United Arab Emirates University
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CYBERSECURITY EDUCATION AND CONTINUOUS LEARNING TOWARDS UAE NCSP FULFILMENT
Get PDFThis dissertation delves into enhancing cybersecurity education by aligning academic curricula with national cybersecurity strategic plan (NCSP) objectives, emphasizing the crucial role of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in developing a skilled cybersecurity workforce. Analyzing ten NCSPs, it identifies strategic themes and gaps between national goals and HEI offerings. The study reviews NCSP guidelines, international cybersecurity indices, and literature, including the NICE-NIST framework, to develop a framework that bridges the educational gap, improving learning outcomes and arming students with vital skills, knowledge, and competencies. Furthermore, it introduces a platform for continuous cybersecurity learning, employing micro-credentials, blockchain technology, and AI-driven systems. Based on Qualification Reference Frameworks and UAE’s governance, this platform addresses the cybersecurity professional shortage by advocating lifelong learning. It contrasts the UAE’s Qualifications Framework with traditional models, incorporating Alternative Digital Credentials (ADCs) and leveraging blockchain and AI for personalized learning paths. Investigating international standards and competency frameworks, such as NICE-NIST and Bloom’s taxonomy, the research contributes to cybersecurity capacity building, highlighting the impact of ADCs, blockchain, and AI in transforming education and training. This dissertation stands as a testament to the power of innovative educational strategies and technologies in developing a competent global cybersecurity workforce
VALORIZATION OF DATE PALM WASTE FOR THE ISOLATION, CHARACTERIZATION, AND SURFACE CHEMISTRY MODIFICATION OF NANOCELLULOSE
Get PDFThis dissertation focuses on the utilization of date palm waste, a lignocellulosic material, as a source for the extraction of nanocellulose (NC), a versatile biopolymer with applications in biodegradable composites, bioplastics, and food packaging. Conventional methods of NC production using mineral acids such as sulphuric and hydrochloric acid are reaching their limits of toxicity, so more environmentally friendly alternatives such as ionic liquids (ILs) are being explored. The research focuses on the characterization of different date palm wastes to evaluate their α−cellulose content, lignocellulosic character, and thermal stability. By comparing extraction methods with mineral acids and ILs, the study evaluates critical parameters such as NC yield and particle size. A novel approach integrates transition metal complex such as copper nitrate with pyridine to increase the hydrolysis efficiency of NC production by improving the yield by 10−25%, reducing particle size of nanocellulose (≈100 nm), improving crystallinity index (=60−80%), increased thermal stability ( ≥250°C), and activation energy ( ≥150 kJ/mol) when used in an amount of 0.5−1.5 wt%. The purity of NC, free of copper residues, is confirmed by energy dispersion X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). In addition, the hydrophilic nature of NC is modified by silanization, enabling its potential application in biodegradable composites. This shift to green solvents hydrolysis coupled with transition metal complexes not only improves yields but also promotes sustainable waste management practices, especially in regions such as the United Arab Emirates and the Gulf region, where date palm waste is abundant
Digital entrepreneurship education in universities through the lens of educators: evidence from the United Arab Emirates
No full textThis study aims to comprehend the present status and provide future directions regarding digital entrepreneurship education by analyzing the perspectives of entrepreneurship educators based in universities across the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The adoption of an inductive, social constructivist approach sets this research apart. Primary data was collected by conducting in-depth, semi-structured interviews with educators affiliated with public and private universities. Participants were selected using random sampling and snowballing techniques. This research not only highlights a gap between digital entrepreneurship education and fast-paced industry expectations but also underscores its potential impact on the UAE’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. It expands the knowledge and literature in entrepreneurship and higher education domains and provides a common view for scholars, academics, and other beneficiaries to undertake further in-depth studies. Remedial measures suggested in this study would enable the nurturing of effective digital entrepreneurial competencies among students, who could successfully contribute to the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and economic diversification. Moreover, this study provides valuable insights into the digital entrepreneurship education landscape across universities in the UAE through the lens of educators, which has not been presented to date
ASSESSING CLIMATE CHANGE-INDUCED DROUGHT IN ABU DHABI
Get PDFThis thesis examines trends of drought related to climate change in a region within the Abu Dhabi Emirate through advanced remote sensing and statistical trend analysis techniques. To analyze long-term trends in temperature, precipitation, evapotranspiration, and groundwater levels, we use Google Earth Engine (GEE) as our primary data extraction and analysis tool, covering the years from 2002 to 2016. Evaluation of MODIS Land Surface Temperature data indicated a statistically significant warming trend each month, with rates reaching as high as 0.1°C/year. Although precipitation patterns revealed significant variability without any major trends, evapotranspiration values showed a predictable increase, especially during the winter. Analysis of GRACE data showed a concerning fall in groundwater storage, which was strongly associated with climbing temperatures (r = -0.76, p \u3c 0.001), growing evapotranspiration rates (r = -0.81, p \u3c 0.001). A multi-index drought analysis that includes the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), the Reconnaissance Drought Index (RDI), and the Aridity Index (AI) delivered a more sophisticated understanding of drought conditions. There was no perceived trend in SPI, but AI showed a pronounced decrease (tau = -0.765, p \u3c 0.001), which suggests a growing aridity. These discoveries stress the critical demand for sustainable water management in arid regions such as Abu Dhabi Emirate. This thesis introduces strategies for managed aquifer recharge, stricter groundwater regulations, and pioneering desalination technologies, emphasizing potential research paths in advanced remote sensing, improved climate modeling applicable to arid environments, and interdisciplinary practices to build resilience against climate change impacts
QUANTIFYING AEROSOL CONCENTRATIONS AND PARTICLE SIZES IN THE UAE ATMOSPHERE USING REMOTE SENSING
Get PDFThis thesis investigates atmospheric aerosol concentrations, with a particular focus on the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The study maps the spatial and temporal variations in Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) and characterizes aerosols using high-resolution Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) products. The primary objective of this research is to enhance the understanding of aerosol dynamics in the UAE by distinguishing between natural and anthropogenic aerosols through the Angström Exponent (AE) and assessing their impacts on local climate, air quality, and public health. The study employs Remote Sensing (RS) techniques to conduct detailed environmental assessments, analyzing AOD variability across daily, monthly, seasonal, and annual timescales. This includes examining the influence of natural phenomena, such as dust storms, and human activities, such as industrial emissions and transportation. The analysis reveals significant trends and fluctuations in AOD driven by both natural and anthropogenic factors. Daily variability is marked by extreme values during dust storms, while monthly and seasonal variabilities show peaks during the summer due to increased dust activity and industrial emissions. Annual variability reflects long-term trends influenced by industrial growth and meteorological conditions, with notable reductions during the COVID-19 pandemic. This research provides critical insights into the impacts of various aerosol sources and advances the application of remote sensing technology in environmental assessments. The study\u27s findings contribute to a better understanding of aerosol dynamics and their implications for climate models, air quality management, and public health strategies
STRUCTURAL BEHAVIOR OF CORRODED REINFORCED CONCRETE BEAM ELEMENTS REPAIRED WITH FABRIC-REINFORCED MATRIX COMPOSITES
Get PDFAdvanced methods for rehabilitation of reinforced concrete (RC) beams with corroded reinforcement were designed and implemented in this research. The nonlinear flexural and shear behaviors of RC beams with corroded reinforcement repaired with fabric-reinforced matrix (FRM) composites were investigated. Numerical simulation models were developed to predict the flexural response of flexure-deficient continuous RC beams before and after repair with FRM composites. A novel sustainable repair solution that involves the use of cement-free geopolymeric matrix reinforced with nonmetallic fabrics was also introduced for rehabilitation of shear-critical RC beams with corroded stirrups. Simplified and easy-to-use analytical approaches were adopted to estimate the strength of the beams before and after repair with FRM composites. Laboratory tests were conducted to validate the modeling predictions. The experimental campaign related to the flexural behavior included testing of 15 continuous RC beams with corroded reinforcement of various severity of 10 to 40% cross-sectional loss in either the sagging or hogging region. Seven corroded beams were kept unrepaired, whereas seven corroded beams were repaired with carbon fabric-reinforced cementitious mortar (C-FRCM) composites. One virgin beam served as a benchmark. Test results showed that RC beams with 20–40% sagging corrosion exhibited a load capacity reduction of 9–15%, while those with hogging corrosion had a maximum reduction of 9%. The C-FRCM repair technique designed and implemented in this research successfully recovered the flexural performance of the virgin beam. The behavior of the flexure-critical continuous RC beams predicted numerically was in good agreement with that obtained from the experiments. The experimental campaign related to the shear behavior included testing of 10 shear-critical RC beam specimens with various levels of stirrup corrosion. Test variables included the level of corrosion damage in the stirrups, 15 and 50%, the type of the reinforcing fabrics, carbon (C) and polyparaphenylene benzobisoxazole (PBO), and the type of the matrix, geopolymeric andcementitious. A virgin uncorroded-unrepaired RC beam acted as a reference. The results showed that RC beams with 15 and 50% stirrup corrosion experienced respective shear strength reductions of 12 and 34%. The geopolymer-based FRM repair solution developed and implemented in this study was effective in restoring the original shear strength of the virgin beam, with a performance reaching 83–100% of that of the cement-based FRM repair solution. The analytical methodology adopted in the present study tended to provide reasonable conservative predictions for the flexural and shear strengths of the tested beams. The outcomes of this study would assist practitioners and researchers in proper design and implementation of innovative and sustainable solutions for rehabilitation of RC beams with corroded reinforcement
INVESTIGATING THE ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT FOR EDUCATORS SUPPORTING STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: A STUDY ON ADMINISTRATIVE STRATEGIES IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Get PDFThe aim of the study is to explore whether organizational support can help general and special educators to provide effective services to their students with disabilities. Additionally, the study seeks to identify strategies that program administrators can employ to overcome barriers and provide better support to their staff. Using a mixedmethod approach, which includes a survey (N=25) with 10 participants working in special education and 15 in general education and interviews with five education leaders in both special and general education settings. These leaders, who hold positions such as Directors of General Education and Special Needs Coordinators, bring varied years of experience ranging from 6 to 12 years and have significant insights into supporting both general and special education teachers. The survey contains (12) questions and was developed for this research. The results of the study reveal several ways in which leadership teams can support special education and general education educators in
schools. These strategies include adopting effective communication methods, such as scheduling recurrent one-on-one meetings, using concise written communication, active listening, and empathy during conflict resolution, and providing training opportunities to facilitate professional development. Moreover, the study highlights significant barriers faced by administrators, including lack of clear inclusive policies and procedures, innovative educational technologies, comprehensive training programs, multidisciplinary teams, and funding and collaborative partnerships with stakeholders. In conclusion, our findings underscore the crucial role of effective support mechanisms in fostering a conducive environment for the growth and success of educators for both educators and administrators in UAE schools. By providing clear insights into effective support strategies and identifying critical barriers to inclusive education a more supportive and inclusive learning environment can be created for students with disabilities in UAE schools
THE MEDIATING ROLE OF RELIGIOUS COPING AND PSYCHOLOGICAL INFLEXIBILITY IN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PERCEIVED LIFE STRESS AND DEPRESSION IN AN ARAB MUSLIM SAMPLE
Get PDFThis study examines the association between depression and perceived stress, with a particular focus on the mediating function of psychological rigidity and religious coping strategies in a sample of 18–30-year-old Arab Muslims. Online questionnaires measuring psychological flexibility, perceived stress, depression, religious coping, and demographics were filled out by participants. Higher stress levels were expected to be associated with higher levels of depression (H1), and the study postulated that both negative and positive psychological inflexibility and religious coping would mitigate this association (H2a and H2b, respectively). Significant positive relationships were found between religious coping qualities, depression, and perceived stress. A mediation analysis showed that psychological inflexibility and religious coping acted as mediators between perceived stress and depression, which had a significant impact on the latter. There was a high correlation between perceived stress and psychological rigidity, as well as positive and negative coping strategies. Stress had a substantial impact on depression scores; whereas psychological rigidity and negative coping contributed to an increase in depression, good coping decreased it. Psychological inflexibility was found to have strong indirect impacts, negative coping to have moderate effects, and positive coping to have no significant effects. These results offer significant new perspectives on the management of stress and depression among young Arab Muslims. They imply that therapies promoting psychological flexibility and lowering negative religious coping may be especially beneficial in alleviating the impact of stress on mental health within this cohort. Culturally appropriate mental health treatments can be informed by an understanding of these dynamics
AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE PERCEPTIONS OF FEMALE EMPLOYEES IN THE ABU DHABI GOVERNMENT SECTOR ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN WORK AND FAMILY LIFE AND ITS EFFECT ON THEIR WELL-BEING
Get PDFDue to a radical shift in the employee’s workforce interests, work-life balance (WLB) with its several policies and theoretical implications, has gained importance over the years. This study examines the interaction between family responsibilities and work duties, how it influences women\u27s well-being and the impact this has on work performance, personal well-being and private life. The study applies a theoretical framework that combines elements of Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) theory and Resource Conservation Theory (COR) to highlight how these women deal with and relate to significant work-family imbalances reflected in their personal well-being. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 20 senior female employees in top administrative positions in various sectors of the Abu Dhabi government. To achieve job success, Emirati women, particularly in the private sector, will face significant challenges, exacerbated by longer working hours, shorter vacation periods, and increased work pressure. This study shows that the struggle between work and family has a significant impact on women\u27s well-being, resulting in higher levels of stress, anxiety, and physical health issues like fatigue and frequent illness. Emotional distress and guilt are common as women try to juggle work and family duties. The results highlight the crucial role of organizational backing and adaptable work schedules in mitigating work-family conflicts. It also stresses the importance of establishing boundaries and practicing self-care to preserve one\u27s well-being. The study underscores the significance of supportive environments in both work and home settings for effectively managing these issues. The study concludes that resolving conflicts between work and family is essential not only for the well-being of female employees but also for improving organizational performance and efficiency. These findings advance understanding of the complex interplay of sociocultural factors and organizational dynamics that shape Emirati women\u27s work-life balance experiences
CULTIVATION OF FOOD AND FODDER CROP MILLETS AND QUINOA IN THE AQUAPONICS SYSTEM FOR SUSTAINABLE FOOD SECURITY IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Get PDFAquaponics is a sustainable food production technology that integrates aquaculture with hydroponics. This study aimed to evaluate the possible impact of an aquaponics system on the cultivation of pearl millet, finger millet, and quinoa, utilizing water from tilapia aquaculture. The duration of the experiment is six months utilizing the manually constructed backyard aquaponics system. Tilapia fish serves as the principal biological material for nutrient generation in the experiment. This study investigated and recorded water quality indicators, including pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels over the experimental period. The parameters of fish growth, including survival rate, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, proximate composition, and production quality, were assessed and documented. In addition to the plant development characteristics, biochemical and proximate content were assessed, along with the nutritional quality of the grain (biochemical and mineral concentration). This study demonstrated superior performance in fish productivity and proximate composition, alongside an enhanced level of grain production appreciation. The generated grains exhibit superior nutritional quality in terms of biochemical and mineral concentration. The crop leaves exhibit enhanced nutrient quality performance. The findings indicated that the aquaponics system can effectively cultivate millet crops, with the nutrients from the aquaponics being efficiently utilized to create high-quality grains. Overall, this research highlights the potential for aquaponics systems to not only enhance fish productivity but also improve the nutritional quality of grains. By utilizing the nutrients from the system effectively, aquaponics can contribute to sustainable agriculture practices and food production