Tag: Dubai

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Looking for a New Challenge

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In early January I made a decision not to renew my contract with Ankabut the United Arab Emirates Advance Network for Research and Education where I have work since October 2010. My resignation will not take effect until October 2014. I wanted to give Ankabut time to find a replacement and I have a few important projects to complete.

Some people I know when they learned that I’m leaving asked the question; “What Happened? Did they not renew your contract, or are you unhappy with the organization, the money, the title or the boss?” The answer to all these questions is NO.

Ankabut is alive and well and they didn’t let me go. Is it money or title? Naturally I would like more money or a better title but it wasn’t a game changer. I am not unhappy with the organization or my boss and I must say he is good for Ankabut and we like each other. He is approachable, respects my opinion and has a good sense of humor. Do we disagree at times, of course but he will listen. In the end the CEO has to make the call and especially in this region.

I honestly believe I have done what I can for the organization and reached the goals I set when I started. I could continue doing the same thing for Ankabut but I need a new challenge. What that challenge is has not been decided but I can safely say retirement is not in my plans for another 5-7 years, if ever.

So what’s next? That is indeed the question that I am still pondering. My wife and I do like the UAE and have developed a number of very good relationships with the expat and Emirati communities over the years mostly in the field of education. There is always a possibility I may be offered a position in the region by an organization with education ties that would offer more responsibility and new challenges. It’s also possible I may start or co-found a company, which focuses on a variety of educational services for the region. I have always had an entrepreneurial side to me. I co-founded The Connected Learning Network, an e-learning services company in the US back in 1999.  E-learning may an element of the company but would have a number of other services to support the education community.  I see a great deal of potential in support or outsourcing educational services. If I go that direction I will want to have a partner(s) who have similar interests.  The third option is to go back to the US and find a position, which would meet the responsibility and challenge needs. Unfortunately I don’t see that job existing near our home in Brown County Indiana. Perhaps Louisville our adopted home, Florida, Hawaii (why not), DC region or my alma mater Urbana University. We will see what the options are and make a decision then.

In the meantime these upcoming months will be busy. There are projects I need to complete which are important to Ankabut and its members.  I’ll keep you posted on where I go from here as well as writing about education in the region.

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Mandatory Military Service Required of all Emirati Males

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News services throughout the UAE are reporting the government has announced mandatory military service. All Emirati males between ages 18 and 30 will be required to serve in the military while it will be optional for women. Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum announced the details of the plan on Twitter on Sunday, January 19.

All Emirati males who have finished secondary school will be required to serve for nine months while those without a high school diploma will serve for two years.  “The new law adds another layer to the national defense force to further protect our nation, secure its borders, and preserve its achievements,” Sheikh Mohammed tweeted. “Our message to the world is a message of peace; the stronger we are, the stronger our message.”

The reserve force will consist of retired soldiers and national service program graduates, he said.

The requiring of military service is not unusual and many countries including Russia, Switzerland, South Korea, Mexico and others have such laws. It is under consideration in other GCC countries such as Qatar and Kuwait. 

My blog has focused on education in the UAE and therefore my comments will address the possible affect of military service on higher education. I am of the belief that mandatory service will have a significant affect on the upcoming freshmen classes and especially male students who are completing their initial degree. The first question which came to my mind is; will military service be required before going to further education? I would assume not but nothing has been stated so far.

However, lets go with the assumption a student can enroll in a higher education institution before doing military service.  A fact to consider is the vast majority of male UAE Nationals are in Foundation programs trying to improve their skills so they can be accepted into a standard bachelors degree program. I wonder if these students who do not gain “direct entry” would then be required to do nine months of military first? Perhaps as a part of the military experience additional educational training would be provided in some method for these citizen soldiers. 

There are a number of questions educators will have and I would like to post your thoughts on this recent development. I look forward to your comments.