DUBAI // An Emirati academic has been appointed president of the University of Dubai.
Dr Essa Al Bastaki, a communications engineer who was on the staff at UAE University for 30 years, is among a growing number of UAE nationals rising through the higher education ranks.
He will be in charge for the coming academic year.
Dr Al Bastaki is the third Emirati head of a private university, following Prof Hassan Alkim at the American University of Ras Al Khaimah and Prof Abdullah Al Shamsi at the British University in Dubai.
"It's excellent to have locals head these institutions," Dr Al Bastaki said. "We have over 180 professors who have been at UAEU and most of them are very capable of these roles. We have the capacity but we need the universities to give us a chance."
Making the transition from a research institute to an academic one will be "a different challenge" from those he has faced in past years, most recently a two-year secondment to the ICT Fund, a research body.
"I have a very long-term vision," Dr Al Bastaki said. It includes the new campus in Dubai International Academic City, which he hopes will open in two years. He will also add a college of law to the existing business and IT colleges.
There will also be more focus on research, especially for the business community.
Dr Al Bastaki said there was a need for more professional development of academics to enable more Emiratis to take on such roles.
"Having a degree is not enough," he said. "They need the degrees for the way of thinking but they need the professional development and continuing education."
Dr Ali Al Mansoori, head of the RAK Higher Colleges of Technology, is one of a number of Emiratis in the federal education system to have been made college head this year.
He said the time was right for more Emiratis to come up through the ranks.
"Now, we have a lot of qualified people who have studied and been skilled up abroad so they do have the qualifications required for these critical positions," he said.
"A lot of them spent a lot of time doing the actual work in the academic environment."
Dr Al Bastaki, a communications engineering specialist, was part of the UAE University system for about 30 years. 'They understand the environment, the students, the culture,' he said.
Having Emiratis in senior roles helps the development of society and meets the needs of local students.
"It will improve our society and communities as Emiratis can help express what we need as UAE nationals," Dr Al Mansoori said.
"At the end of the day we're producing people to work in the UAE community.
"When you bring expatriates, though they have the qualifications, it takes some time to adapt to the new system, even the culture that we take for granted."
But the emphasis must continue to be on quality.
"It's not just about numbers. For Emiratis, seeing these UAE nationals in such leadership positions, I hope will encourage and inspire others to follow," Dr Al Mansoori said.
While this is an encouraging trend, Prof Al Shamsi, head of the British University for the past six years after having been with the federal UAE University for 26 years, said he thought it would be some time before Emirati education leaders were commonplace.
"The demand is greater than the supply," he said. "We have over 70 private, ministry-accredited universities and the required talent for these posts is still lacking in the UAE," he said. "For a country of this size, it's remarkable we have so many institutions.
"Within the private sector, the competition between universities is acute and the pay universities give academic staff isn't encouraging them to join."
As there are so few Emirati academics teaching at private universities in general, it is reflected at the top.
Federal schools, Prof Al Shamsi said, were not much different. About 25 per cent of the staff at UAE University are Emirati, but at Zayed University it is "even less than 1 per cent".
He said many Emirati academics at his level have either retired or were employed in the private sector in industry and commerce.
"I don't think that number will change vastly in the next few years," he said.
mswan@thenational.ae
Profile
Co-founders of the company: Vilhelm Hedberg and Ravi Bhusari
Launch year: In 2016 ekar launched and signed an agreement with Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi. In January 2017 ekar launched in Dubai in a partnership with the RTA.
Number of employees: Over 50
Financing stage: Series B currently being finalised
Investors: Series A - Audacia Capital
Sector of operation: Transport
Jigra
Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, Harsh Singh
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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RESULTS
5pm: Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,400m
Winner: AF Tathoor, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
5.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh70,000 1,000m
Winner: Dahawi, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
6pm: Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 2,000m
Winner: Aiz Alawda, Fernando Jara, Ahmed Al Mehairbi
6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 2,000m
Winner: ES Nahawand, Fernando Jara, Mohammed Daggash
7pm: Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 1,600m
Winner: Winked, Connor Beasley, Abdallah Al Hammadi
7.30pm: Al Ain Mile Group 3 (PA) Dh350,000 1,600m
Winner: Somoud, Connor Beasley, Ahmed Al Mehairbi
8pm: Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,600m
Winner: Al Jazi, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
Tom Fletcher on 'soft power'
RESULTS
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
The view from The National
What is Genes in Space?
Genes in Space is an annual competition first launched by the UAE Space Agency, The National and Boeing in 2015.
It challenges school pupils to design experiments to be conducted in space and it aims to encourage future talent for the UAE’s fledgling space industry. It is the first of its kind in the UAE and, as well as encouraging talent, it also aims to raise interest and awareness among the general population about space exploration.
Getting%20there
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A Cat, A Man, and Two Women
Junichiro Tamizaki
Translated by Paul McCarthy
Daunt Books
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Company%20Profile
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
Why does a queen bee feast only on royal jelly?
Some facts about bees:
The queen bee eats only royal jelly, an extraordinary food created by worker bees so she lives much longer
The life cycle of a worker bee is from 40-60 days
A queen bee lives for 3-5 years
This allows her to lay millions of eggs and allows the continuity of the bee colony
About 20,000 honey bees and one queen populate each hive
Honey is packed with vital vitamins, minerals, enzymes, water and anti-oxidants.
Apart from honey, five other products are royal jelly, the special food bees feed their queen
Pollen is their protein source, a super food that is nutritious, rich in amino acids
Beewax is used to construct the combs. Due to its anti-fungal, anti-bacterial elements, it is used in skin treatments
Propolis, a resin-like material produced by bees is used to make hives. It has natural antibiotic qualities so works to sterilize hive, protects from disease, keeps their home free from germs. Also used to treat sores, infection, warts
Bee venom is used by bees to protect themselves. Has anti-inflammatory properties, sometimes used to relieve conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, nerve and muscle pain
Honey, royal jelly, pollen have health enhancing qualities
The other three products are used for therapeutic purposes
Is beekeeping dangerous?
As long as you deal with bees gently, you will be safe, says Mohammed Al Najeh, who has worked with bees since he was a boy.
“The biggest mistake people make is they panic when they see a bee. They are small but smart creatures. If you move your hand quickly to hit the bees, this is an aggressive action and bees will defend themselves. They can sense the adrenalin in our body. But if we are calm, they are move away.”
UAE%20medallists%20at%20Asian%20Games%202023
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About Krews
Founder: Ahmed Al Qubaisi
Based: Abu Dhabi
Founded: January 2019
Number of employees: 10
Sector: Technology/Social media
Funding to date: Estimated $300,000 from Hub71 in-kind support
Name: Brendalle Belaza
From: Crossing Rubber, Philippines
Arrived in the UAE: 2007
Favourite place in Abu Dhabi: NYUAD campus
Favourite photography style: Street photography
Favourite book: Harry Potter
Brief scoreline:
Tottenham 1
Son 78'
Manchester City 0
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Joker: Folie a Deux
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson
Director: Todd Phillips
Rating: 2/5
box
COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: Letstango.com
Started: June 2013
Founder: Alex Tchablakian
Based: Dubai
Industry: e-commerce
Initial investment: Dh10 million
Investors: Self-funded
Total customers: 300,000 unique customers every month
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 611bhp
Torque: 620Nm
Transmission: seven-speed automatic
Price: upon application
On sale: now
Pad Man
Dir: R Balki
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Sonam Kapoor, Radhika Apte
Three-and-a-half stars
Sunday's games
Liverpool v West Ham United, 4.30pm (UAE)
Southampton v Burnley, 4.30pm
Arsenal v Manchester City, 7pm
Company%20Profile
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COMPANY PROFILE
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47