diploma in Avionics with Honors from Abu Dhabi Men’s College in 1992, and is now pursuing his Executive MBA at the HCT.

Yousif Amin Mohamed Yousif is a man with a passion for entrepreneurship, and it was this passion that drove him to not only undertake the Higher Colleges of Technology’s (HCT) inaugural master’s program, but to graduate with a Distinction with Highest Honors.

According to Yousif, the major appeal of the Master’s in Innovation and Entrepreneurship (MIE) program was the access to high calibre entrepreneurial professionals.

“When I first looked at doing the program, it seemed to be very professional with world class teachers from Stanford and MIT,” Yousif said.

“Another appeal was that one of the program aims is to empower UAE nationals through independent thought so that we can further our careers and lives.

“One aspect of the program I gained the most from was the study of innovation pioneers, such as the creators of Google, and how they started.

“It helped me realize that the UAE has specific strengths and how to use those strengths to our

advantage.

“This is the kind of master’s that will not just hang on a wall. It is very practical,” he said.

Yousif currently works in the planning unit of the Department of Municipal Affairs in Abu Dhabi and also established the first Emirates Society of Entrepreneurship which aims to promote entrepreneurship in the UAE. He plans to implement the skills and knowledge he has gained through the master’s program while he works on his next project, setting up municipal councils of Abu Dhabi.

Owing to the success of the MIE, the program has been restructured as an Executive Master’s in Business Administration (EMBA) to enable students to focus on critical areas of business including corporate finance, international business, HR management and engineering management.

To find out more information about the EMBA, visit www.hct.ac.ae/masters.

- Jennifer George

First master’s cohort graduates

Vanderbilt students joined Professor Dr David Parsley (seated, centre) at the HCT to learn more about its Executive MBA program.

8

Academic Highlights

In 2008, 4,715 graduates were awarded degrees in Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Higher Diploma, Bachelors, and Masters across the 16 colleges in the seven emirates in various academic divisions.

Each year the HCT community rallies to administer the Graduate Survey to its most recent cohort of graduates.

They overwhelmingly agreed that they are satisfied with the academic preparation they received at their college. Over 90% responded positively to the question, “Are you satisfied with

the level of academic preparation you received at the HCT?”

The facts and figures of the HCT reflect the continuing positive contribution to the UAE community. All graduates are UAE nationals, thus the data confirms the HCT’s impact on the emiritization of the workforce and the development of the nation.

Graduate survey results and Academic Facts and Figures are on the HCT website, www.hct.ac.ae.

The HCT has made significant progress in both program accreditation and institutional accreditation over the past year to ensure the HCT provides international standards for its students.

Program accreditation is a process where an external team of experts assesses the programs against a set of standards related to best practice so that we can demonstrate that our programs are comparable to high international standards.

The HCT has achieved a reaffirmation of accreditation for its business programs through the US Association of Collegiate Business Programs and Schools (ACBSP) following an accreditation visit in March 2008. The HCT received a 10-year certificate as recognition of its long term relationship with this North American accreditation organization.

The HCT’s Information Technology programs are in the process of re-accreditation with the Canadian Information Processing Society (CIPS) following an initial visit in March 2008 and a further visit in November 2008. The visit was very positive with encouraging feedback from the Canadian team, which is currently preparing a report on their findings.

The HCT Teacher Education program has been accepted as a candidate for accreditation from the US Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC), following a visit from the President of TEAC in October 2008. The Teacher Education Program was certified as equivalent to the University of Melbourne program following a visit in March 2008.

The Applied Communication programs have been evaluated for re-accreditation by the American Communications Association (ACA) following a visit in April 2008, which resulted in the re-approval of the Higher Diploma program.

Two Health Division programs were benchmarked against standards at the US University of Oklahoma in May 2008 and the HCT is currently negotiating with two accreditation agencies for program accreditation.

The Engineering Division is currently preparing for an accreditation application to the UK Engineering Accreditation Board.

The HCT has also developed an online quality improvement system (QIS) where quality improvement will be integrated through the collection and reporting of data, including feedback from student evaluations on courses, programs and services, in addition to graduate surveys. This is a great opportunity for students to assist the HCT to improve its programs and services to students.

The HCT is also seeking institutional accreditation through the Northwest Commission of Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). The President of NWCCU will be visiting the HCT in early 2009 to begin formal discussions on the accreditation process following discussions during 2008.

Two Ruwais teachers have developed a new approach to helping students overcome the challenge of working and communicating in English.

The Ruwais College Integrated Speaking Project, conceived by Jill and Keith Hill, challenges students to analyse a topic from as many angles as they can, write about each of those angles in a brief paragraph, come up with a visual representation for each of their ideas and finally explain and discuss their topic via the medium of a poster presented to an outside audience.

Along the way the students develop critical thinking skills, build their own lexical resource, learn to evaluate and edit their own work and engage in a great amount of peer teaching as they develop the skills to create and support their product.

The project has successfully shown that providing students with this kind of project based

activity which involves them in critically examining a self selected topic in detail to create a high-quality presentation for an audience beyond the classroom has the power to engage, motivate and make successes out of Diploma Foundation students.

The results have never failed to impress. The two projects now completed in Ruwais College have culminated in Speaking Days at which the Diploma Foundations students have presented their topics via a Poster Gallery to students from Madinat Zayed College, a wide range of Ruwais and MZ teachers and support staff, members of the community and students from local secondary schools.

Owing to the success of projects recently completed at Ruwais College, the project will be incorporated into the Diploma Foundations year 2 curriculums at the Ruwais and Madinat Zayed campuses from February 2009.

Celebrating innovative teaching and learningAccreditiation means higher quality education

Graduates agree: HCT preparation is best

38.77%

2.97%

10.27%28.34%

2.27%

12.79%

4.60%

BusinessApplied CommunicationWork ReadinessInformation TechnologyEducationEngineeringHealth Science

The HCT has addressed the demand for engineering programs at three additional colleges, with the first cohorts commencing courses this academic year at the Fujairah Men’s and Women’s Colleges, Abu Dhabi Women’s College and Al Ain Women’s College.

In Fujairah, the program is the first to be offered on the east coast of the United Arab Emirates. According to Dr Neil Mickleborough, bringing an engineering technology program to Fujairah was one of his main aims when he transferred from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah Men’s and Women’s Colleges.

“The new programs are a powerful symbol of the HCT’s dedication to supply the needs of industry and government across the UAE”, Dr Mickleborough said.

Jon Orthmann, Program Chair at Al Ain Women’s College said it was

wonderful to see the students so enthusiastic about the program.

“Last year when we introduced the idea we ran an Engineering Club to give students hands-on experience in working with things such as building circuits, using electronics equipment and soldering,” Mr Orthmann said.

“We weren’t sure how the students would respond to these types of activities but as it turned out they really liked them and proved very capable. We hope this program will grow and become one of the flagship offerings of our college.”

When asked why she chose this program to study, Al Ain Women’s College student Eiman Mohammed Al Mulla said she liked science and practical lessons.

“Since I was a child I liked playing

with electronics. I am hoping to get a job related to my field of study where sitting behind an office desk isn’t all I do,” Eiman said.

Shahera Matar Al Amimi said she chose the program because there were not many women in engineering in the UAE and felt it was an “inescapable part of modern culture” that UAE women take on such roles.

Abu Dhabi Women’s College Professional Programs Dean Rula Abbas Kayyali said the college’s Higher Diploma in Electronics Engineering program was proving popular with students.

“We currently have one section of students who are about to finish semester one of the program, and the students are very excited about the program,” Mrs Kayyali said.

Meeting a growing demand for engineering in the Emirates

Al Ain engineering student Sumaya Saeed.

Breakdown of graduates per academic division

-Renee Burt

- Peter Scanlan

-Tonia Mordovanakis and Krystyna Krol

- Keith Hill

| Issue 7 | Jan 2009 | Page9

Community Focus

Media specialists from all over the world participated in the two-day ‘Electronic Media: Challenges and Opportunities’ conference hosted by the Higher Colleges of Technology, in association with elaph.com.

The conference was held in Abu Dhabi Men’s College and Dubai Men’s College on 16 and 17 November and addressed the changing face of media, now and in the future.

In his keynote address, His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Chancellor of the Higher Colleges of Technology and Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research said the growth of electronic media was a reflection of a world that is driven by continued advances in technology.

“In this ever-changing environment, we must be both responsive and visionary as we define the role of national and international media in a global society,” HE Sheikh Nahayan said.

Throughout the conference lively discussions took place addressing topics such as the way communication with readers has changed, the need for and examples of new business models and the role of journalists in the online world.

Conference participants came from a wide variety of backgrounds, from publishers, editors, and journalists, to technical experts, students and entrepreneurs, thus allowing fascinating conversations on a wide range of themes.

Conference focuses on future of online media

Fourteen students of the CERT Food Inspection program at Al Ain Men’s College have become the first group from the United Arab Emirates to participate in the World Water Monitoring Day initiative.

World Water Monitoring Day (WWMD) is an international educational and outreach program that builds public awareness and involvement in protecting water resources around the world.

It aims to develop community awareness about water ecosystems and to encourage people to protect our valuable water resources.

As part of their studies in the Food Inspection program students take courses in ecology, microbiology, science, environmental monitoring and environmental chemistry in the first year.

Water samples were collected from various sites around the UAE and GPS was used to record the exact location of each sampling site.

Students tested water samples in the field

for dissolved oxygen, pH (number of hydrogen ion concentration), turbidity (clarity) and temperature using a water testing kit from the WWMD organisers in the United States.

In the CERT laboratory, students carried out further tests on the water samples for nitrites, nitrates, molybdenum, fluoride and sulphates.

Over a period of time participating groups will be able to observe any changes in water quality at their collection sites. These results could then be used to initiate more sophisticated testing programs.

Once the results are submitted to WWMD, the UAE will be included on the list of participating countries.

It is hoped that more groups in the UAE will join the WWMD program, so that next year more sites can be sampled, including every emirate in the nation.

- Mark Suares

UAE first in water monitoring initiative

Students from the Sharjah English School were the first official visitors to the newly opened planetarium at Sharjah Women’s College when they were introduced to astronomy and viewed a selection of stars, planets and the UAE night sky.

The students were impressed by the facilities and enjoyed the visit. Scott Reynolds, a Year 8 student, said he was surprised to see such fine details on the planets and the film from space.

“This is a great facility. More people should enjoy it. I just wish our school can come over here once a week to see the interesting features,” he said.

SHCT planetarium coordinator Marc Rouleau said it was a pleasure to welcome the first group of school students to the planetarium.

“We have so much going on here and we would like to see many more schools in the region take up this opportunity to visit the planetarium. All that is needed is a phone call and a booking.

“The 12.2 meter, 100-seat planetarium theatre offers ‘out-of-this world’ programs. And we are looking to share this cutting edge technology with Sharjah schools with an innovative plan to enrich the learning experiences of Emirati students.

“See the stars the way our ancestors did, from a nice dark, clear sky. With the latest Spitz projection system, the night sky can be recreated for any place on Earth and for any time in the past, present, and future.

For more information and for bookings, visit shcplanetarium.hct.ac.ae/planetarium/ or contact Planetarium coordinator Marc Rouleau at 06 505 4723 or email marc.rouleau@hct.ac.ae.

- Dr Hilton Kolbe

Sharjah Planetarium welcomes first visitors

Testing water samples in the Al Ain Men’s College laboratory.

International professionals discuss the future of media.

Dubai Men’s College participated in the Emirates Environmental Group’s annual ‘Clean Up the UAE’ campaign on 18 December. Forty students and teachers joined volunteers from other educational institutions and private companies at the Al Khawaneej site. In less than an hour the participants collected a huge pile of trash consisting of glass bottles, cans, rope, plastic pipes, plastic bags and even car tyres.

Environment winner after clean up

- Susan O’Brien

10

Our HCT

Samira Mohammed Abdulla Husain Kahrabar MarzouqiHigher Diploma in Information TechnologyAl Ain Women’s College

What’s the best book you’ve read lately?‘Twilight’ by Stephanie MeyerWhat was your most memorable birthday and why? My 20th birthday, which was the first day of Ramadan. Because I am the eldest daughter my family celebrated the day by offering me a big party inviting most of my friends and relatives.What was a highlight for you in 2008?Being elected as the President of Student Council Association at AAWC.What are you looking forward to in 2009?Continuing my studies for a better future. I am also looking forward to the birth of my eldest brother’s first-born baby. What’s your favourite day of the week and why? Thursday is my best day of the week because by the end of this day and after a very busy week, I can relax, rest and get ready for the weekend.

37th National Day Celebrations

Al Rawi Fast Five

Al Rawi is giving away one iPod Shuffle to an HCT student who answers the following five questions correctly. Simply correctly answer the following questions about articles in this edition of Al Rawi and email your answers to alrawi@hct.ac.ae by 14 February 2009. Good luck!

1. What is the theme of Mosaic 2009?

2. How many HCT students won an Ibda’a Award this year?

3. Which college hosted a jewellery workshop recently?

4. In what year will the next Education Without Borders student conference be held?

5. Name one of the recent special visitors to the HCT.

Win an iPod Shuffle!

Abu Dhabi Women’s College.

Sharjah Higher Colleges.

Fujairah Women’s College.

Abu Dhabi Men’s College.

Dubai Women’s College.

Each year, the United Arab Emirates’ National Day on 2 December sees an outpouring of national pride throughout the country, and this was the case across all the campuses of the HCT. This year’s 37th National Day celebrations included traditional yola dancing, poetry recitals and bazaars. Some colleges saw it as a time to give back to the community. Sharjah Colleges invited guests from the Sharjah Old People’s House to share in the celebrations and Abu Dhabi Women’s College shared their day with special needs children and orphans. They also raised funds to help support needy families. Central Services, Abu Dhabi.

Opinions expressed in Al Rawi do not necessarily represent those of the HCT or the editorial team. Information is correct at the time of going to print.Send articles or comments to: alrawi@hct.ac.ae

PUBLISHERHigher Colleges of TechnologyCentral Services PO Box 25026Abu DhabiUnited Arab Emirates

| Issue 7 | Jan 2009 | Page11

Sports

The Higher Colleges of Technology has thrown its support behind the 2009 Arabian Corporate Games by hosting a number of events at Dubai Men’s College as well as being home to the Games’ administration centre, known as the SuperCentre.

The Arabian Corporate Games will be held in Abu Dhabi and Dubai from 8 to 11 April 2009 and aims to bring together teams from workplaces from all over the Gulf to compete in team sports such as badminton, basketball, cricket, dragon boat, tennis, volleyball, table tennis, golf and volleyball.

Corporate Games have been held all over the world since 1993, and this is the first time in the Middle East.

At the launch of the Arabian Corporate Games at Abu Dhabi Men’s College in November, Ben Sedgemore of World Cup Games in England announced that the primary charity for all funds raised would be the Al Noor Training Centre for Special Needs in Dubai.

“These Games not only provide the perfect opportunity to create employee confidence and team spirit, they also give us the opportunity to give back to the communities in which we reside and those causes that need our help,” he said.

Entry forms for events must be lodged before 18 March 2009. Visit www.corporate-games.com for entry details.

UAE to host first Corporate Games

Under the auspices of World Challenge, Dubai Women’s College (DWC) has launched its first World Challenge-Adventure Quest Program, a team building program which focuses on the basic elements of teamwork, leadership, communication, time management, problem solving and respect for others.

The launch of the program on 11 November was attended by Sheikha Shamsa Bint Hasher Bin Mana’a Al-Maktoum, Head of Women’s Volleyball Committee in the United Arab Emirates, and several representatives from World Challenge.

Adventure Quest, run by DWC’s qualified and trained health and physical education staff, comprises five elements consisting of action zones, climbing walls, low ropes, high ropes and initiative and problem solving tasks.

In action zones, teams are challenged to solve physical and mental problems chosen specifically to meet students’ training needs. Time limits are set to put the student under pressure and enhance decision making.

At climbing walls, students use two 12-meter high climbing walls designed specifically for beginners and

intermediate climbers with over 20 routes. The purpose is to challenge the whole team to get one person to the top.

Students also have access to low ropes where more than 70 metres of roped problems have to be solved involving balance, coordination and trust. Success on the high ropes heavily depends on good team communication and leadership and involves teams climbing to the top of a giant ladder.

Leadership and teamwork tested in World Challenge Program

This year’s Al Ain Men’s College Sports Day coincided with the 37th UAE National Day celebrations. It was a day of fierce competition where departments competed against one another in football, basketball, volleyball, tennis, table tennis, darts, billiards, baby football and chess.

Students, staff and faculty kick-started the celebrations on the football field in the morning. The departments proudly sported their colours: Diploma Foundations (blue), Higher Diploma Foundations (green), Engineering (red), IT (black), Business (white), and CERT (orange).

Many students came attired in traditional clothing with national day pins and scarves. Al Ain Colleges’ Director, Brent Mills, congratulated the students on the occasion of UAE National Day and praised the country for being a model of multi-cultural diversity and progress.

After the opening ceremonies, faculty and staff engaged in a tug-of-war competition against the students, who won with their strength and youth!

Overall winners on the day were the Higher Diploma Foundations with 36 points followed by the Business department with 32 and Engineering with 28. Higher Diploma Foundations also won the overall house trophy last year so this was their second year as overall champions on Sports Day. Diploma Foundations followed with 27 points, a good finish compared with their last place the previous year. Both IT and CERT tied for fifth place with 20 house points each.

Fierce competition on National Day

Abu Dhabi Men’s College students undertake intensive golf lessons by PGA professionals at Abu Dhabi Golf Club, courtesy of Standard Chartered Bank. The lessons were offered in the lead up to the 2009 Abu Dhabi Golf

Championship. Abu Dhabi Women’s College students also participated.

- Jennifer George

- Mark Suares

- Rajaa Abu-Jaber

Al Ain Men’s College students fight it out on the volleyball court.

Sharjah Men’s College students took out the individual and team categories at the Fujairah 5km Road Race.

12

News

On 21 October 2008, the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT), in conjunction with the Institute of International Education (IIE), hosted the first North American Regional Forum of Education Without Borders at IIE’s New York City headquarters.

The day-long forum brought together an impressive group of leaders from North American colleges and universities to discuss the issues and challenges of globalization that face educators today. With the theme “Reframing Higher Education: North American Perspectives on Internationalization and Globalization”, college and university presidents participated in high level panel discussions on such topics as:

• Branch campuses in the Middle East

• Preparing students for employment in the global marketplace

• Trends in the recruitment of international students, and

• Accreditation processes and transfer ability across countries.

The panels were moderated by journalists who specialize in international and education issues.

The next regional forum will take place in New Delhi in February 2009. This South Asia Forum will provide opportunities for South Asian educators and university leaders to share in a discussion of the major issues facing global leaders of education. The Forum will incorporate a series of panel discussions allowing participants to consider their own institution’s response to the globalization challenge.

The Higher Colleges is also preparing for the next EWB World Forum, which will be held on 31 March, 2009 at the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, UAE, in conjunction with the EWB International Student Conference.

Regional forums are also being planned for the Far East, Europe, South America and Australasia.

Preparations for the fifth biennial Education Without Borders conference, to be held in Abu Dhabi and Dubai in March, 2009, are well underway.

Education Without Borders (EWB) is an international student conference, held every two years in the UAE. His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Chancellor of the Higher Colleges of Technology stressed the conference’s importance in allowing dialogue and serious work among students worldwide.

He noted that the conference has grown and developed over the years, demonstrating the key role of ‘e’ education and the Internet in supporting education around the globe.

A phenomenal response from students in more than 100 countries has led to more than 1,800 students submitting applications to attend. To date, more than 440 students from more than 210 different higher education institutions, including many of the world’s top universities, including Harvard, Oxford, Cambridge, Stanford, London School of Economics, HEC-Paris, IIM-India, Waterloo-Canada, Hitotsubashi-Japan, have been approved to attend.

“The level of interest in EWB around the world is extremely encouraging, auguring well for a successful and vibrant conference”, HCT Vice Chancellor and EWB 2009 Organizing Committee Chair Dr Tayeb Kamali said.

The overall theme of the conference is ‘Innovative Solutions to Global Challenges’ and the students’ papers have addressed the following topics:

• e-world: Harnessing Technology for a Better World

• e-conomy: Global Solutions for Recovery

• e-nvironment: A Sustainable Future for our Planet

• e-nergy: The Future of Energy on Earth

• e-ducation: The Role of Education in Meeting Global Challenges

• e-xchange: Cultural Exchange for Tolerance, Understanding and Peace.

“We are delighted to have had such an enthusiastic response to our call for papers,” Dr Kamali said.

For more information, visit www.ewb.ae.

Delegates of the North American Regional Forum of Education Without Borders in New York.

Education Without Borders forums underway

Preparation for Education Without Borders in full swing

29th March - 1st April 2009 Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai

www.ewb.ae

News