The University of Birmingham was the only university in Dubai offering a tailor-made course to meet my immediate career needs. All other universities only offered a Master’s in Education. Importantly, none of these courses would qualify me to work with special needs students or be an advocate for improving support for this minority group in higher education.
What are your fondest memories of your time at Birmingham?
I really enjoyed the moral support and comradery of my cohort. We were all mature students and had very different backgrounds and career paths which broadened the group’s wealth of knowledge. The group connected from day one and continued as a source of support for each other throughout the course. In fact, during the tail end of the pandemic, we organized Zoom group meetings when our face-to-face classes had to be cancelled. Although communication was a challenge during the course, I never felt alone with my concerns, we shared everything as a group.
How did you stay in touch and connected with tutors and fellow students?
During the induction and first class meeting we organized a WhatsApp group. This enabled us to voice our concerns and ask each other’s advice especially during the assessment periods. The motivation and encouragement that I received from this group was highly beneficial to my studies, I do not think the journey would have been as enjoyable or manageable without this support. A small sub-group also used Zoom to connect when we wanted to discuss ideas for our assessments and projects.
Describe your current role and organisation
I have worked in the UAE as an educator for 34 years. I am currently a mathematics lecturer in the Higher Colleges of Technology. Whenever the opportunity arose, I worked with students with special educational needs and or disabilities. My college set up an Academic Success Centre (ASC) where I spend all my free time supporting ‘At Risk’ students, students with special educational needs or ‘drop-in’ students who request occasional help or advice with their studies. More recently I presented at an international conference hosted in Dubai where I was the only speaker for students with special needs and disabilities in higher education.
Tell us about your career journey from Birmingham student to where you are today
Although I have only just graduated, my career path is clearer and more manageable. The knowledge that I have gained on this course has proved invaluable ensuring I am better qualified to support students with special educational needs, especially in higher education. Having a deep and thorough understanding of the difficulties some student’s experience, I am better equipped to apply this knowledge to students who reach out to me for help and support.
Furthermore, my tutor from University of Birmingham has invited me to present some of my work to new students studying for their PGCE in Inclusion and Special Education Needs at the campus in Dubai in October 2023.
What is the best piece of advice you ever received (career or otherwise)?
When you learn, teach. When you get, give!