As Amna Almaazmi recounts the details of more than two decades spent working in educational institutions there is, she admits, a certain circularity to her progress.
After a 15-year stint at Dubai’s Higher Colleges of Technology and a further two years at the Fatma College of Health Sciences, Almaazmi joined New York University Abu Dhabi in 2014 as assistant dean of students and director of campus life assessment and strategy.
“I think I’ve successfully negotiated my freshman and sophomore year here and now I’m ready to be a junior,” the 42-year-old quips.
The role not only charges Almaazmi with responsibility for devising strategies that will allow the university’s Campus Life department – a team of 85 people – to achieve its goals,but with making sure that NYUAD’s students feel welcome by, and connected with, the wider community.
“In broad terms my responsibility is for developing strategies that allow us to understand who our students are, what we can do for them, and then to provide them with experiences that allow them to understand what the UAE and Abu Dhabi has to offer,” she says.
A lot of the activities Almaazmi conceives and co-ordinates encourage the students to explore their new home by introducing them to individuals or sending them to places that they might not encounter for themselves, both in Abu Dhabi and beyond.
“This year, because Eid came early, we wanted to send the students out before they got used to the bubble of campus life and to make them familiar with the area, expose them to new experiences and to form friendships as early as possible,” she explains.
When it comes to understanding the needs of students, especially those who live and study in a society that’s very different from their own, Almaazmi knows of what she speaks.
In 1992, at the tender age of 18, Almaazmi left her native Sharjah and travelled to Orlando, Florida in America where she studied for her bachelor’s degree in psychology at the University of Central Florida.
“I got a scholarship and my parents fully supported me in my decision but I went off alone,” she says.
“I had to navigate that environment and learn from my peers who were there. I made friends with lots of Americans, Latinos and South Asians and I learnt a lot during that time. It felt like I grew twice my age.”
Her US experience was followed by six years in the UK, during which time she not only trained and worked as a university counsellor, but also gained two master’s degrees and a PhD.
“But that was a very different challenge because at the time I was there with three children,” the now mother of four says.
Understanding the importance of family inspired Almaazmi to extend a traditional “Merhaba”, or welcome, to the parents of this year’s new intake at NYUAD.
“We admitted 325 students this year and we sent an invite to all parents inviting them to attend our Parent Merhaba – 140 people from 60 families and 58 different countries RSVP’d and attended,” Almaazmi explains.
Do you have a favourite book?
The Invitation by a Native American author, Oriah Mountain Dreamer. It's a poem about a lot of things – happiness, suffering, sorrow – and each section of the poem is turned into a chapter that invites you to deal with those emotions. You don't have to read the whole book in one go, but depending on where you're at, you can just take it off the shelf and dip into it.
Do you have a favourite destination?
This summer I was in Greece – we went to Santorini and Nea Anchialos. We rented a villa just five minutes from the beach and it was an amazing experience, especially for the children. They did Greek history at school, so they were keen to see the Acropolis, Mount Olympus and the monasteries.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I like the beach. Now that the weather is pleasant, I take my children there all the time. If I’m in Sharjah, we’ll go to Sharjah beach, or if I’m here in Abu Dhabi, we’ll go to Saadiyat Public Beach.
What do you do to relax?
I’ve been meditating for a long time. The best time for me is when the children are asleep, so I usually do it before fajr prayer, when I am by myself. I trained as a counsellor in 2003, and this is part of my training that has stayed with me ever since.
Do you have a favourite piece of music?
I listen to a lot of Zen music and nature sounds, especially when I drive back to Sharjah. It keeps me relaxed. I don’t drive back on Thursdays because the road is crazy, but I hit the road on a Friday morning after the children have had their breakfast.
Where would you send somebody who wanted to understand Abu Dhabi?
I’d say the museums and the Qasr Al Hosn Festival, when it’s on. That’s an amazing place and it offers you everything you need to know.
What book would you recommend to a newcomer to Abu Dhabi?
If they want something really quick, I'd give them the Ask Ali guides by Ali Al Saloom. I also like books that are written about Sheikh Zayed [the founding President of the UAE] and the history of the UAE, but I think that it's much better to listen to somebody first and then go to a book.
Do you have any words of wisdom?
“You won’t know it unless you try it.” My English teacher told me this in Grade 6 when I was uncomfortable with my English and there was a language competition. She advised me to take part. My response was no, because I didn’t want to embarrass myself, but she just wrote the details of the competition on a piece of paper and I took it home with me. That motivated me to learn English, and I eventually won first place.
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
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Asia Cup 2018 final
Who: India v Bangladesh
When: Friday, 3.30pm, Dubai International Stadium
Watch: Live on OSN Cricket HD
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Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
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'Panga'
Directed by Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari
Starring Kangana Ranaut, Richa Chadha, Jassie Gill, Yagya Bhasin, Neena Gupta
Rating: 3.5/5
Name: Peter Dicce
Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics
Favourite sport: soccer
Favourite team: Bayern Munich
Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer
Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates
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
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide
Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content
Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
Full list of brands available for Instagram Checkout
Adidas @adidaswomen
Anastasia Beverly Hills @anastasiabeverlyhills
Balmain @balmain
Burberry @burberry
ColourPop @colourpopcosmetics
Dior @dior
H&M @hm
Huda Beauty @hudabeautyshop
KKW @kkwbeauty
Kylie Cosmetics @kyliecosmetics
MAC Cosmetics @maccosmetics
Michael Kors @michaelkors
NARS @narsissist
Nike @niketraining & @nikewomen
NYX Cosmetics @nyxcosmetics
Oscar de la Renta @oscardelarenta
Ouai Hair @theouai
Outdoor Voices @outdoorvoices
Prada @prada
Revolve @revolve
Uniqlo @uniqlo
Warby Parker @warbyparker
Zara @zara
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
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match info
Union Berlin 0
Bayern Munich 1 (Lewandowski 40' pen, Pavard 80')
Man of the Match: Benjamin Pavard (Bayern Munich)
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The biog
Name: Timothy Husband
Nationality: New Zealand
Education: Degree in zoology at The University of Sydney
Favourite book: Lemurs of Madagascar by Russell A Mittermeier
Favourite music: Billy Joel
Weekends and holidays: Talking about animals or visiting his farm in Australia
Sweet%20Tooth
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Name: Colm McLoughlin
Country: Galway, Ireland
Job: Executive vice chairman and chief executive of Dubai Duty Free
Favourite golf course: Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club
Favourite part of Dubai: Palm Jumeirah
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