We are by now all too familiar with the doom-and-gloom scenario painted by last year's World Economic Forum report into the future of the workforce: within three years, nearly half of all companies expect to cut jobs as they increasingly move towards automation. In a technology-driven world, the skills needed to survive in the workplace are constantly evolving. It is to that end that 60,000 Abu Dhabi government employees are being given access to 3,000 online courses to ensure they have the tools needed to update their skill set and employability.
The partnership between the state-funded Abu Dhabi School of Government and online learning platform Coursera is grand in its ambitions and scale. It will give public sector workers access to experts at the top of their field from the world’s best universities and forms an important element of the Ghadan 21 programme, which aims to improve the competitiveness of Abu Dhabi in four key areas, including knowledge and innovation.
Online learning is a cost-effective way of making sure governments and public sector workers are not left behind in the technology revolution, a concern voiced by UAE Cabinet Affairs and Future Minister Mohammed Al Gergawi at this week's World Government Summit. The scheme provides a flexible and easily quantifiable means of learning for employees while the easy accessibility of courses means no one will be excluded, including those with parental obligations, who can study in the comfort of their own home. Moreover, the availability of 30 courses in Arabic and 70 with Arabic subtitles will reach a far wider audience and ensure no one is left behind.
The availability of online learning is a key part of the UAE's transformation to a knowledge economy. It should sow the seeds of a mindset of "lifelong learning", because those who realise they need to constantly expand their knowledge and skills will benefit most from this opportunity, as Coursera chief executive Jeff Maggioncalda said in an interview with The National. Learning is no longer reserved for the classroom, and the government's efforts to incorporate it as an integral element in the workplace will hopefully be replicated across the public and private sector. In a world where we are all short on time, flexible online courses have much to offer those willing to learn, as and when they can. Indeed, as new technologies pervade the workplace, disregarding such opportunities is a luxury we can ill afford.
What are the GCSE grade equivalents?
- Grade 9 = above an A*
- Grade 8 = between grades A* and A
- Grade 7 = grade A
- Grade 6 = just above a grade B
- Grade 5 = between grades B and C
- Grade 4 = grade C
- Grade 3 = between grades D and E
- Grade 2 = between grades E and F
- Grade 1 = between grades F and G
UAE%20medallists%20at%20Asian%20Games%202023
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How it works
Each player begins with one of the great empires of history, from Julius Caesar's Rome to Ramses of Egypt, spread over Europe and the Middle East.
Round by round, the player expands their empire. The more land they have, the more money they can take from their coffers for each go.
As unruled land and soldiers are acquired, players must feed them. When a player comes up against land held by another army, they can choose to battle for supremacy.
A dice-based battle system is used and players can get the edge on their enemy with by deploying a renowned hero on the battlefield.
Players that lose battles and land will find their coffers dwindle and troops go hungry. The end goal? Global domination of course.
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
Company info
Company name: Entrupy
Co-founders: Vidyuth Srinivasan, co-founder/chief executive, Ashlesh Sharma, co-founder/chief technology officer, Lakshmi Subramanian, co-founder/chief scientist
Based: New York, New York
Sector/About: Entrupy is a hardware-enabled SaaS company whose mission is to protect businesses, borders and consumers from transactions involving counterfeit goods.
Initial investment/Investors: Entrupy secured a $2.6m Series A funding round in 2017. The round was led by Tokyo-based Digital Garage and Daiwa Securities Group's jointly established venture arm, DG Lab Fund I Investment Limited Partnership, along with Zach Coelius.
Total customers: Entrupy’s customers include hundreds of secondary resellers, marketplaces and other retail organisations around the world. They are also testing with shipping companies as well as customs agencies to stop fake items from reaching the market in the first place.
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
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500 People from Gaza enter France
115 Special programme for artists
25 Evacuation of injured and sick
ASSASSIN'S%20CREED%20MIRAGE
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
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Managing the separation process
- Choose your nursery carefully in the first place
- Relax – and hopefully your child will follow suit
- Inform the staff in advance of your child’s likes and dislikes.
- If you need some extra time to talk to the teachers, make an appointment a few days in advance, rather than attempting to chat on your child’s first day
- The longer you stay, the more upset your child will become. As difficult as it is, walk away. Say a proper goodbye and reassure your child that you will be back
- Be patient. Your child might love it one day and hate it the next
- Stick at it. Don’t give up after the first day or week. It takes time for children to settle into a new routine.And, finally, don’t feel guilty.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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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