Over the years, several women pass through the heart of men.
A special love will be always there for Mom. This name knocks my memory and pushes me back in history to remember all the nice sweet things she has done for me and taught me.
Sisters will be always precious jewels that add to the Mom's tender and always need our [men] tender. Love for them is amazing and grant me a lot of endurance and perseverance to compete with them and let them proud same time.
A wife comes later on in the life to get the largest share of interest and an equitable part of the heart. She will have a special cavity deep in the heart and gives all her heart for a man who comes suddenly to knock her door and tell her that he prefers her smile and see all his future in her eyes.
I got my share of all of them in this life. Thanks God. Each one of them came into my heart gently and occupied it perpetually. The knew me more than I do know myself myself. It is weird but I appreciate every single comment they have granted me.
Mom, Oumayma, Amal, Ghina...
Aya, Rim .. and waiting for more to come
Sunday, July 09, 2006
Saturday, July 08, 2006
Innovation: Another competitive advantage for new graduates
After few years of book eating and number crunching, graduates reach their convocation deadline. However, an innate stress would affect the happiness of graduaton and the acquisition of a new prestigious degree.
Jobs offers are not waiting on the street and one cannot admire her/his new degree unless it adds to his financial stability after long years of cash distress and accumulated loans.
How can students sell themselves and claim their superior skills in a world with continuous shortage of offer supply and huge skills supply at the other side. For each one offer, thousands of CV bombard the HR officers who try their best to review some of the CVs. A lot of HR officers dare to admit their inability to review all applications because of the Goliath pool of CVs they receive through their busy fax lines and overwhelmed email inbox.
For any HR officer, she dreams of being able to pay referral bonus for an officer referring a good applicant instead of wasting long hours reviewing unknown applicants who might be only copying others' CV in order to impress the company and win an invitation for an interview. One MBA graduate that he got only 2 interviews out of 100 applications he sent.
Weird right?
Is it a problem with the newly graduates who are selling themselves?
Is it a problem with lazy HR officers who do not put enough time to review all the applications?
Is it a problem of the huge supply pool of excellent applicants for a given position?
Is it a problem of baby boomers who are not retiring easily and locking the positions longer?
Is it a problem of overseas outsourcing?
Lately, Fortune magazine emailed several MBA students and MBA alumni asking them about their experience with job hunting and whether baby boomers represent a problem for new graduates. Outsourcing is shifting a lot of jobs overseas as well and this does not need any proof.
However, there should be a way for a newly graduate to prove his competitive advantage and how to send the right signal to the recruiter that she is the most suitable applicant for a specific job. What is this winning formula?
Frankly, I do not know but there should be a way to fight up the social ladder and find the needle within this hay stack. Like businesses has to fight to sell their products and prove their superiority in the market, newly graduates has to fight and prove their skills in order to sell their profile. Gone are the days that a dull CV would ensure a new graduate a decent job.
Let us all brainstorm and look back at ourselves in order to find our weaknesses and strengths. When I know what I have and what I lack, I can position myself within better in the job market and I will have higher confidence knocking the doors of the companies where my toolset would contribute positively to the business processes. If I can not win the approval of my to-be-manager, how shall I get the acceptance of my to-be-customer.
Lately, I have been reading a lot about Innovation of product and services offering. Does this ring a bell for a job hunter? It should.
Innovation is the way for future businesses. Established firms would not survive without this new two edge sword. IPod?? What does the IPod teach us? staple Easy Button? Samsung new LCD screen? Yes innovation was the key for these companies to get back into the market and build a better stock price.
How can Innovation help me to position myself better in the market?
Is there an innovative mindset for a newly graduate to differentiate himself/herself in the job market?
I think so.
This will be the topic of my next article. Keep in touch :)
Jobs offers are not waiting on the street and one cannot admire her/his new degree unless it adds to his financial stability after long years of cash distress and accumulated loans.
How can students sell themselves and claim their superior skills in a world with continuous shortage of offer supply and huge skills supply at the other side. For each one offer, thousands of CV bombard the HR officers who try their best to review some of the CVs. A lot of HR officers dare to admit their inability to review all applications because of the Goliath pool of CVs they receive through their busy fax lines and overwhelmed email inbox.
For any HR officer, she dreams of being able to pay referral bonus for an officer referring a good applicant instead of wasting long hours reviewing unknown applicants who might be only copying others' CV in order to impress the company and win an invitation for an interview. One MBA graduate that he got only 2 interviews out of 100 applications he sent.
Weird right?
Is it a problem with the newly graduates who are selling themselves?
Is it a problem with lazy HR officers who do not put enough time to review all the applications?
Is it a problem of the huge supply pool of excellent applicants for a given position?
Is it a problem of baby boomers who are not retiring easily and locking the positions longer?
Is it a problem of overseas outsourcing?
Lately, Fortune magazine emailed several MBA students and MBA alumni asking them about their experience with job hunting and whether baby boomers represent a problem for new graduates. Outsourcing is shifting a lot of jobs overseas as well and this does not need any proof.
However, there should be a way for a newly graduate to prove his competitive advantage and how to send the right signal to the recruiter that she is the most suitable applicant for a specific job. What is this winning formula?
Frankly, I do not know but there should be a way to fight up the social ladder and find the needle within this hay stack. Like businesses has to fight to sell their products and prove their superiority in the market, newly graduates has to fight and prove their skills in order to sell their profile. Gone are the days that a dull CV would ensure a new graduate a decent job.
Let us all brainstorm and look back at ourselves in order to find our weaknesses and strengths. When I know what I have and what I lack, I can position myself within better in the job market and I will have higher confidence knocking the doors of the companies where my toolset would contribute positively to the business processes. If I can not win the approval of my to-be-manager, how shall I get the acceptance of my to-be-customer.
Lately, I have been reading a lot about Innovation of product and services offering. Does this ring a bell for a job hunter? It should.
Innovation is the way for future businesses. Established firms would not survive without this new two edge sword. IPod?? What does the IPod teach us? staple Easy Button? Samsung new LCD screen? Yes innovation was the key for these companies to get back into the market and build a better stock price.
How can Innovation help me to position myself better in the market?
Is there an innovative mindset for a newly graduate to differentiate himself/herself in the job market?
I think so.
This will be the topic of my next article. Keep in touch :)
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Students' Money. Is it FREE money?
I do not know how to start or how shall I present the topic. However, it is an irritating issue that is shaping my nightmares these days.
Is students' money paid for their associations FREE for anyone to play with it?
How can we establish accountability crieteria to make students' representatives accountable for the money they get from their fellows and should be directed for the best of collaborative life?
I noticed lately many doubts about money spending and it seems that people might abuse the power (of any type) once they acquire it easily and noone is there to ask them What you are doing or where you have got what you have?
Coming from a corrupted country, I thought North Americans are transparent and would not commit any of the mysteries that I used to be used to behind the ocean. It seems that I was mistaken and abuse does not have a nationality or race.
Is it the human nature? I do not think so.
Is it the culture? It should not be.
Personally, I have no answer but I would try my best to change something in case something can be changed.
Is students' money paid for their associations FREE for anyone to play with it?
How can we establish accountability crieteria to make students' representatives accountable for the money they get from their fellows and should be directed for the best of collaborative life?
I noticed lately many doubts about money spending and it seems that people might abuse the power (of any type) once they acquire it easily and noone is there to ask them What you are doing or where you have got what you have?
Coming from a corrupted country, I thought North Americans are transparent and would not commit any of the mysteries that I used to be used to behind the ocean. It seems that I was mistaken and abuse does not have a nationality or race.
Is it the human nature? I do not think so.
Is it the culture? It should not be.
Personally, I have no answer but I would try my best to change something in case something can be changed.
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
A Selection Of Poems and Articles - by Yahya Abdul Rahman
A Selection Of Poems and Articles- both political and personal
On Eternity and Mustard Seed - March 15, 2006
In quiet of the morning - October 5, 2005
Success - October 4, 2005
Loving What Is - September 23, 2005
Things I have learned in my life - July 22, 2005
Don't be afraid of the dark - April 9, 2005
Looking For My Own Zam Zam - March 30, 2005
Jesus - March 25, 2004
Despair - March 24, 2005
Destiny Is..... - Feb 9, 2004 -
Oh Blinded Fool - Jan 15, 2005 -
The Reality - Dec 1, 2004 -
Fallen Castles - Dec 1 2004 -
Camera Man - Sept 29, 2004 -
Listen Up - Sept 29, 2004 -
When....... - Sept 27, 2004 -
We Refuse - Sept 20th, 2004 -
Don't Forget - Sept 17, 2004 -
The Anointed One - Sept 13, 2004 -
The Last Fatiha - Sept 13, 2004 -
The Fascists - Sept 12, 2004 -
Eternity Awaits - Sept 7, 2004
Feelings - Sept 6, 2004
Orange - August 3, 2004
Over Here - May 31, 2004
Maybe - May 30, 2004
*********************************
The Reality of Ramadan - October 6, 2005
Perseverance - October 3, 2005
The Provisions Within - September 27, 2005
Sunday, March 05, 2006
Together for a brighter future for Concordia
A year ago, I read a strongly worded article in The Graduate (Concordia Graduate Students' Association magazine) on the conflict between education and commercialized research in the broad social context. "Today universities are in serious danger of becoming driven by market priorities" the article noted.
Regardless of the significance of the commercialization of research, research time is growing at the expense of knowledge dissemination which is the core mission of universities. This perception was expressed in Dr. Ahmad viewpoint (Concordia Journal, v.1-7). The pressure of reality is causing a major drift within the faculty body towards research and away from teaching, which should be the university central purpose.
Academic training channels the students’ social contribution, shapes their mindset, and prepares them for the career life. The instructor plays a very important role in the development of their students’ welfare. Some professors, sometimes, underestimate the role of class dynamics in transmitting their message to their intellectual products. In an increasing number of classes, students – as quiet receptors - listen to long lectures and stare at colorful fast-food slides. Though, they had spent enough years in silent acquisition under old elementary and intermediary pedagogical model. Students are looking forward to experience passionate pedagogical approaches that stimulate high level of desire for deep research and enlightenment.
The current pedagogical approach in most of Concordia classes should be redesigned to vocalize a clear objective behind the practical training. The lecturer should be able to design, formulate, and deliver his/her course material in a smooth and pressure-free process without pushing the flaws to the students side who come from the four corners of the world. Many of these students put serious efforts to join universities and are demanding real added values during their post secondary studies. I came from Lebanon to gain invaluable competitive advantages, and my friend Lu came from China to acquire a different set of skills. For the majority of my classes, I could not taste the Holy Grail that I might have had illusions about. My Canadian colleague Nada does not believe that her university degree enabled here to get into the rose garden, and she admits that we have to push hard in Concordia to get what we were promised of.
Going back to Dr. Ahmad’s viewpoint, I strongly agree with the proposed solution that stressed on the importance of building a different institutional measure that redresses the balance of teaching and research. Faculty concentrates more on the research goals rather than the teaching mission. They left enough doors and windows for us, students, to judge their teaching approaches. Dean Nabil Ismail from the Engineering side pointed the need of continuous assessment of the methodology of teaching skills in engineering training especially at the undergraduate level. Professors should care not only for the content they deliver, but also for well designed training skills which graduates need when they enter the workforce. It is sad to see rich academic content lacking a clear objective and a strong learning process.
Better teaching processes and learning models would draw another practical dimension for Concordia’s mission statement
As a graduate student, I am not convinced that the current learning and teaching model realizes this mission statement. Other students expressed their feeling that the bureaucratic organization treats them as mere numbers. I am glad that program administrators realized the importance of reshaping current program structures but still worried about the questionable priorities leading the administration decisions as expressed by Dr. Hochstein’s viewpoint.
Finally, I would like to stress that my experience in Concordia has been rich and fruitful during the past two years in my graduate studies. Though, it is still below the expectations of an international student sacrificing his saving for a graduate degree.
Regardless of the significance of the commercialization of research, research time is growing at the expense of knowledge dissemination which is the core mission of universities. This perception was expressed in Dr. Ahmad viewpoint (Concordia Journal, v.1-7). The pressure of reality is causing a major drift within the faculty body towards research and away from teaching, which should be the university central purpose.
Academic training channels the students’ social contribution, shapes their mindset, and prepares them for the career life. The instructor plays a very important role in the development of their students’ welfare. Some professors, sometimes, underestimate the role of class dynamics in transmitting their message to their intellectual products. In an increasing number of classes, students – as quiet receptors - listen to long lectures and stare at colorful fast-food slides. Though, they had spent enough years in silent acquisition under old elementary and intermediary pedagogical model. Students are looking forward to experience passionate pedagogical approaches that stimulate high level of desire for deep research and enlightenment.
The current pedagogical approach in most of Concordia classes should be redesigned to vocalize a clear objective behind the practical training. The lecturer should be able to design, formulate, and deliver his/her course material in a smooth and pressure-free process without pushing the flaws to the students side who come from the four corners of the world. Many of these students put serious efforts to join universities and are demanding real added values during their post secondary studies. I came from Lebanon to gain invaluable competitive advantages, and my friend Lu came from China to acquire a different set of skills. For the majority of my classes, I could not taste the Holy Grail that I might have had illusions about. My Canadian colleague Nada does not believe that her university degree enabled here to get into the rose garden, and she admits that we have to push hard in Concordia to get what we were promised of.
Going back to Dr. Ahmad’s viewpoint, I strongly agree with the proposed solution that stressed on the importance of building a different institutional measure that redresses the balance of teaching and research. Faculty concentrates more on the research goals rather than the teaching mission. They left enough doors and windows for us, students, to judge their teaching approaches. Dean Nabil Ismail from the Engineering side pointed the need of continuous assessment of the methodology of teaching skills in engineering training especially at the undergraduate level. Professors should care not only for the content they deliver, but also for well designed training skills which graduates need when they enter the workforce. It is sad to see rich academic content lacking a clear objective and a strong learning process.
Better teaching processes and learning models would draw another practical dimension for Concordia’s mission statement
"Concordia is committed to responsible and innovative leadership in fulfilling the mission of universities to develop and disseminate knowledge and values and to act as a social critic"
As a graduate student, I am not convinced that the current learning and teaching model realizes this mission statement. Other students expressed their feeling that the bureaucratic organization treats them as mere numbers. I am glad that program administrators realized the importance of reshaping current program structures but still worried about the questionable priorities leading the administration decisions as expressed by Dr. Hochstein’s viewpoint.
Finally, I would like to stress that my experience in Concordia has been rich and fruitful during the past two years in my graduate studies. Though, it is still below the expectations of an international student sacrificing his saving for a graduate degree.
Saturday, February 11, 2006
Who is this prophet that people are attacking?
Few Danish caricature opened the door for a worldwide debate about freedom of speech and religious respect. Yes, freedom of speech has a higher priority in the west and they have the right to defend this freedom. However, is it open for anyone to bash and attack everybody whenever s/he desires?
It is an open question and the answer is not straightforward. I do respect the western right of Freedom of expression and there is no need to discuss the limits and conditions as long as a free journalist appreciate and respect the dignity of others.
I would like to look at the other side of the story. Why journalists are attacking Islam and the Prophet Muhammad, may Allah exalt his mention.
Who is this man?
Is he a holy creature that cannot be challenged?
What is his message?
Why Muslims love him so much?
Do non-Muslims hate him that much?
Did he live up to his claims?
In few words, What is the truth about this man?
Friday, January 13, 2006
What do Business graduates need?
I finished my first degree in business and heading into the second degree but still I could not answer this question.
Some students came to the MBA for the prestige of it. They thought, MBA will push them high into the corporate pyramid. Others came to acquire new skills that enable them to compete into the tight Northern American market. A lot of international students left their countries and sacrificed their savings in order to get an International degree and a reputation for their skillset. A lot of them are struggling now to find a new job. They are struggling sometimes more than what they used to be. At one hand, they used to compete into their own field that they knew well and acquired enough skills to work in. Now, they are competing with new others and in another land they do not know much about it.
Very few came to acquire a new mindset and understand the trick of the business. An MBA or another degree in commerce would not enable an engineer or a science student to find his dream career because he/she has a new degree. An MBA was designed to enhance the understanding of business for de-facto managers and evolved to become the corporate standard of excellence. However, having too many excellent MBA lately devaluated the MBA value :(
Some students came to the MBA for the prestige of it. They thought, MBA will push them high into the corporate pyramid. Others came to acquire new skills that enable them to compete into the tight Northern American market. A lot of international students left their countries and sacrificed their savings in order to get an International degree and a reputation for their skillset. A lot of them are struggling now to find a new job. They are struggling sometimes more than what they used to be. At one hand, they used to compete into their own field that they knew well and acquired enough skills to work in. Now, they are competing with new others and in another land they do not know much about it.
Very few came to acquire a new mindset and understand the trick of the business. An MBA or another degree in commerce would not enable an engineer or a science student to find his dream career because he/she has a new degree. An MBA was designed to enhance the understanding of business for de-facto managers and evolved to become the corporate standard of excellence. However, having too many excellent MBA lately devaluated the MBA value :(
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