Describe who you are as a person, inside and outside the workplace.
I strive to guide, mentor and support the Alef team and enhance the working environment at work. I further assist in the development of efficient plans and strategies for our organisation and our digital platforms. My work does not end at the end of my working day; at home, I am committed to supporting and caring for my husband and children. I am a strong believer in the value of education, which fueled my support for my husband to obtain his PhD. As for interests, I greatly enjoy reading, as it stimulates the mind. I also encourage my children to read to help them broaden their outlook and shape their perspectives. Reading, in my opinion, also enhances analytical and critical thinking, both of which are crucial for the development and growth of students.
Describe your background and what you did before you joined Alef Education.
I have 27 years of experience in the educational sector, during which I have harnessed a wealth of knowledge and experience that I have utilised to the best of my abilities to contribute to the advancement of this field. Over these years, I have assumed various roles and responsibilities and embarked on numerous endeavours that have positively influenced my career and enabled me to grow both professionally and personally. I have helped formulate a curriculum for various academic levels and classes, emphasizing technical education and promoting the professional development of teachers as the two main pillars of the educational process.
I hold a PhD in Education from The British University of Dubai, in addition to a master’s degree in Human Resources Management from Massey University in New Zealand, where I researched the effects of a positive work environment on employee performance and productivity. Prior to joining Alef Education, I served as the principal of the first public school in the UAE to implement Alef’s ground-breaking educational system, as well as the Director for UNESCO in the UAE’s National Commission for Education, Culture, and Science. Most recently, I was appointed at the Ministry of Education UAE, where I coordinated the implementation of the Alef Platform in 57 public schools in Abu Dhabi.
As part of my efforts to redefine the learning ecosystem, I have travelled and gained extensive knowledge of numerous educational systems worldwide, including those in Finland, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, and the USA. In addition, I have also participated in numerous conferences related to education all over the world, where I gained insights into the newest advancements in the industry and networked with various professionals from the education sector. In order to improve and inspire the next generation of learners, I firmly believe that technology and artificial intelligence must be utilized in the educational sector.
Tell us about Alef Education.
Alef Education was established with the primary goal of redefining the educational sector by developing an innovative educational system tailored to meet the needs of all the public schools in the country. However, as a result of the rapid advancements in the global education landscape, this idea later evolved to include the development of an educational system based on cutting-edge technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI). Through our Alef platform, students, teachers, administrators, and parents can enjoy a plethora of benefits, as our services are equally suitable for all of them. On the student level, our platform broadens knowledge by providing students with thorough, simple, yet rich and captivating educational content that is easier for them to comprehend. The platform notifies parents of their child’s performance reports on a weekly basis, enabling them to monitor their children’s academic progress. On the other hand, teachers can use the platform to automatically improve their tasks, saving them time and effort and allowing them to stay focused on their students. Administrators can also benefit from the platform, as it allows them to look directly for openings in the educational sector.
How do you continue to grow and develop as an education leader? And what qualities are lacking among today’s leaders? What are the major post-pandemic changes you are seeing in the Education sector?
I constantly strive to assist everyone in their endeavours, both inside and outside the office, supporting them in their journey towards growth and success. The success of students, teachers, and the entire educational institution is greatly influenced by educational leaders. I believe that a leader should be able to motivate and encourage individuals while also improving the educational system through their expertise and diverse administrative abilities. This has been the guiding principle in my professional life. As for the post-pandemic changes in the educational sector, more schools are now embracing technology, which in turn encourages students to explore outside of their comfort zones. As a result, more students will develop soft and critical thinking skills, which will prepare them for opportunities in the future. Our in-platform lessons include numerous focus areas like blockchain and coding to help educate students on various novel concepts and emerging trends. In addition to the regular in-class training, we offer students yearly winter and summer programs that allow them to explore and develop new skills. The Student Summer Coding Program, our most recent initiative, was hosted in collaboration with the Ministry of AI to encourage students to pursue coding careers and pique their interest in various career paths.
As a female leader, what has been the most significant barrier in your career? Have you been confronted with gender-related roadblocks in your career?
Gender equality is of paramount significance in the UAE, and as far as I know, the female population of the country do not typically face challenges in this regard, as we are constantly encouraged and supported by our wise leadership. This is further evidenced by the fact that women hold senior leadership and managerial roles in the country’s business and government sectors. Moreover, my co-workers have also always been encouraging and supportive, especially my male colleagues.
Do you think companies would benefit from having more women at the top?
Women today play a significant role in the labor force, owing to their higher participation rates in a number of commercial disciplines. For instance, a report claims that in 2021, female participation in the UAE workforce reached up to 46.54 per cent. Since they first entered the workforce over 35 years ago, Emirati women have become an important force that is recognized and acknowledged in the labor market. Furthermore, around 46 per cent of working women hold senior management positions in government institutions, which is a clear reflection of the country’s vision of advancing leadership roles for women.
What are your responsibilities as Board Advisor of Alef Education? What is the happiest part of your daily routine?
As a member of the Alef Team, I have been responsible for devising strategies that ensure the success and growth of Alef Education. I strategize and implement various solutions that help develop innovative concepts that steer the company towards redefining the learning ecosystem, strengthening integrity in the workplace, and accelerating the growth of the organization. I further provide guidance to affirm the company’s commitment to future goals and vision and keep teams updated on the latest trends shaping the education industry.
What are the most important attributes of successful leaders today?
To be a successful leader of any organization, one must possess several crucial traits. For instance, the ability to inspire and guide those around them is a quality that a successful leader must hold. In order to develop the abilities and skills of their team members and create a work environment where they can be open, honest, and productive, effective leaders must combine authority with a positive outlook. It is also important that leaders, apart from being authoritative, should be approachable and have a growth and development mindset. This indicates that they are aligned with and consistently focused on the shared objectives of their organization.
What advice would you give to the next generation female education leaders?
Keep your focus fixed on your objective and fuel your passion to accomplish it. The fact that careers and future requirements are constantly changing means that you, as a leader, must constantly work to improve yourself. It is also critical to understand that a good leader is someone who works towards promoting the development and prosperity of the community. Embracing challenges, using feedback to improve, and learning from your failures rather than fixating on them, are all necessary elements for success in anything you do.
Written by Steve Sanchez.
