Dubai museum helps us see the future

Readers highlight the utility of the Museum of the Future. Other topics: maternity leave, Donal Trump, business class travel

Readers say the Museum of the Future will motivate the young generation. WAM

The decision to build the Museum of the Future again proves that the UAE is bringing more colour to its future (Sheikh Mohammed establishes Dubai's Museum of the Future, August 9).

The project will provide motivation to the country’s talented youth and guide them on how they should approach the future.

Young Emiratis should take advantage of all that their country offers them. Few people in the world are as lucky as Emiratis.

Ramachandran Nair, Oman

Innovation is one of the key factors for competitive advantage. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid has always been a champion for innovation. The question behind every innovation is “how”? How do we make it faster, smaller, more efficient, more cost-effective?

Dubai has no real natural resources. Oil accounts for less than 5 per cent of the GDP. So it must lay emphasis on the knowledge economy, which simply means having a highly educated and trained workforce. That will make Dubai the centre of innovation for decades to come, with advances in health sciences, renewable energy, agriculture, aerospace engineering, robotics, education and software development.

Randall Mohammed, Dubai

Maternity leave should be increased

In reference to your editorial The case for longer maternity leave (August 10), six months of paid maternity leave, followed by more flexible working hours and part-time options for skilled women, should be more of a norm these days.

Unfortunately, prospective employers raise eyebrows when I tell them that I would like to work part time.

Jayadevi Machaya Palekanda, Dubai

In the UK, we get nine months of what we call statutory maternity pay of £150 (Dh550) a week. There is a further option to take an extra three months’ unpaid leave, and you are still entitled to flexible working hours when you return.

Amy Heath, UK

The UAE is getting better each day. I can only hope that this law is enacted as it will surely support and encourage women to work.

Luci Lekovic, Dubai

We’d love to have a child, but as the breadwinner of the family, I’m not prepared to take any kind of pressure. Six months’ paid maternity leave would be a very good decision and I do hope it happens. Until that time, and as long as we live in this country, we will remain childless.

Gillian Dow, Dubai

A No vote for President Trump

Regarding the opinion article Why I'm backing The Donald's bid to be president (August 10), Donald Trump has money but no class. Do we want someone who "tells it like it is" to negotiate foreign affairs? That sends shivers up my spine.

Jennifer Wilkinson, Dubai

I appreciate Khalaf Al Habtoor’s understanding of what really does make America a great nation, and the significant failures in its political class. I would caution, however, that perhaps Mr Trump is a bit more focused on himself than the nation he claims to love. He has successfully exploited the financial and legal system he claims needs reform, and admits to essentially buying politicians to solicit favours. I do like his showmanship and his drive, but question his sincerity.

M Smith, US

Children are humans, too

Banning children from business class (Emirates A380 800 business class review: Pleasurable except for unruly children, July 20)? What next? Banning snorers, loud people, obnoxious high maintenance people?

The list of “annoyances” are long, but human nature is human nature. Children are humans and entitled to be treated as consumers too. Bad mannered children are often products of bad mannered parents and I’ve seen my fair share of bad mannered/ behaved people on the thousands of flights I’ve taken over the years. There are no solutions to that I’m afraid.

C Micheletti, Canada