Muhra Almuhairi is living proof that you should never let go of your dreams lightly.
As a hard-working high school pupil in Abu Dhabi, she set her sights high, vowing to one day study at Harvard University
Now 46, she is ready to turn student once more as she starts her master’s degree in public administration at the US seat of learning in September.
Born and raised in the UAE capital, the mother-of-four has worked for more than 18 years in federal and local government, and is keen to bring back the knowledge of public policy she will gain to benefit her country.
A penchant for seeking knowledge and not taking no for an answer are what define Ms Almuhairi.
“Going to Harvard University has always been a dream since I was in high school," she said. “Back then, I did not even think I could go outside the country [for studies] …I could just do what was available.
“When people talk about Harvard University they talk about the prestige, the network, the knowledge.
“This amazing chance came to me when I got for a fellowship through which Harvard University would sponsor 100 per cent of my tuition fees.
"I know that very few people who apply get enrolled and even fewer get a scholarship."
Ms Almuhairi is no stranger to the realm of education, having completed her bachelor's in business information technology in 2000, and then her executive master’s in business administration in 2005.
She went on to acquire two master’s degrees in education at Deakin University in Australia in 2008, and at Higher Colleges of Technology in the UAE in 2009.
'No age limit on achievement'
After taking a hiatus from education, she returned to university again in 2012, and finished her doctorate in business administration at Abu Dhabi University in 2015.
“There is no age limit for dreaming or achieving an ambition,” Ms Almuhairi said.
“I believe that every woman or young adult who wants to do something, can achieve that so long as they keep going.
“Sometimes the time is not right, but there will be another time. Just keep going."
She reminisced about her graduation day when she finished her doctorate in 2015, and her daughters were there to support her.
“My children attended my graduation and my eldest daughter told me ‘Mom, now you are raising the bar,'" she said.
Hale Education Group, a consultancy in Dubai that offers mentoring and admissions counselling, helped Ms Almuhairi apply to Harvard University.
She will be starting her mid-career master's in public administration, and will focus on the wellness of government employees.
The programme is designed for mid-career professionals and candidates need to have over 10 years of work experience.
Thirst for learning remains unquenched
"It's very hard to get admission at Harvard, and the application process is very complicated,” she said.
She said she had to write several essays, provide evidence of her grades, and letters of recommendations, and create a video based on a pop-up question.
"The essays are what make applying to Harvard different as you have to review yourself,” she said.
“The network, the people, the diversity is what I am most excited about.
"I am looking forward to having conversations with, and learning from, people from different countries.
"I am excited about learning about policy-making because that is needed in the social and human resources sector, and that learning is what I hope to bring back to the UAE.”
Ms Almuhairi currently works as an adviser of learning and development at Human Resource Authority in Abu Dhabi.
Straight out of university, she started teaching at the Higher Colleges of Technology, and was later the chairwoman of business administration for 10 years.
She taught information technology, project management, and business administration.
She also worked as an adviser for community service and development and then as the director of programmes at Abu Dhabi School of Government.
Even when she was busy with work, she never forgot her love for learning and wished to return to teaching some day.
"I am a life-long learner, and teaching is a way of sharing your knowledge and building the community," she said.
“For me, the feeling that you get at the end of the semester when you can see the progress in a pupil, that is very rewarding."
Being at university every other weekend meant missing social engagements or parties and not having a weekend for four years while she completed her doctorate.
But, she said, her determination to succeed did not allow her to see the challenges along the way.
Daughters inspired by mother's determination
Ms Almuhairi's daughters, aged 11,15, 19, and 20, are proud of their mother's achievements.
"I am inspired by my mom pursuing her studies because she keeps learning throughout her life, even after working, and it encourages me to do the same in the future," said Shamma Al Shamsi, 20.
Her 15-year-old sister Aisha echoed those sentiments, even if she does not yet fully understand her mother's drive to succeed.
"It is very weird that my mom still wants to study, but I like that because she wants to do more for her and our future," she said.
LILO & STITCH
Starring: Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders
Director: Dean Fleischer Camp
Rating: 4.5/5
Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021
Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.
The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.
These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.
“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.
“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.
“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.
“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”
Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.
There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.
“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.
“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.
“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
It Was Just an Accident
Director: Jafar Panahi
Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr
Rating: 4/5
RECORD%20BREAKER
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PROFILE OF HALAN
Started: November 2017
Founders: Mounir Nakhla, Ahmed Mohsen and Mohamed Aboulnaga
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport and logistics
Size: 150 employees
Investment: approximately $8 million
Investors include: Singapore’s Battery Road Digital Holdings, Egypt’s Algebra Ventures, Uber co-founder and former CTO Oscar Salazar
THE BIO
Family: I have three siblings, one older brother (age 25) and two younger sisters, 20 and 13
Favourite book: Asking for my favourite book has to be one of the hardest questions. However a current favourite would be Sidewalk by Mitchell Duneier
Favourite place to travel to: Any walkable city. I also love nature and wildlife
What do you love eating or cooking: I’m constantly in the kitchen. Ever since I changed the way I eat I enjoy choosing and creating what goes into my body. However, nothing can top home cooked food from my parents.
Favorite place to go in the UAE: A quiet beach.
The years Ramadan fell in May
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)
What is Diwali?
The Hindu festival is at once a celebration of the autumn harvest and the triumph of good over evil, as outlined in the Ramayana.
According to the Sanskrit epic, penned by the sage Valmiki, Diwali marks the time that the exiled king Rama – a mortal with superhuman powers – returned home to the city of Ayodhya with his wife Sita and brother Lakshman, after vanquishing the 10-headed demon Ravana and conquering his kingdom of Lanka. The people of Ayodhya are believed to have lit thousands of earthen lamps to illuminate the city and to guide the royal family home.
In its current iteration, Diwali is celebrated with a puja to welcome the goodness of prosperity Lakshmi (an incarnation of Sita) into the home, which is decorated with diyas (oil lamps) or fairy lights and rangoli designs with coloured powder. Fireworks light up the sky in some parts of the word, and sweetmeats are made (or bought) by most households. It is customary to get new clothes stitched, and visit friends and family to exchange gifts and greetings.
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20M3%20MACBOOK%20AIR%20(13%22)
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The specs: 2019 Haval H6
Price, base: Dh69,900
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 197hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 315Nm @ 2,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km
EA Sports FC 26
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3/5
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
UFC Fight Night 2
1am – Early prelims
2am – Prelims
4am-7am – Main card
7:30am-9am – press cons
Our legal advisor
Ahmad El Sayed is Senior Associate at Charles Russell Speechlys, a law firm headquartered in London with offices in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Hong Kong.
Experience: Commercial litigator who has assisted clients with overseas judgments before UAE courts. His specialties are cases related to banking, real estate, shareholder disputes, company liquidations and criminal matters as well as employment related litigation.
Education: Sagesse University, Beirut, Lebanon, in 2005.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh122,745
On sale: now
SPEC%20SHEET
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De De Pyaar De
Produced: Luv Films, YRF Films
Directed: Akiv Ali
Cast: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Rakul Preet Singh, Jimmy Sheirgill, Jaaved Jaffrey
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
