LSC 2013 Mini report practice 1

Youths put skills ahead of money

Emirati youths entering the job market prioritise skills over salaries. That was the message from young people attending the Emirati Youth Forum. About 50 students and recent graduates took part in the forum held a day before the Emiratisation Summit. In a live voting session, 30 per cent  said the opportunity for growth and promotion was the most important factor when considering a job offer; 20 per cent said learning new skills was the top factor; while 18 per cent said work environment and culture was the main factor. Only 10 per cent said they would consider salary first. A mere 2 per cent said working hours were the most important criterion. The main concern about working in the private sector was competition for promotion and recognition; in the government, it was dealing with routine.  Job fairs, career guidance and workshops with corporate guests are ways that universities can help create new perceptions about working in the private sector. A survey of Emirati youth found that nearly 70 per cent of respondents consider factors other than salary and benefits to be the most important criteria when deciding on a job. The survey, which was conducted in the capital as part of an Emirati youth forum, revealed that 30 per cent of the university students and fresh graduates polled place utmost importance on growth and promotion opportunities when selecting a job. Following the UAE government declaration of 2013 as the year of Emiratisation, this edition of Tawdheef will see a renewed focus on the recruitment of Emiratis. A number of positions will also be open for expatriates. Nearly 70 per cent of participants at the forum said that getting a job is their most immediate priority after graduation, over further education or entrepreneurship opportunities. When choosing between public and private sector positions, the deciding factors for Emirati youth tend to be growth and promotion opportunities, work environment and skill development. Tawdheef 2013 is being held under the patronage of Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, minister for higher education and scientific research.

How do Gulf corals beat the heat?

How do Gulf corals beat the heat?

If the sea off Australia was that warm, the entire Great Barrier Reef would die. So how do the corals and reef fish in Abu Dhabi's coastal waters survive? "Accurate predictions of the fate of coral reefs require a profound knowledge of the adaptation capacity of the main reef builders," said Prof Wiedenmann.

The coral live in symbiosis with zooxanthellae. This is a type of algae that lives within the coral tissue. Algae photosynthesis produces sugar that provides up to 90 per cent of the coral energy, and as a return the coral provide various things such as shelter, nutrients, nitrogen and carbon dioxide for the algae. The coral can live for a week depending on their fat reserves. The weather in 2010 exceeded 37C which caused the loss of many corals on large number of reefs in the southern basin of the Gulf.

Coral’s skeleton structure is made of the same substance as human bones which is calcium carbonate. Fragmentation and larval production are two ways for the coral to reproduce. Larvae have a limited time to choose their home. The larval production is not a main problem when compared to the recovery rates. 

Pearl Museum in RAK

Pearl Museum in RAK

There are many ancient legends that are related to pearls; some says she is daughter of the rain and some say she is the moon’s daughter. However pearls have a beauty and a huge value that meets the eye. Julfar known nowadays as RAK was trading pearls with European travelers  many years ago.

The pearling industry broke down in the Gulf in 1930 due to the manufactured pearls which were invented by the Japanese. Cultured pearls had a great effect on the life threatening occupation which is pearl diving.

Despite the pearls’ destiny, the impact of pearls and the passion still they arouse lives through our sisters and daughters being named after various types of pearls.

The first floor is a historical journey, including a detailed show where the guide shows us the diving gear and describes the usage of that gear to the audience. Also what I find so fascinating is that they were rubbing their bodies with oil that was made of Acaci berry.`` Their skin could not survive without this moisturizer” said Mr Al Zaabi.