Community in a Time of Crisis

In this latest Think Education Podcast episode, Chris and Judith reflect on week two of the war, further changes to the education landscape in Dubai, the nature of community and the impact that changes can have on us all.

Perception and reality are very much a contextual construct.  Travel and exposure help us to better understand people and circumstances.  Chris reflects on the perception that he is seeing in the press and social media about the people in Dubai and Dubai more broadly.  He explains what it is to actually live here.  To have a family here.  Community is a strange thing.  How it is constructed, understood, seen from within and without.

The education system in Dubai has been a key tool in this development. It recognises and responds to the diversity of the population.  It provides a diversity of schooling and university options to encourage people to stay.  To study here, to work here, to live here.  To make this place home.  This is at the heart of the move to the knowledge economy.

Chris explained the recent changes to the Spring Break schedule and the impact that this has had on teachers and learners alike.  These changes, efficiently put in place, enabled uniformity of response and experience.  Educational institutions follow the guidance put in place and ensure that nobody is disadvantaged, or everybody is disadvantaged equally depending on how you look at it.

International students everywhere are being impacted.  Judith talked about international students in the UK who might want to go home and be with their families but also want to keep studying and are unable to do so.  Travel may not be possible and the options for online learning are not in place to facilitate this.  Chris talked about the international student community in Dubai who are still here – even if on break – and need looking after.  Institutions have a responsibility to care for students, as do countries.  When you actively promote international student recruitment, you need to provide the full support ecosystem that this requires and not just treat them as numbers.  They are people.  Young people, often away from family and their support systems.

Everything is connected.  You move one piece on the board, change one element of the supply chain, remove one piece of the ecosystem, and the ripples are felt.  We talked about how changes in visa systems and policies have a knock-on effect on students, universities, jobs, and local economies.

Chris talked again about the conversations he is having with people who want to arrange study visits to Dubai and develop partnerships – as soon as things calm down – and how this is a message of hope and trust.  This too shall pass and the future continues to be about the student experience and how we can best support it.

Empathy is needed.  Judith and I know full well from our own experiences in international education that travel broadens the mind and exposes us to differences that allow us to reflect, learn and grow.

Not having all the answers is not a weakness.  Asking questions is a strength.  Communication is essential.

 

Listen here:

Podbean:

iTunes:

 

#Dubai #UAE #community #internationaleducation #empathy #communication #askquestions