When a full-time professional goes back to school without quitting his day job, something has to give. For Hamdan Awda, one of the members of INSEAD's inaugural Global Executive MBA class in the Middle East, the sacrifice was his hobby. "I miss my horse," he said this week, following the second round of exams.
Mr Awda, 33, and an endurance riding enthusiast in his spare time, is one of 26 students in the new programme, designed to provide mid-career professionals with a global business education. Because the students are already well advanced in their careers, the discussions are focused on finding practical solutions to problems rather than abstract academic principles.
"The focus is on the theory as well as the practice," Mr Awda said. "Whenever a professor says 'it works this way', five people in the class say 'yeah, but …' The professors expect it. It is designed this way."
The coursework, divided into 10 modules that take place over 15 months, is structured so that participants are able to continue to work full-time while revising for exams at nights and weekends. The average age of the students is 37.
Mr Awda is director of internal audit in the office of Sheikh Khalifa, President of the UAE. He is the only Emirati in the programme, which includes participants from 15 countries.
Not all of the students come from business backgrounds.
Wael Hmaidan, also 33, is the founder and executive director of IndyAct, a non-governmental organisation based in Beirut that serves as an incubator for activist groups. He said his discussions with business professionals in the programme had given him a new appreciation for how the private sector attempted to balance social good with bottom-line performance.
"My look at the private sector changed. I was a bit shocked," he said. Likewise, he said because he deals with a large volunteer staff he has been able to help business executives consider other ways of providing incentives to employees besides increased pay.
As part of the curriculum participants will visit INSEAD campuses in France and Singapore. Students from those campuses will also make trips to Abu Dhabi.
The international flavour of the programme was a big attraction for Mr Hmaidan. "Although I consider myself very familiar with management generally, heading an international organisation is totally different," he said.
Mr Hmaidan flew to Cancun, Mexico, to attend the summit on climate change immediately after finishing his exams. INSEAD, which is based in Fontainebleau, France, opened in Abu Dhabi in 2007. The first class from the master's programme in entrepreneurial leadership graduated in June. The students in the global executive MBA programme began classes in October and will graduate in December2012.
Mr Awda said he believed it would be a major pipeline for professionals leading the development of the UAE.
"I'm looking forward to being a good example, both for INSEAD and my country. I want to inspire other Emiratis to join such programmes," he said.
breagan@thenational.ae
ICC Awards for 2021
MEN
Cricketer of the Year – Shaheen Afridi (Pakistan)
T20 Cricketer of the Year – Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan)
ODI Cricketer of the Year – Babar Azam (Pakistan)
Test Cricketer of the Year – Joe Root (England)
WOMEN
Cricketer of the Year – Smriti Mandhana (India)
ODI Cricketer of the Year – Lizelle Lee (South Africa)
T20 Cricketer of the Year – Tammy Beaumont (England)
More coverage from the Future Forum
The specs
Common to all models unless otherwise stated
Engine: 4-cylinder 2-litre T-GDi
0-100kph: 5.3 seconds (Elantra); 5.5 seconds (Kona); 6.1 seconds (Veloster)
Power: 276hp
Torque: 392Nm
Transmission: 6-Speed Manual/ 8-Speed Dual Clutch FWD
Price: TBC
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Dr Amal Khalid Alias revealed a recent case of a woman with daughters, who specifically wanted a boy.
A semen analysis of the father showed abnormal sperm so the couple required IVF.
Out of 21 eggs collected, six were unused leaving 15 suitable for IVF.
A specific procedure was used, called intracytoplasmic sperm injection where a single sperm cell is inserted into the egg.
On day three of the process, 14 embryos were biopsied for gender selection.
The next day, a pre-implantation genetic report revealed four normal male embryos, three female and seven abnormal samples.
Day five of the treatment saw two male embryos transferred to the patient.
The woman recorded a positive pregnancy test two weeks later.
Plan to boost public schools
A major shake-up of government-run schools was rolled out across the country in 2017. Known as the Emirati School Model, it placed more emphasis on maths and science while also adding practical skills to the curriculum.
It was accompanied by the promise of a Dh5 billion investment, over six years, to pay for state-of-the-art infrastructure improvements.
Aspects of the school model will be extended to international private schools, the education minister has previously suggested.
Recent developments have also included the introduction of moral education - which public and private schools both must teach - along with reform of the exams system and tougher teacher licensing requirements.
Tips to keep your car cool
- Place a sun reflector in your windshield when not driving
- Park in shaded or covered areas
- Add tint to windows
- Wrap your car to change the exterior colour
- Pick light interiors - choose colours such as beige and cream for seats and dashboard furniture
- Avoid leather interiors as these absorb more heat
Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier
ICC Academy, November 22-28
UAE fixtures
Nov 22, v Malaysia
Nov 23, v Hong Kong
Nov 25, v Bhutan
Nov 26, v Kuwait
Nov 28, v Nepal
ICC T20I rankings
14. Nepal
17. UAE
25. Hong Kong
34. Kuwait
35. Malaysia
44. Bhutan
UAE squad
Chaya Mughal (captain), Natasha Cherriath, Samaira Dharnidharka, Kavisha Egodage, Mahika Gaur, Priyanjali Jain, Suraksha Kotte, Vaishnave Mahesh, Judit Peter, Esha Rohit, Theertha Satish, Chamani Seneviratne, Khushi Sharma, Subha Venkataraman
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Tips for job-seekers
- Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
- Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.
David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East
Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale
Starring: Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, Radhika Sarathkumar, Nagarjuna Akkineni
Director: Amith Krishnan
Rating: 3.5/5
It Was Just an Accident
Director: Jafar Panahi
Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr
Rating: 4/5
Company%20profile%20
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Biog
Mr Kandhari is legally authorised to conduct marriages in the gurdwara
He has officiated weddings of Sikhs and people of different faiths from Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Russia, the US and Canada
Father of two sons, grandfather of six
Plays golf once a week
Enjoys trying new holiday destinations with his wife and family
Walks for an hour every morning
Completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Loyola College, Chennai, India
2019 is a milestone because he completes 50 years in business
