Rob Whelan's term as president of the University of Wollongong in Dubai is nearing an end. He looks back at how education for entrepreneurs has changed over the past few years, and what's still missing.
q How has the landscape for entrepreneurial education changed since you arrived in 2008?
There is a much greater understanding of the importance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the UAE economy. So there's now an increased focus on giving people who are working in SMEs the skills to develop their businesses better. We've seen the development of the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid (Establishment for Young Business Leaders). One of my staff in the finance department has a group of his students working on projects with the Establishment, so the students who are themselves learning how to be good business people are doing a project with SMEs.
q And what do aspiring business owners here need to learn?
I think they need a reality check. Right across the world, but it's evident here as well, there's a general perception that all you need to be a successful entrepreneur is a good idea and then somebody to give you some money. There's not enough attention given to the side of entrepreneurship which is putting a good idea into action. I think people have come into entrepreneurship with naivete about how big the challenge is.
q So which skills are required to turn that concept into a successful venture?
Understanding how to be a good manager, putting a good team together [and] working in a team. Understanding the financials, at least to the level where you can understand some consultant's report. Universities can give that knowledge in a number of ways: an undergraduate course, master's programme, short courses [and] a particular type of research - understanding the business landscape.
q Yet what's one problem with how universities approach business education in this region?
The problem is there aren't business cases that are published about the business landscape in the Middle East. All the textbooks are full of American examples. It's not enough because business is a global enterprise, and business success globally depends on a good understanding of different cultural environments in which you're doing business. You can't afford to be narrow.
q Last year your school launched a Business Case Centre, where faculty from different schools were invited for training on writing regional case studies. One book has been published, but what were some of the hurdles during this process?
It's quite challenging doing that in this region because businesses generally don't want to publish their failures. In developed economies, there's generally more information in the public domain, so it's actually easier to teach. You have access to a lot of material such as annual reports, financials. That's increasingly happening here. The business case allows you to get the collaboration with industry.
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Springtime in a Broken Mirror,
Mario Benedetti, Penguin Modern Classics
Banned items
Dubai Police has also issued a list of banned items at the ground on Sunday. These include:
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Political flags or banners
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Bikes, skateboards or scooters
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Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
Traits of Chinese zodiac animals
Tiger:independent, successful, volatile
Rat:witty, creative, charming
Ox:diligent, perseverent, conservative
Rabbit:gracious, considerate, sensitive
Dragon:prosperous, brave, rash
Snake:calm, thoughtful, stubborn
Horse:faithful, energetic, carefree
Sheep:easy-going, peacemaker, curious
Monkey:family-orientated, clever, playful
Rooster:honest, confident, pompous
Dog:loyal, kind, perfectionist
Boar:loving, tolerant, indulgent
THE LIGHT
Director: Tom Tykwer
Starring: Tala Al Deen, Nicolette Krebitz, Lars Eidinger
Rating: 3/5
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SQUADS
Bangladesh (from): Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Soumya Sarkar, Shakib Al Hasan (capt), Mahmudullah Riyad, Mohammad Mithun, Mushfiqur Rahim, Liton Das, Taijul Islam, Mosaddek Hossain, Nayeem Hasan, Mehedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Ebadat Hossain, Abu Jayed
Afghanistan (from): Rashid Khan (capt), Ihsanullah Janat, Javid Ahmadi, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Asghar Afghan, Ikram Alikhil, Mohammad Nabi, Qais Ahmad, Sayed Ahmad Shirzad, Yamin Ahmadzai, Zahir Khan Pakteen, Afsar Zazai, Shapoor Zadran
MATCH INFO
Norwich City 1 (Cantwell 75') Manchester United 2 (Aghalo 51' 118') After extra time.
Man of the match Harry Maguire (Manchester United)
Pox that threatens the Middle East's native species
Camelpox
Caused by a virus related to the one that causes human smallpox, camelpox typically causes fever, swelling of lymph nodes and skin lesions in camels aged over three, but the animal usually recovers after a month or so. Younger animals may develop a more acute form that causes internal lesions and diarrhoea, and is often fatal, especially when secondary infections result. It is found across the Middle East as well as in parts of Asia, Africa, Russia and India.
Falconpox
Falconpox can cause a variety of types of lesions, which can affect, for example, the eyelids, feet and the areas above and below the beak. It is a problem among captive falcons and is one of many types of avian pox or avipox diseases that together affect dozens of bird species across the world. Among the other forms are pigeonpox, turkeypox, starlingpox and canarypox. Avipox viruses are spread by mosquitoes and direct bird-to-bird contact.
Houbarapox
Houbarapox is, like falconpox, one of the many forms of avipox diseases. It exists in various forms, with a type that causes skin lesions being least likely to result in death. Other forms cause more severe lesions, including internal lesions, and are more likely to kill the bird, often because secondary infections develop. This summer the CVRL reported an outbreak of pox in houbaras after rains in spring led to an increase in mosquito numbers.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 268hp at 5,600rpm
Torque: 380Nm at 4,800rpm
Transmission: CVT auto
Fuel consumption: 9.5L/100km
On sale: now
Price: from Dh195,000
