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Sharjah 24
2 days ago
- Business
- Sharjah 24
Bodour AlQasimi conferred Leicester's 1st honorary professorship
On July 25, Sheikha Bodour visited the University of Leicester School of Business, where she was formally conferred the title during an official ceremony at the Brookfield Campus. The title was presented by Professor Henrietta O'Connor, Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, and Professor Dan Ladley, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Head of College and Executive Dean of the School of Business. During her visit, Sheikha Bodour engaged with students and faculty and participated in a dedicated discussion on museum studies and cultural sector research, further underscoring her commitment to advancing cross-cultural dialogue and academic collaboration. A global leader in publishing and education, Sheikha Bodour has led transformative efforts to expand access to books, knowledge and inclusive learning. She is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Kalimat Group, which has published more than 500 titles in over 15 countries, with a focus on socially conscious Arabic children's literature and inclusive storytelling. As Founder and Chairperson of Kalimat Foundation, she has delivered literacy and accessibility initiatives in 31 countries and played a key role in the UAE's accession to the Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who are Blind, Visually Impaired or Otherwise Print Disabled . She is also the Founder of the Emirates Publishers Association and the UAE Board on Books for Young People and previously served as President of the International Publishers Association, becoming the first Arab woman and only the second woman in its history to hold the post since 1896. 'This recognition from the University of Leicester is deeply meaningful to me,' said Sheikha Bodour. 'In Sharjah, we believe that education is one of the most powerful ways to build cultural bridges and foster mutual understanding. It is through knowledge, inclusion and service to others that we create lasting impact. I hope this honor encourages others, especially young women, to believe in their ideas, claim their space and lead with purpose.' Professor Dan Ladley, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Head of College and Executive Dean of the School of Business, said: 'The University of Leicester is delighted to welcome Sheikha Bodour to its family. She embodies the values of the University---inclusive, inspiring and impactful---in her commitment to empower others through education, entrepreneurship and publishing, her unequivocal focus on equality and inclusion and her passion for making this world a better place. The first Arab woman to become president of the International Publishers Association and a champion of gender equity in higher education and women in leadership roles, Sheikha Bodour is leading the way for women on a global scale.' In her drive to champion women leadership in publishing, Sheikha Bodour established Publis H er, a global movement advocating for women's leadership in the industry. Since its launch, it has gained remarkable momentum, creating safe, inclusive spaces for women in publishing to connect, collaborate and rise. Complementing this commitment to inclusivity, she also led the International Sustainable Publishing and Industry Resilience initiative, which supported the publishing sector during the COVID-19 pandemic and helped build more adaptive, future-ready systems across the industry. She also chaired the committee behind Sharjah's designation as UNESCO World Book Capital 2019 and led the establishment of the House of Wisdom, a landmark cultural center fostering knowledge, dialogue and innovation. As Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority, she continues to elevate Sharjah's global standing through events such as the Sharjah International Book Fair, the Sharjah Booksellers Conference and Sharjah Publishing City. Sheikha Bodour has advocated for diversity, freedom to publish, literacy and youth development through platforms including UNESCO's World Book Capital Cities Network and the World Economic Forum, where she became the first Emirati woman to co-chair the World Economic Forum on the Middle East and North Africa, and chaired the Regional Business Council for the Middle East and North Africa. Her recognition by the University of Leicester also reflects her broader efforts in promoting equity and academic excellence. Since being appointed President of AUS in 2023, Sheikha Bodour has championed gender equity in higher education, ensuring increased representation of women in leadership roles. She spearheaded the establishment of the 'Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi Chair in Women's Leadership' at AUS, in collaboration with NAMA Women Advancement Establishment---the UAE's first endowed chair dedicated to women's leadership and development. Under her leadership, AUS has launched six new research centers in fields including artificial intelligence, sustainability and Arab and Islamic studies, while expanding scholarship support for students with disabilities and those from financially disadvantaged backgrounds. Sheikha Bodour's work also extends to entrepreneurship, innovation and economic development. As Chairperson of the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa), she has supported over 150 startups that have raised $128 million in investment and created more than 1,400 jobs. As Chairperson of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), she has led strategic projects across sectors including tourism, sustainability, healthcare and the cultural economy. At the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park, she oversees a $150 million initiative that has attracted over 2,000 companies and more than $100 million in research investment across renewable energy, agritech, mobility and immersive technologies. Sheikha Bodour holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) from the University of Cambridge and a Master of Science in Medical Anthropology from University College London. Her career continues to blend public service, entrepreneurship and cultural advocacy, reinforcing AUS as a center of research and inclusion while shaping global conversations on education, publishing and leadership.
ABC News
5 days ago
- Health
- ABC News
The toll on relationships when you're in the sandwich generation
Lauren Black was 35 and raising a toddler when her mum died unexpectedly. "Mum was the centre pin for so many people in my family, and the family business, and suddenly that fell to myself and my older brother," says the 42-year-old from Albury-Wodonga, on the traditional lands of the Wiradjuri people. "I stepped into Mum's place for my dad, took over the care of their two dogs as well as my own, stepped in as my grandmother's support with the onset of dementia, and stepped in to work with my brother as he took over the family business." Lauren says the sudden change and increased responsibility, which included moving back to her hometown from city life in Canberra, was a strain on her marriage. "My husband got the last of my time and our relationship suffered." Lauren wrote to us after reading our story on being the sandwich generation. We spoke to Lauren to hear more about how caring for a young child and older family members affected her marriage, and also asked two experts for their insights into the toll being in the sandwich generation can have on relationships. Michelle O'Shea is a senior lecturer in the School of Business at Western Sydney University and has been analysing data on sandwich carers, provided by Carers NSW. "What really resonated was the cognitive load. Respondents consistently talked about this idea of care taking up such a large part of their time and mental energy," Dr O'Shea says. She says there was also a physical toll that left carers exhausted. "[One woman spoke about] having to render assistance to her mother, which included bathing and assisting around the house, while also doing those things in her household as well." The mental and physical load means there is often nothing left to give anyone else in their lives, Dr O'Shea says, including quality time with a partner. Lauren says moving back to her hometown on a whim to help family was part of the struggle, because her husband Matt didn't have the same social network in the area. "I was his person in Albury, but I wasn't available. "We didn't have any time together, and any time I did have, I needed to look after myself. "Matt and I have always so had different interests, so he's not coming to a ceramics workshop, where I want to sit down and chat to other women who are going through the same thing as me." The couple also missed out on creating the family they had imagined for themselves. Being a part of the sandwich generation is one of the most intense life stages many couples face, says Queenie Wu, a clinical psychologist in Brisbane/Meanjin. She says many couples may experience communication breakdown, resentment over an unequal responsibility, and financial pressures. "Clients talk about going from lovers to logistic managers without realising it." This can be impacted further when the aging parent lives in the home. "Even with love and goodwill, it shifts the emotional centre of the home," Dr Wu says. "Couples' connection can take a big hit … there can be a grief and loss of privacy and that safe haven." She says parents living in the home can also create confusion around roles. "Sometimes parents overstep and undermine." Lauren says the bulk of the caring duties fell to her. "It's a gendered issue … but Matt was also struggling a lot. "While I was drowning in responsibility, I had so many women around me going through the same thing, so I was able to connect and get that support. "Whereas Matt focused on his work and playing sport, where there isn't always the opportunity to discuss your struggles." Dr O'Shea says even when there might be multiple adult children in the family, most of the time caring duties rest with the daughter or daughter-in-law. "There were lots of women speaking [about] the care of their own parents, but also their in-laws. "And what's different about women in this sandwich generation to prior generations, is not only are these women caring for their children and elder relatives, but they're also working." And while it might be more common or expected in certain cultures to take care of aging parents, it's often no less difficult, says Dr Wu. "For many Chinese Australians like me, it's not just an expectation [to care for aging parents], but a fundamental responsibility ingrained from childhood. "Cultural values may shape the stories, but the stress is still real." Dr O'Shea says many migrant families in Australia may also be dealing with supporting family from afar. "They also have care commitments for aging relatives living abroad. "There is another layer to that care." Many carers don't feel seen in the work they are doing. "It's invisible," says Dr Wu. For that reason, she says it's important couples acknowledge and validate the care that is being undertaken. To stay connected, couples should prioritise time together like they would "a medical appointment", she says. "We need to make it happen — treat it as sacred." Ongoing communication and regular check-ins are also essential, says Dr Wu. "Couples who come through this chapter stronger are those who stay intentional. "They talk openly, share the load fairly, protect small moments of connection, and see themselves as a team. "Even amidst the chaos, they choose each other, again and again." Lauren says life is slowly becoming more manageable. For example, her career is "back on track", her dad has a new partner, and her brother runs the family business independently. But she says it will take time to fully recover. 'I still feel like we are living through the most hectic times in our lives and haven't had a chance to catch our breath.'
India Today
21-06-2025
- Business
- India Today
Not quite business as usual School of Business in Galgotias University, Greater Noida
Behind the phenomenal ascent of the School of Business in Galgotias University lies a commitment to excellence—research-driven programmes, foreign partnerships and cutting-edge pedagogy SCHOOL OF BUSINESS, GALGOTIAS UNIVERSITY , Greater Noida No. 35 (2025) up from No. 82 (2020) Latest teaching methods, collaborations with top foreign B-schools and a commitment to research have propelled the School of Business at Galgotias University, Greater Noida, to the position of the most improved college for BBA programmes. With over 6,700 students enrolled in various undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes in business and management, the School of Business buzzes with energy. The school is a member of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), is accredited by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) with an A+ grade, and has forged international collaborations to provide a global perspective to students. Partnerships with top institutions such as Purdue University, US; SRH, Germany; Kedge Business School, France; Goethe University, Germany; and Northern Illinois University, US, result in student and faculty exchanges, joint research projects and exposure to international business practices. The school has a diverse range of programmes, such as an integrated MBA (BBA with MBA), BBA in marketing and automobile management, BBA in business analytics, MBA with dual specialisation and MBA in digital marketing. According to Professor Jagannath Mohanty, Dean, School of Business, 'Research acquires a significant place in the academic ecosystem of the School of Business. Our faculty members have published in top journals, including those in the prestigious ABDC A*. The research is mostly interdisciplinary and co-authored by top researchers in the world.' While the School has made management education affordable to many, it has not come at the cost of quality. For instance, most courses have a technology-based multiplayer simulation. Similarly, it is the only institution in India to follow the novel 'active learning pedagogy' for all courses. In the post-pandemic period, one of the biggest pedagogical challenges was to stem declining physical attendance amidst health scares, and redesigning curricula accordingly. The School made significant investments in ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) and learning management systems to integrate offline engagement with online content. Video lectures and live sessions were arranged for students to learn continuously. 'The pandemic also offered the opportunity to examine old and outdated content and make the curriculum modern and relevant to emerging business trends and realities. As a response, we introduced a lot of digital learning and embedded technology in classrooms,' says Prof. Mohanty. The school also started involving industry more than ever before to deliver cutting-edge content to students. Partnerships with IBM and Zell Education are examples. The curriculum was also globalised by onboarding international faculty and assessment systems were overhauled by assigning more weight to continuous evaluation. In the past two years, the School of Business has added new programmes in collaboration with IBM in Analytics and tied up with the reputed Kedge Business School of France to jointly deliver four cutting-edge programmes in entrepreneurship and sustainability. It also established an innovation lab with inputs from top academics and researchers to assist faculty in conducting high-quality research in management and allied disciplines. Going forward, many BBA students choose the MBA with dual specialisation as it opens up a range of jobs, including an industry-driven switch from one function to another. For instance, a dual specialisation in marketing and business analytics equips you for a job in both marketing and marketing analytics. The School of Business is future-ready, and its burgeoning roster of students is a testament to its excellence.
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Waiting for Mortgage Rates To Drop? That's Just Wishful Thinking
With average weekly mortgage rates near 7%, many potential homebuyers are sitting on the sidelines waiting — and hoping — for rates to come down in the near future. You might be one of them, thinking that if you just hold out a bit longer that 30-year mortgage will be more affordable. Read Next: Find Out: Unfortunately, there's good reason — a lot of them, actually — to think that's not going to happen. Of course, it might help to remember that, historically, today's mortgage rates are not crazy high. They just feel that way because a mere four and five years ago they were less than half what they are now. But anyone who remembers the early 1980s, when rates hit an unimaginable 16.64%, will tell you 7% isn't too bad. Still, lower is better, so let's explore the reasons better mortgage rates might not be on the horizon anytime soon. It's no secret that President Donald Trump and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell have been at odds over the past several months. Trump wants the Fed to lower interest rates. And while it's true that this might have the effect of lowering mortgage rates, it's not a guarantee. In fact, the Fed has no direct effect on mortgage rates, only an indirect one through influencing investor expectations, said Patricia Watson, a professor in the Dr. Wallace E. Boston School of Business at American Public University who focuses on real estate. And as of June 16, CME Group's FedWatch gave the chances of the Fed keeping rates the same in this week's meeting at 99.08%. Not great odds for homebuyers. If you want to see where interest rates might be heading, a better place to check is the 10-year U.S. Treasury Note, said Watson. This is considered a standard for the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage. 'When the yield on the 10-year Treasury note rises, mortgage rates usually follow. In July 2020, the yield for this bond was just under one percent. Now it's just under 4.5 percent, a large increase,' Watson said. So mortgage rates are higher too. In May, Moody's Ratings downgraded the US ratings from Aaa to Aa1. This might not sound like a big deal, but it is. At least in global financial markets and, therefore, in mortgage rates, said Watson. This ties back to the Treasury Notes. Because this signals to the world that lending to the U.S. government — through those Treasury Notes — is considered a bit riskier, investors want higher yields. That drives up the 10-year Treasury Note rate and keeps mortgage rates high, explained Watson. These all feed into an uncertainty about the future of the American economy, and that can keep mortgage rates unchanged, Watson said. For instance, one of the ways the Fed combats inflation is through raising interest rates, making borrowing more expensive and therefore, cooling major purchases. This lowers spending, demand and, ideally, slows inflation. But if inflationary policies, such as tariffs, are implemented, the Fed becomes hesitant to lower rates, especially since lowering rates can itself be inflationary. In a time of economic uncertainty, one thing is certain, said Watson: Don't expect mortgage rates to be as low as they were in 2020 to 2022 for a very long time, if ever in our lifetime. But it's equally true that, while home prices might fluctuate some in the short-term, they go up in the long-term. So, while you might need to more carefully weigh whether you can afford a home, it's still considered by most to be one of the best wealth-building investments you can make. More From GOBankingRates 9 Downsizing Tips for the Middle Class To Save on Monthly Expenses This article originally appeared on Waiting for Mortgage Rates To Drop? That's Just Wishful Thinking Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Observer
02-06-2025
- Business
- Observer
Oman launches hotel training drive for youth employment
MUSCAT: The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism has signed a partnership agreement to launch a training-for-employment program in hotel reception across various establishments in Dhofar Governorate. The initiative aims to equip young Omanis with skills for front desk and hotel management roles, reflecting a broader strategy to enhance national employment in the growing tourism sector. The three-month training will be conducted by the Muscat Hospitality Academy, in affiliation with the internationally accredited Swiss School of Business, Hospitality, and Hotel Management. This collaboration between the public and private sectors is intended to boost service quality in the hospitality industry while aligning with Oman's vision for sustainable tourism development. The program also supports long-term economic diversification by creating new job opportunities for national talent. The agreement is part of a broader set of initiatives launched by the Ministry to build a skilled local workforce and support the continued growth of Oman's tourism sector. — ONA
