Rachel and I are adjusting to the time change...but we're pretty challenged with the poor internet connection at the hotel. Rachel was up a good bit last night trying to take care of students back home and I suspect and hope she's out cold right now. It's sort of maddening: you want to connect home, wonder if its your computer and keep hitting the buttons again and again. Rachel has a lot of compelling student requests coming in this time of the year -
Well, yesterday we fought through the fog of jet lag and stepped on to the RIT Dubai campus. It was pretty amazing driving onto the campus of the Dubai Silicon Oasis...and in front of you is the centerpiece building, that well, looks like an architectural pineapple. As we stepped into the foyer, we were excited to see the signs of our campus. Combined with seeing an incredible diversity of people bustling about, getting their coffees and off to their corner of the complex to work. We met with Dr. Tom and Ms. Sara Radwan. The day started with a brief about a conference with two students. Rachel and I smiled as we listened: these two students could easily have been at the Rochester campus.
The origin of RIT Dubai is a meeting of strategic plan and serendipity: Dr. Mustafa Abushagur had learned of Dubai's interest in securing a university to feed its silicon oasis at about the same time a government official was scoping out Dr. Abushagur's presentation at an international conference. Serendipity - and a lot of negotiations, work and education for all sides. In 2008, RIT Dubai opened its doors to graduate students and this past fall, RIT Dubai began to offer undergraduate degrees. And with undergraduates - students are more likely to be in need of housing. Approximately 25 students moved into Etisalat Academy - Etisalat being THE major cell phone provider in the UAE. The academy was built to serve as a training facility for the company - but today provides a variety of accommodations from conferences to student housing. RIT is one of several schools that are utilizing this facility. Tomorrow, 11 students from the US campus will arrive to learn for one quarter in Dubai. Here, we refer to this group as the Study Abroad students.
Today I met Mandip. Mandip has been serving as an RA since a few days after he moved in. He's a bit older than the other students: He chose RIT after running his own web development business for a few years in India and decided that investing in his education would be the next best step. Mandip showed me around the Academy- a gated compound with plush landscaping. We had lunch at the cafeteria - an extensive buffet reflecting the different flavors of Dubai: Indian, Asian, and even a little Italian. As we sat down, ate and got acquainted - I confess I was looking for the desert bar that our own Dining Services in the states is known for. Finally, in one corner of the room was a table with sweet and reasonable treats. Strictly for observation and quality purposes, I tried them all. Most of it was fresh fruit, but there was also a sort of rice pudding and little citrus cakes that were refreshing and not too sweet.
To my beloved colleagues who worked so hard on developing our Training Learning Objectives for Staff - we started there - and it was a good place to start. Pat yourselves on the back - it works abroad!! I confess, I was very proud as we used the document to guide our conversation of where Mandip felt confident and where he specifically wanted assistance in developing his skills. So, we'll be moving forward...he's going to be getting a little Sanford and Perry tomorrow. Sanford gives an understanding of providing appropriate levels of challenge and support for growth. I think that translates well into most cultures. I'm curious how Perry's Intellectual and Ethical Development might work on such a diverse campus. We've already talked about a cultural preference to avoid conflict - but if we're working in a business, is conflict avoidance good strategy? Looking forward to our chats tomorrow on that one. We're talking about our first program for all RIT Dubai students... should be Saturday night - (equivalent of a Sunday night for all you back home). Next few days will be shuttles, jet lag and orientation for the 'Study Abroad' group.
Will be working on a few infrastructure items tomorrow morning at the academic campus - then tomorrow afternoon I'll be back at the Academy helping Mandip to prepare for move-in. (And on Thursday, I'll be moving in myself.)
I feel tired...and should try to sleep - but I also feel like its not going to happen. Sigh.
Tisbah as-salaama (good night!)
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