PRODIGY Issue #6

ISSUE #6 AUGUST 1, 2023 | TRIMESTER 2 2023

Summer Is In The Air YEAR OF PRODIGY!

NOW YOU CAN GET A COPY OF PRODIGY FOR YOURSELF! AED 25 per copy!

Prints for all issues are available.

Email prodigy@curtindubai.ac.ae to confirm your order. Details about payment will be shared directly upon receipt of the email.

Editor's Note

Issue # 6 August 1, 2023 | Trimester 2 2023

Celebrating One Year of Prodigy!

Sixteen months ago the foundations of PRODIGY were laid...in a Zoom meeting. Classes were still functioning in a hybrid mode and social clubs only gradually picking up the pace post-pandemic blues. Sixteen months on, here is the sixth issue of the only magazine that is of the students, for the students and by the students - as our motto goes - at Curtin Dubai and probably in all of the UAE. There is a long way to go still, but all it takes is a seed of an idea the idea that keeps you on your toes and gets you motivated to accomplish and build. Despite the challenges, PRODIGY has attracted the interest of many students, providing them with the opportunity to showcase their skills across writing and arts. Finally, each and every one of your contributions and feedback is highly appreciated and I hope 'The Squad' has been able to provide you with wholesome editions in the past one year.

Sit back and savour each section of this special edition!

The Squad Suleiman Altaf Editor-in-chief

Alister John Saldanha Content Writer

Jasmina Ulugbekova Comms & Relations Officer

Sara Altaf Head Designer

Until next time, stay safe and keep racing!

SULEIMAN ALTAF Editor-in-chief

Article Writing

Arts

Fiction Writing

Our article writing section caters to your opinionative writing needs. Do you have any opinions to share on a subject matter? Are you a budding writer who can get your readers thinking? This section is for you!

At PRODIGY we believe that every student has an art.

Art is not just the skill of drawing or painting but actually is any skill such as poetry or photography or even comic strips! Which one do you prefer?

Storytelling is a prized art form whether done in writing or verbally and who doesn't love to read a story!

One catchy title and introduction can take your readers on a journey never travelled before. We love to hear your stories so send them in! **All written entries are passed via Turnitin

Submit your entries with your full name and degree enrolled in by emailing prodigy@curtindubai.ac.ae and get featured!

PRODIGY AWARDS

Access PRODIGY's e-magazines by scanning the QR code or visiting the link below:

For editorial, contact Suleiman Altaf: suleiman.altaf@student.curtin.edu.au

SEE PAGE 15

Results for the 2nd edition of PRODIGY Awards is here!

Fathima Abdul Hameed Assistant Designer

www.issuu.com/prodigymagazine

No part of PRODIGY Magazine can be reproduced or altered without prior permission.

PRODIGY | 03

/CONTENTS

16

PRODIGIES @ CURTIN

8

SOCIAL CLUBS EVENTS

BOOK CLUB IN FULL FLIGHT MEET ASPIRING PSYCHOLOGY STUDENT QASWA ALI!

10

12

14

5 BEST SPOTS FOR COFFEE!

OAT COOKIES

WHO IS WARREN BUFFETT?

18

20

21

UNILIFE

FICTION WRITING

RECIPE OF THE MONTH

PRODIGY SPECIALS

ARTICLE WRITING JUST A THOUGHT

PHOTOGRAPHY

22

REDEFINING EDUCATION AND ROLE OF ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS - PART 2 PERSPECTIVES

PRODIGY | 04

1 YEAR OF PRODIGY!

AESTHETIC CLICKS

READERS' REVIEWS

Best Letter

Over to you

Greetings Curtin Family,

It was with great interest that I read the fifth issue, discovering various sections of the PRODIGY Magazine from the many other students at Curtin.

First of all, thank you for this Magazine and the opportunity to contribute to it. I found a lot of these views thought-provoking. I was happy to be given the opportunity, to express my candid opinion. I loved the anatomy of the PRODIGY cover design, notably the aesthetics, typography, and placement— basically, all the steps you need to consider to achieve a successful magazine cover design that will fly off the shelves. I love how it delivers great content to its readers, i.e. in a conversational style that creates a rapport. So, we are truly able to see the different personalities of everyone. The Curtin news helps the Curtin family get a sense of what's happening in Curtin. The Social Club pop-ups are a nice addition as it gives the readers an insight into what's going on. Moving on to their Article Writing section, which lets the writer talk about their perspectives on the proposed topic truly updates us about what is happening in the world. Moreover, to persuade more students to engage with this idea, they are introducing the first time-ever PRODIGY Awards. This is a great tactic to engage with all the students. I like to give a shout-out to Ruvimbo Moyo who wrote a well-written and, creative article called “What is There to Life?”. My favourite section in the magazine is the Photography bit which looks pretty professional with such clean composition. However, I would like to see pictures based on a theme. Moving on to the month's recipe Penne Pollo Picante which seems so easy and delicious. Although, I would like to see some photos of the step-by-step process. Last but not least, I loved the Calendar at the end of the Issue as it helps students understand what activities are going on Campus using a color-coded schedule. Overall, I would rate it as 8.5 out of 10, as there were minor issues such as inconsistent formatting here and there. I am glad to be part of this!

Follow us on

@prodigy.magazine

NEXT PUBLICATION DATE:

Yours truly, Khadija Asif Congratulations, Khadija Asif! You are the winner of this edition's Best Letter Contest! You will receive an email on how to collect your prize soon.

Best Letter Contest Send your letters and feedback on this edition of the magazine by August 30, 2023 with your name and course to prodigy@curtindubai.ac.ae. The winning entry will be judged on clarity and relevance, and will receive a Curtin Dubai goodie bag! The editor's decision will be final. All the best!

To be considered for the next issue, please send in your entries for the opinions, fiction, poems, artworks, and photography sections by August 30 2023.

PRODIGY | 05

CurtiNewS

Foundation IT student, Minn Thit Kyaw, represented the Dubai campus at the Curtin Global Pitching Competition.

Winners from each of Curtin's campuses competed in a grand final. The winning team from the Mauritius Campus won the overall championship this year.

Minn's pitch was about Elyana, a online platform that aims to encourage young children towards more physcial activity.

Director of Research and the Head of School - Engineering, Prof. Chithirai Pon Selvan PhD, PDF, SFHEA(UK) was honoured as a distinguished keynote speaker at the International Conference on Interdisciplinary Approaches in Civil Engineering for Sustainable Development (IACESD) 2023. Prof Selvan was also recently awarded the

PRODIGY | 06

Curtin Dubai students and staff had an exciting end to the month of June with the Intra University Sports Competition 2023. ‘Team Staff’ landed the overall Championship while students from various schools won the individual sports category best player awards. The student teams were divided on the basis of their school. Teams competed in many sports such as football, basketball, volleyball and badminton. It was truly a week of incredible sportsmanship!

CurtiNewS

Curtin Dubai's Mechanical Engineering student, Veronique Dina Itot Ngono, was selected as a recipient of the Scholarship Award from the prestigious ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers).

This recognition is welldeserved for her hard work and dedication to engineering excellence.

Curtin Dubai recently organized a networking event for alumni and postgraduate students where several industry partners were also invited to share their knowledge and experience with students. The event also highlighted the results of the latest employability results from March 2023, which showed a 95% placement rate for all Curtin graduates within one year of graduation. During the event, the first graduate of the employability series, Syed Usman, was also presented a plaque of appreciation.

Curtin Dubai's School of Engineering has succeeded in establishing the Curtin University Dubai Student Society of Engineers Australia (EA) under EA's UAE Chapter. The official inauguration ceremony was hosted on campus in the presence of prominent EA members from Dubai.

The annual summer camp organized by Curtin Dubai returned a high participation rate from highschool students. It was the second year of the week-long camp being held fully on campus since the pandemic. During the week, students learnt different skills such as public speaking, coding, Fusion360 and photography. The photography session was organized by sponsors Nikon.

PRODIGY | 07

SOCIAL CLUB EVENTS

Trimester 2 2023 saw a Social Clubs Fest at the start of the trimester for Social Clubs to showcase themselves and attract students to sign-up for their respective clubs. One of the clubs at the Fest was the Book Club - a relatively new social club in the university.

There were different activities - from 'Blind Date with a Book' to customizing bookmarks and writing a short story.

Students were given a random trope to begin their story. Below are three examples of short stories written by students in the Book Club section:

Villain Protagonist By: Kani Ahmadpour BOOM! The thunderclaps. Rain patters down the foggy glass of the black sedan. The luminescence of the flame climbs higher with each ticking minute. Tick tock. Tick tock. Hours turned into minutes. Minutes turned into seconds. And finally, seconds turned into milliseconds as the clock struck 12. ‘’Happy Birthday” sang the villain as tears crawl down their cheeks. “To me”. Light reflected through the window, and swish, the villain’s head turned down towards their phone.

‘Don’t forget to buy cat food': popped up on the notification. Deep sighs echoed through the car...no one. Not one person remembered, why should they care anyway? Pittar patter continued, in terms of rain...and care for the world around them...

PRODIGY | 08

SOCIAL CLUB EVENTS

Classmates to Best Friends By: Anonymous Since I joined university, I was so embarrassed to speak to my classmates especially because they were from different nationalities, but this one guy seemed to look friendly and he was Arab, so I took this as a first step to get to know my classmates, during the pandemic it was hard to meet people personally, so I started texting him on WhatsApp and we used to play online games together, so I was introduced to his online character, and I liked it, and after the pandemic we went back to face to face classes, so I finally got to meet him and since that day we started to shine in university in all clubs and because of him I now have so many friends and we are best friends till this day.

Anger-issues - Forever enemies By: Anonymous (not quite) “It is all because of him,” said Yaman. “I will never forgive him” (*angry face*). "He killed my wife and left my kids to burn and suffer, and most importantly... HE SPILLED BLACK COFFEE on my WHITE SHIRT. How dare he! I will curse him for eternity. Hatim... you won’t get away with this...not this time..."

To be continued...

Attention Social Club Heads!

If you wish to get your club featured on this section of the magazine, please send the relevant workshop/event/session details along with pictures to prodigy@curtindubai.ac.ae and promote your clubs! Please mention the date of the same and add a suitable subject line. The next section of this magazine is specifically for write-ups/articles/how-tos of social clubs which should also be sent on the above email. Make note of the deadlines so your club doesn't miss out!

Visit studentlife.curtindubai.ac.ae/social-clubs-and-associations for more information

PRODIGY | 09

UNILIFE

5 MUST VISIT PLACES FOR COFFEE LOVERS IN DUBAI Have you ever wondered what the best coffee may taste like or are you a coffee enthusiast?

This list is specifically for you. Unlike Starbucks, Tim Hortons and the regular cafes we are familiar with, this list emphasizes on speciality cafes that offer single origins as well as blends.

Mokha 1450 (Golden Galleria the Palm): Mokha 1450 is a quiet café to indulge in some of the best coffee Dubai has to offer.

The baristas explain each brew, blend and origin to help you make your choice from a variety of beans and brews.

The coffee is smooth and delicate in flavour, more so recommended for those who prefer to have a balanced coffee with the least amount of bitterness.

Recommended – Latte

The Expresso Lab (Multiple locations) The Expresso Lab offers amazing brews that hit the spot for satisfaction. Their coffee tends to be a little stronger compared to other places, therefore, it’s a must-try for coffee enthusiasts.

Recommended – Latte/Cappuccino

% Arabica (Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates. Citywalk): Featured previously in our foodies List, % Arabica is a go-to spot for coffee lovers in Dubai. They offer a range of coffee beans with professional methods that complement the flavour of each bean.

Every sip becomes tastier, and you can never have enough of one cup.

Recommended – Latte, Macchiato, Piccolo, Cortado.

Recommended beans- Ethiopian, Brazilian, Indonesian

PRODIGY | 10

UNILIFE

Raw Coffee Company ( Al Quoz): More of a warehouse in an isolated location, RAW is a hidden gem to those who want to taste some great coffee and buy good quality coffee beans. Arguably it is on par if not better in terms of flavour with %Arabica, However, RAW edges over the café as it offers some amazing breakfast and lunch dishes along with your coffee.

They also have an innovative way of placing orders, where you can scan the QR code at the tables customize your order and place it without the need of assistance from staff (which is also readily available).

Ps: their Burundi beans single-handed are the best coffee out of all their options.

Recommended – Latte, Macchiato, Piccolo, Cortado.

Recommended beans- Peru, Black Tie, Columbia, Burundi

Angel Cakes (Dubai Mall, Bluewaters) Angel Cakes as the name suggests is primarily a Russian cakeshop that is relatively new in Dubai, however, their coffee is something else altogether.

Though a little fancy it is worth the prices, their Ethiopian and Panama beans are of top quality and arguably the best you can get in Dubai. The Panama geisha especially is heavenly.

The texture and flavour are also very smooth, and as a bonus, you can enjoy a slice of cake along with your coffee!

Recommended – Cappuccino, Chemex, V60, Geisha with Panama Beans (may not be available always.)

Recommended beans- Ethiopian, Brazil

PRODIGY | 11

REC I P E OF THE MON TH

Alister John Saldanha Culinary Expert

Ingredients ··75g Coconut Oil (melted). ·30g Dark Brown Sugar.

OAT COOKIES

·A pinch of Salt ·A pinch of Nutmeg ·1 tsp vanilla ·1 tsp cinnamon powder ·½ tsp baking powder ·100g whole oats (for the flour). ·30ml milk ·100g whole oats ·15- 30 g chopped nuts (Cashew/Pecan/Almond) (Optional)

Method: Set the oven to preheat at 180 degrees Celsius or 360 Fahrenheit.

In a medium mixing bowl, combine the coconut oil and brown sugar, and break up lumps if any.

Add some freshly grated nutmeg, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt.

Grind 100g of whole oats till it becomes a powder. Alternatively, you can also purchase oat flour from the market.

Fold in the flour, using a spatula or the whisk, add a splash of milk and let it blend in with the mixture Gently add the rolled oats and nuts.

If the dough is crumbly or dry, add milk little by little till the dough holds as a ball and can be flattened.

Prepare a baking tray lined with parchment paper.

Roll the dough into a size of your choice and flatten it into a cookie shape, then place it on the baking tray.

Place the cookie dough about an inch apart from each other.

Though this dough does not puff up much. Once you have filled your baking tray, transfer it into the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, depending on how crunchy you want your cookies.

Let it cool for 15 to 20 minutes before biting in. These taste best the next day, so control the urge for a day if possible.

PRODIGY | 12

Tips: 1.You can also make this recipe using wheat flour.

2.This recipe can also be made using light brown sugar, castor sugar, powdered sugar, coconut sugar and date sugar. The choice is yours. Each one adds a distinct flavour to the cookie. Or you can also skip sugar it self.

3.You can add a little extra salt or rock salt as toppings, it compliments the flavour of coconut oil and oats.

4.It is better to use freshly grated nutmeg rather than nutmeg powder. As usual you may experiment with the spices as you wish.

5.You can also add chocolate chips, melted dark chocolate or cocoa powder in this recipe.

PRODIGY AWARDS Where talent is awarded.

Congratulations to all the winners!

Best Writer

Best Photographer

HAMZA QAFFAF

MUHAMMAD OMAID MAHBOOB

Golden Pen Winner

SALONEE KULKARNI PRODIGY | 13

ARTICLE WRITING

WARREN BUFFETT: A BUSINESS ICON AND PHILANTHROPIST Hamza Hazem Qaffaf B. Com, Finance

Warren Buffett is a household name and a legend in the business world. He is known for his value investing strategy, which involves buying undervalued companies and holding onto them for the long term. This approach has earned him the nickname “The Oracle of Omaha,” as his investments have consistently outperformed the market.

Buffett is also known for his successful leadership of Berkshire Hathaway, a holding company that owns a diverse range of businesses, including insurance, retail, and finance. Under his guidance, Berkshire Hathaway has become one of the most successful and respected companies in the world.

In addition to his business pursuits, Buffett is also a philanthropist, donating billions of dollars to charitable causes through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. He has consistently ranked as one of the world’s wealthiest people and has a net worth of over $100 billion.

Value Investing Buffett’s value investing strategy involves looking for companies that are undervalued by the market and have strong potential for growth. He looks for companies with strong financials, good management, and a durable competitive advantage.

One example of a company that fits this criteria is Coca-Cola. Buffett first invested in Coca-Cola in 1988 and has held onto the stock ever since, despite market fluctuations. This decision has paid off, as Coca-Cola’s stock price has steadily increased over the years.

Another example of a company that fits Buffett’s value investing criteria is Apple. He first invested in Apple in 2016 and has consistently added to his position. Apple has a strong brand, a loyal customer base, and a diverse range of products, making it a good fit for Buffett’s value investing strategy.

Berkshire Hathaway Berkshire Hathaway is a holding company that owns a diverse range of businesses, including insurance, retail, and finance. It is known for its conservative approach to investing and has consistently outperformed the market.

PRODIGY | 14

FINANCE

Under the leadership of Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway has acquired a number of successful companies, including GEICO, Duracell, and Dairy Queen. These acquisitions have helped to diversify the company’s holdings and increase its profits.

One of the key factors in Berkshire Hathaway’s success is its strong management team. Buffett has surrounded himself with talented and experienced executives who are able to run the company’s various businesses effectively.

Philanthropy In addition to his business pursuits, Buffett is also a philanthropist, donating billions of dollars to charitable causes through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. He has stated that he plans to give away 99% of his wealth during his lifetime and has already donated over $30 billion.

One of the causes that Buffett has been particularly passionate about is education. He has donated millions of dollars to schools and universities, with a focus on providing access to quality education for underprivileged students.

In addition to education, Buffett has also supported a number of other charitable causes, including healthcare and disaster relief. His philanthropic efforts have made a significant impact on communities around the world.

Success and Influence Buffett’s success as an investor and business leader has made him a household name and a respected figure in the business world. He has consistently ranked as one of the wealthiest people in the world and has a net worth of over $100 billion.

His value investing strategy has influenced the way many people approach investing, and his leadership of Berkshire Hathaway has made it one of the most successful and respected companies in the world.

Buffett’s influence extends beyond the business world as well. His philanthropy and commitment to giving back have inspired others to do the same, and he has become a role model for how to use wealth and success for the greater good.

Warren Buffett is a true icon in the business world. His value investing strategy and successful leadership of Berkshire Hathaway have made him one of the wealthiest and most respected people in the world. In addition to his business pursuits, he is also a philanthropist, donating billions of dollars to charitable causes. His influence and legacy will continue to be felt for years to come.

PRODIGY | 15

INTERVIEW

Prodigies @ Curtin 'I love the faculty here!'

PRODIGY's Communications and Relations Coordinator Jasmina Ulugbekova caught up with Foundation student Qaswa Ali who is hoping to specialize in Psychology and Health Sciences. Known for her strong interpersonal skills, find out more about her in this edition's Prodigies @ Curtin.

PRODIGY | 16

PRODIGIES @ CURTIN

Q: What is your name and current major?

A: Qaswa Ali, and I’m currently in the Foundation of

In this brand-new

Health Science.

special section of PRODIGY, we interview,

Q: What are your two special characteristics?

as the name suggests,

A: Good listener and a multitasker.

prodigies at Curtin Dubai. Who will be next

Q: One word that others would describe you with?

in the roll of honour?

A: Social, and that’s because I can easily get to know people in just one meeting. I also like interacting with everyone from our university, and I love to get to know new people! .

Q: Why did you decide to join Curtin?

A: I decided to join Curtin because of two things.

Q: What is your favourite thing about Curtin?

Firstly, the ranking of Curtin among the other

A: I love the faculty here. This is because the faculty

universities. When I was picking my education, I

here are really kind and friendly, and they actually go

wanted to invest in a university with a good name so

over their way to help you with any of your problems. I

it can help with my career in the future. Secondly,

find that the faculty they hire is really helpful and

university accessibility. This is because I live in

always positive around students.

Silicon Oasis, so I needed a university with near transportation so I can flexibly go to university.

Q: Who is your favourite person in the university?

A: Mr Moses, I love his positive vibes, and I feel like whenever he’s in the room, it always lights up with positivity!

Q: If you could meet any person from the past, who would you meet?

A: My grandmother, this is because my grandma was one of the kindest people I knew, she would always care for me and look after me, but unfortunately she passed away when I was little so I was not able to enjoy all of my moments with her.

Q: What are your plans for the near future?

A: I initially joined the university to be able to get an Australian degree. So in the near future, I’m planning to travel to Australia so I can finish my degree there and be able to explore different cultures.

Q: Which song best describes you?

A: Unforgettable – French Montana ft. Swae Lee

PRODIGY | 17

Malvan Diaries Salonee Kulkarni B. Com, International Business

6:24 AM the dawn breaks. A little crack in the vast sky welcomes the golden sunshine rays of a new beginning. The sky, the eggshell and the sun, a little hatchling yearning for its new beginnings. Nature unclothing the cold blanket, the lazy sky wraps itself in. The daylight illuminated the features of the naked sky. The sea waves are calm and serene, a gentle lullaby to the shore. The shore is a night owl carrying within itself the fury of the days happening and distributing its rage to the moon which willingly volunteers. The sea calms the shore in the early morning hours before the heart fills with endless complaints again. The palm trees are locked up treasures of stories told under the shimmering moonlight. The leaves act as ears closing themselves due to weariness. The branches move in rhythm to the folktales recited the previous night. The bricks of the Sindhudurg Fort preserve the culture of the region and lays the foundation for its stories. The breeze is the background dancers to the lovely tales from all around the world. It carries a bite of the stories of different cultures and gently rests a piece of it in Malvan.

The fishermen yawn like a tiger in hiding, gearing up for their daily routines. Walking barefoot. They feel the tickle of the grass and the grains of the sand which prickle their feet. Draped in a dhoti and carrying their fishnets, they travel in their magical boats. The Sea is a travel guide for frequent fisherman tourists. They seek blessings from the Sea God to start their day in a fulfilling manner.

A woman in her mid-twenties drapes herself in a saree and tucks her pallu. Her dusky skin gleamed under the hot afternoon sun rays. She gently applies her kajal, she is well-versed in the ways of concealing her stories. A teardrop forms at the brim of her eyes, unable to contain the salty liquid, it overflows her coffee-brown vessels. It rolls down her cheek and reaching its end, falls on the surface of the cold dusted floor. It dries up leaving a salty patch. Sleeping in its cocoon, she holds her baby with warmth. After feeding her cocoon fresh milk, she gently put her baby in its cradles- its own safety net (after the mother’s womb). The child wraps its soft lotus-like hands around the blanket. It yawns craving a forever sleep and disappears into thin air, leaving a salty patch of imagination.

PRODIGY | 18

The fragrance of the Malvani cuisine escaped the creaked pink window of the neighbourhood house. The smell of dried chillies on the rooftops. The freshly made coconut paste.

The cold coconut milk was stored safely in the house. It is more precious than treasured gold. The flavor of cumin, ginger, garlic, and cardamom mix to form its own perfume of delicious masalas sprinkled on the cuisine. A sniff of Malvani masala stored in the jars away from the mischievous toddlers.

School kids running behind used tyres with broken wooden sticks. They halt near a house to quench their thirst from the juice made of raw mango, lovingly called Kairi panha.

The uninvited guest then rings a bell of a house whose doors they are unfamiliar with and sprints like the cheetah- ding dong escape, a ritual common to all kids.

The jovial tourists flock to the seawater. They enjoy their bit of scuba diving with the fishes of Malvan. They gossip like friends who have known each other for a long time. The tea gets cold and the fishermen pack their tools and head back to their homes. After a hard day at work, they long for kombdi vade, solkadhi and hot rice. The happiness gleams on their face as they sing, Malvan Panyamadhe killa pahuni mana madhe bharala, Killa dese Manohar, lata yethel bayankar (In the Malvan waters, I witness a Fort My heart fills with delight, The Fort is captivating that even the waves are eager to greet the Fort.)

PRODIGY | 19

PRODIGY SPECIALS

THE JOURNEY...SO FAR As we move into the second year, let's take a look back at 'The PRODIGY Journey' so far.

1st May 2022

FOUNDATIONS OF PRODIGY LAID

9th January 2023

28th June 2022

5th September 2022

1ST ISSUE RELEASES

2ND ISSUE RELEASES

9th December 2022

7th November 2022

PRODIGY AWARDS

INAUGURAL PRODIGY AWARDS TAKE PLACE 4TH ISSUE RELEASES

3RD ISSUE RELEASES

1st May 2023

1st August 2023

5TH ISSUE RELEASES

6TH ISSUE RELEASES

PRODIGY | 20

ARTS

Horse - Neon

Horse - Ancient

Horse - Classic PRODIGY | 21

JUST A THOUGHT from a world of thoughts

Redefining The Role of Academic Institutions Suleiman Altaf Editor-in-chief

In last month's column, we mentioned about how education at the kindergarten level has evolved in recent years. The focus of this edition's write-up will be middle and secondary schools.

In most schools, computer studies only start as early as Year 7. In a world rapidly moving towards digitalization, it comes as a surprise how many, if not all, schools have taken so long to understand the urgent need of incorporating computer studies in middle school.

Economics is another vital subject for each and every student to have basic knowledge about. When I was in school, only students in the 'commerce' stream would take up economics and it would only start in Year 9. I hear today that economics has become a compulsory subject for all students - in line with the latest regulations of the Ministry of Education - but they still start only in Year 9 when they should much early on.

Which subjects should be removed or restructured to allow for the incorporation of the aforementioned subjects? History and geography are two which can be taught in a radically different manner. Assessing students on history is unnecessary pressure on them and that can be easily made into a fun learning process.

As for geography, much of what is taught under this subject is usually borrowed from science.

That is about the subjects but a key factor is the teaching approach adopted. Often, much of the teaching PRODIGY | 22

continues to remain in theory with little or no connection made with their practical applications and implications. This is, in my opinion, the elephant in the room. Students resort to 'rote memorization' as a result when they fail to understand the concepts. Some students may score well in an exam but it is very likely they have not quite understood the topics - the two are not mutually exclusive. This might also explain why students forget much of what they learnt/studied postexams.

Another recent development is the adoption (or I should say incorrect adoption) of presentation slides.

Luckily, slides were a rare assistant of teachers prepandemic. However, as part of the e-learning transition, presentation slides somewhat became the default mode of transferring information to the students as whiteboards and/or oral dictation practically ceased to remain feasible. While presentation slides can be very useful tools for teachers, in reality they only distract away the attention of students if loaded with information. Many of you may have come across videos of classes being taught at places like Harvard or MIT and they appear to be much more effective. One commonality among them is the complete reliance by teachers on whiteboards (blackboards, actually!) to elaborate on concepts. This not only makes students go along with the teacher but also encourages writing of notes.

The next article in this series will put the spotlight on university, and being a final year student what changes are the need of the hour to make higher education To be continued... more relevant and effective.

PRODIGY

JOIN THE SQUAD, JOIN THE FUN!

CONTENT WRITER PRODIGY is looking for someone to join its writing team.

Your key responsibilities will include: Covering events and other news at Curtin Dubai for the Curtinews section.

Contacting social clubs for their event descriptions and details.

Proofreading

DIGITAL CONTENT CREATOR PRODIGY is looking for someone to join its marketing team and help in growing PRODIGY's reach!

Your key responsibilities will include: Creating posters, posters and posters.

Reaching out to students for submissions.

If you are interested in either of the roles, please contact the editor at prodigy@curtindubai.ac.ae with a short cover note mentioning any prior experience or relevant skills.

For advertisements, please contact the marketing team at prodigy@curtindubai.ac.ae

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