Each month, Weekend will pose a different question to be debated on by a series of female Emirati columnists. This month, we ask Dubai Abdulla Abulhoul:
Do you feel that the school systems, both public and post-secondary, are adequate for learning? What would you change, if anything?
A four-year-old child walks into class on the first day of kindergarten, eager to explore and learn. He enthusiastically grabs some crayons and scribbles on the outlined paper. The teacher instructs the child to not do so again, and to listen to their orders and instructions. At that very moment, the student starts to abandon one of his most important, God-given qualities: his creativity.
I graduated high school last year, and so I come with experience when I say that our educational systems need to go through a sort of reform. The schools in our country are either governmental or international. International schools include British, American and even German educational systems. It’s safe to say that the issue I’m addressing is then applied both nationally and internationally. What educational systems are basically doing is placing, on average, 30 different minds per class and examining them on the exact same questions. Thousands of students, with thousands of different minds, are expected to pass the exact same test. Those who pass feel like a burden has been lifted off their shoulders. Those who don’t feel like failures.
In return, we get a society that’s built on conformity and a lack of creativity. The world’s current educational systems are more focused on scientific material, like physics and chemistry. Society puts pressure on students to be doctors or lawyers. There’s nothing wrong with those respectable professions, but society cannot depend on them solely. I don’t believe that all students are meant to be lawyers or doctors. Some of us are destined to colour outside the lines.
If we flick through history’s pages, our generation’s heroes never fit into the common educational system. Steve Jobs, Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg never conformed to their modern-day educational systems. I’m not trying to encourage dropouts; on the contrary, I’m pointing out the importance of having an educational system that caters to the needs of the new generation. Educational systems teach us what to think, not how to think. They are a vital part of society, for they house the next generation’s minds. They have the duty to raise a generation that are ready to make society a better place. How can that be possible if all educational systems are doing is producing generations who are expected to pass the exact same test?
What society needs today is a generation that bring innovation and creativity to the table. I respect every educator, for they dedicate their careers to ensuring that the upcoming generations have a better future. However, it’s time that they listened to our side of the story. The older generations have built the base, and it’s our time to add the necessary touches that fit our time.
At the age of 15, Dubai Abdulla Abulhoul published her first novel, Galagolia, in 2012 and was named the UAE’s youngest published author. She writes for multiple local newspapers, including Al Bayan and The Gulf Today.
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The specs
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 620hp from 5,750-7,500rpm
Torque: 760Nm from 3,000-5,750rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed dual-clutch auto
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh1.05 million ($286,000)
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre, twin-turbocharged V8
Transmission: nine-speed automatic
Power: 630bhp
Torque: 900Nm
Price: Dh810,000
The biog
First Job: Abu Dhabi Department of Petroleum in 1974
Current role: Chairperson of Al Maskari Holding since 2008
Career high: Regularly cited on Forbes list of 100 most powerful Arab Businesswomen
Achievement: Helped establish Al Maskari Medical Centre in 1969 in Abu Dhabi’s Western Region
Future plan: Will now concentrate on her charitable work
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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THE SPECS
2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid LE
Engine: 1.8 litre combined with 16-volt electric motors
Transmission: Automatic with manual shifting mode
Power: 121hp
Torque: 142Nm
Price: Dh95,900
Results:
CSIL 2-star 145cm One Round with Jump-Off
1. Alice Debany Clero (USA) on Amareusa S 38.83 seconds
2. Anikka Sande (NOR) For Cash 2 39.09
3. Georgia Tame (GBR) Cash Up 39.42
4. Nadia Taryam (UAE) Askaria 3 39.63
5. Miriam Schneider (GER) Fidelius G 47.74
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
Company%20profile
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Business Insights
- As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses.
- SMEs with revenue below Dh3 million per annum can opt for transitional relief until 2026, treating them as having no taxable income.
- Larger entities have specific provisions for asset and liability movements, business restructuring, and handling foreign permanent establishments.
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
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10 tips for entry-level job seekers
- Have an up-to-date, professional LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up today. Avoid poor-quality profile pictures with distracting backgrounds. Include a professional summary and begin to grow your network.
- Keep track of the job trends in your sector through the news. Apply for job alerts at your dream organisations and the types of jobs you want – LinkedIn uses AI to share similar relevant jobs based on your selections.
- Double check that you’ve highlighted relevant skills on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- For most entry-level jobs, your resume will first be filtered by an applicant tracking system for keywords. Look closely at the description of the job you are applying for and mirror the language as much as possible (while being honest and accurate about your skills and experience).
- Keep your CV professional and in a simple format – make sure you tailor your cover letter and application to the company and role.
- Go online and look for details on job specifications for your target position. Make a list of skills required and set yourself some learning goals to tick off all the necessary skills one by one.
- Don’t be afraid to reach outside your immediate friends and family to other acquaintances and let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
- Make sure you’ve set your LinkedIn profile to signal that you are “open to opportunities”. Also be sure to use LinkedIn to search for people who are still actively hiring by searching for those that have the headline “I’m hiring” or “We’re hiring” in their profile.
- Prepare for online interviews using mock interview tools. Even before landing interviews, it can be useful to start practising.
- Be professional and patient. Always be professional with whoever you are interacting with throughout your search process, this will be remembered. You need to be patient, dedicated and not give up on your search. Candidates need to make sure they are following up appropriately for roles they have applied.
Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz
Disclaimer
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville
Rating: 4/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Company%20Profile
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