Encouraging creativity in schools is key



Last month, I wrote a feature about bridging the gender gap in the Emirati workforce. Emirati women are increasingly involved in a wider range of specialised, technical fields, such as engineering, breaking the mould and, in many cases, surpassing their male counterparts. However, many are struggling.

In truth, it’s not just women – and it’s not just Emiratis – but an individual’s employability depends on individual circumstances. For Emirati women, the reasons that they struggle vary from cultural, logistical and economic circumstances to not meeting the requirements of the job market.

A close friend of mine, who works in the film industry, lives by the maxim: follow your passion and you’ll never work a day in your life. And, after moving into journalism, I can confidently say that he’s right. It can be difficult and frustrating, but the satisfaction of taking the high road, not compromising my dreams, and those moments of success – it can’t be matched. And to actually be doing a dream job; not many people can say that they do the same.

So many people are struggling to find work; even after taking “practical” degrees over interesting ones. Specialising in a field shows that an individual is capable of acquiring practical skills and vocational cohesion, whether it be engineering or creative writing. But reciting dictated theory demonstrates someone capable of doing that and that alone. There’s no critical thinking involved, something that is often lacking in education. My high school discouraged critical thinking; aside from a few passionate literature and history teachers, it was very strongly discouraged. I was conscious of it at the time, as were my artistic friends, and we resented it. I didn’t want to be another brick in the wall, and could never understand why a teacher would want that for their students. It doesn’t lead to a fulfilling life, which I’ve always wanted for myself, and it doesn’t lead to a job, either.

Teenagers are not encouraged to think about prospective careers until the last minute – and then they have to rush into applying for misguided degrees. Teachers tell them what to apply for instead of asking, and don’t give them the opportunity to make informed decisions for themselves. Work experience and internships should be reserved for high-school students.

On one level, it means that kids have no idea what they’re getting themselves into when they apply to a university, which is an enormous commitment of time and money. And on another, it means that even after graduating, they have to play catch-up for employers who increasingly demand that people have at least six months of unpaid work experience. When you’ve got a student loan, bills and rent to pay, that’s tricky.

On top of that, there’s a strong paradigm in schools that passions should be suppressed and kept as hobbies. It’s a huge problem. Children should be told they can achieve anything they put their minds to; that life is about living, not breathing, and that following their passions is the key to success and excellence.

Hareth Al Bustani co-writes the My Year at The National blog, where this piece was originally published

How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.

CHATGPT%20ENTERPRISE%20FEATURES
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Other workplace saving schemes
  • The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
  • Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
  • National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
  • In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
  • Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAlmouneer%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202017%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dr%20Noha%20Khater%20and%20Rania%20Kadry%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EEgypt%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E120%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EBootstrapped%2C%20with%20support%20from%20Insead%20and%20Egyptian%20government%2C%20seed%20round%20of%20%3Cbr%3E%243.6%20million%20led%20by%20Global%20Ventures%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

War

Director: Siddharth Anand

Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Tiger Shroff, Ashutosh Rana, Vaani Kapoor

Rating: Two out of five stars 

If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.

When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.

How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
How to avoid crypto fraud
  • Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
  • Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
  • Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
  • Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
  • Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
  • Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
  • Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
German intelligence warnings
  • 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
  • 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
  • 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250 

Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution

Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
 
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
PROFILE OF STARZPLAY

Date started: 2014

Founders: Maaz Sheikh, Danny Bates

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: Entertainment/Streaming Video On Demand

Number of employees: 125

Investors/Investment amount: $125 million. Major investors include Starz/Lionsgate, State Street, SEQ and Delta Partners