Education
University of Dubai highlights key role of mentors in enriching education process
University of Dubai Alumni Associations Alumni-Student Mentoring Programme (ASMP) has highlighted mentoring as a key element in the education process, describing mentors as heart-giving individuals who believe in community education.
Speaking at the fifth anniversary celebrations of the Programme at the Dubai Chamber, Dr. Eesa M. Bastaki, President of University of Dubai, said: Mentoring involves exchange of ideas between those who experienced success in education and those who are about to discover that experience. Dr. Bastaki also offered his support for the Alumni Association and its efforts to provide the best opportunities to its members.
On the occasion, Ms. Amina El Mazak, Director of the Alumni and Students Affairs Department, thanked the UD mentors for their commitment, and pointed out that UD was the first university in the UAE to launch the Alumni-Student Mentoring Programme. She added: Introducing the ASMP to the alumni and students, and getting them to be proactively involved in it has been made possible only with the outstanding support and dedication of some of the alumni ambassadors.
Since the ASMPs inception in May 2009, the Alumni Relations Team and a committed section of the UD alumni have invested considerable efforts to make this programme work for the benefit of UD students. The anniversary event honoured the mentors who have contributed to the success of the programme for the last five years. During the event, attended by faculty members, participants had the opportunity to reconnect with their former partners and showcase their mentoring achievements.
On the occasion, Dr. Bastaki presented every mentor a book titled, The Heart of Mentoring, by David Stoddard which describes the Ten Proven Principles for Developing People to Their Fullest Potential. The book contains useful information that will help the alumni enhance their mentoring skills.
The University of Dubai Alumni Association is open to all graduates of the university, regardless of college, major or graduation year. The activities and programmes of the UDAA are overseen and supported by its Board of Directors made up of 16 members and additional voluntary members who give their time, effort and resources to serve the UD alumni community.