As many of you know, I will be leaving Ankabut when my contract expires at the end of September. It’s been a great four years, but it’s time to do something new. As I have told many of my friends and colleagues I wanted to do something that would use all the skills and knowledge I have gained over the past 40 years.
I, along with a current senior higher education administrator in the UAE since 1993, are forming an education management-consulting firm called Edu-Alliance, LLC here in Abu Dhabi.
The questions most asked are; what is this firm going to and who are potential clients? Edu-Alliance’s mission is to help develop national capacity in the areas of education, training, and human development in the Middle East (GCC) and North Africa (MENA) region by creating effective and sustainable alliances between organizations in the region with the best-in-class international organizations and experts.
Our focus will be helping clients achieve success in:
- Higher education strategic partnerships
- Mentoring
- Marketing
- Executive, faculty and staff recruitment
- Institution-wide strategy
- Technology
We will provide an exceptional network and alliances for emerging UAE, GCC and MENA institutions. We will provide value added services to international organizations in establishing win-win partnerships with regional institutions involved in capacity development.
Our combined higher education experience in working in the region also gives us the knowledge to successfully design effective mentoring and retention plans for citizens of this region who are employed in universities, colleges, schools and corporate sector from entry-level to executive levels.
In early August we will launch the website and finalize taking space in Masdar City just outside of Abu Dhabi. We will formally launch Edu-Alliance by the end of September.
It’s exciting times but still much to do. We are identifying potential experts who will be consultants based on the project and expertise our clients need. If you are interested in being a part of our team, just email me at my personal email at deanhoke@gmail.com and make sure to send a letter and CV telling me of your interest and background. We will get back with you to discuss acting as a consultant further . Also, if you are an organization that wants to know more how Edu-Alliance can best serve you please contact me at the same address or call me at +971-50-641-0237.
The other item we are finalizing is the logo. We have cut it down to two and I am asking you as well as others, which do you think best identifies Edu-Alliance: Option 1 or Option 2. Post your vote in the comments section of this posting of Hoke’s Notes. My partner and I will make the final decision in the next two weeks. I will announce in Hoke’s Notes the winner and a date of the launching of the site.
I will continue to write this summer on the higher education activities in the UAE and the region over the summer. There is significant change occurring and the upcoming year for the education community will be very interesting. I look forward to hearing from you.
OPTION 1 OPTION 2
O
Edu Alliance Journal 
Exciting times indeed Dean. All the best with this new venture. It sounds exciting and something that the UAE and MENA region need desperately. All the best Di de Villiers
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The question most asked is what is this firm going to and (?) going to do perhaps?
We will get back with you to discuss acting as a consultant further . (?) Hey, just thought I’d get out the edit pen….may help, may just be annoying…if the later, never mind.
oh…I pick Option 1
Oh…very exciting..best of luck
deb henderson
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Option one. No contest. GOOD LUCK, DEAN! DENNIS AND I ARE SO EXCITED FOR YOUR NEW VENTURE!
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Nancy – Definitely Option One! It’s immediately engaging – drawing the reader into the content. Best wishes on this exciting new chapter!
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Option 2 for me Dean. It’s clean, unfussy and got gravitas. All the best.
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Option 1 more 21st Century, has a spark to it! Option 2 Is just like Maria says, clean and unfussy. Depends on whom you want to attract as customers.
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I’m liking #2. I might favor one if lines above the text (particularly the green) felt like they had more intent (like when it’s anchored to the globe in two). That, and having the focus off center feels off-balance.
So, two. However, consider a gradient instead of gray for the “EDU.”
ge
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I prefer #1 because the world is superimposed on the gray letters and they get lost in my eye. I have to look behind the world….
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#1, no contest, it’s eye catching, the colors are bright and complement each other well, and it makes me feel a bit nostalgic for a certain great company I had the opportunity to start my own career in, on a personal note. Has a certain modernized classic feel to it. 🙂 I do agree with the comment above mine about #2, the colorful globe on top of the gray lettering is a bit of a jarring contrast.
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