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September 13, 2018 Articles, Letters
A letter to the Princeton Alumni Weekly (PAW) IN RESPONSE TO: VOICES: ‘A DEEPLY INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE’ There are many misconceptions and a general lack of knowledge of the Middle East by those outside of the region. It was thus refreshing to read Paulette Singley *98's take on her experience at the American University of Sharjah. I spent over five years in Dubai, having recently relocated (back) to Canada. Though the UAE -- of which Sharjah and Dubai are among the seven emirates that make up the federation -- are remarkably different than the rest of the Middle East, living there definitely opened my eyes to gain a better appreciation of that part of the world. Although there are serious issues in the neighboring countries, the UAE, and in particular Dubai, is a modern and liberal society with a highly diverse population that also counts a thriving Princeton alumni community. In my time in Dubai, there was no shortage of boozy parties or women dressed in seductive clothing. Most ironically, and a testament to the diversity and dynamism of the UAE, is that I now play less ice hockey and at a lower level while living in the Mecca of hockey (Montreal)…

Managing in today’s economy

March 28, 2016 Articles, Media / Op-ed
At Institute of Management Technology Dubai, a panel of experts discussed management strategies for today's economy BY JEANETTE TEH | COMMENT | PUBLISHED: 28TH MARCH 2016 AT 12:53 Navigating the current times of uncertainty with low oil prices, a slowdown in economic growth, and geopolitical crises can provide challenges for management. At Institute of Management Technology Dubai last Tuesday, a panel of experts discussed management strategies for today’s economy. Global slowdown and its impact on corporate strategy The average growth rate in 2016 for the world is less than 3 per cent, with all countries growing at a slower pace than the previous year, including China whose slowdown will have effects reverberating across the globe. DP World director of global operations Patrick Bol described the current state of affairs as one wrought with ambiguity and uncertainty where markets act in a way that cannot be easily understood with data, and complexity is characterised by a new way of thinking that presents both challenges and opportunities. Within this global economic framework, IMT Dubai director Dr Rakesh Singh advised corporations to address strategic issues on three different levels: Managing macro-economic fundamentals into corporate strategy. It was also advocated during the panel discussion…

The six workforce challenges you must tackle now

October 1, 2015 Articles, Media / Op-ed
The six workforce challenges you must tackle now Author: Mark Townsend Something is stirring in the GCC. The flatlining oil price and the newfound maturity of many local economies are forcing organisations to think afresh about their business models, and to call time on the era of short-term, expat-reliant workforces in search of something more sustainable. But what does that mean for HR professionals and business leaders planning for the future? People Management speaks to a range of experts to build a comprehensive picture of the challenges organisations face in a reset GCC economy – and the innovative ways they are finding to flourish. 1 Find and develop talented nationals The GCC workforce faces profound challenges if it is to match the productivity levels of G20 economies: local businesses must be at the forefront of a drive to work both smarter and harder. But if their endeavours are to result in the widest possible and most sustainable prosperity, they must harness local talent at a time when the Emirates, Saudi Arabia and others are desperately trying to rebalance their economies away from oil and an over-reliance on the public sector. Dr Kai Chan, distinguished fellow at INSEAD’s Innovation and Policy…

The Natioanl: UAE nationals urged to get overseas research experience

June 18, 2012 Articles, Media / Op-ed
UAE nationals urged to get overseas research experience Colin Simpson June 18, 2012 [caption id="attachment_3164" align="aligncenter" width="462"] The Firmenich laboratory which makes perfumes for big branded company’s in Dubiotech, Dubai Biotechnology and Science Park In Al Barsha.[/caption] DUBAI // Young Emiratis who want careers in research and development should go overseas to gain experience before returning to help the UAE become a centre for innovation, according to an expert. "There's a life cycle of talent," said Dr Kai Chan, senior adviser to the Emirates Competitiveness Council, a federal government body. "I'd encourage young Emiratis to go abroad to learn and then come back with their knowledge. "We want to ensure that young Emiratis are going into the workforce equipped, we want to encourage this as we want to be a knowledge-based economy. We do want to become a hub for R&D, we do want to be among the world's leaders." However, Dr Khaled Amiri, head of the biology department at UAE University, said he did not favour the term hub, as this implied that expatriate researchers would move to the country and then leave after two or three years without passing on their knowledge. "The nationals are going to complement…

The National: Emiratis ‘should be at ease in their jobs’

June 12, 2012 Articles, Media / Op-ed
Emiratis 'should be at ease in their jobs' Colin Simpson June 12, 2012 DUBAI // Multinational companies must create a more comfortable working atmosphere for Emiratis, a conference has heard. Internships and opportunities for government employees to sample life in such companies for a few months were other ways to lure Emirati science graduates into the private sector, speakers yesterday told the Life Sciences Foresight event organised by DuBiotech. Longer-term expatriates were also needed to ensure true knowledge transfer and "the Emiratisation of knowledge", the conference heard. "From a UAE perspective, with local talent we have some issues," said Dr Ashraf Allam, regional managing director for the Middle East and Africa of the biotechnology giant Amgen. "We don't have access to the local talent here. We have a perception, and I tend to believe it's a reality, that local talent tend to trade job security and work-life balance with growth and career enhancement. "If you work for the Government it's more comfortable, you can sail along. The corporate world is usually intense. You need to work hard, there's a lot of risk involved, it's a very competitive environment. "Someone has to research why these people are not coming to the…

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