Sumaya Hareb, Director of the Ras Al Khaimah Education Zone
In a recent conversation with the Al Qasimi Foundation, Ms. Hareb describes her experience as an educator and administrator, the importance of the relationship between the RAK Education Zone and the Foundation, and the need for more male Emirati teachers.
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GCES's Fourth Annual Symposium on Bridging the Policy/Research Divide in Education in the GCC
The Gulf Comparative Education Society (GCES) held its fourth annual symposium under the sponsorship of the Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation for Policy Research in collaboration with the Sultan Qaboos University from March 16 to 18, 2013.
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Achievement
The fifth in the Al Qasimi Foundation's series of Working Papers, this quantitative study investigates the effect of home environment and family involvement on the educational experience of Emirati college students, as well as the links between these factors and students' academic achievement. Full Publication
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Education in the United Arab Emirates and Ras Al Khaimah
This fact sheet has been designed as a resource for researchers, policy makers, and others with an interest in the region. It provides a history and overview of educational practices and systems at a national and emirate level. Full Publication
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Welcoming New Faculty Scholar
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Dr. Jane Knight
The Foundation is pleased to welcome to Ras Al Khaimah Dr. Jane Knight, scholar at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto. Dr. Knight's research focuses on the international dimension of higher education at the institutional, national, regional, and international levels. She comes to the Foundation to conduct research on the professional development policies and practices of the higher
education institutions in Ras Al Khaimah.
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To aid in the social, cultural, and economic development of Ras Al Khaimah and the United Arab Emirates through high-quality policy research, strategic capacity development, and purposeful community engagement.
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Greetings!
Welcome to the December edition of the Al Qasimi Foundation's quarterly newsletter. As this year draws to a close, we are pleased to share important moments in the Foundation's recent achievements, news, and events with those who have an interest in our work. In the coming year, we will continue to invest in research, capacity development, and community engagement endeavours, and we invite you to explore the many ways in which we are striving to engage and serve our emirate. In particular, we are excited to announce that the 2nd Annual Ras Al Khaimah Fine Arts Festival, which highlights local and international artwork and films, will be held this February. Warm regards, Dr. Natasha Ridge Executive Director
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Community Engagement
Policy Majlis Series Launches with Urban Development Lab in Ras Al Khaimah
An array of Ras Al Khaimah's leaders and policy makers assembled at the Al Qasimi Foundation offices this October for the first in the Foundation's new Policy Majlis series, which is dedicated to the dissemination of original research conducted in Ras Al Khaimah to policy makers and community stakeholders. At the inaugural Policy Majlis event, the Foundation partnered with ICOS, a Dubai-based research group, to discuss the results of their project, an Urban Development Lab. Full Story
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Capacity Development
Appreciating Male Emirati Teachers
As only about 20 percent of male teachers in the UAE's government schools are Emirati, the Foundation thought it was important, in celebration of the UAE's National Day, to learn more about this vital, yet underrepresented, group. Accordingly, the Foundation surveyed seven of Ras Al Khaimah's male Emirati teachers about their motivation for becoming educators, the most rewarding aspects of their careers, its challenges, and their desire to encourage more Emirati men to pursue careers in education. Full Story |
The National (December 02, 2013)
"Miracle" of UAE's 42 Years
"The UAE has seen a miracle in its 42 years," His Highness, Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, said as he unveiled a flagpole symbolizing the country's unity. Sheikh Saud spoke of the flagpole and its flag, saying, "It represents the birth of our nation and the hope of our people for a prosperous future." Full Story
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The New York Times (November 24, 2013)
United Arab Emirates Looks to Vocational Education The United Arab Emirates suffers from chronic, structural weaknesses in boys' education. A striking 25 percent of emirati boys fail to complete high school. Recently, however, a trend toward vocational training has spread across the emirates and across grade levels, representing a change in the UAE's educational landscape and new options for its young people. Full Story |
The National (November 23, 2013)
The Ministry of Education's move to merge arts and science streams in public schools will give pupils more time to make career decisions and boost Emiratization, academics say. The decades-old two-track system left hundreds of thousands making their career decisions as young as 15.
Under the new plan, career paths will be chosen later in the pupils' academic careers, and university students will have the option to change majors. Full Story
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Gulf News (October 30, 2013)
Online Courses that Fit You The education landscape in Dubai is changing drastically, and the Al Qasimi Foundation's Research Associate, Ms. Soha Shami, weighs in on the impact of online learning. Universities in the UAE are increasingly adding online courses to their program portfolios, as busy students who want to balance education with a professional life find this form of education helpful. Full Story |
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Upcoming Events & Deadlines
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Capacity DevelopmentDecember 31: Application Deadline for Teacher Scholarships and School Grants
The Al Qasimi Foundaiton invites all teachers who are working in a Ras Al Khaimah government school or in the RAK Ministry of Education to apply for teacher scholarships to further their their own education or for grants for individual schools to undertake special projects to improve the school environment. More Information on Teacher Scholarships and School Grants
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Capacity Development
January 7: Spring 2014 Professional Development Workshop Registrations Begins
Ras Al Khaimah's educators are encouraged to enroll in one of the Foundation's ten spring professional development courses. All workshops are bilingual (Arabic/English) and are free for teachers and education professionals working in Ras Al Khaimah. New courses begin on January 25 and focus on subjects like technology in the classroom, mentorship, innovations in teaching English, and more. More Information
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Community Gatherings Series
January 25: Nature Reserve Expedition for Everyone
The Al Qasimi Foundation is pleased to invite its community to explore the emirate's local wildlife in Ras Al Khaimah's only nature reserve. In partnership with the Banyan Tree Al Wadi, the Foundation's Community Gathering series welcomes Ras Al Khaimah residents to Wadi Khadeeja's wooded valley in order to introduce them to some of the emirate's most interesting and beautiful animal species, including native raptors and the endangered Arabian oryx. Calendar Link |
Community Engagement
February 20-22: 2nd Annual Ras Al Khaimah Fine Arts Festival
An integral part of the Al Qasimi Foundation's mission to contribute to the cultural development of Ras Al Khaimah, the annual Fine Arts Festival was established to bring the community together to celebrate art, create opportunities for cultural exchange, and support the creative and artistic sectors of the emirate. The 2014 Festival will exhibit work from talented filmmakers, artists, photographers, and designers in the following categories: film, drawing, painting, graphic design, photography, sculpture, jewelry design, and textile design. More Information
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Internship Opportunities
March 1: Application Deadline for Winter/Spring Internships
The Al Qasimi Foundation's internship program provides undergraduate and graduate students with an opportunity to apply their studies through practical research and special projects that make meaningful contributions to the Ras Al Khaimah community. More Information
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Research
March 1: Deadline for Applications for Faculty, Doctoral, and Seed Research Grants
In order to fulfill its research mission and further its research agenda, the Al Qasimi Foundation provides a variety of competitive grant opportunities and sponsorships that are available to both locally-based and international collaborators. More Information
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