G&M: Namely…

Letter to the Globe & Mail (September 4, 2021) Re What’s In A Name? For ‘Gifted’ Programs, A Problem (Aug. 28): Back in the 1980s in Toronto, I was part of the “gifted” program in elementary school. I had visions of learning (age-relevant) advanced mathematics and science, or reading high literary work. However, the reality was that the program was characterized by talk about shapes, feelings, colours and everything other than advanced academic material. Rather than renaming the “gifted” program, it would serve students better if it actually nurtured academic excellence in a more rigorous way. Either that, or provide the program on a lottery basis (or to the underprivileged) if there is no essence of “gifted” in its delivery. Kai Chan Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Article as it appeared online. © Copyright 2018 The Globe and Mail Inc. All rights reserved.

PAW: Talent can be found everywhere

A letter to the Princeton Alumni Weekly (PAW). IN RESPONSE TO:  PRISON TEACHING INITIATIVE HELPS INCARCERATED STUDENTS EARN DEGREES   I went through the criminal justice system in Toronto when I was a teenager. Luckily I have no criminal record by grace of laws pertaining to young offenders in Canada. I was supposed to have spent six months in juvenile jail but was fortunate enough to have been sentenced to community service in lieu of prison time. Nevertheless, I did spend a brief period behind bars as part of that process. Most of the people in my prison block were childhood friends and friends of friends. (I grew up at a time when youth gangs were prevalent.) All were definitely street savvy, if not book smart. Indeed, many of the people in detention with me seemed just as sharp minded as people I would go on to meet a decade later as a graduate student at Princeton. Professor Jeff Dolven noted in the article (“Prison Teaching Initiative Helps Incarcerated Students Earn Degrees,” June 2021) that “much intelligence and talent and imagination is locked up in prisons.” I would add also that for the most part the talent is also wasted…

Creating an artificial intelligence ecosystem

Creating an artificial intelligence ecosystem 29 MARCH 2021 BY JENNIFER AGUINALDO [caption id="attachment_4112" align="aligncenter" width="612"] Elevating the Middle East into an artificial intelligence hub requires policies, people and capital.[/caption] The original article can be found on MEED    

Other affiliations

I have participated in continuing education (executive education, summer school, and intensive courses) at: Harvard University (Harvard Kennedy School): Innovation for economic development (2015) University of Pennsylvania (Wharton): Leading and managing people (2013) Kiel Institute for the World Economy (KISSEP): Reassessing macroeconomics and macroeconomic policy; Financial markets and the macroeconomy (2011, 2012) Barcelona School of Economics (GSESS): (2008, 2009, 2010) University of Pompeu Fabra (CREI): (2008) [caption id="attachment_4815" align="aligncenter" width="400"] Kiel Institute Summer School.[/caption]

Interview with an economist

My best interview yet. With the adorable Brooke Lam. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASWs-t-JOr4&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR2qSPi1kug6pdHA2nOBwKCxRcIkafbTd2auicga3AZ6f85RHbLw2rNSxEI Dr. Kai Chan is an economist, currently in Dubai. He advises government on how to react when there are changes in the law, or make policies. He talks about quarantine lock down, learning new skills and missing hockey. Find out more about Dr. Chan at the links below: http://www.kailchan.ca/ https://knowledge.insead.edu/users/kailchan

Dr Kai: The Pandemic Resilience Index

Talking about the Pandemic Resilience Index (PRI) developed at Whiteshield Partners. The PRI evaluates which countries are most structurally robust to pandemics such as Covid-19, and the ensuing economic and social fallout arising from the outbreak. The PRI looks at five areas of resilience/vulnerability that arise in such times: 1. Health infrastructure 2. Demographics 3. Social cohesion 4. Interdependence on globalisation 5. Governance https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHvB1XlcnhI Whiteshield Partners ® and TM

Youth-focused workshops offer an insightful start to IGCF

Sharjah 24: The ninth edition of the International Government Communication Forum (IGCF 2020) commenced yesterday (4 March) with specialised workshops, forums and in-depth sessions hosted by world-renowned communications professionals, providing students and amateurs a golden opportunity to learn from experts and gain first-hand knowledge. Being held at the Sharjah Expo Centre, the two-day forum is hosting expert-led sessions targeting students, journalists, photojournalists and government communication employees. The sessions sought to enhance government communication in the UAE and the Arab world and to foster communication channels among the governments and communities. Two training workshops for students titled ‘Innovation in the field of Government Communication’ by Dr Sheren Ali Mousa, Faculty Member at the College of Mass Communication, Ajman University and ‘Analysing Communication Research Data’ conducted by Dr Ahmed Farouk, Faculty Member at the Public Relations Department, College of Communication, University of Sharjah, were attended by a good number of students and communication professionals. The first workshop enabled participants to create dedicated government communication programmes and impactful government communication messages. The second workshop, ‘Analysing Communication Research Data’, introduced participants to the tools and methods of analysing data in government surveys and opinion pollsthat will provide them with the skills needed to manage…

Specialised youth-focused workshops and forums offer an insightful start to IGCF 2020 in Sharjah

Specialised youth-focused workshops and forums offer an insightful start to IGCF 2020 in Sharjah The ninth edition of the International Government Communication Forum (IGCF 2020) commenced yesterday ( 4 March) with specialised workshops, forums and in-depth sessions hosted by world-renowned communications professionals, providing students and amateurs a golden opportunity to learn from experts and gain first-hand knowledge. Being held at the Sharjah Expo Centre, the two-day forum is hosting expert-led sessions targeting students, journalists, photojournalists and government communication employees. The sessions sought to enhance government communication in the UAE and the Arab world and to foster communication channels among the governments and communities. Two training workshops for students titled ‘Innovation in the field of Government Communication’ by Dr Sheren Ali Mousa, Faculty Member at the College of Mass Communication, Ajman University and ‘Analysing Communication Research Data’ conducted by Dr Ahmed Farouk, Faculty Member at the Public Relations Department, College of Communication, University of Sharjah, were attended by a good number of students and communication professionals. The first workshop enabled participants to create dedicated government communication programmes and impactful government communication messages. The second workshop, ‘Analysing Communication Research Data’, introduced participants to the tools and methods of analysing data in government…

Nine specialised workshops at International Government Communication Forum

Nine specialised workshops at International Government Communication Forum The ninth edition of the International Government Communication Forum, IGCF 2020, to be held on 4th and 5th March, at the Sharjah Expo Centre will host nine workshops targeting students, journalists, photojournalists and government communication employees. Bringing together 64 leading global thinkers, top government officials and communication experts from the Arab region and around the world, the region’s leading forum on government communication is centred around four key pillars: Embedding a culture of engagement in government; Technology as a community enabler; Communication through culture; and Holistic well-being. The nine workshops at IGCF this year follow on from its vision of enhancing government communication in the UAE and the Arab world and developing communication channels between governments and communities. Day 1 of the event will commence with two training workshops for students. ‘Innovation in the field of Government Communication’ will enable participants to create distinguished government communication programmes and activities and develop their skills in drafting impactful government communication messages. ‘Analysing Communication Research Data’ conducted by Dr Ahmed Farouk, Faculty Member at the Public Relations Department, College of Communication, University of Sharjah, will introduce participants to the tools and methods of analysing data…

IGCF 2020 to focus on advancing skills of communication professionals, students

IGCF 2020 to focus on advancing skills of communication professionals, students The robust agenda that forms the framework of the ninth edition of the International Government Communication Forum (IGCF 2020) to be held from March 4–5, at the Sharjah Expo Centre will host nine workshops targeting students, journalists, photojournalists and government communication employees. Bringing together 64 leading global thinkers, top government officials and communication experts from the Arab region and around the world, the region’s leading forum on government communication is centred around four key pillars: Embedding a culture of engagement in government; Technology as a community enabler; Communication through culture; and Holistic well-being. The nine workshops at IGCF this year follow on from its vision of enhancing government communication in the UAE and the Arab world and developing communication channels between governments and communities. Day 1 workshops Day 1 of the event will commence with two training workshops for students. ‘Innovation in the field of Government Communication’ will enable participants to create distinguished government communication programmes and activities and develop their skills in drafting impactful government communication messages. ‘Analysing Communication Research Data’ conducted by Dr Ahmed Farouk, Faculty Member at the Public Relations Department, College of Communication, University of…