Removing the Boundary Between Student and Professor

“Working with the students. That’s the best part of the job,” explains Dr. Karim El-Basyouny, speaking about his position as associate professor in the University of Alberta’s (UofA) Civil and Environmental Engineering Department. “Knowing that at some point in their graduate studies, I helped them discover their true passion and professional identity that will shape their future career.” And his dedication to his work is evident by the achievements of both himself and his students in the field of transportation engineering.  

An authoritative researcher, respected member of UofA faculty, the inaugural City of Edmonton Research Chair in Urban Traffic Safety, and a founding member of the Centre for Smart Transportation, surprisingly, Karim did not intend to become an academic when he began his Bachelor’s degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering at United Arab Emirates University (UAEU). “Coming into the university I never thought of myself as someone with a future in academia,” he explains, and instead he intended to go into the work force after graduation. But his success as an undergraduate produced unexpected opportunities. “The university changed my outlook. It was studying, interacting with the professors, and achieving academic success that gave me the motivation to pursue graduate studies.”

In 2003, after graduating from UAEU with distinction, Karim spent time working as a university research assistant, investigating the environmental regulations, impact on health and environment, and available methods for calculating fugitive dust externalities, before moving onto graduate studies. Unbeknownst to him at the time, aspects of this work were preparing him, in part, for his eventual career. “The research process especially paper and grant writing were things that came naturally to me because I had a lot of training,” he says, speaking of both his time at UAEU and his professors with respect and appreciation. “I think having access to those individuals, and their expertise really helped.”

In 2004, Karim moved to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, to begin a Masters of Applied Science and subsequent doctoral degree at the University of British Columbia (UBC). He attributes his time at UAEU for affecting this decision. “The UAE is known for its cultural diversity, which I was exposed to at a very young age. While searching for places to conduct my postgraduate degree, I wanted to continue living in a country that offered the same type of cultural acceptance. That led to my decision to study and subsequently live in Canada.”

And although graduate studies alone bring their own difficulties, moving from the United Arab Emirates to Canada—away from his family and community—introduced an additional set of complications. “I think there is always a challenge associated with moving to a new place. So moving to Canada and pursing a graduate degree away from my family was something that took getting used to, but once I adjusted I found that my transition was seamless,” he explains. “The UAE is very multicultural. Coming to Canada it felt almost the same. Growing up in the UAE, I was used to living in a diverse community with people from different backgrounds. And I felt that was something that really helped.” But going to a new place, with a foreign culture is always challenging, and some students—even those whose academics put them at the top of their classes— sometimes cannot get past these challenges.”

Karim describes his first six to seven months alone, “trying to meet people, along with studying and taking graduate courses. It was a tough start. But I think … going back to the culture of the UAE, and the fact that I’ve always been around international students from everywhere around the world, even at the university. That really helped.” His resilience and perseverance paid off and in 2011 he graduated from UBC with a Ph.D. “And even despite that, I never thought I would be an academic,” Karim laughs. So, as originally planned, he went into the workforce, which brought more relocation: a move to Alberta to work with the City of Edmonton. A complex role, it called on much of the knowledge he had acquired throughout his years of study, including the solid foundation he attributes to those first years at the UAEU.

It was after almost a year of working with the city that Karim began to realize he preferred the kind of freedom that comes with a career as an academic, “More control over my time. And more control to work on projects that interested me.” And it was around then that he joined the University of Alberta as a member of the faculty. “The first year was me trying to figure my way through the job. There was a lot to learn” he describes with a relaxed sureness. But in time, the work he was putting in became evident as the number of students registering in transportation classes began to rise from an average of 20-30 to 40-50. And around 2017 he was promoted to associate professor and given tenure. “It’s been a very rewarding journey working with the people. Launching careers of individuals. Either in the Masters or though PhDs. Seeing them get hired the in industry, or with the government. I draw a lot of inspiration from that.” He pauses a moment, “And my colleagues. They are wonderful people to be around. The environment is very healthy. We all get along and have very high regard for each other.” Karim also compares this to his time in undergraduate studies. “That is another thing I noticed about the UAEU. They were a solid and cohesive faculty.”  

Despite his achievements, Karim has at least one more milestone to reach in the foreseeable future, “Getting to professorship. Once I’m past professorship, it might be a good time to reevaluate and see where things are going to go.” Karim sees the core work he does as a professor for the university continuing—working with the students and his colleagues, and publishing papers. But he also recognizes a distinct place for his research in practical applications. “Not everybody gets a chance to do work that can have an applied appeal to it. I feel this is something I might be interested in pursuing in the future.”

When asked if he had a piece of advice for current and future students, he emphasized the value of the relationships, “The Engineering Faculty members at UAEU are among the world's most talented academics. They come from diverse backgrounds and they are graduates of some of the top engineering schools in the world. Getting to know the professors helped remove that imaginary student/teacher boundary that resulted in long-term friendships while kick-starting my graduate degree. It was through my professors that I made contacts in both US and Canadian Universities that facilitated my transition to start my post-graduate degrees.”

مهندس نهار وباحث ليلاً

تخرجت شويكار البسيوني إبراهيم من قسم الهندسة المدنية في جامعة الإمارات العربية المتحدة في عام مع مرتبة الشرف 2008. "أتذكر أيامي في جامعة الإمارات العربية المتحدة بكل إعجاب"، كما تقول شويكار. لقد كانت بداية ممتازة لها على الصعيدين الأكاديمي والمهني. بينما تعزو نجاحها للعديد من العوامل المختلفة، لعبت جامعة الإمارات العربية المتحدة دورًا مهمًا. من حيث مستوى التعليم والتدريب الذي تلقتهم من حيث توافر المرافق المتطورة للغاية وغيرها.

عندما كانت في طريقها للحصول على شهادتها الجامعية، درست شويكار بعض الدورات في مجال هندسة النقل، وذلك عندما اكتشفت شغفها بهذا المجال. ما أثار اهتمامها أن هناك الكثير في مجال الابتكار والإبداع في هندسة النقل. اتضح هذا الأمر عندما أكملت تدريبها في مركز أبحاث الطرق والنقل والسلامة تحت إشراف الأستاذ الدكتور ياسر حواس. تقول شويكار: "إذا فكرت في الأمر، فنحن جميعًا نشارك في شبكة الطرق لأننا نسير، نمشي أو نركب دراجة للوصول إلى العمل أو للعودة إلى المنزل"، ولهذا السبب، نحتاج إلى التأكد من أن شبكة الطرق آمنة للجميع. "

بعد تخرجها من جامعة الإمارات العربية المتحدة في عام 2008، انتقلت شويكار إلى فانكوفر، كندا لدراسة الماجستير في العلوم التطبيقية في السلامة المرورية (UBC). أجادت شويكار في جميع فصولها الدراسية، وتدين بالفضل لأساتذتها اللذين ساعدوها لهذه الخطوة الجديدة. تقول شويكار: "مستوى التعليم الذي نحصل عليه في جامعة الإمارات هو مستوى عالمي". أعضاء هيئة التدريس مدربين تدريباً جيداً ويحملون شهادات من أفضل الجامعات في العالم؛ كما يواصلون المساهمة من خلال الأبحاث التي يقومون بها في جامعة الإمارات العربية المتحدة وكذلك الاستمرار في إعداد أجيال جديدة من الخريجين.

بعد تخرجها والحصول على MASc ، انتقلت شويكار إلى إدمنتون ، ألبرتا ، للعمل كمحلل لإدارة السرعة في مكتب السلامة المرورية في مدينة إدمونتون. كانت هذه واحدة من المكاتب البلدية الوحيدة التي تستهدف وتركز على السلامة المرورية في ذلك الوقت وكانت متحمسة للبدء! بعد فترة وجيزة، انتقلت شويكار إلى دور جديد كمهندس للسلامة المرورية حيث ركزت على تحسين السلامة في مجالات إدارة السرعة، وهندسة المرور، وتخطيط النقل، وكذلك التصميم الهندسي. خلال هذا الوقت، قررت شويكار استكمال دراستها للحصول على شهادة الدكتوراه في نفس المجال (أي السلامة المرورية). تقول شويكار: "اعتقدت أنه من المهم إجراء البحوث مع مراعاة حاجة الصناعة". وتوضح: "من الضروري أن تساعد نتائج هذا البحث فعليًا في الاستفادة من وكالات السلامة على الطرق والمجتمعات بشكل عام." وعلى الرغم من أنها حُذرت من تحديات العمل والدراسة في وقت واحد، فقد قررت شويكار الشروع في هذه الرحلة على أي حال. تقول شويكار وهي تضحك: "مهندسًا نهارًا وباحثًا في الليل بالإشارة إلى هذه المرحلة من حياتها المهنية".

في عام 2014، بدأت شويكار العمل على استراتيجية Vision Zero للسلامة على الطرق في مدينة إدمونتون. هدفها القضاء على جميع الوفيات والإصابات الخطيرة نتيجة تصادم السيارات، "إنها أنبل الأهداف، وأنا أعمل في الأساس على إنقاذ الأرواح"، كما تقول شويكار. قامت بتطوير الاستراتيجية بناءً على عدد من المبادرات المختلفة مثل البرامج الهندسية وأنشطة التنفيذ والحملات التعليمية وسلوك مستخدمي الطرق، فضلاً عن المبادرات الجديدة التي تبحث في استخدام أساليب مبتكرة لتحسين السلامة المرورية. " وتابعت قائلة "لقد تعرفت أولاً على تطوير وحدات الماكرو لمعالجة مجموعات البيانات الكبيرة في جامعة الإمارات، وهي مهارة ما زلت أعمل عليها، وإن كان بلغات البرمجة المختلفة الآن". في عام 2015، أصبحت مدينة إدمونتون أول مدينة تتبنى رسمياً "Vision Zero”، "لقد شعرت بالنجاح المذهل ".

كان من بين المهارات التي حظيت بفرصة لممارستها وصقلها خلال شهادتها الجامعية تقديم العروض. "كان علينا تقديم عرض تقديمي مرة واحدة على الأقل خلال الدورة في جامعة الإمارات العربية المتحدة، إن لم يكن مرات عديدة،”. تتذكر أساتذتها الذين يشددون على أهمية القدرة على توصيل رسالتك، "المعرفة هي وقودك في الحياة"، القدرة على مشاركة رسالتك مع الآخرين. خلال مسيرتها المهنية، قدمت شويكار عروضاً في المؤتمرات المحلية والدولية. بالإضافة إلى تدريس عدة فصول في جامعة ألبرتا.

ومع ذلك، فإن أساتذتها في جامعة الإمارات العربية المتحدة ساعدوا عن غير قصد شويكار على تطوير مجموعة مهارات أخرى. "أتذكر عندما طلب مني الأستاذ الدكتور محسن شريف والدكتور أشرف بيده أن أحضر ورشة عمل ليوم واحد في جامعة الإمارات "، "لم أكن أعرف أن هذا سيكون بداية لاتجاه جديد في حياتي". شاركت شويكار في تنظيم العديد من المؤتمرات في السنوات الإحدى عشرة الماضية. في عام 2009، وبينما كانت رئيسة قسم الطلاب في معهد UBC لمعهد مهندسي النقل، نظمت شويكار واحدة من أنجح ليالي الصناعة. كان هذا مؤتمراً حيث تم دعوة أعضاء الصناعة لعرض من قبل طلاب هندسة النقل. كانت فرصة رائعة للطلاب لتسويق أنفسهم لأصحاب العمل، وكذلك فرصة رائعة لتعزيز العلاقات بين الجامعة ورواد الصناعة. في الآونة الأخيرة، في عام 2016، أطلقت شويكار المؤتمر الدولي حول الابتكار في مجال النقل، والذي شهد إطلاق أول اختبار تجريبي للسيارات المتصلة في كندا. كما كانت شويكار الرئيس  في تنظيم المؤتمر الدولي السنوي العاشر للسلامة المرورية في المناطق الحضرية في إدمونتون، ألبرتا في عام 2018. بالإضافة إلى تنظيم واستضافة هذا المؤتمر، شاركت شويكار أيضًا في كلمة الافتتاح وتقديم المتحدثين الرئيسيين الذين حضروا المؤتمر من كل مكان في العالم.

من وجهة نظرها، ترى أن الجامعة لا تساعد فقط في إعداد الطلاب أكاديميًا للحياة بعد التخرج، ولكنها تعلمهم أيضًا مجموعات مهارات مختلفة. لم يكن مستوى التعليم فائقاً في جامعة الإمارات العربية المتحدة فقط، ولكن بعد دراستها في الخارج، أُعجبت شويكار بكيفية قيام جامعة الإمارات العربية المتحدة بدور رائد في دمج التكنولوجيا أثناء عملية التعلم. "عندما انتقلت إلى كندا لأول مرة، كان أحد الأشياء التي لاحظتها هو مدى خبرة خريجي جامعة الإمارات في استخدام التكنولوجيا دون أي قلق أو تردد"، قالت شويكار. ونتيجة لذلك، فإن خريجي جامعة الإمارات مرتاحون للغاية لدمج التكنولوجيا الجديدة (على سبيل المثال، اللوحات الذكية في ذلك الوقت) ، والبرمجيات في حياتهم المهنية ، مما يميزهم عن بقية السكان العاملين. وتؤكد ايضا "إن المرافق التي كانت لدينا تحت تصرفنا، بما في ذلك المباني والمختبرات وأجهزة الكمبيوتر وما إلى ذلك، لا مثيل لها".

عندما سئلت عن نصائحها للطلاب الخريجين، قالت شويكار: "حياتنا تتويج لتجاربنا، لذلك استفد من كل فرصة تتاح لك". بعض الناس يعرفون ما يريدون من الحياة، لكن تقول شويكار إنها لم تكن من بين هؤلاء الأشخاص، بل إنها عملت بجد، وطبقت معرفتها، وذهبت بعقل مفتوح واستغلت كل الفرص التي جاءت في طريقها. "أهم نصيحة يمكن أن أقدمها لك هي إيجاد سبب تؤمن به، وتعمل بجد، ويكون لديك فضول المعرفة، وتوجيه الأسئلة، والباقي سيأتي بنفسه، حظًا سعيدًا!"

After working for the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) for 24 years and moving to the utilities sector, Mohammed Al Dhaheri was looking for a graduate program that was both local and of practical nature.

With a number of PhD programs flooding the higher education market, he felt it was not the path he wished to follow. “I wanted something which will add value to what I am doing and will give me an opportunity to explore and build on my experience,” said Al Dhaheri, who was born in Al Ain. “The DBA program at the United Arab Emirates University is part time, which was a must for me, as any program abroad requires you to almost be full time.”

As part of the program’s first cohort, which graduated in May 2016, he chose to follow the DBA route, which was local, practical and part time. “I was very pleased to see this DBA offered by our national university,” he said. “I rushed to apply, and the program was so serious from the beginning. The selection, to the program itself, was thorough, and it was really quite a demanding one which needed commitment and patience, especially for a working individual.”

He was particularly pleased with the choice of topic, which he says, “makes or breaks” such a graduate research journey. “If you choose something you’re not really passionate about, or if you’re not really eager to research and it means something to you, then with the challenges one would face, you could easily find yourself quitting,” he said. “My topic was the effectiveness of EPC, which is engineering procurement construction in major projects in Abu Dhabi’s oil and gas sector from an end-user perspective. From my experience in operations at ADNOC, we were the end-users who looked after operating and maintaining these facilities.” Later on, he became Projects Director, managing projects in terms of their delivery.

There, he attempted to test and verify the effectiveness of this type of major projects’ model for the end-user. “Globally, there is always a compromise, and a push-and-pull between these two teams resembling project success and product success,” Al Dhaheri said. “The project manager wants to finish on time and save money to move to another project, but the end-user will endeavor to get best machinery and maintenance without poor access, as he is the one who will live with that. I’ve seen many cases where the end-user would try to push his cause in trying to get something modified or improved in certain parts of the project, but the project manager would insist that it’s not in the scope and would delay the project.” Such major projects take years, as technology evolves, rendering some equipment, at commissioning, almost obsolete.

“You have to exactly know what you want in these EPC projects,” he added. “I pointed out how to deal with these issues later on.” Al Dhaheri moved to the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, under which the Abu Dhabi Electricity and Water Authority (ADWEA) was merged. Since June 2011, he has been serving as Senior Adviser to the Undersecretary and Chairman of the Al Ain Distribution Company, which provides utility services to Al Ain. He is also the Chairman of the Independent Sewage Treatment Plant 2, where sewage from Al Ain and Abu Dhabi is treated to purify water. The program greatly helped further his profession.

“I am really pleased with the program,” he concluded. “The university invited me to become a member of the advisory board of the college and I am honored because this is an opportunity to loop the information we got from our experience into the program for improvements.”

United Arab Emirates graduate to change the face of cultural tourism in the UAE

 Dr Yousif Alobaidli is one the most prominent figures in cultural tourism in the UAE. As the General Director of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre in Abu Dhabi and the Director General of the Founder’s Memorial for the late Sheikh Zayed, founding father of the UAE, Dr Alobaidli has been working arduously to put his country’s culture on the global map.

“We want to have a unique example by presenting tourism in the UAE, which has a very unique cultural aspect that will distinguish Abu Dhabi and the country in general from other destinations,” he said. “By focusing on this and enhancing cultural tourism, the economy of Abu Dhabi and the UAE will be further diversified and enhanced.”

HE Dr Alobaidli, who was born in Abu Dhabi, found his passion during his Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) at the United Arab Emirates University. His five years’ studying covered a variety of topics, from business administration and innovation, to change management, human resource investment and corporate social responsibility. That laid the foundation for his thesis on cultural tourism in the UAE, with a focus on hiring and retaining Emiratis as tour guides. “The UAE and Abu Dhabi, in particular, is focusing on this sector,” he said. “With Saadiyat Island being developed as a Cultural District in Abu Dhabi, it now hosts the Louvre Museum and many other projects are in the pipeline. This will add to the existing assets, such as the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, one of the most popular attractions in the world, which was nominated second best landmark in the world according to TripAdvisor in 2017.”

His time at the university, from which he graduated in November 2017, proved vital in supporting his role in this sector. “The programme is very well renowned, especially in the UAE,” he said. “It has a very high standard and the DBA is very practical as it covers almost all topics in Business. What’s good about it is that, when you conduct your thesis, it has to relate to something practical, so you’re tackling a practical issue within your field.”

He said that helped improve not only his academic side, but it also helped develop in him a deeper understanding of the field he specialised in. “Personally, I have an interest in matters related to culture and my background is related to developing new organisations, particularly businesses that focus on cultural tourism and visitor experience,” said Dr Alobaidli. “It’s important to keep the UAE’s culture alive.”

Upon his graduation, he further delved into the field, managing crucial cultural destinations across Abu Dhabi, under the umbrella of the Ministry of Presidential Affairs. “Thanks to my specialisation in managing cultural tourism entities, and my study with a focus on engaging Emiratis to participate and contribute to this important sector and make it more sustainable, my contribution and my study helped me enhance this aspect,” he said. “We’ve achieved great progress in this regard and are going to achieve more.”

His main drive is to build a model for managing cultural tourism that is sustainable and utilises national assets, as well as Emirati human resources, which will help in turn to diversify the UAE’s economy away from the oil sector. This is aligned with Abu Dhabi’s 2030 Vision. “It’s really important because, for the UAE to have a more sustainable income and future, it has to diversify its economy and utlise all national assets, including Emirati youth,” he added. “One of the most significant elements globally, based on WTTC, shows that tourism is the largest sector that hires people, creates jobs and it is one of the sectors that has a great effect on other sectors of the economy, including transportation, travel and the hospitality industry. This sector is expected to grow faster than the wider economy and many other industries over the next decade and it is anticipated to support over 370 million jobs by 2016.”

He said the UAE had the necessary assets to invest in tourism, in particular in cultural tourism. “My job is to help put the UAE on the global map,” he said. “The country has so much to offer and it’s time for people around the world to pay closer attention to that – this sector will truly be a game-changer in the future.” 

Maryam Al-Kuwaiti is listed as one of the most influential women in 3D printing.  The 25-year-old engineer played an important and integral role in the development and realization of the United Arab Emirates’ first 3D printed aircraft interior components. The female engineer has been recognized as a pioneer in the UAE’s additive manufacturing aerospace initiative.

More specifically, Al-Kiwaiti works for Strata Manufacturing PJSC’s joint initiative with Siemens and Etihad Airways which is aimed at producing 3D printed aircraft parts. Her background includes a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the UAE University, internships at the University of Oxford, California-based GlobalFoundries, and at the Airbus base in Toulouse, France.

As a prominent female engineer in the UAE’s aerospace industry, Al-Kiwaiti is hoping to inspire more women in the country, as well as across the Middle East to take on positions in engineering, 3D printing, and aerospace.

“I would encourage Emirati females to apply for jobs in this industry because the world is moving toward a Fourth Industrial Revolution – or Industry 4.0 – and this is leading to breakthroughs in advanced manufacturing and creating ‘smart factories’, where people and machines work together seamlessly.

“The UAE plans to be a big player in Industry 4.0, so there is, and will be, a need for engineers and people with the necessary vocational skills to play a role.”

HE​ ​Noura​ ​Al​ ​Kaabi , Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs of the United Arab Emirates and Chairwoman of the Media Zone Authority-Abu Dhabi and twofour54, needs little introduction. 

As one of the most prominent female powerhouses in the UAE, the Emirati, in 2014, was also named as one of Forbes Middle East’s 30 Most Influential Women in Government; and was awarded Business Woman of the Year at the Gulf Business Industry Awards while she has also held many other titles including board member of the National Media Council, Abu Dhabi Media, Image Nation and the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU). 

It is the latter where HE Al​ ​Kaabi decided to choose to begin her higher education - and she credits the university for helping her cement the prolific career she enjoys today.

"When​ ​deciding​ ​the​ ​academic​ ​path​ ​I​ ​wanted​ ​to​ ​pursue,​ ​there​ ​were​ ​a​ ​variety​ ​of​ ​options​ ​in the​ ​UAE -​ however,​ ​UAEU​ ​was​ ​one​ ​of​ ​the​ ​few​ ​institutions​ ​that​ ​offered​ ​a​ ​programme combining​ ​two​ ​of​ ​my​ ​interests​ ​at​ ​the​ ​time:​ ​management​ ​and​ ​understanding​ ​data,” she explained. "​​This​ ​is why​ ​I​ ​chose​ ​the​ ​Management​ ​Information​ ​Systems​ ​(MIS)​ ​degree​ ​as​ ​it​ ​appealed​ ​to​ ​me the​ ​most.

HE Al​ ​Kaabi said reflecting on her time at UAEU, there were many highlights during her time of studying at the number one-ranking university in the UAE.  
"There​ ​were​ ​a​ ​number​ ​of​ ​stand-out​ ​moments​ ​for​ ​me​ ​at​ ​UAEU,​ ​but​ ​the​ ​ones​ ​I​ ​really remember​ ​are​ ​interacting​ ​with​ ​classmates​ ​and​ ​professors​ ​during​ ​and​ ​outside​ ​of​ ​class.,” she says. "​I enjoyed​ ​getting​ ​to​ ​know​ ​everyone​ ​and​ ​learning​ ​about​ ​them,​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​working​ ​with them​ ​on​ ​projects​ ​and​ ​reports.​ ​

"My​ ​time​ ​at​ ​UAEU​ ​helped​ ​me​ ​prepare​ ​for​ ​my​ ​work​ ​now, where​ ​I​ ​am​ ​constantly​ ​interacting​ ​with​ ​new​ ​people. ​I learned​ ​many​ ​valuable​ ​things​ ​from​ ​my​ ​fellow​ ​students​ ​and​ ​professors,​ ​and​ ​continue​ ​to learn​ ​from​ ​people​ ​I​ ​meet​ ​today.​ ​This​ ​is​ ​something​ ​I​ ​find​ ​important​ ​and​ ​necessary.”

HE Al​ ​Kaabi said her time at the university helped her learn two vital skills;​ ​how​ ​to​ ​both​ ​communicate​ ​effectively​ ​and research​ ​well.​ ​"I​ ​gained​ ​the​ ​knowledge​ ​and​ ​skills​ ​needed​ ​to​ ​pursue​ ​my​ ​roles​ ​through interaction​ ​with​ ​classmates​ ​and​ ​professors.,” she says. "​When​ ​I​ ​worked​ ​on​ ​practical​ ​projects,​ ​I​ ​was able​ ​to​ ​really​ ​hone​ ​my​ ​managerial​ ​and​ ​organizational​ ​skills.”

"I​ ​learned​ ​what​ ​worked​ ​well with​ ​people​ ​and​ ​what​ ​didn’t,​ ​how​ ​to​ ​communicate​ ​my​ ​concerns​ ​and​ ​feedback​ ​properly and​ ​how​ ​to​ ​motivate​ ​both​ ​myself​ ​and​ ​a​ ​team. The​ ​programme​ ​helped​ ​me​ ​realise​ ​my aspirations​ ​to​ ​become​ ​a​ ​leader​ ​and​ ​thrive​ ​when​ ​faced​ ​with​ ​challenges​ ​in​ ​life​ ​and​ ​work.”

Since leaving the UAEU, HE Al​ ​Kaabi has worked in a variety of roles, starting ​in​ ​the IT​ ​department​ ​of​ ​Zayed​ ​Military​ ​Hospital.​ ​"In​ ​this​ ​position,​ ​I​ ​was​ ​able​ ​to​ ​practically​ ​use​ ​all I​ ​learned​ ​during​ ​the​ ​course​ ​of​ ​my​ ​degree,” she says. "​It​ ​was​ ​an​ ​insightful​ ​experience​ ​as​ ​I​ ​was involved​ ​with​ ​the​ ​hospital’s​ ​information​ ​management​ ​system​ ​and​ ​I​ ​would​ ​also​ ​deal​ ​with staff,​ ​doctors,​ ​and​ ​military​ ​decision-makers.”

After​ ​working​ ​in​ ​the​ ​hospital​ ​for​ ​three​ ​years,​ ​HE Al​ ​Kaabi decided​ ​to​ ​undergo​ ​a​ ​shift​ ​in​ ​her​ ​career​ ​by joining​  Abu Dhabi gas company ​Dolphin​ ​Energy​ ​as​ ​part​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Human​ ​Resources​ ​Department.​ "I​ ​was​ ​mainly responsible​ ​for​ ​Training​ ​and​ ​Development,” she says. "​I​ ​spent​ ​four​ ​years​ ​developing​ ​my​ ​skills​ ​in​ ​terms of​ ​HR​ ​policies​ ​and​ ​career​ ​progress​ ​plans​ ​for​ ​employees."

In​ ​2007,​ ​HE Al​ ​Kaabi once again decided to change her career course by helping to find the media free zone twofour54 Abu Dhabi to​ ​help​ ​the​ ​creative​ ​economy​ ​scene​ ​in​ ​the emirate.

"I was​ ​the​ ​first​ ​employee​ ​and​ ​would​ ​eventually​ ​be​ ​joined​ ​by​ ​30​ ​more​ ​people​ ​who​ ​would bring​ ​twofour54​ ​to​ ​life,” she says. "This​ ​was​ ​a​ ​particularly​ ​steep​ ​learning​ ​curve​ ​for​ ​me.​ ​From engaging​ ​community​ ​members​ ​about​ ​the​ ​sector​ ​and​ ​setting​ ​up​ ​creative​ ​labs,​ ​to​ ​being on​ ​set​ ​for​ ​“Star​ ​Wars:​ ​The​ ​Force​ ​Awakens”​ ​in​ ​the​ ​middle​ ​of​ ​Abu​ ​Dhabi’s​ ​desert,​ ​it​ ​has been​ ​a​ ​worthwhile​  accomplishment​ ​to​ ​see​ ​how​ ​far​ ​I​ ​have​ ​come.​ ​Working​ ​from​ ​scratch and​ ​building​ ​up​ ​a​ ​new​ ​sector​ ​in​ ​Abu​ ​Dhabi​ ​shaped​ ​who​ ​I​ ​am​ ​and​ ​the​ ​path​ ​of​ ​my​ ​career.” 

"Now,​ ​I​ ​will​ ​continue​ ​learning​ ​and​ ​giving​ ​back​ ​to​ ​the​ ​community​ ​through​ ​my​ ​role as​ ​Minister​ ​of​ ​State​ ​for​ ​Federal​ ​National​ ​Council​ ​Affairs​ ​where​ ​I​ ​aim​ ​to​ ​further​ ​my mission​ ​of​ ​empowering​ ​women​ ​and​ ​the​ ​youth."

For all her accomplishments, HE Al​ ​Kaabi said her biggest career highlight to date would be her appointment​ ​as​ ​part​ ​of​ ​the​ ​federal​ ​government​ ​to​ ​represent​ ​a ministry​ ​that​ ​improves​ ​the​ ​political​ ​scene​ ​in​ ​the​ ​UAE.​ ​"Given​ ​the​ ​current​ ​tumultuous regional​ ​challenges,​ ​this​ ​position​ ​is​ ​crucial​ ​to​ ​me,” she says. “Of​ ​course,​ ​this​ ​achievement​ ​comes with​ ​the​ ​support​ ​of​ ​great​ ​leadership,​ ​trust,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​talented​ ​team​ ​surrounding​ ​me.”

While HE Al​ ​Kaabi says she draws her​ ​inspiration​ ​in​ ​many​ ​forms, she chiefly get​s ​inspired​ ​from​ ​daily​ ​encounters​ ​with other​ ​people,​ ​from​ ​the​ ​books​ ​she​ ​reads,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​art​ ​she​ ​sees.​ "​However,​ ​when​ ​it​ ​comes​ ​to​ ​my career​ ​and​ ​nation-building,​ ​my​ ​biggest​ ​inspiration​ ​is​ ​undoubtedly​ ​our​ ​founding​ ​father​ ​HH Sheikh​ ​Zayed,” she added.

As she reflects back on her time at UAEU, she has a message for present-day students. "The​ ​world​ ​may​ ​be​ ​filled​ ​with​ ​opportunities,” she says. "​​But,​ ​they​ ​only​ ​appear​ ​with​ ​hard​ ​work, dedication and, most​ ​of​ ​all,​ ​passion.​ ​"Use​ ​your​ ​youth​ ​to​ ​explore​ ​your​ ​curiosities,​ ​your interests.​ ​Don't​ ​settle​ ​for​ ​what​ ​comes​ ​easy.​ ​This​ ​path​ ​is​ ​more​ ​difficult,​ ​but,​ ​life​ ​is​ ​a marathon,​ ​not​ ​a​ ​sprint.​ ​"The​ ​more​ ​you​ ​enjoy​ ​what​ ​you​ ​do​ ​the​ ​more​ ​you'll​ ​be​ ​able​ ​to contribute​ ​to​ the ​community​ ​and​ ​society.​ ​Your​ ​ambition​ ​should​ ​go​ ​beyond​ ​yourself​ ​-​ ​there​ ​is no​ ​limit​ ​-​ ​but,​ ​it​ ​starts​ ​here,​ ​today."

Dr Mohammed Sulaiman Mohammed Al Hammadi is part of an elite team upholding the laws of the UAE and protecting the rights of its people - and as he carries out his work with pride, he is quick to salute the role that United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) has played in his legal life.

As an advisor and Chief Prosecutor for the Attorney General’s Technical Office - International Judicial Cooperation Unit at Dubai Public Prosecution, Dr Al Hammadi holds a key role in his home nation’s mission of building a fair and secure community, where freedom, justice, independence, and partnership are the watchwords.

His 17-year legal career has seen him hold many pivotal positions – in addition to his current post, he has been a legal lecturer and an expert specializing in international arbitration in commercial and banking disputes and international cases – and amass a portfolio of achievements. And he credits his time at the UAE’s flagship university for steering him towards this successful career path.

Having developed a keen interest in the criminal justice system and its importance in protecting human dignity and upholding human rights, Dr Al Hammadi commenced his studies at UAEU in 1995, graduating in 2000 from its Faculty of Sharia & Law.

The UAE national said he chose to pursue his higher education at the longest-established - and highest-ranking - university in his home country because of its distinguished international faculty, and its local and global stature.

"I chose UAEU as it enjoys a good reputation and holds a prestigious position among many universities,” explained Dr Al Hammadi. "The reason for choosing the specialization of Sharia & Law was my personal desire and inclination, and reflected my search for excellence in the field of law.” Dr Al Hammadi retains fond memories of his time at UAEU, and describes receiving his Bachelor’s degree as one of the highlights of his life.

“The time of my graduation from the university was the happiest time,” recalled Dr Al Hammadi, who was invited by UAEU to participate in the College of Sharia & Law’s 2017 graduation ceremony as an example to students of how their education at the Al Ain institution gives them a grounding in excellence.

"I consider the UAEU's Faculty of Sharia & Law to be the source from which I gained my knowledge and understanding of the sciences of the legal system. My time at the university helped me to build my legal capability, and provided me with guidance in my future.
“It helped me to determine which occupation best suits me, and that led me to my position in the Dubai Public Prosecution as a prosecutor - a position which I am very proud of.”

In addition to his Bachelor’s Degree from UAEU, Dr Al Hammadi's educational achievements include a Master’s Degree in International Law from Australia's La Trobe University, a Doctorate in Philosophy in Private Law from the University of Sharjah, a Higher Diploma in Legal and Judicial Sciences, and a Diploma in Criminal Sciences from the Dubai Police Academy. He continues to participate in many workshops, conferences, symposia, and specialized and general training courses.

"I am very proud to have been a prosecutor since 2002, and the progression I have made along my career path,” he said. “This has led me to occupying my current position in the technical office of the Attorney General in the unit of International Judicial Cooperation, which is designed to look into various international requests in the field of international judicial cooperation, including extradition requests and judicial assistance requests. “This is all thanks to the help I have received from higher leadership, my directors, and my colleagues, and their trust they have placed in me, as well as my own efforts. That is what I consider to be my biggest achievement.

As an alumnus of UAEU, Dr Al Hammadi maintains a strong relationship and association with the university that has played such a key role in his life to this day. And he has advice, and a message, for its current students. “Always have faith in Allah, trust yourself, and trust others,” he says. “This is the biggest incentive and motivation for you to achieve what you seek, and what is sought from you. "Whoever strives for the top, desires excellence, and seeks success has to work hard. They will only achieve their goals through perseverance and tireless effort.”

When he walked through the doors of United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) in 1996, Dr. Amer Sharif never realised he would continue his studies at the flagship institution for two decades - from Bachelor of Medicine student to a PhD graduate - all the while helping put his country on the map for healthcare.

Currently holding down two roles as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Dubai Healthcare City Authority – Education Sector (DHCE) and the Vice Chancellor of the Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU), Dr Sharif is a familiar figurehead in UAE healthcare circles. 

As the CEO of the education sector within the Dubai Healthcare City Authority (DHCA), which oversees the development of the Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU), Dr Sharif has broadened the reach of MBRU, established in 2014 to advance individual and community healthcare status in the UAE.

Beginning his studies in medicine, Dr Sharif said when it came to selecting a university in which to pursue his studies, the answer was an easy one. “UAEU is a model organisation and it is the model university for the nation,” he said. “So it was an absolute honour just to be accepted as a medical student. I spent eight years in Al Ain and it was the best moments of my life. "Myself and my fellow students were lucky because we were at the new faculty building for the College Of Medicine and Health Sciences - we were the first batch who used that facility.”

After finishing his Medical Degree from the College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS) from the University, Dr Sharif became a teaching assistant in medical education at the UAEU.

“I was the first UAEU national who was a teaching assistant in medical education,” he explained, before he made the move back to the emirate of Dubai where he has since enjoyed a stellar career at the helm of many government healthcare departments. But his affiliation with the UAEU continued.

“I was a student of the UAEU until last year, so you can consider me a student from 1996 until 2016 when I completed my Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) in Mapping the UAE Health System: Challenges and Recommendations from the UAE - which I started in 2010,” he said. "I was the first student to graduate from the medical school in the UAEU and to do a PhD in the medical school. I maintained a relationship with UAEU through alumni and through participating in many of the events and programmes and I was also excited to become the first general co-ordinator for alumni of the College of Medicine and Health Sciences."

Dr Sharif said his long affiliation with the university is one he holds close to his heart. “Every moment I spent at the university was a special one,” he said. “It was not just the studies but activities outside studies too. I was part of the medical students association, so we got involved in sporting and social activities. It felt like a home away from home. It has been 20 years of exciting moments."

During those 20 years, his career has flourished. Having also completed a Master of Science (MSc) in Healthcare Management from the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland (RCSI), in 2005 Dr Sharif began working for the Dubai Health Authority, joining the office of the Assistant Director General.

“It was a big learning experience for me,” said Dr Sharif, explaining he had moved from a teaching role to a more management position. “I was going into a role that helped oversee the whole (healthcare) position."

Dr Sharif went onto hold many more titles at the healthcare authority, including Director of Human Resources and Director of Healthcare Operations at the DHA, while he was also involved in helping establish several key projects in the Dubai medical sector. Ultimately, he became the CEO of the Education Sector at Dubai Health City Authority, while also securing the role of Vice Chancellor of the Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, which he describes a “like a dream come true”. 

“It has always been a dream to help create and develop a healthy workforce of the future and develop an integrated academic health system that acts as an umbrella that will network with healthcare providers, with researchers, and with healthcare professionals across the system,” he said. “Establishing a new medical university in Dubai is something you won’t get often in your lifetime, so I think this has been the highlight of my career until now and I am very grateful to the leadership of the country and to the UAEU - who have given me all the skills and knowledge to be in this place today. If it was not for the UAEU I would not be in this place.”

Given his long affiliation with the university, when asked if he had any words of wisdom for any current students, Dr Sharif said: “Know that every day is a significant learning opportunity. Work hard, be respectfully ambitious, learn from others and create connections from day one. As much as you can, collaborate with colleagues and benchmark yourself with others and learn from others. And I think the UAEU gives a great platform to do that.”

Dr Sharif credits Sheikh Zayed, the UAE’s founding father, as his main inspiration and role model throughout his successful career.

“In this country we are inspired by our rulers,” he said. “Sheikh Zayed was a very visionary person; if it was not for him and the wise leaders who came together with him to establish the country we would not be in this situation we are in today. We are leading the world today in certain areas - that is credit to the visionary leadership we are blessed to have in our country.”

 

A chance meeting with a medical student at the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) put Dr. Khalid Alnaqbi on a path to a career that led him to head Abu Dhabi’s busiest department for patients suffering from inflammatory and autoimmune rheumatic diseases.

Unlike many students who decided to be doctors at an early age, Dr Alnaqbi decided to train in the medical field only two years before studying at the UAE University’s College of Medicine & Health Sciences (CMHS).

"I originally wanted to be a mechanical engineer or a nuclear physicist but while I was in high school I lived in Al Ain city for a week with my friend who was a medical student at the CMHS,” he explained. "I saw what would be my future life at the university and became thrilled to walk on this pathway.”

Dr Alnaqbi retains fond memories of his seven-year spell at the UAEU campus, and describes receiving his doctorate as one of the highlights of his life.

"I had a good time living the life of a medical student at the UAEU,” he recalled. "The best moment was in my seventh year when we were at the College of Medicine waiting for the results of the final exam. 

"The Dean came out of the meeting room and shook hands with each of us saying ‘congratulation doctor!’. “At that moment, I felt I was the king of the world! I called my mother and we both cried out of joy.”

Dr Alnaqbi credits the faculty at the UAE’s flagship university for steering him on the successful career path he has enjoyed to date. "At the University we had excellent professors who were role models and encouraged us to advance the wheel of knowledge by participating in research,” he explained. "I also was moved by the passion of the professors of internal medicine.”

It was his mentors at the UAEU who inspired Dr Alnaqbi to make the 11,000km one-way trip to Canada to embark on a ten-year post-graduate educational journey to further his studies and knowledge. 

The doctor completed a residency training in internal medicine and rheumatology - followed by a fellowship in Spondyloarthritis - at the University of Toronto. He also obtained Master of Clinical Epidemiology and became the only Emirati to complete the Clinician Investigator Program accredited by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

After a decade in Canada, Dr Alnaqbi decided to return to his home country to share the knowledge he had learned and began work as a Consultant Rheumatologist at Al Ain Hospital, climbing the career path to become the Head of Department and Clinical Assistant Professor. His day-to-day activities now include patient care in the clinics, infusion day care, ward consultations, teaching post-graduate trainees and administrative work.

When it comes to highlights in his career, Dr Alnaqbi has many achievements under his belt, including establishing the infrastructure for the Rheumatology department. This entailed establishing sub-specialty clinics (Early Arthritis Clinic, Connective Tissue Disease Clinic, and Spondylitis Clinic), establishing Infusion Day Care, developing new clinical guidelines for rheumatic diseases and policies on handling infusion drugs for health care workers (rheumatologists, nurses, pharmacists). Dr Alnaqbi was also responsible for developing the Nursing Manual for Rheumatology Department and new patient educational pamphlets.

Not only content in enjoying his own career success, Dr Alnaqbi is committed to passing on the beacon of knowledge to other young medical students. 

“I developed undergraduate and post-graduate curricula for family residents and internal residents, obtaining mannequins for teaching injections for soft tissues and joints,” he explained. "Despite limited manpower, I have spent a lot of my personal time to achieve this. Now, we are currently the most productive rheumatology department in the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA)."

When it comes to those who have inspired him the most in his working career, Dr Alnaqbi looks to his own family tree as a motivational force. "I have been inspired by my parents for their hard work and support in raising us and ensuring that we succeed in our lives,” he said. "I lost my mother recently but her inspiration has given me strength to overcome many life challenges."

As an alumnus of UAEU, Dr Alnaqbi credits the university for playing such a key role in his life and he has advice, and a message, for its current students. If you had to give any words of wisdom to current students at the UAEU what would it be? "Love what you do because it will self-motivate you to be better at it,” he said. "Life has many challenges, and it is up to you to decide how you react to these challenges.  "Just believe in yourself."