Aldar academies students reap great benefits from the multicultural educational environment. Photo: Ravindranath K / The National
Aldar academies students reap great benefits from the multicultural educational environment. Photo: Ravindranath K / The National
Aldar academies students reap great benefits from the multicultural educational environment. Photo: Ravindranath K / The National
Aldar academies students reap great benefits from the multicultural educational environment. Photo: Ravindranath K / The National

Why multicultural education is vital to our future


  • English
  • Arabic

Knowledge drives progress and serves as the pathway to economic and social advances. Our success as a nation depends on the attention and resources devoted to the education of our youth.

I chair an education provider where students are given the opportunity to appreciate global perspectives on learning, while staying rooted in the cultural aspects of the UAE.

By using the English National Curriculum adapted especially for the UAE, our commitment is to create a platform for Emirati and expatriate students to learn skills that put them on a path for future leadership. By giving expatriate students a chance to learn about the UAE and its culture, we are also cultivating ambassadors for our country.

Reading books by authors from different countries, learning diverse languages and socialising with a range of nationalities within a school environment, all help students appreciate the pluralistic nature of our world and the inherent values of the cultures they meet.

According to the National Association for Multicultural Education, a non-profit organisation based in the US, students learning within a culturally diverse environment develop a positive self-image and better ways of thinking that ultimately develop their sense of self and value for society. Our students at Aldar Academies represents more than 100 countries from around the world. We are proud to be enablers of this type of diverse thinking.

Further research from the Association for the Advancement of Sciences, another American non-profit organisation, points to an array of benefits attached to multicultural education. These include the promotion of cognitive and moral growth, the development of problem-solving skills and positive relationships with other students, a decrease in stereotyping and prejudice, and an increase in productivity through the diversity of mental resources.

What this means is students grow up with better perspectives on many issues. Rather than confining themselves to their respective cultures, they become open to the interchangeable nature of society. Children are able to identify with other cultures regardless of their differences and are presented with these differences in a healthy and educated environment.

This helps develop strong leaders who can flourish in different settings. The universality of education allows different people from different places to benefit and through that, creates unity despite differences. Students also become more enlightened.

At the same time, giving students a chance to delve into their own culture gives them a heightened sense of self-respect and value. Ultimately, students are given the chance to lead within the bounds of their culture and traditions, while also being able to easily adapt to international environments. Through this, the knowledge they gain becomes a tool of power and expansion, originating from the UAE to the world.

We recognise that knowledge and education learnt in a multicultural setting, is the driving force behind global coexistence, collaboration and successful leadership.

It is with this in mind that we continue to cultivate individuals and inculcate in them, skills and abilities with which they can be prepared for the future.

Mohammed Khalifa Al Mubarak is chairman of Aldar Academies, an education provider in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain

Other simple ideas for sushi rice dishes

Cheat’s nigiri 
This is easier to make than sushi rolls. With damp hands, form the cooled rice into small tablet shapes. Place slices of fresh, raw salmon, mackerel or trout (or smoked salmon) lightly touched with wasabi, then press, wasabi side-down, onto the rice. Serve with soy sauce and pickled ginger.

Easy omurice
This fusion dish combines Asian fried rice with a western omelette. To make, fry cooked and cooled sushi rice with chopped vegetables such as carrot and onion and lashings of sweet-tangy ketchup, then wrap in a soft egg omelette.

Deconstructed sushi salad platter 
This makes a great, fuss-free sharing meal. Arrange sushi rice on a platter or board, then fill the space with all your favourite sushi ingredients (edamame beans, cooked prawns or tuna, tempura veggies, pickled ginger and chilli tofu), with a dressing or dipping sauce on the side.

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Some of Darwish's last words

"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008

His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.

VERSTAPPEN'S FIRSTS

Youngest F1 driver (17 years 3 days Japan 2014)
Youngest driver to start an F1 race (17 years 166 days – Australia 2015)
Youngest F1 driver to score points (17 years 180 days - Malaysia 2015)
Youngest driver to lead an F1 race (18 years 228 days – Spain 2016)
Youngest driver to set an F1 fastest lap (19 years 44 days – Brazil 2016)
Youngest on F1 podium finish (18 years 228 days – Spain 2016)
Youngest F1 winner (18 years 228 days – Spain 2016)
Youngest multiple F1 race winner (Mexico 2017/18)
Youngest F1 driver to win the same race (Mexico 2017/18)

Scoreline

Abu Dhabi Harlequins 17

Jebel Ali Dragons 20

Harlequins Tries: Kinivilliame, Stevenson; Cons: Stevenson 2; Pen: Stevenson

Dragons Tries: Naisau, Fourie; Cons: Love 2; Pens: Love 2

If you go

The flights 

Emirates flies from Dubai to Funchal via Lisbon, with a connecting flight with Air Portugal. Economy class returns cost from Dh3,845 return including taxes.

The trip

The WalkMe app can be downloaded from the usual sources. If you don’t fancy doing the trip yourself, then Explore  offers an eight-day levada trails tour from Dh3,050, not including flights.

The hotel

There isn’t another hotel anywhere in Madeira that matches the history and luxury of the Belmond Reid's Palace in Funchal. Doubles from Dh1,400 per night including taxes.

 

 

The Light of the Moon

Director: Jessica M Thompson

Starring: Stephanie Beatriz, Michael Stahl-David

Three stars

Three tips from La Perle's performers

1 The kind of water athletes drink is important. Gwilym Hooson, a 28-year-old British performer who is currently recovering from knee surgery, found that out when the company was still in Studio City, training for 12 hours a day. “The physio team was like: ‘Why is everyone getting cramps?’ And then they realised we had to add salt and sugar to the water,” he says.

2 A little chocolate is a good thing. “It’s emergency energy,” says Craig Paul Smith, La Perle’s head coach and former Cirque du Soleil performer, gesturing to an almost-empty open box of mini chocolate bars on his desk backstage.

3 Take chances, says Young, who has worked all over the world, including most recently at Dragone’s show in China. “Every time we go out of our comfort zone, we learn a lot about ourselves,” she says.

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ELIO

Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett

Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina

Rating: 4/5

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid

When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid

if you go

The flights

Emirates offer flights to Buenos Aires from Dubai, via Rio De Janeiro from around Dh6,300. emirates.com

Seeing the games

Tangol sell experiences across South America and generally have good access to tickets for most of the big teams in Buenos Aires: Boca Juniors, River Plate, and Independiente. Prices from Dh550 and include pick up and drop off from your hotel in the city. tangol.com

 

Staying there

Tangol will pick up tourists from any hotel in Buenos Aires, but after the intensity of the game, the Faena makes for tranquil, upmarket accommodation. Doubles from Dh1,110. faena.com

 

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg

Bayern Munich 1
Kimmich (27')

Real Madrid 2
Marcelo (43'), Asensio (56')

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Royal wedding inspired menu

Ginger, citrus and orange blossom iced tea

Avocado ranch dip with crudites

Cucumber, smoked salmon and cream cheese mini club sandwiches

Elderflower and lemon syllabub meringue

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Our legal consultant

Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Duterte Harry: Fire and Fury in the Philippines
Jonathan Miller, Scribe Publications

The specs

Engine 60kwh FWD

Battery Rimac 120kwh Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (LiNiMnCoO2) chemistry

Power 204hp Torque 360Nm

Price, base / as tested Dh174,500 

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