Dr Sonia Ben Jaafar is the chief executive of the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation for Education
November 26, 2024
I have the privilege of meeting hundreds of young people like Ahmed, a dedicated 32-year-old UAE professional balancing a demanding job in construction, family responsibilities and career aspirations. Like many of his peers, he wants to improve his skills and provide a better future for his family but does not have the luxury of pausing his job to return to school full-time.
As people across the Gulf and the Middle East and North Africa region face rapidly evolving technological landscapes and competitive job markets, young people such as Ahmed must have access to flexible, quality education to improve their skills and work towards career growth. It is the key to unlocking increased workplace relevance and higher pay.
Advanced education leads to career advancement, but traditional university programmes come with high hurdles for working professionals. That’s what makes online education so valuable. Online learning offers flexible schedules, lower tuition fees and fewer cultural barriers, making it more accessible, especially for women.
But society must innovate to make the switch. That’s why we have been working with partners to help redefine higher education into a hybrid and fully online model. However, that demands that we partner across sectors and that leading universities think towards a better future.
Visitors attend Ru'ya career fair, World Trade Centre, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Recently, the Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation partnered with Khalifa University to enhance digital education across the region, starting with the UAE as a model. Khalifa University’s redesigned online Master of Engineering in Health and Safety showcases how advanced courses can provide training in the skills needed to improve safety standards across industries.
The demand for professionals skilled in health and safety engineering is rising, driven by the need for safer work environments and strict safety rules. The world doesn’t need any more chemical spills or accidents at nuclear power plants.
The programme by Khalifa University, in partnership with the Foundation, addresses these needs by preparing graduates for advanced career opportunities: occupational health and safety professionals ensure safe working conditions through policies, inspections and education. Environmental health specialists monitor and control pollution. Fire protection engineers design systems to prevent and control fires in industrial settings.
A broad, diverse workforce in these critical positions is essential, one of the reasons that cultural inclusivity is a cornerstone of this initiative. By including courses such as Arabic for non-native speakers, the partnership between Khalifa University and Coursera broadens the accessibility of quality education. This approach supports the platform in enhancing its Arabic content. It also aligns with the goals set by the UAE Ministry of Education and the Foundation, making learning more inclusive and accessible to marginalised and displaced youth across the Mena region.
A non-native speaker learns Arabic. The future of education must be adaptable, inclusive and forward-thinking to prepare students for the jobs of tomorrow. Victor Besa / The National
Marginalised youth, often hindered by financial constraints or unstable living environments, can now access high-quality education and skill development programmes. For displaced populations such as refugees, online education offers continuity and a pathway to rebuilding their lives alongside other critical support systems. Flexible learning environments empower females facing societal barriers and non-traditional students balancing professional and personal responsibilities.
Innovation in education is at the heart of this partnership. Khalifa University’s transition to a hybrid and fully online learning modality represents a significant leap forward in making education more accessible. This flexibility allows on-the-job learning for those who cannot afford to take time off work to expand their skill sets and access managerial positions with a master’s degree.
Further, our engagement with Coursera as a content partner in the Gulf underlines the initiative’s innovative approach. Courses such as Artificial Intelligence for Executives and Deep Learning complement specialised offerings in Effective Online Teaching and Arabic for non-native speakers, catering to a broad spectrum of learners and industry needs.
The partnership marks a second phase of collaboration between Khalifa University and the Foundation, building on the success of previously created hybrid courses under the University Consortium for Quality Online Learning. Since the Consortium launched in 2022 with 9 universities in the UAE and the Ministry of Education, it has had an impact on over 25,000 students and almost 300 faculty. Khalifa University will sustainability enhance this impact with their new comprehensive programme offers a Digital Innovation Lab and faculty training programmes to ensure the sustainability of online and hybrid education models.
These initiatives bridge innovation, inclusivity and quality in education. They prepare students for the challenges of a digital future and globalise opportunities. These partnerships are essential in empowering the next generation of leaders, ensuring that they are equipped to thrive in their careers and contribute meaningfully to the development of their communities and the wider world.
Access to education can dramatically influence one’s career trajectory. The future of education must be adaptable, inclusive and forward-thinking to prepare students for the jobs of tomorrow. And I’m not just speaking to the 32-year-olds working in the field of construction. I’m speaking to everyone.
By dismantling barriers to education, we open opportunities for people from diverse backgrounds to contribute their talents and ideas, fostering a more inclusive and dynamic global workforce. This approach is not just about meeting the needs of today’s industries; it’s about anticipating future challenges and opportunities and preparing a new generation of leaders to meet them head-on.
Try out the test yourself
Q1 Suppose you had $100 in a savings account and the interest rate was 2 per cent per year. After five years, how much do you think you would have in the account if you left the money to grow? a) More than $102 b) Exactly $102 c) Less than $102 d) Do not know e) Refuse to answer
Q2 Imagine that the interest rate on your savings account was 1 per cent per year and inflation was 2 per cent per year. After one year, how much would you be able to buy with the money in this account? a) More than today b) Exactly the same as today c) Less than today d) Do not know e) Refuse to answer
Q4 Do you think that the following statement is true or false? “Buying a single company stock usually provides a safer return than a stock mutual fund.” a) True b) False d) Do not know e) Refuse to answer
The “Big Three” financial literacy questions were created by Professors Annamaria Lusardi of the George Washington School of Business and Olivia Mitchell, of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Answers:Q1 More than $102 (compound interest). Q2 Less than today (inflation). Q3 False (diversification).
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The biog
Age: 59
From: Giza Governorate, Egypt
Family: A daughter, two sons and wife
Favourite tree: Ghaf
Runner up favourite tree: Frankincense
Favourite place on Sir Bani Yas Island: “I love all of Sir Bani Yas. Every spot of Sir Bani Yas, I love it.”
Schedule:
All matches at the Harare Sports Club
1st ODI, Wed Apr 10
2nd ODI, Fri Apr 12
3rd ODI, Sun Apr 14
4th ODI, Sun Apr 16
UAE squad
Mohammed Naveed (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Shaiman Anwar, Mohammed Usman, CP Rizwan, Chirag Suri, Mohammed Boota, Ghulam Shabber, Sultan Ahmed, Imran Haider, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed
Zimbabwe squad
Peter Moor (captain), Solomon Mire, Brian Chari, Regis Chakabva, Sean Williams, Timycen Maruma, Sikandar Raza, Donald Tiripano, Kyle Jarvis, Tendai Chatara, Chris Mpofu, Craig Ervine, Brandon Mavuta, Ainsley Ndlovu, Tony Munyonga, Elton Chigumbura
There are different types of travel available for pets:
Manifest cargo
Excess luggage in the hold
Excess luggage in the cabin
Each option is safe. The feasibility of each option is based on the size and breed of your pet, the airline they are traveling on and country they are travelling to.
2. What is the difference between my pet traveling as manifest cargo or as excess luggage?
If traveling as manifest cargo, your pet is traveling in the front hold of the plane and can travel with or without you being on the same plane. The cost of your pets travel is based on volumetric weight, in other words, the size of their travel crate.
If traveling as excess luggage, your pet will be in the rear hold of the plane and must be traveling under the ticket of a human passenger. The cost of your pets travel is based on the actual (combined) weight of your pet in their crate.
3. What happens when my pet arrives in the country they are traveling to?
As soon as the flight arrives, your pet will be taken from the plane straight to the airport terminal.
If your pet is traveling as excess luggage, they will taken to the oversized luggage area in the arrival hall. Once you clear passport control, you will be able to collect them at the same time as your normal luggage. As you exit the airport via the ‘something to declare’ customs channel you will be asked to present your pets travel paperwork to the customs official and / or the vet on duty.
If your pet is traveling as manifest cargo, they will be taken to the Animal Reception Centre. There, their documentation will be reviewed by the staff of the ARC to ensure all is in order. At the same time, relevant customs formalities will be completed by staff based at the arriving airport.
4. How long does the travel paperwork and other travel preparations take?
This depends entirely on the location that your pet is traveling to. Your pet relocation compnay will provide you with an accurate timeline of how long the relevant preparations will take and at what point in the process the various steps must be taken.
In some cases they can get your pet ‘travel ready’ in a few days. In others it can be up to six months or more.
5. What vaccinations does my pet need to travel?
Regardless of where your pet is traveling, they will need certain vaccinations. The exact vaccinations they need are entirely dependent on the location they are traveling to. The one vaccination that is mandatory for every country your pet may travel to is a rabies vaccination.
Other vaccinations may also be necessary. These will be advised to you as relevant. In every situation, it is essential to keep your vaccinations current and to not miss a due date, even by one day. To do so could severely hinder your pets travel plans.
