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Inquiry-based learning offered as effective alternative method for teaching English to UAE’s Arab students.

ALHOSN University discusses multilingual learning approach at 19th TESOL Arabia Conference & Exhibition
May 8, 2013
A representative of ALHOSN University’s English Department extensively discussed the use of inquiry-based learning as a sound alternative approach to teaching English to the UAE’s Arab students during the 19th TESOL Arabia International Conference and Exhibition held recently in Dubai.

TESOL Arabia is the regional arm of TESOL Inc., a US-based global professional organization for Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). Its annual event features various professional development and networking opportunities and displays of the latest teaching aids and tools. This year’s edition was held under the theme ‘From KG to College to Career’ and welcomed more than 1,000 participants.
The ALHOSN delegation included eight faculty members of the English Department, namely, Hassan Mustapha, Mongi Baratli, Mark Neville, Chantal Mercier, Maha Elhami, May Elhami, Richard Baltus and Amanda Tinnin.
Maha Elhami delivered a presentation titled ‘Teaching English as Inquiry: Challenges and Applications.’ She offered the inquiry-based learning approach as an alternate view of teaching English with more focus on questioning and research skills. The audience discovered new ways to design inquiry-based activities that motivate students to think critically, ask meaningful questions and ascertain the information they learn. They were shown materials and resources used during the inquiry process including authentic tasks and online references.
The presentation concluded with useful tips and links designed exclusively for an effective integration of the inquiry-based learning approach into any English curriculum, taking into account students’proficiency levels in English.
“The International TESOL Arabia Conference was an inspirational venue for learning the best ways and tools to teach English as a second language. The ability to communicate in a second or even a third language is crucial to molding global leaders. The English speaking skill is especially vital as English is considered the preferred language of business. By exposing our English educators to platforms such as the annual TESOL Arabia conference and exhibition, we enhance their teaching ability while fulfilling our promise of global knowledge with local vision,” said Prof. Hassan Mustapha, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, ALHOSN University.
ALHOSN University was founded in 2005 by the Abu Dhabi Holding Company in response to growing local demand for high-quality, value-based educational institutions. It currently offers 12 undergraduate and 7 graduate programs under the Faculties of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Business, and Arts and Social Sciences. ALHOSN accepts students of all nationalities and also accommodates youths with special needs. All its programs are accredited by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
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About ALHOSN University:
ALHOSN University is a leading private university dedicated to high-quality, value-based education under the slogan “Global Knowledge with Local Vision.” The Abu Dhabi-based institution is owned and supported by the Abu Dhabi Holding Company and is fully accredited by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
ALHOSN University manages accredited programs (12 undergraduate and 7 graduate) in three faculties, all of which were developed by top North American educational experts. Undergraduate academic degrees are offered as four-year programs and taught in English, except for the Arabic education component.
The University’s City Campus includes the Men’s Campus, the Women’s Campus, the Engineering Lab Building, the Library Building, and the Lectures Building, all located at the heart of Abu Dhabi. A main campus with world-class, state-of-the-art facilities will soon be constructed. ALHOSN is open to students from all nationalities.
For further information, please contact:
Wafa Mousa
Marketing & Events Manager
Marketing & Public Relations Department, ALHOSN University
Tel: 02 407 0700
Dir: 02 407 0747
Fax: 02 407 0782


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Top higher education programs to be disseminated to 20 Abu Dhabi schools.

ALHOSN University addresses gap between educational output & labor market needs via ‘Open Day’ tour
March 24, 2013
Abu Dhabi’s education authorities affirm the need to overcome an existing gap between the output of the emirate’s education system and the needs of the labor market. The Abu Dhabi Executive Council is taking concrete steps to innovate the learning experience and deploy competent educators. To supplement these ongoing efforts, ALHOSN University has begun a series of ‘Open Day’ visits to high schools across Abu Dhabi to enlighten students on the best career choices and current labor market demands. The university has already toured 15 schools so far, with plans to visit five more institutions.

In each visit, university representatives outlined career paths for in-demand fields such as Engineering, Architecture, Education and Business Administration, all of which are covered by ALHOSN’s academic programs developed primarily by North American educators. They noted the employment benefits of enrolling in the Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (BSME) course which was launched just last year. Students were also encouraged to avail of scholarships of as much as 90 per cent and above as well as various internal training, internship, recruiting, sponsorship and assistantship programs.
To assure prospective students of its high academic standards, ALHOSN also highlighted its recent achievement as the first private university in Abu Dhabi to receive accreditation from the US-based Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc. (ABET) for its  Bachelor of Science degree programs in Civil Engineering, Industrial Engineering, and Software Engineering. ALHOSN is currently the only university in the UAE that is ABET-accredited for its Industrial and Software Engineering programs.
“Effective and timely education is a pillar under Abu Dhabi’s ambitious Vision 2030 development blueprint. Local authorities are currently focused on ensuring that the right learning output is achieved to meet current labor market needs. We are helping the cause by visiting high school students across the emirate and emphasizing the importance of choosing courses that fit their professional and even personal goals with current job market requirements in mind. The response has been very positive and we look forward to seeing many of the students we have interacted joining our community and benefitting from our philosophy of ‘global knowledge with local vision’,” said Prof. Raymond Tennant, Provost and Acting Vice Chancellor, ALHOSN University.
Abu Dhabi-based ALHOSN University is a private educational institution dedicated to ‘global knowledge with a local vision.’ It was founded in 2005 by the Abu Dhabi Holding Company in response to growing local demand for high-quality, value-based educational institutions. It currently offers 12 undergraduate and 7 graduate programs under the Faculties of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Business, and Arts and Social Sciences. ALHOSN accepts students of all nationalities and also accommodates youths with special needs. All its programs are accredited by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.


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ALHOSN University to Debut in Prestigious Tamaiaz & Falak Tayyeb Award

Becomes first Abu Dhabi –based private university to take part in recognition
UAE, March 17th, 2013 –  ALHOSN University has confirmed its first-ever participation in the Tamaiaz & Falak Tayyeb Award, an excellence-driven competition open to Emirati university seniors and fresh graduates. The university joins an elite group of 11 public and private universities to promote innovation, creativity and competitiveness among young UAE Nationals. ALHOSN is the only private university based in Abu Dhabi to take part in the award.

Currently in its 6th edition, the Tamaiaz & Falak Tayyeb Award – which translates as ‘be distinguished and your dreams will be fulfilled’ – is an annual contest that honors top-notch research works and projects made by aspiring Emiratis aged 25 years and below. ALHOSN University recently received visiting award representatives who delivered a presentation on the application guidelines and selection criteria. Students were encouraged to develop projects and studies under the award’s seven major categories: Marketing, Communications and Media; Leadership and Management; Accounting, Banking and Finance; Society and the Environment; Science, Technology and Inventions; Entrepreneurship; and Design, Photography and Film.
“We follow a university motto of fostering ‘global knowledge with local vision,’ which the Tamaiaz & Falak Tayyeb Award fully complements. By inculcating creativity and excellence among young Emiratis, we build up the skills they need to achieve professional success while reinforcing their participation in national development. We take great pride in the works to be showcased by our students, especially as we are joining for the first time and are the sole representative of Abu Dhabi’s private higher education sector,” said Prof. Raymond Tennant, Provost and Acting Vice Chancellor, ALHOSN University.
The Tamaiaz & Falak Tayyeb Award was launched in late 2007 with the objectives of supporting Emiratization in the private sector, encouraging creativity and excellence among young UAE Nationals, and providing job opportunities for outstanding contestants. The 2013 edition is currently accepting individual and group entries until May 12, 2013. This year’s event will be held under the patronage of Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Deputy Ruler of Dubai. More details are available at http://www.tamaiaz.ae.
ALHOSN Universitywas established in 2005 by the Abu Dhabi Holding Company in response to growing demand for high-quality educational institutions in the UAE. It currently offers 12 undergraduate and 7 graduate programs under the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Sciences, the Faculty of Business, and the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. ALHOSN caters to students of all nationalities and those with special needs.
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About ALHOSN University:
ALHOSN University is a leading private university dedicated to high-quality, value-based education under the slogan “Global Knowledge with Local Vision.” The Abu Dhabi-based institution is owned and supported by the Abu Dhabi Holding Company and is fully accredited by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
ALHOSN University manages accredited programs (12 undergraduate and 7 graduate) in three faculties, all of which were developed by top North American educational experts. Undergraduate academic degrees are offered as four-year programs and taught in English, except for the Arabic education component.
The University’s City Campus includes the Men’s Campus, the Women’s Campus, the Engineering Lab Building, the Library Building, and the Lectures Building, all located at the heart of Abu Dhabi. A main campus with world-class, state-of-the-art facilities will soon be constructed. ALHOSN is open to students from all nationalities.


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Young delegates make once-in-a-lifetime visit to Microsoft, Boeing & Costco offices, University of Washington

ALHOSN University’s MIS students fly off to US on 10-day education & industry tour
March 11, 2013
Affirming an institutional commitment to  the philosophy of ‘global knowledge with local vision,’ the Management Information Systems (MIS) Department  at ALHOSN University, a leading Abu Dhabi-based university dedicated to high-quality, value-based education,  sent nine of its students (a male and 8 females) on a once-in-a-lifetime 10-day trip to Seattle, USA, to learn about America’s educational and industrial practices.

Encouraged by University Vice Chancellor, the trip was meticulously prepared six months in advance by Dr. Fadia Hegazy, Associate Professor and Chair of the MIS Department,and Dr. Kamel Ghorab, Professor of MIS and strategic Management, who served as chaperons to the lucky participants.
The tour included a two-day visit to the offices of software giant Microsoft, where students participated in a series of workshops on Microsoft’s Program, Cloud Computing  and Source Control at social networking service company Facebook.  The delegates also paid a formal visit to Microsoft’s Visitors Center and Company Store where they learned about the evolution of the personal computer and its software applications.
Another highlight was the visit to the Future of Flight Aviation Center and Boeing Company. The students took a 4-hour tour of Boeing’s production plant in Everett, Washington, where they witnessed the preparation of 747, 767, 777 and 787 jets prior to assembly. They were exposed to various management systems, concepts and techniques such as Just-In-Time, Production Smoothing, In-Process Product Inventory Management, and Management by Objectives, among many others.
The young delegates also got the chance to visit Costco superstore, the famous wholesale club, where they learned about the company’s unique marketing model. Costco’s practices have been covered by many Strategic, Marketing and Business Management textbooks. A quick visit to Google was also scheduled.
To satisfy the academic curiosity of the delegates, ALHOSN’s MIS Department also arranged for a visit to the University of Washington (UW), one of the world’s leading research universities. Members of UW’s Information College  noted how the quality content and goals of ALHOSN’s academic programs were comparable to their own. Many of the visiting delegates voiced their interest to join UW for their future pursuit of a Doctoral Degree in MIS.
“Fun and learning typically do not mix, but at ALHOSN we follow a holistic approach to personal and professional development. While of course we wanted to expose our students to some of the best educational and industry practices in the US, we also included elements of fun into their trip. This balancing of work, play and socialization is something that we hope our students will bring with them as productive members of their respective communities. We intend to continue preparing impressionable activities such as this US trip to bring about future leaders who are aware of the world, their selves, and their relevance to society,” said Prof. Ghorab.
“Our trip to the US was a wonderful experience that taught us that the more we learn and acquire practical skills, the more opportunities we get to be recognized not only nationally, but internationally as well. The visit showed us that learning does not end in the classroom, but is rather a continuous process of development depending on how you embrace creativity and innovation,” said Aref Al Hammadi , a student participant.
Among the fun activities included in the delegates’ calendar were a sightseeing tour of Seattle, a cruise of Lake Washington, meals at The Cheese Cake Factory and Olive Gardens Italian Restaurant, and stopovers at the Southern Mall Center and The Square. Tour organizers were impressed by the discipline, respect and appreciation shown by the students.
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About ALHOSN University:
ALHOSN University is a leading private university dedicated to high-quality, value-based education under the slogan “Global Knowledge with Local Vision.” The Abu Dhabi-based institution is owned and supported by the Abu Dhabi Holding Company and is fully accredited by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
ALHOSN University manages accredited programs (12 undergraduate and 7 graduate) in three faculties, all of which were developed by top North American educational experts. Undergraduate academic degrees are offered as four-year programs and taught in English, except for the Arabic education component.
The University’s City Campus includes the Men’s Campus, the Women’s Campus, the Engineering Lab Building, the Library Building, and the Lectures Building, all located at the heart of Abu Dhabi. A main campus with world-class, state-of-the-art facilities will soon be constructed. ALHOSN is open to students from all nationalities.
For further information, please contact:
Wafa Mousa
Marketing & Events Manager 


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Ministry of Education honours Dubai Quality Group with ‘Knights of Communication Award’

DQG recognized for its contributions to the MOE’s ongoing development initiatives
Dubai, UAE – March 9, 2013 – The UAE Ministry of Education (MOE) recently presented Dubai Quality Group (DQG), a non-profit organization that advances learning, promotes quality improvement and Business Excellence practices, the ‘Knights of Communication Award’, which recognizes strategic partners, collaborators and innovators that contributed to the Ministry’s ongoing development initiatives. Badriya Al Tamimi, Managing Director of DQG, received the award on behalf of DQG from H.E. Ali Mehad Al Suwaidi, Acting Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education, during a ceremony attended by H.E. Marwan Ahmad Al Sawaleh, Assistant Undersecretary for the Supporting Services, and department directors from the Ministry and educational districts.

The Ministry of Education has benefited from the support extended by DQG and other strategic partners in its continuing efforts to further enhance the standards of excellence in the delivery of education across the UAE. Moreover, DQG had previously signed a memorandum of agreement with MOE to collaborate in various quality-related projects.
Dr. Yousef Al Akraf, Chairman of DQG, said: “The Ministry of Education plays a crucial role in training and nurturing the future leaders of the UAE. Education has certainly been one of the top priorities of the UAE as reflected by the extensive educational expenditure by the government each year. Dubai Quality Group shares the vision of the UAE Government to promote education as a major driving force behind the sustainable socioeconomic development of the country. We are therefore strongly committed to support the Ministry of Education in its continuing thrust to improve the quality of education and ultimately produce highly competent and deeply motivated graduates who will sustain the gains that the UAE has achieved as one of the most progressive societies in the modern world.”
Badriya Al Tamimi, Managing Director of DQG, said: “The ‘Knights of Communication Award’ clearly demonstrates the continuing success of Dubai Quality Group in pursuit of its mission to promote a culture excellence in the society. DQG has certainly maintained a highly productive partnership with the Ministry of Education. We aim to build on this very important milestone as we further expand our collaboration with the MOE.”
  
Dubai Quality Group is non-profit business organization set up by the Dubai Department of Economic Development under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum. Guided by the vision of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Dubai Quality Group was established in 1993 to develop and promote Quality and Business Excellences practices in UAE.


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Vocational educational sees an upsurge in Abu Dhabi (video)

Vocational education originates from the age old apprenticeship system. But as the job market becomes more specialized, economies demand higher levels of skills. And this is the gap that vocational education can fill – providing a more hands on learning experience. Emirates 24/7 on Dubai One’s Jieun Wrigley went down to the Abu Dhabi Vocational Education and Training Institute to see how they’re preparing Emiratis for a more specialized job market.



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Challenges around ‘Big Data’ Management to be discussed at NYUAD / Polytechnic Institute of NYU / Injazat Data Systems conference in Abu Dhabi

Exponential growth of data changing the global business landscape
Abu Dhabi, March 07, 2013 – Leading researchers from around the world will converge in Abu Dhabi to discuss information technology challenges in big data — the term for a collection of large, complex data sets that are difficult to process with existing data management and processing applications. The NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) Institute, the Polytechnic Institute of NYU, and Injazat Data Systems — an industry-recognized market leader in the region for information technology and cloud and data center managed services — will host a conference on “Big Data Systems, Applications, and Privacy” to discuss the business, government, education, and entertainment impacts of the big data phenomenon. The event will be open to the public and will run from March 10 to 11, 2013, at Injazat’s headquarters in Mohammed Bin Zayed City, Abu Dhabi.

Big data is changing IT frameworks around the world. According to IBM, in 2012, 2.5 exabytes (quintillion bytes) of data were created every day. This massive influx of information requires a re-thinking of data security, handling, and delivery across various types of organizations and industries.

Technology experts from prestigious international and local organizations, including AT&T Labs, IBM, Google, Cisco Systems, Duke University, Huawei, Bell Labs, UAE University, and the Emirates Identity Authority, will share expertise and insights on diverse topics ranging from large-scale data mining and social information filtering to crisis informatics and data in developing regions. The conference will also include a presentation from Injazat’s Head of Information Security Kamran Ahsan on “Big Data, effective utilization for security intelligence.”
Torsten Suel, Professor of Computer Science and Engineering at the Polytechnic Institute of NYU and chair of the conference, said: “Effective and intelligent data management is a critical concern for modern society, particularly as current levels of data production are outpacing the ability of our existing systems to manage voluminous information. NYUAD’s Data Center and Cloud Computing Laboratory was established with the aim of consolidating the efforts of multiple research groups to promote creativity, innovation, education, and entrepreneurship in this field to help answer underlying challenges.”
“At present, the volume of data created worldwide every two days is around the same as that created between the beginning of civilization and the early 2000s. Clearly there is a need to evaluate and enhance current methods of data management, delivery, and protection to address such exponential growth. The conference organized by NYU Abu Dhabi and the Polytechnic Institute of NYU is an important platform for sharing and gaining strategies on how big data should be approached at the regional and global levels,” said Ibrahim Lari, CEO of Injazat Data Systems.
Injazat Data Systems is developing solutions to meet the challenges posed by big data in areas such as capture, curation, storage, search, sharing, analysis, and visualization. It taps its local and international partnerships with major private and academic organizations to find the answers to some of the technology field’s most pressing issues.
Members of the public can RSVP to attend the event here: http://nyuad.nyu.edu/news-events/abu-dhabi-events.html.
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About NYU Abu Dhabi Institute

NYU Abu Dhabi, through the NYU Abu Dhabi Institute, is a world-class center of cutting-edge research, scholarship, and cultural activity. The Institute creates singular opportunities for leading faculty members from across the arts, humanities, social sciences, sciences, engineering, and the professions to carry out creative scholarship and conduct research on issues of major disciplinary, multidisciplinary, and global significance.
About Injazat Data Systems

Injazat Data Systems is an industry recognized market leader in the region for Information Technology, Data Center and Managed Services delivered from the region’s most sophisticated and advanced facility, the Tier IV design certified Premier Data Center facility. As a local company with a global experience, Injazat continues to develop market-leading services to meet the dynamic needs of customers today and in the future.


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Sharjah’s Major Educational Event Plots Well-Rounded Developmental Path for UAE Nationals

ALHOSN University Discusses Modern Youths’ Learning Needs with Academic Elite at 3rd Universities Forum
UAE, February 24th, 2013 – ALHOSN University, a leading Abu Dhabi-based university dedicated to high-quality, value-based education, joined some of the UAE’s top educational institutions and experts in discussing important issues affecting the learning environment and abilities of youths – particularly UAE Nationals – during the 3rd Universities forum which ran from February 19 to 20, 2013 at the Waset Youth Center in Al Sweihat, Sharjah.
Organized by the Youth Centers Department of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, Sharjah, this year’s Forum enlightened student attendees on their career options and the right attitudes they need to bring into college and through employment.  Daily sessions were held from 8am to 1pm and 4pm to 10pm.
ALHOSN took this opportunity to inform participants of its holistic approach to personal and professional development under its philosophy of ‘global knowledge with local vision’ and shared its views on the growth of young Emiratis. The university encouraged students to consider unique programs for both genders and entertained inquiries from top students interested in the ALHOSN brand and mission.
“The UAE needs bright, young, driven leaders to sustain the success it has amassed over just four decades of existence. Sharjah’s Universities Forum has always been an important platform for ALHOSN University to determine how to best empower Emirati youths with the knowledge, skills and character they need to continue building this country’s future. As usual we were very pleased with the warm response from the participants and we hope to see many of these faces become part of our university’s family soon,” said Professor Abdul Rahim Sabouni, Vice Chancellor and CEO of ALHOSN University.
The annual Universities Forum in Sharjah was first held in 2011 to support the UAE’s Emiratization program and has since grown into one of Sharjah’s leading special events. The Forum has consistently drawn over 1,500 attendees every year since its inception.
Founded in 2005 by the Abu Dhabi Holding Company to provide high-quality, value-based education to students of all nationalities, ALHOSN University has been at the forefront of dialogue on meaningful and education-driven Emiratization. The university offers 12 officially certified undergraduate and 7 graduate programs under the Faculties of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Business, and Arts and Social Sciences.
About ALHOSN University:
ALHOSN University is a leading private university dedicated to high-quality, value-based education under the slogan “Global Knowledge with Local Vision.” The Abu Dhabi-based institution is owned and supported by the Abu Dhabi Holding Company and is fully accredited by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
ALHOSN University manages accredited programs (12 undergraduate and 7 graduate) in three faculties, all of which were developed by top North American educational experts. Undergraduate academic degrees are offered as four-year programs and taught in English, except for the Arabic education component.
The University’s City Campus includes the Men’s Campus, the Women’s Campus, the Engineering Lab Building, the Library Building, and the Lectures Building, all located at the heart of Abu Dhabi. A main campus with world-class, state-of-the-art facilities will soon be constructed. ALHOSN is open to students from all nationalities.