Textbook still useful in the covid-19 era: Investigation perceptions of students at the university

The COVID-19 era presents many obstacles for students to study and gain knowledge about physical education, so it is necessary to use textbooks thus enabling them to master the subject matter more optimally. The purpose of this study was to determine student perceptions at the university level about physical education learning model textbooks during COVID-19. This research uses mixed methods. Twenty five subjects from sports students at Halu Oleo University are willing to contribute to this research. Quantitative data collection techniques are through questionnaires while qualitative data collection is through in-depth interviews. The results of the research quantitatively found that most of the subjects had a very agreeable perception of the use of textbooks in the COVID-19 era. While the results of qualitative research indicate that the majority of subjects give the perception that physical education learning model textbooks have quality material content, use of language and good design.  In addition, they consider that physical education learning model textbooks are pedagogical tools that have many benefits when used during the COVID-19 pandemic, one of which is to increase knowledge.  Therefore, one of the efforts that can be made so that sports students have the willingness to learn during the COVID-19 pandemic is to provide quality textbooks

Investigation of TQM implementation to the UAE public sector organisations.

This research explores the possibility of adopting quality approach for the United Arab Emirates Public Sector Institutions (UAEPSI), aiming to improve their performance and enable them to provide quality standard services for customers and other stakeholders.The research was based on a literature study of the quality advocators for a better understanding in the field of TQM. A triangulation research method of quantitative (survey questionnaires) designed, evaluated the reliability and the concurrent validity of the questions. The gathered data were subjected to a series of correlation and regression analysis.The results demonstrated a wide gap between TQM principles and the actual practices of the UAEPSI. Certain aspects were found inhibiting proper implementation of TQM. Based on the research theoretical and empirical evidences a Quality Appraisal Model (QAM) emerged as a self assessment instrument against the U.A.E. Government Excellence Program (UAEGEP) criteria's. The QAM comprises of four core quality critical factors: people, leadership, processes and system, and resources and facilities, in which fragmented to twenty sub-factors. The framework model divides the TQM implementation into five sequential phases namely; identification, appraisal, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. A weighting scoring scale was also formulated as a measurement tool, to facilitate the measurement of quality quotient in the UAEPSI. Furthermore the QAM was benchmarked against widely adopted quality and excellence models and its contribution to the development of TQM knowledge. Two focus groups of top and senior management in the UAEPSI were formulated to validate the QAM viability as a performance assessment vehicle that is in alignment with the UAEGEP quality criteria's. The model provides a model for creating awareness and understanding of TQM concepts and techniques and their impact on developing a quality culture. It is hoped that this in the long run, may encourage the Government of United Arab Emirates to adopt quality strategy in alignment with its corporate strategy. The thesis reveals that there is a paucity of research in this area and this research study makes a contribution towards filling this gap and for further research in future

The role of the gulf cooperation council in the economic development of the Gulf States

As a regional organisation, the Gulf Cooperation Council is a somewhat unique experiment in the contemporary Middle East and in the Arab world in particular. It is the first regional organisation in the modern Arab nation-state system, aside from the Arab League, formed in 1946, that has epoused a functional approach to cooperation, while at the same time preserving the political sovereignty and independence of the member states. Since its founding, the GCC has been the focus of debate regarding its nature and functions. Intentionally or not, it has become a major media event, a fact that has contributed to the credibility gap between rising expectations based on public pronouncements and real achievements. This thesis is an inquiry into the role of the Gulf Cooperation Council in the economic development of the participating countries. The study comprises seven chapters, detailing both the scope and purpose of the study, and the criteria employed in the research. The main chapters examine the relative contribution of physical and human resources involved in cooperation between the Gulf countries. In addition, the contribution of agriculture and fisheries, as well as industrial development, to the G.C.C. countries are expounded. The services in the G.C.C. countries are specified. External trade and migration in the G.C.C. countries is discussed in detail. The conclusion describes the role of the Gulf Cooperation Council in economic development and includes suggestions and recommendations for the future

The inadequacy of consumer protection in the UAE: the need for reform

This thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University.This thesis addresses the consumer protection regime in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) against damages posed by defective industrial products, unfair business practices and misleading advertising. Nowadays, unfair and deceptive practices such as the selling of defective or sub-standard goods, the charging of exorbitant prices, misrepresentation of the efficacy or usefulness of goods, and negligence as to safety standards have become rampant. Accordingly, it has become necessary to promote the development and refinement of statutory measures, even in developed countries, to make producers/traders more accountable to consumers. This thesis examines the legal grounds on which consumer protection stands within the newly enacted legal framework for consumer protection in the UAE. In addition, this thesis elaborates upon relevant regulations provided by UAE legislators as well as related laws in selected Arab countries. It further investigates the adequacy of administrative authorities’ measures in the UAE, and explains whether respective administrative rules are capable of compensating consumers for material and physical damages incurred. It also explores the inadequacies of the administration’s measures and rules, and highlights the importance of integration between administrative bodies in achieving a sufficient level of protection for consumers. The findings of this thesis are based on a detailed review of specific issues in consumer protection models in the Shari’a law and the United Kingdom (UK) model. Thus, it will refer to solutions devised by Islamic Shari’a law and the UK legal system to provide more comprehensive protection to consumers and strengthen their position in relation to that of traders. The study suggests that there is a need to amend the consumer protection in the UAE. It indicates a need for the unified, effective and meaningful implementation of consumer protection legal and administrative procedures in the UAE, and emphasizes that the non-governmental consumer protection association must be given a wider and legal role in supporting the governmental bodies. These findings may help in improving the current consumer protection regime in the UAE as well as reducing infringements committed by traders. This thesis concludes by making recommendations for drafting a comprehensive set of rules in the UAE in the hopes that such recommendations will contribute effectively toward the development of a consumer protection regime in the UAE.Dubai Police Headquarter

An Investigation into the Use of Word Lists in University Foundation Programs in the United Arab Emirates

There has been increasing interest in research on creating word lists in the past decade with more than 60 separate lists being published along with Nation’s (2016) timely Making and Using Word Lists for Language Learning and Testing. However, this focus on word lists has primarily been on creating them and has not necessarily extended to looking at how they are actually used. In order to help answer the question of how these lists are utilized in practice, this exploratory, interpretive study based on interviews with teachers and assessment/curriculum developers looks at how word lists are used at five tertiary English foundation programs in the United Arab Emirates. The main findings include the following. Insufficient vocabulary knowledge was deemed one of the most significant problems that students faced. Additionally, word lists played a role in all five of the institutions represented in the study, and the Common European Framework (CEFR) was used in conjunction with vocabulary frequency lists to help set expected vocabulary learning in some programs. Furthermore, teacher intuition was used to modify lists in three of the five programs and online applications were used in all five programs. The thesis explores a number of areas in depth including: how vocabulary lists are being used in the programs, the use of the AWL in this context and potential problems related to this, the role of teacher intuition in the customization of lists, the role of CEFR related frameworks in these programs, the use of computer applications to assist with list vocabulary acquisition, what the selected vocabulary acquisition activities tell us about beliefs about vocabulary teaching and learning, and some final comments about utilizing a list. One of the key findings was the development of a novel framework for categorizing the use of word lists into four general areas: course planning, teaching and learning, assessment and materials development with sub-categories for each. This framework and the related examples could be utilized to evaluate the suitability of specific lists and to help set developmental targets for the process of adopting a new list and transforming it into something that could be used to direct and support vocabulary teaching and learning. It could also be developed further as more examples of practice emerge in different contexts and hopefully set the stage for more development about how vocabulary lists are used

Treatment modalities of palatal impacted canines

Introduction: The orthodontic treatment of impacted maxillary canine remains a challenge to today’s clinicians. The treatment of this clinical entity usually involves surgical exposure of the impacted tooth, followed by orthodontic traction to guide and align it into the dental arch. The impacted palatal canine requires a combination of both treatment modalities: orthodontic management and oral surgical treatment. Two types of approach are commonly used: simple exposure, or exposure with bracketing at the time of oral surgery procedure. Bracketing is a well-established and effective method of managing the impacted canine though it has been criticized for increasing the operating time and being a more technique-sensitive procedure.Aim: The aim was to compare the outcome and complication rate for each type of procedure.Material and method: In this study 20 treated patients with both palatal impacted canines were included, one at which the ectopic tooth was surgically exposed alone and the other where an orthodontic bracket was bonded to facilitate early traction, and the flap replaced.Results: In 30 per cent of all cases exposed and bracketed a second surgical intervention was required, compared with 15 per cent in the simple exposure group.Conclusion: Bracketing, though effective, is a more costly and time-consuming procedure, and it is suggested that simple exposure provides an equally efficient and predictable method of managing the palatal impacted canine with obvious clinical and financial benefits

Rentierism and Political Culture in the United Arab Emirates

This dissertation discusses United Arab Emirates (UAE) state-society relations in historical perspective; analyses qualitatively the Emirati political culture; examines how the latter affects governmental policies in the UAE; and evaluates both qualitatively and quantitatively the political orientations and values of the Emirati educated youth. Through a discussion of existing theoretical and conceptual approaches, and the observation of the UAE case study, it argues that an important and overlooked dimension among students of state-society relations in authoritarian rentier states is citizens’ political culture, which should nonetheless be examined within a more integrative framework of analysis. Accordingly, this study employs a refined version of the holistic ‘state-in-society’ approach (Kamrava, 2008), in combination with rentier state theory (RST) and the political culture perspective (Almond & Verba, 1963), to qualitatively discuss the general Emirati political culture (agency/input), and assess how the latter affects governmental performance/policies (output); and to evaluate, both qualitatively and quantitatively, the political culture of the educated Emirati youth as the main potential supporters or opponents (agency/input) of the ruling elite. Adding to the debate around the continued significance and scope of RST, the dissertation concludes that the rentier nature of a state does not necessarily determine its people´s lack of interest in politics, but can actually empower them to challenge authoritarianism through political socialization. The historical approach to UAE political movements and discussion about contemporary political standpoints demonstrate that governmental policies (redistributive, co-optative, repressive, or reformist) are mainly driven by domestic pressure and run parallel to historical development of domestic political activism. Hence, rentierism by itself does is not sufficient to explain state-society relations in the Gulf region. Finally, the analysis and measurement of cognitive, affective and evaluative political orientations of Emirati UAEU students reflects that there is adherence to ‘post-materialistic’ and ‘self-expression’ values among important sectors of the Emirati educated youth, which are associated with the emergence of a participative political culture (Inglehart & Welzel, 2005): an ‘aspiring participant’ political culture.University of ExeterSpanish Ministry of EducationPrince Al-Waleed Awar

Human capital investment for front-line non managerial employees in the hospitality sector in Dubai (U.A.E.)

The topic of this research is “Human Capital Investment for front-line non managerial employees in the hospitality sector in Dubai (U.A.E)”. The purpose of this research is to explore the commitment towards human capital investment offered by five star hotels in Dubai to lower level employees within the Rooms and Food and Beverage departments from a training perspective. Dubai is known for its worldwide reputation of delivering high quality service and luxury products to its international clientele. Dubai is attracting millions of guests into the hotels every year, and forecasting a tremendous growth of the travel, tourism, and hospitality sectors in future. Despite its oil production, Dubai has realised the potential and growth of these sectors as well as retail, medical and finance. Hence, this laid emphasis on the responsibility of hotel companies to offer quality training to its workforce in order to continue with growth, success, expansion plans, and increased worldwide reputation. Furthermore, the country is a creator of employment since it is heavily dependent on labour migrants and expatriates, originating from all over the world, attracting primarily people from the Subcontinent, Asian, European, and other Middle Eastern countries. Consequently, a much-diversified workforce with different levels of education, skills, and background is employed in the hospitality industry. Therefore, there is a need to conduct this study focusing on the following aims. Firstly, to examine the current human capital needs for employees in the hospitality sector in Dubai (U.A.E.). Secondly, to consider and evaluate current efforts by hotel training departments to devise and deliver training to front-line employees. Thirdly, to assess employees’ views regarding the current investment in human capital and to identify areas for improvement. Lastly, to develop a training model underlining the importance of HCI and its constructs within five star hotels in Dubai (U.A.E.). This was achieved through both primary and secondary research. Based on the literature review a suggested training model was developed which kept changing according to the results of the primary research. The methodological approach of this study is twofold. A mixed methods approach is been adopted and hence the study starts with the collection of data through the qualitative phase including interviews with Learning and Development Directors/managers of five star hotels, followed by observations of training programmes. The second phase relates to the quantitative data collection with the use of a questionnaire self-administered to front-line employees of five star hotels in Dubai. The key findings of this study demonstrate that the company regards front-line employees as key assets and hence human capital investment in five star hotels in Dubai is high. Furthermore, there is organisational and management support towards training, which supports the function of the Learning and Development department despite being just a support department. The effectiveness of the Learning and Development department is reflected upon the adequacy of the training department, and high levels of satisfactions are expressed by front-line employees as well as by Learning and Development managers. Because of these training interventions, positive outcomes are associated with employees, customers and organisations. Furthermore, front-line employees agree that because of training, benefits relate not only to their knowledge, skills, and abilities but also to their attitude and behaviour. Learning and Development managers expressed concerns with challenges closely link to the Human Resource practices as well as lack of support by line-managers, whereas front-line employees shared high levels of satisfaction with line-managers support towards their training and developmental activities. Furthermore, despite the effectiveness of the Learning and Development, a major weakness relates to the lack of evaluation and follow up which in turn results to lack of reporting return-on-investment to executive board as well as shareholders. The study hence developed two additional models based on each set of results. Besides, by using data triangulation the study recommends a training model underlining the importance of HCI and its constructs within five star hotels in Dubai based on the new constructs emerged from the findings. Conclusions are drawn based on model 4 which explains human capital investment from a training perspective in the luxury hotel sector within Dubai reflecting on the contribution to academic knowledge as well as limitations and suggestions for further research are proposed