I am happy to learn that Emirati enrolment in vocational schools has surged (Emirati enrolment in vocational schools is on the rise, January 11). Vocational education and training opens up a world of opportunities.
Since they prepare individuals for a vocation or a specialised occupation, they’re directly linked with a nation’s productivity and competitiveness.
The main outcomes of such trainings are higher participation in the labour market, lower unemployment, the opportunity to acquire a qualification for all categories that did not previously have one, and the chance to advance in a professional hierarchy. Through lifelong learning, individuals can improve their work opportunities and qualification levels.
Higher remuneration offers new opportunities that lead to further economic and social outputs, such as economic autonomy, and can also enhance psychological well-being. All these factors ultimately impact individual productivity.
Furthermore, there are social returns as vocational education contributes to self-esteem, self-value and self-confidence and supports personal activation.
A clear advantage of vocational training is that learning can be undertaken on the job as well as in the classroom. This means that as well as getting broader academic knowledge, students also get the practical skills that are more likely to be required in reality.
David Howe, US
Social media is not useful
We need to know how to handle social networking services properly (Do we really need LinkedIn? January 11).
However, for me sites such as LinkedIn are just meant for spying on others. I have never been headhunted through LinkedIn.
Moreover, employers can’t rely entirely on the information provided on one’s LinkedIn page because people often lie. It’s unfortunate that technology has minimised human interaction. Weren’t face-to-face interviews better?
Mathew Litty, Dubai
Too much food goes to waste
This refers to letters on food wastage (Shameful wastage of food must stop, January 8).
Despite the issue being highlighted often, no one seems to be bothered. I frequently see heaps of leftover food being thrown into rubbish bins, which is disturbing.
A few days ago, during my regular walk, I saw a large quantity of food being disposed of near a restaurant.
Upon inquiring, a restaurant staff told me that it was their policy to dispose the leftover food. This happens especially when these restaurants host parties. It’s sad that we do not make any sincere effort to control wastage.
Some of our norms and practices show our lack of concern for others. We need to realise that there are people who struggle for survival.
The reality is that one in seven people go to sleep hungry every night, according to the World Food Programme. There are more than a billion hungry people living in the world today.
Are we preparing too much food every day? We need to ask this question to ourselves.
Ramachandran Nair, Oman
Let’s hope for a shower or two
I appreciate that the people of this country have so much faith in the Almighty (UAE Rulers lead prayers for rain across the country, January 11).
It’s indeed laudable that people have not strayed from their path despite so much development and progress.
I hope we are all able to retain our faith in the face of many challenges.
I hope this country gets some heavy showers.
Mohammed Ibrahim, Sharjah
Vidaamuyarchi
Director: Magizh Thirumeni
Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra
Rating: 4/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
The Saga Continues
Wu-Tang Clan
(36 Chambers / Entertainment One)
The bio
Job: Coder, website designer and chief executive, Trinet solutions
School: Year 8 pupil at Elite English School in Abu Hail, Deira
Role Models: Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk
Dream City: San Francisco
Hometown: Dubai
City of birth: Thiruvilla, Kerala
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Cryopreservation: A timeline
- Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
- Ovarian tissue surgically removed
- Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
- Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
- Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months
Results
- Brock Lesnar retained the WWE Universal title against Roman Reigns
- Braun Strowman and Nicolas won the Raw Tag Team titles against Sheamus and Cesaro
- AJ Styles retained the WWE World Heavyweight title against Shinsuke Nakamura
- Nia Jax won the Raw Women’s title against Alexa Bliss
- Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon beat Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn
- The Undertaker beat John Cena
- The Bludgeon Brothers won the SmackDown Tag Team titles against the Usos and New Day
- Ronda Rousey and Kurt Angle beat Triple H and Stephanie McMahon
- Jinder Mahal won the United States title against Randy Orton, Rusev and Bobby Roode
- Charlotte retained the SmackDown Women’s title against Asuka
- Seth Rollins won the Intercontinental title against The Miz and Finn Balor
- Naomi won the first WrestleMania Women’s Battle Royal
- Cedric Alexander won the vacant Cruiserweight title against Mustafa Ali
- Matt Hardy won the Andre the Giant Battle Royal
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
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.
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
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
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Sun jukebox
Rufus Thomas, Bear Cat (The Answer to Hound Dog) (1953)
This rip-off of Leiber/Stoller’s early rock stomper brought a lawsuit against Phillips and necessitated Presley’s premature sale to RCA.
Elvis Presley, Mystery Train (1955)
The B-side of Presley’s final single for Sun bops with a drummer-less groove.
Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two, Folsom Prison Blues (1955)
Originally recorded for Sun, Cash’s signature tune was performed for inmates of the titular prison 13 years later.
Carl Perkins, Blue Suede Shoes (1956)
Within a month of Sun’s February release Elvis had his version out on RCA.
Roy Orbison, Ooby Dooby (1956)
An essential piece of irreverent juvenilia from Orbison.
Jerry Lee Lewis, Great Balls of Fire (1957)
Lee’s trademark anthem is one of the era’s best-remembered – and best-selling – songs.