Preview - School of Continuing and Professional Studies - New York ...

A MESSAGE
FROM THE
DIVISIONAL
DEAN
In my fall message I wrote about my trip to Ghana with our
graduate students. This time I want to swing over to another
region, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which faculty
members Sylvia Maier, Carolyn Kissane, and I visited this
past October. Our purpose was to lay the groundwork for
an important workshop, Realizing Potential: Emirati Women
at the Forefront of Social Change, which will be held in Abu
Dhabi April 16 and 17, 2012. The initiative has been made
possible by funding from the NYU Abu Dhabi Institute.
Imagine leaving New York on a Friday evening and arriving
on Saturday evening. Far from being tired (I slept all the
way), I checked into our lovely hotel, and after receiving
assurances that it was perfectly acceptable for a single
woman to be out at night, I took a walk on both sides of the
Corniche. Even in the dark, the innovative architecture and
gorgeous setting were impressive, but all the more so the
next morning when I retraced my steps. What struck me
was the spotlessness, manicured lawns, uniformly trimmed
trees, and attention to flowers and landscaping. Missing
was the hum and bustle of street life. One did see workers,
primarily non-Emiratis, as well as Emirati women and men in
traditional dress, but not many. In stark contrast to Ghana,
where it is de rigeur to greet strangers, eye contact is not
the norm in tradition-bound Abu Dhabi society.
That said, what we encountered in our individual meetings
with women leaders in education, government, and the
private sector was completely different—and completely
inspiring. The women spoke frankly about how they
achieved professional success by melding tradition and the
requirements of family life with their careers. From CEOs
and directors of private companies to leaders in government
and education, they were amazing: animated, well educated,
thoughtful, and fully cognizant not only of what they had
accomplished but of the challenges that remained.
We have had an amazingly positive response to our
workshop which will bring together about 25 leading women
in education, government, and the private sector. Together
we will explore the policies, politics, and strategies that have
led to the remarkable professional achievements of women
in the UAE; identify remaining challenges; and establish a
network for continuing dialogue. In the meantime, I look
forward to seeing you this spring, whether in our classrooms
or at one of our public events.
With all best wishes for the New Year and for our continued
growth as a community,
Vera Jelinek
Divisional Dean
Center for Global Affairs
NYU School of Continuing and Professional Studies
scps.nyu.edu/cga [1]